Stop over

Bangkok

17.12.2010 - 20.12.2010 30 °C

Oscar and Isabella settled into the flight in no-time flat. Comfortable seating combined with a healthy dose of Veneargan saw them through to Bangkok, sleeping seven out of the nine hours on the flight

We spent two nights at the Centara Grand. Located in the shopping district it was a great base to do some sight-seeing, shopping, lounge by the pool and, of course, the obligatory thai massage. Arriving at breakfast half an hour early (5:30am - don't you love jet lag) we squeezed in a buffet breakfast before opting for a last minute tour of the floating markets. Located 1.5 hours drive outside of Bangkok it was a great chance to also see the surrounding areas. WE stopped at a palm sugar plantation, saw some caged monkeys and not so caged pythons before arriving at the canals.

Here we boarded a high speed long boat. Basically a canoe with a stright six cylinder car engine strapped to a stick with a propeller on the end. The drive uses his feet to steer it at about 50km/hr down a 10 meter wide canal. Quite a skill but not a lot of margin for error. We all loved it!

Back at the hotel we hit the pool for some R&R and a club sandwich.

Having not been satisfied with the adrenaline rush of the high speed canoe we thought we'd try our luck in a Tuk Tuk (3 wheel motor cycle with passenger seats on the back. Again we took our lives into our hands but it was an awesome way to pick up the local sights, smells and sounds of the city.

Day 2
Some Christmas shopping in the morning and spa treatment in the afternoon. A baby-sitter was booked for a few hours while Susanne and I hit the very impressive spa. Several hours, a facial, sea-weed wrap and a couple of masaages later we emerged 2.5 years younger and ready for the flight.

Farewll to Pop