Grand Palace

Photo: Grand Palace

Day 47: Bangkok

The slowest start we’ve had so far… 11am before everybody was awake. We headed straight to the Grand Palace. The taxi driver was full of useful and not so useful information. We found out that the king is very sick (possibly useful – but I’m not sure to who) and that the driver likes European cars (not so useful).

The Grand Palace is – Grand. Lauren loved it. It was so much bigger and grander than she was expecting. Unfortunately the Temple of the Emerald Buddha was closed today due to an event being set up (we think maybe the King’s birthday?) but we could still see inside from the outside. After we had a good look around we headed to the river where we caught a local river ferry with its extremely brief, jump-on-jump-off stops where it doesn’t even tie up to the wharf at some stops. Next form of transport was the ‘sky-train’ to get us back near the hotel, then walked the last bit, through the street stalls and markets. A swim and a poolside drink coled us off, before heading to the complimentary Thai dinner and Show, put on by the hotel.

The dinner was fantastic. Each person was served a variety of great Thai food, followed by traditional Thai dancing.

Bangkok

Photo: Welcome to Bangkok

Day 46: In flight to Bangkok

After losing 6 hours and sitting in Bangkok traffic for over an hour to get to our hotel, there was little time left for much else. A quick dinner in a nearby food court, a chat to the tour desk to organize the next few days, a short stroll around the block to check out the night markets and the day is gone.

We all managed some sleep on the plane, so hopefully we’ll be ready to get into it tomorrow.

Harrods Bear

   

Photo: Bit short on subjects today - too much travel.

Day 45: Athens to mid air over the middle east (on the way to Bangkok)

Our 5pm ferry from Santorini, which was rescheduled to 8pm finally turned up at 9.30pm, which meant we didn’t get back to Piraeus port in Athens till about 1.30am and back to the hotel in Athens just before 2am. Lucklily our pickup at the port was there to meet us and the hotel reception was still open when we arrived. The taxi trip was interesting – or should I say fast. I don’t think the kids have ever been in a car doing 140km/h.

After a bit of a sleep in we did some final shopping in Athens before heading to the airport. The taxi driver was great, telling us a lot about the troubles in Greece, working conditions and some of the things the government is trying to do. He told us that the reason behind the recent taxi strikes is that the government wants to deregulate the taxi industry, making it legal for anybody to take paying passengers and meaning the fees the taxi licence drivers have paid a fortune for would be worthless. In the public sector, the government is trying to cut 300,000 jobs. I can see why the locals are angry.

The next few hours is flying, waiting, flying – arriving in Bangkok tomorrow afternoon. Not much chance for any photos today, so I’m not sure what the photo-a-day will end up being. I’ll find something interesting I hope.

Donkey or mule?

Photo: My new donkey (or mule?) friend

Day 44: Santorini to Athens

We found out this morning that our ferry back to Athens would leave at 8pm instead of 5pm, so we’re having a day in limbo – not enough time to organize anything, but too much time to sit around. We’re currently at the port, having a drink and watching the world go by. The kids and Carol had another donkey ride this morning while I stayed at the top to get photos. I think I made a new best friend. One of the donkeys came over to say hello while I was waiting. It was so friendly. We also checked out the archeological museum in Fira. It’s filled with all the items found at the ancient city that we visited yesterday. So much pottery in such good condition. The museum also had pottery from another site, dating back to 19^th century BC. Wow. That’s old!

Taverna

Photo: A local checks out a tourist at his favourite taverna. I love this type of shot, but it's always hard to catch the moment.

Day 43: Santorini

We decided to see the other side of the island today, away from the touristy glitz. We caught the local bus to Kamari on the east coast. The landscape is very different, with gently sloping volcanic fields and then a largesteep sedimentary outcrop which drops off into the sea. After exploring the black sand beach at Kamari, finding a cache and dropping off some travel bugs, we caught a bus up to the base of Ancient Thira, the original city on the island dating from 1650BC, and had a look around the ruins. From there we walked down the other side of the ridge to the town of Perissa, even less touristy with great food at really cheap prices. Lunch for the 4 of us cost a whole 10 euro! From there we attempted to catch the bus back to Fira, but of course it didn’t turn up. We ended up catching a taxi. 100m down the road after getting in the taxi the bus turned up. Oh well. Compulsory drinks on the terrace, then a quiet night.