Bangkok, Sunday, June 10,2007

We are up and about at 10:30 am. We have found it is better to get up early when it is cool then take it easy in the mid-day. We had a wonderful day yesterday. We left on a tour at 7:00am which started out by taking us to the floating market. You navigate the area in a boat for about 5 people rowed by a native. The boats go past all the individual vendors trying to sell you their goods. I bought a small buddha and they start of the price at $30 and I ended up buying it for $7.00. I guess the answer seems to be to start low and don't budge in price. If they aren't going to make any money they will not accept your offer. After this adventure we drove to an elephant and crocodile farm. First we had a lovely Thai buffet lunch. I really am enjoying their food and even Brian is starting to like it - a bit! We then saw a very interesting elephant show which included everything from how they were used for farming, hunting and fighting. Needless to say we are outside this whole time and the two of us are getting quite uncomfortable. It doesn't seem to matter how much we drink we are always WET! and HOT! Because of this we didn't really stay to watch too much of the crocodile show. Did see a bit of wretling but missed the part when he put his head into the crocodile's mouth. We were off next to the Rose Garden Hotel & Resort for a Thai Cultural show. We saw everything from Thai boxing and long & short stick fighting to a wedding ceremony and the traditional bamboo dancing. It was a very long day - returning at 6:00pm. We were supposed to meet a couple we had previously met from New Zealand to go to the night market, but they unfortunately had left so we nursed a few cool drinks and had a light supper then off to bed (at 8:30pm). We still haven't quite gotten used to the time change since we are awake and raring to go at 4:30 in the morning. Our day today will be quiet - an overnight train to Kuala Lumpur so will be able to get in some reading and just relax. You know how it is - when you are in a new place you really want to discover the local sights but it can be quite draining. We got some terrific pictures yesterday so shall send them off soon.