Last Morning

Well downstairs waiting for Mim so I thought I’d try to catch up with news of yesterday.
Monday 23rd October
Decide that we should do something a bit more cultural on our last day so decide on the marble temple Wat Benchamabophit and take a meter taxi ride there at 11 o’clock. Streets were clear as Monday was a national holiday. When we arrived at the temple there was a notice that it was free entry because of the holiday. There were hundreds of worshippers and prayers being offered in the temple itself. Stunning marble with the ornate golden roof we have come to expect. Over foot bridges across a narrow canal were the dormitories and ancilliary buildings of the monks as this was a seminary as well as a monastery. Monks and trainee seminarians walking around ranged from about 9 years to 99 years. Families were eating meals in the areas surrounding the main temple. The canal mentioned previously was stocked with huge white Koi and catfish – huge because not only were they fen on bananas and pawpaw by the monks but visitors were feeding them bread and fish food. It was extremely hot and humid and we were soaked!
On the way out of the temple grounds, I saw a lady scouter. Stopped and took her photo trying to explain that I, too, was a scouter. Then saw another couple of ladies one of whom in true leader fashion insisted we walk in a particular direction and escorted us. The road we had to cross was extremely busy but she just stuck her folded umbrella out in front of her, glared at the traffic and it was like Moses parting the Red Sea!
When we got to the statue of King Chulalongkorn we realized that today was a holiday in his honour. The area around the statue of the king seated on his horse was cordoned of and was completely filled with hundreds of floral tributes erected on easel like stands. They had all been done by various associations and groups. Amazing.
After spending some time there admiring and wondering at the devotion of the Thai, we walked a fair distance to the Teak Mansion or palace. This is the largest teak building in the world and is still used by the current royal family when entertaining overseas guests. Entry included a tour in English.
We were just to hot to walk when we left so we took a bus to Victory Monument aided by a couple of European tourists. Another new experience. Shopping for some more watches then on the sky train to our stop at Asok. From there straight to our pub for an ice cold beer. We did not notice the bar filling up until we were twice asked if we wanted more beer and, looking around, realized that all the single European men were now accompanied by Thai ladies and we obviously did not fit in. Took the short walk to the Vietnames restaurant on the corner of our Soi. We had our first meal here so thought it was a fitting place for our last.
A bit more packing and a few drinks then down to the lobby for our last foot massage and so to bed.S
Tuesday 24th October
Phone rang at 6 a.m. Pote was in the lobby. I threw my clothes on and came down. He had brought a packet each for Mim and I containing ingredients for our Thai cooking. Such a thoughtful gift and sad to say goodbye.
Mim’s downstairs beside me now so I will post this and we’ll have breakfast and then it’s Goodbye Bangkok.