Bangkok, Day 4

Today was about getting to the local weekend market, Chatuchak, an easy ride on two skytrains into the north of the city. As we arrived we saw the extent of the market from above - it would easily cover four city blocks, and is definitely the largest that I have ever seen. It was also the best, and a highlight of Bangkok for us. It's on all day Saturday and Sunday.

There are fabulous artworks of all sorts, including Bumblebee and the Alien, human size, made from engine parts, paintings, jewellery and beautiful pottery. The prices all seem very reasonable, and bartering wasn't part of the game. For a few years now we have collected small artworks from each of our travels - it's lovely to pass by them in our hallway and remember the fabulous places we've been.

I wanted to hire a shipping container and fill it up with all the beautiful things. There were clothes, both second hand and new, including camo gear from the Australian and US armies, softened with wear, but all very clean. We bought some levis in wonderful worn condition for $8 each. There were magnificent boots of all sorts, worn and new. In contrast to Australian flea markets, everything in this market was so clean and well presented it is still hard to believe that it was not all new.
We enjoyed a rest at a well decorated bar - it had cowhide stools and a rhinoceros statue, as well as it's own DJ playing lounge music. It was a great location to watch locals and tourists wandering through the market.

I really enjoyed this market, and I can definitely recommend a visit. There were magnificent places to eat, money changers, ATMs, clean toilets and people, people, people.

It is remarkably difficult to get around here, unless it's on the skytrain path, or near the river. I think I talked about this yesterday, but it has certainly limited what we've seen. We could have tried harder, but spending too long in the fumes in a tuk-tuk or walking all day in 40 degree heat seems like too much hard work. I would have like to see the temples, and today would have been the day, as it has been much quieter on the roads and footpaths, but tiredness won out and the hotel beckoned. We did hop in a cab to get to one of the temples at one point, but after 20 minutes we only marginally closer in heavy traffic with a driver who didn't speak any english, so we leaped out again and caught the skytrain home.  In recent times we have tried not to end up back at home after a holiday, more tired than we were before we left. Sometimes it seems as though we should be out seeing everything, but you just can't see it all first go. All I hope to do these days is enjoy my travel and know where I'd like to return to.

I've really enjoyed Bangkok, but I won't be hurrying back soon. When we do come back I think we'll stay a few days in a hotel close to the temples and old city, so that we can see it all on foot.