Apparently Bangkok does not sleep either. I think it was 5am when my taxi dropped me off. Even though the bars are “supposed” to close by 1am – they just use it as a suggestion. In fact, I still have yet to see a police presence cracking down on, well, anything. I have a feeling a lot goes on behind the scenes.

The breakfast buffet came way too early, but was very needed. 9Am. Sure.  I can exist on 4 hours sleep.  No problem.

This was my get-out-and see-Bangkok day. I was determined to see the Grand Palace but fate had other plans.

On my way to the palace, which is a tourist nightmare, I was approached by a well spoken gentleman. He directed me to a couple other lesser-known temples and said to return later when it was not so busy.  Ok, sure.  Good plan! He summoned a tuk-tuk driver, gave some directions, told me to only pay 40bhat (about $1) and off I went.  The first was interesting, but I noticed no other tourists were around. Nonetheless, I was pretty amazing.  Our next stop. Humm….I don’t see a temple. Looks nice though.  I walk inside and it hits me.  It’s a SUIT shop (which are EVERYWHERE).  Damn.  Just so everyone knows, this is a notorious thing here in Bangkok.  Tuk-tuks will offer you a dirt cheap price to your location only to make a little detour from the route and deliver you to a suit shop, jewelry store or loose stone market.  Jeez.  Ok.  I just had a typical Bangkok experience.  Back to the temples please.

We went to one more temple and realized after I returned that he left me there, no biggie as I totally expected it.

Ok, now time to find the Grand Palace.  Nothing is stopping me now! I am on a mission. Well, apparently the ticket window closed just 2 mins before I got the the window. No worries, I can try to find the reclining buddah. Again, walking…more walking. Ok.  So I detoured through a Buddhist compound which I thought was it, but no.  Still amazing.  Everyone was wearing the traditional bright orange Buddhist sarong, which made for amazing imagery.

Finally found the template with the reclining buddah. Cool! No, closed. Crap. I think some greater powers are at work here, so i’ll just accept it.  It’s a greater plan I suspect.

My night ends with a last dinner with Eva and stroll through the Khao san district. We part ways and I opt for a early night home.  Of course, I needed to get one of those $6 street Thai neck/back and foot massages I saw all over the place. Wow, just wow.

When back in the hotel I decided it was time to get to business and get out of Bangkok for now.  It’s beach time!