Bangkok Bangkok (Day 2)

A mini Bangkok travelogue:

Day 2 (19 Mar 05)

Morning came a little too fast. The effects of overwalking the previous day were still there as we woke up for the hotel buffet breakfast. Well, Chatuchak beckoned and we had to drag our battered bodies to the hotel cafe. I had around 4 eggs: 2 sunny side ups and probably another 2 I had in the omelette. Egg quota of the week: filled. The GF had the misfortune of tasting bad (spoilt, not just bad) orange juice and yucky papaya. Well, at least the eggs and the watermelons were good enough to fill the stomachs.

Decided to get a daily BTS pass for the day at 100 Baht each, cos we figured it would probably cost us that much for the trips we would make the whole day anyway. And of course, the convenience of not having to buy a ticket everytime. Took the BTS to Mo Chit, and the GF was duly shocked by the gigantic area of the market, especially seen from top-view while still in the train. This time, I told myself, I'll not be fazed by the fatigue and the heat. I will cover as many stores as possible. Yeah right. As it turned out, we were just too overwhelmed after a few hours, and had to return to the comfort of the hotel. Didn't make many purchases, just a few tops by the GF. Spent more on drinks and miscellaneous snacks. And yes, I managed to get a skewer of my favourite Bangkok snack, grilled sotong, from a stall by the dusty road. The chilli burnt at least 5 holes in my tongue, all the way down digestive system. Luckily, no side-effects. The GF still can't understand why the sotong in Bangkok is so much more yellowish. I simply choose to ignore the colour difference.

Thou shalt not nap and waste precious hours during holidays. Well, we committed the sin anyway. Really couldn't help it, we were just too consumed by fatigue. Woke up at 7 plus, and went to MBK for our dinner fix. The GF was really hungry. We settled for the food court once again, after being generally uninterested in what the uninspiring stuff the restaurants had to offer. Had Phad Thai (again), hotplate mussels (not bad), and the 'deluxe' pork knuckle platter (heavenly!). Decided to walk around a bit after such a 'fulfilling' meal... only to be greeted by rows and rows of closing shops. Man, only 8 plus pm... the Thais sure close shop early.

Back at the hotel, we were all prepared to watch an EPL match on TV. Ah... a Man United match was shown... an added bonus! Watching soccer in Thailand really made me miss simple little things we take for granted... such as English commentary! It's bad enough that we don't understand. It's doubly worse when the Thai commentator sounded as enthusiastic as a dead fish. Zero changes in tone. "Blah blah blah.... Roooo (hanyu pinyin 3rd sound) neeey (hanyu 4th sound)" Is that weird or what? We self-entertained by mimicking the strange pronunciations by the commentator cum undertaker.

Shucks... time really flies when you're having a great time abroad. All too soon, the 3rd and final day beckons.