Anne's blog travel 06-07

It's rather interesting how things seem different depending on how you look at them. Coming back to Bangkok after Vietnam has been an interesting contrast. I had felt that Bangkok was busy and hectic before but now it feels quiet and rather green. Certainly rich in comparison. And also modern like I've come back into the current age after being in the past for a while. Also like coming out of a dream. I had not looked forward to coming back to Bangkok but now I feel that everything is perfect.

Had a lovely day today which I spent mostly with Donna and Ray. Ray is Marc's brother who lives in Canada and is my great great great cousin at some degree. But of course we had never met before as Ray arrived just Sunday night. Donna and Ray picked me up this morning and we headed to Muang Boran, the Ancient city. This is a 320 acre property with over 116 different spots of interest. It's located about 30 or so minutes from Bangkok. There you find numerous reproductions of palace halls, temples, stupas, stone sanctuaries and traditional houses. Also, there are several reconstructed historical buildings, authenticated communities and sample villages from all regions of the country. The photo above is of the old village.

The loveliest thing about Muang Boran is that the entrance fee also gives you access to one of the rickety bicycles and it's the best way to get around the property. There are hardly any cars so you can just peddle around at your own pace, stopping anywhere you want to climb up some vantage point or explore the magnificient reproduction of a temple, or simply sit down near the floating markets for lunch. We went early and the partially overcast day was simply perfect, breezy and not so hot.

After spending a lovely morning there looking at all the various different style of constructions, we headed back into Bangkok where we headed to the Baiyoke Tower. I'd already been up the tallest building in the whole Kingdom of Thailand but I'd missed the outdoor revolving deck and so...why not...I went back with Donna and Ray. It was sunny and much clearer than the last time I was there so the view above was much better. So we spent some time there contemplating the enormity that is Bangkok and then we sat at the Bar on Level 83 and had the complementary drink which comes with the entrance fee.

I have prior commitments tomorrow which prevent me from going to the bridge over the river Qway with Donna and Ray. But, I'm sure to catch up with them and Marc tomorrow night for my last evening in Bangkok.

Bye for now