Surprise 'Bangkok'

Initially, Bangkok was not planned on my rough travel itinerary. But when many people told me 'if you're already there, you must also go to Bangkok', I spent three days there. Thank you very much for this advice, I did not regret it! For a metropolis, Bangkok is an incredibly orderly, structured, and clean city. Here, there is also left-hand traffic, but everyone obediently adheres to the lane markings, signs, and honking is only used as a warning signal. That's what I like. Besides the calmer and more relaxed atmosphere, I especially appreciate the working women. While in the previous countries, especially and sometimes exclusively, men worked in the working class, in Thailand women also drive city buses through traffic. But it's not only the infrastructure that I find commendable in this city, the people are also very likable to me so far. With their shy and incredibly friendly manner, I feel extremely comfortable here. Of course, they also admire blonde hair, but when I catch them looking at it, they blush and quickly look away or smile at me briefly and then turn away. It is also possible to stroll through the markets here and look at the goods without being completely taken over by an enthusiastic salesperson. However, what I am most looking forward to so far is the new range of flavors. In Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, very similar spices are used and the dishes are very similar. Above all, my taste buds are excited for pork :D

After a morning at the rooftop pool of the hotel, I set out to explore the city for the first time. My path takes me along the river to the Grand Palace. By now, I have learned that entry is only granted with covered legs and shoulders. So, internally suffering at 35 degrees Celsius, I receive the news at the entrance that the palace will close today at 1 pm, as a ceremony for the king is being prepared. Thus, this visit has to be postponed until tomorrow. But there is still so much more to see. Like the gold-covered reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It fills the entire hall but only represents the third largest Buddha in Thailand. Tourists are guided through the hall, which is filled with a tinkling sound. At the end, I discover where this sound comes from. Around 50 round copper vessels, people throw a coin one after the other, hoping for good luck in their future lives. With hundreds of tourists each having 50 coins, it creates an astonishing soundscape. The Buddha is only a part of a huge temple complex with intricately decorated spires and figures. On this property, there is also the oldest and highly renowned massage school in Bangkok. I have read in some reports that the best massages in the entire city can be found here. I have to try it out :) I have to wait for my body massage for just under an hour because there is a very large crowd. A small old lady with gray hair finally takes me. She works on me with her surprisingly strong fingers and pointed elbows. It's definitely not a relaxing massage, but she targets all the affected parts of my body with accuracy. I am also stretched and pulled and have to admit once again how inflexible I am. The 30 minutes do NOT fly by, but afterwards I feel incredibly good. Mom, I wish I could pack this lively lady with her miracle fingers for you.

I cross the river with a small ferry to another impressive temple on the other side of the water. Here, the 'River Festival' is currently taking place with live music and many food stalls. There is also a large influx of tourists to this decorative structure, so I am looking forward to a relaxing and refreshing swim in the pool with only three other people in the evening.

The following day starts as the previous one ended: in the pool :) It is simply incredibly hot outside, which makes the midday hours more bearable in the cool water. The visit to the Grand Palace offers hardly any shady spots and can be considered exhausting with what feels like millions of people. Especially my 'friends' from the Middle Kingdom demonstrate once again how bad behavior works. Unbelievably loud, especially where 'Please be quiet' signs are placed. Always in a group, photos have to be celebrated, and it doesn't matter if the view is blocked for others for minutes. But the most outrageous thing is when I catch one of them trying to steal my completely worn-out and battered flip-flops. Fortunately, I come out of the temple in time and just catch him... I am so stunned that I can't even scold him. Anyway, I don't have much time left because I have to take a bus across the city to pick up my train ticket for tomorrow and then take another bus to the minivan that will take me to Ayutthaya. I have allowed two hours for this and I just manage to arrive on time at the minivan through the rush hour traffic. Happily and with relief, it doesn't even take me two hours to reach the desired destination.

I am even expected already! In front of my chosen hostel, there is a blackboard with my name (+ friends) as a welcome. But when the owner sees that I am arriving alone, I promptly have a lovely substitute mom by my side. I already enjoy Ayutthaya a lot :)