All Budda’d Out in Bangkok

I had a great last day in Bangkok doing the tourist trail. I went up to Wat Pho Temple on the river boat and met up with a street seller who was keen to learn English. He sorted me out with a government tuk-tuk which took me to the Golden Budda, the Golden Mount and export shop and back to Wat Pho to see the vast number of Buddas there, including the reclining 97 meter fellow. I had a great time, even getting a chance to drive the tuk-tuk and it only cost me 40 baht (about 55p). It was getting a bit late in the afternoon as I took a walk to the nearby Grand Palace where I was intercepted by a well dressed gentleman who veered me away from the Palace as ‘it was about to close’ and I ‘was wearing shorts anyway…’and he steered me into another tuk-tuk with yet another itinerary. I will never know if I was being scammed or not but it was all very pleasant and I was only parted with 30 Baht for what ended up being a long and interesting shopping trip. Tam, my new driver, explained to me that for every shop he took me to, he would be given a gasoline voucher so we went to 6 or seven shops but they were all beautiful and some were more like museums. I saw some very lovely jewellery, jewel encrusted tapestries and carvings. Tam did take me to several Buddas, including the huge standing Budda. I went for a little walk in Kho San Road then to try and trade my novel and then met up with Monty to go for cocktails and jazz at the Shangri-La Hotel which was close to where we were staying and which gave me a chance to dress up in my Christmas smart duds. It was all very civilised and great fun. Edit 5/1/6 - I was scammed but it was very sweet