The train from Bangkok to Nong Khai

I am nearing the end of my first overnight train journey and am happy to report it was one of the best sleeps I have had for ages. I ended up in a first class carriage on my own as my unknown female room mate failed to show. A member of staff came to help put the complicated looking beds in position in my box room which was about 5 times the size of an airplane toilet. I watched the lights of Bangkok fading for two hours and before falling asleep. I woke about an hour ago and partook of a cup of coffee as the chap selling it was walking past but it was horrid to the point of being worthy of a photo. The good old guide book had warned of this but I thought how nice it would be to wake up to fresh coffee…hmmm. Over the last week, I have been to the Teak Palace where the Waterford Cristal vessels used for ablutions by the previous Kings of Thailand are amongst the displays, and Jim Thompson’s House where I recommend a view of the television-like ‘mouse house’. We went for a walk in Lumpini Park and bore witness to the super bright Monty succeed in all his exam objectives. I stepped back from my plans to do the Wat Pho Massage course and intend to do it in March if time and budget allow.