Wat Arun Temple

We've done exceedingly well at packing as much sightseeing in as we can, during our limited time in Bangkok - despite all the rain and thunder storms today!

First of all we visited Wat Pho temple. Wat Pho is home to a giant reclining Buddha. The temple was built in the 1800's and was ornate and exquisite. There was some beautiful artwork on the walls and it was interesting to see locals using the temple actively for worship, as well as it being a tourist hot-spot.

We then took a tuk tuk to see the Indian market and later the flower market. Walking round the flower market truly gave us a sense of the real Thailand, rather than the facade put on for travellers and tourists. The streets were full of flower, fruit and vegetable traders going about their day, as they were loading wicker push-along carts with their wares to sell.

This photo was then later taken at the temple Wat Arun. This temple is unlike any other I've ever seen. Instead of the traditional gold decorated building, this was almost pyramid-like (though narrower at the base, and pointier on top) and decorated in shades of green... Oh, and you could climb up the outside! The photo of myself and Ryan is courtesy of my mum. Hopefully you'll be able to tell just how steep this staircase was! All the while the air was filled with the sound of monks chanting prayers around the grounds. We didn't begrudge paying the 20 baht (45p) entry fee.

Went for a quick walk around the China-Town markets before heading back to the hotel to freshen up.

In the evening, myself and Ryan decided to leave our cultural day behind us and head to the Khoh San Road market. The place embodies the backpacker culture of Thailand. It was alive with street bars, market sellers, and yes, plenty of offers for "Ping Pong Shows". We bought beers from a guy with a cool-box. And then got a tuk tuk, half way across the city, for about 6 quid. I love Thailand.