Saying goodbye to Katy in the airport in Bangkok was rather easy because I knew I'd see her again in a few days. She was just heading on to Cambodia, then back to Thailand, before coming to see me in Dongguan.
I had a much later return flight that day, and from the other airport in Bangkok, so I had several hours to kill before heading home. I had met Katy's friend, Yasa, in Bangkok that first night, so I had reached out to him prior to returning to the city to see if there was any way I could drop my luggage (and Katy's extra suitcase) at his hotel for the day. That wasn't a problem, he said, so I took a cab from the airport to the Anantara, where we'd eaten on our first night in Bangkok, and dropped my bags at the concierge desk. The staff there were so very polite. They helped me plan my day (and fortunately a good friend who visits Thailand often, Cedric, also had given me amazing step by step directions to follow the itinerary he suggested). I booked an afternoon massage and then I set out with Cedric's directions.
I walked down the street, maybe a half a block, and took the bus two stops to the air train. Cedric had told me specifically how to get off the train at the right stop, and how to get on the right boat at the docks for a trip down the river and to some of the other temples. It was so simple. I followed his directions to not get on blue line, but to take the orange or yellow line. The blue is for the tourists, and you could see them queueing. If you know me, I do not enjoy looking like a tourist. I much prefer to have my route set, to explore some, but to look like a local. I do not wear a fanny pack and I never carry a map!!
When I got in the boat I only had a few minutes ride down the river. I had gotten a one way ticket because I wasn't sure if I'd spend the whole afternoon at the temple or not. I'm glad I chose the one way, because the afternoon just was too hot to be out.
For my first stop, I went in the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace. I had to rent a shirt as I had on a tank top, so I lined up with the other poorly dressed folks (I know, not local like). I had carried a pashmina, which is what the guide books tell you you can do, but it wasn't sufficient apparently. I rented my lovely green "oxford" shirt and deposited my 200 or so baht. I don't actually recall how much it cost.
I wandered around the palace a little over an hour. I took lots of photos, but it was so jam packed with other tourists...I felt a little claustrophobic. I somehow managed, in all of the chaos, to NOT see the Buddha. I looked and looked and wandered, but when I got in another wing of the place where I couldn't turn and go back, one of the guards told me I'd missed it. Ha, that's what I get for not looking at a map!
I was boiling by the time I finished walking the grounds, so I grabbed a little cup of Haagan Dazs, very popular over here, and sat in the shade a minute. Feeling only slightly refreshed, I went back to the desk to retrieve my deposit and to leave my sweaty shirt, then I walked outside the gates of the grand palace. There are many stalls lining the roads and the alley back to the docks, so I walked through them and found a little shop with postcards. I bought ten and got stamps from the post office, then went back towards the boats. I bought a little fan along the way too, hoping that might cool me off slightly. I couldn't decide what I wanted to do, but I ended up hiring a private boat to take me down the river. I was told I'd see the floating market, but in reality, I only saw one lady with her little "canoe." She of course tried to sell me all sorts of tacky trinkets, but well, you know...not my style. She did however get me when she suggested I buy a beer for my driver! Excuse me, he can drink, but you didn't mention anything to me about it? Yes, thank you, I'll buy one for him and one for me!
The driver and I cheersed across the space between us on the long boat and then we kept on cruising. It was one of the highlights of my day actually. I'm such a water girl.
After my cruise ended, I went back to the place where I'd started the water journeys, Saphan Taksin. I hopped back on the air conditioned sky train and went towards the hotel. I walked a little through an exhibit that had been set up in the street not too far from the W where Katy, Yasa, and I had had drinks. Then I made my way back to the Anantara. I was drenched in sweat and feeling rather disgusting, but I was too early for my massage. I sat in the lobby, feeling rather awkward, and wrote my ten postcards. Then I asked the concierge to mail them for me, and proposed that I shower before the massage. I was escorted to the gym, which connects with the spa, and shown the showers there. I had a locker for all my belongings that weren't still downstairs at the desk, and I freshened up before my appointment.
Upon entering the spa, I was greeted warmly by the ladies working there. I was brought tea and was pampered from the moment I arrived. My massage was for 90 minutes, I believe. It began in my private room with a plush robe and slippers. I was sat in a chair for the first few minutes, where my feet were washed in a small tub and then massaged. Later, I was moved to the table for a full body massage. I am picky (like you didn't know that already), and I've had a lot of good massages. I do not take likely to massages that don't relax me, but it's very rare that I actually DO relax. Lucky for me, I was able to enjoy every bit of the time I spent with my therapist. She was very professional, very soft spoken, and from my head to my toes, she was able to help release the tension. Many spas here in Asia rub every muscle, including your abdominals and breasts. I've gotten used to the ab massages as I've had them in London and even in Michigan, where I was first introduced to them. For the latter, hmmm, I'm still trying to find my comfort level.
After the massage, I was told not to shower because the oil would help my dry, Thailand sun-damaged skin. I followed her "orders" and dressed. Before leaving, I was given more tea and offered some products. The staff was so sweet, so I bought a little thing of lotion and then was given a few other small items for free.
It was time for my departure from Bangkok, so I grabbed my bags, had the concierge hail a cab, and set off for the airport. I made it just in time, skipped dinner, and rushed to the gate. Lovely as I was starving (I had had an ice cream and a beer, remember), but now at the gate with no food in sight, the flight was delayed. I can't recall how long I waited before we were actually allowed to board, but finally we did, and we finally headed back to Hong Kong.
Here's where the fun ended. When I arrived in Hong Kong, at midnight, I knew I'd not be able to get the bus back to Dongguan until the morning. I tried to book into the private resting rooms at the airport, but there was "no room at the inn." I made a "bed" on two airport chairs and a table and "slept" for a few hours. I was in jeans and a tank top with only my pashmina to cover me, so I dug in Katy's suitcase for a hoodie and bundled up in it as it was FREEZING in the airport. At 6:30 or so I was able to get my ticket. I got breakfast, noodles, at a restaurant by the bus departure area, and then waited another two hours for my van to arrive.
The vans that run from the airport to the Dongcheng International Hotel are little black mini vans that carry travelers across the border from HK to China without having to stop and get out. I got in the first row and sat between a woman and a man. The man on my right was Italian, so we chatted a good bit. Then the Chinese guy in the front seat joined in because he actually lived in Italy for something like 10 years and now works for Prada. It was so strange hearing a Chinese man speak in Italian, and speak well for that matter.
It was a LONG day or two getting home to Dongguan, and I was so very happy when I got back in my apartment, but it was an amazing holiday and one I'll remember for years to come. It's funny, sitting here now and typing this, because it seems like it happened SOOOO long ago. It's November, and that trip was at the first of October; man, it seems like it's been ages.
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