Last day

Luggage sorted so hopefully i wont pay such a hefty price this time

This morning we went for a wander and realised things dont open till after 11 here so we went for tuk tuk ride. He took us around a few blocks and then tried to get us to plan a day in the tuk tuk. We said no and then he tried to persuade us to go to his sisters shop. We had to get firm and made home take us back to our hotel. He was jabbering a way to himself, I don't think he was the full quid.

I Spent a coupla hours by the pool watching the pigeons on the building next door. I don't think the sun rays actually make it through the smog to actually tan me though. 

I went for what I thought was a foot massage today but by the end of it my dress was ripped and I had become a contortionist. My neck, back  and hips all cracked and carried on. I have never had a massage like it and it was fantastic. I was like jelly when I left. I'm defintely going back before our long plane flight home tomorrow.

Tonight we went down to the bar on the corner of suhkimvat road for a beer and next minute there is some sort of procession that lasted for ages. It wasn't an angry one but it had a lot of support and lasted for ages. Last night in Bangkok our journey is nearly over.

Good morning Bangkok..

Dubai

What a day!! Really wanted to visit the sisteen chapel and vatican museum but it was shut yesterday so i got up early and headed down on my own. The line lapped vatican city a few times but i managed to queue jump. Some very impressive exhibits and i got my rosary beads from the vatican :). I had a very nice selfie of me in the sisteen chapel until a guard came and made me delete it. Anways i didnt need a pic because it is firmly etched in my mind. 

All was good until mel messaged me and said she had booked our airport taxi for 11.45 and i got the message at 11.45. Ffs i had to run (once i found the exit)... In boots, 6 blocks to the hotel.

And There was mel after her relaxing morning hopping into the taxi and dehydrated sweaty me falls into the taxi and off we go to the airport. The airport... That is the next chapter.

 192€ of excess baggage and that was after the nice guy halved it. I was very nice about it as it was my fault.

Flight to dubai and i managed to recover some of the excess baggage fees with the wine i drank. A few more flights and i may break even. Hungover but even.

So here i am in dubai wAiting until 3.20am for my flight with my new cabin luggage. This needs to fit all that excess baggage in as i will have to pay again leavin bangkok. Its only money. :(

No chance for pics from camera will add later. These are frm my phone. 

Goodbye Europe

Bangkok day 2 updated

A 7.20 start for our city bus tour but first breakfast. The best breakfast we have had for 2 months. 

Our tour guide reminded me of Hugh our one in Vietnam he was very funny.

He told us that the media were exaggerating the political stuff in Thailand and he called it a party rather than a protest. This put us at ease until we had to drive past the area. 

This isn't just a small protest, there are hundreds of tents and police and military it was very scary.

We visited a few temples but when we were at them kings temple there was lot of gun fire very very close. Mel and I were inside the temple on our own and we didn't know what to do. I thought I was in a war movie. We went outside and asked the guide about it. He said what banging and was a bit weird, then there was another bout of it and he say oh that's the party. This was followed by sirens and then our driver and guide were on the phone and talking in Thai for ages. We left here and very quickly looked at one more temple and they took us back to our hotel. Our hotel is a quite a few streets away so it's all good here.

They have put thailand in a state of emergency for 60 days starting today but the elections are on Feb 2 so apparently it will stop then.

So we are having a relaxing arvo with a pedicure a swim and a sunbathe by the pool.

Bangkok

After our long flight we checked into our flash hotel with people falling all over you to help. Our room as a nice view with a floor to ceiling window so it's nice watching out the window while laying in bed. Mel crashed after we arrived so I had a soak in the bath. We went down the road to a bar on the corner of the Main Street and our wee street for a couple of tigers and people watched. Mel was always getting hassled to buy things but I have got very strong since my visit to Vietnam when they made me cry.

We were right by a scooter stand and a tuk tuk stand so it was comedy watching them at work.

The beggars were much more convincing than the Italian ones with with obvious disabilities. One guy was crawling along the ground,,, when no one was watching I did notice him rubbing dirt onto himself so he looked worse lol. 

For tea we got to watch the chef cook our soup and could say how much of everything we wanted in it. Early night.

Last day in Rome and in Europe :(

An early start to get the Vatican to get the good spots. 

Waiting...

Found the window where he was going to speak from and parked our butts on the ground and waited. The ambience of the square was buzzing and right in front of us was a bunch of nuns from South America. It was great watching the excitement build. They were clapping and singing.. Olay Olay.... 11.45 and the shutters opened to a huge roar from the crowd. The whole of St. Peter's square was packed and we were at the front. 12.00 on the dot pope Francis arrived and spoke in roman and then in Italian. He blessed the crowd and it was all over in 15 min but well worth it. 12.15 the heavens opened and it rained as 50,000 people were trying to exit the square.

The rest of the day was spent with packing and me polishing off a bottle of wine while relaxing in the massage chair. Thailand tomorrow...

Needed one of these

And then the heavens opened

Still in Rome

Wow, another fab day in Rome. Quick visit to the Vatican to get some pics with blue sky and then we walked to the Spanish steps which were a huge disappointment. However the atmosphere in Rome on a Saturday is electric as the streets are full of people. Families, couples, locals and tourists literally walking the streets as you go So caught up in the atmospherethat you don't even realise you are on the road. Street performers add to the mood. 

This was later on when they packed up so we couldn't see their trick.

We parked ourselves at a cafe on a roundabout for an hour just watching the traffic and the people. No wonder I hear ambulance and police sirens all,day and night with the crazy driving skills especially the scooters,,they think they're invincible.

The black santas were out and about again today. I just love watching them. I,spot the police and then watch them pack up and takeoff in about 30 seconds lol. I think if the police really wanted to get them they could, maybe it's a big game to them. As for police they are everywhere in Rome especially in the restaurants. I couldn't believe the other day when the parade was on and they were taking photos and. Their guns were there just waiting to be grabbed.

The beggars are getting to me some of them have better clothes than I do. I just give them some money so I can take a photo of them. One was really disturbing today as he had his child in his arms and she looked dead. The ones at the Vatican I think are doing it for their faith (I think I can't read the signs. Got a good photo of one pleading with me today. She got 5 € as she did a good job lol.

Tonight we had the worse tea of the trip I had steak and potatoes and Mel had chicken. We should've stuck with the pasta and pizza but I have eaten so much in the last 2 weeks in Italy. The gelato for pudding was good though... Another kg on the hips.