And then it rained...

Like I've never seen it before!

But wait there's more...

I've since found out that there is also pink shirt Tuesdays (for the King) and blue shirt Fridays (as the Queen was born on a Friday).

I'm not sure which story is correct (if either) but first we were told that the pink shirts came about because the King was in hospital for two months and when he came out (on a Tuesday) he was wearing a pink shirt. So to show how pleased they are that he is well, every Tuesday they wear the pink shirt (identical to the yellow ones, only baby pink). The second idea was similar but something to do with the King wearing a pink shirt during protests earlier in the year. If anyone can add to this feel free.

Here he is again hanging on a cab driver's rear view mirror, cool fish huh?

What's with the yellow shirts?

I spent most of yesterday (Monday) wondering why so many people were wearing yellow t-shirts, most identical in colour and shape with the same symbol on the left. The first person I asked simply said, "it's our Monday", finding it difficult to explain any further in English. After a few more attempts I was told that it's because the King was born on a Monday, so every Monday the Thais celebrate the birth of the King by wearing these shirts.

Needless to say that the King is very popular here, you see it everywhere you go.When you go to the cinema, everyone stands before the movie starts for a video montage of the King, accompanied by what I think is the national anthem. Not too sure, does anyone know?

Street Food Frenzy

Oh deary me, I am soooo in love with Thai food! I may even have to create a new blog to cater for my new love! I don't remember it being this good, although I don't remember the people being so nice either... perhaps we are the ones that have changed?

Bighead and I decided to go for a wander through the market, in search of a bite to eat. Everything looked so exciting, it was really hard to choose. Unfortunately, a lot of the food is portioned out in to small plastic bags (which looks cool but makes it hard to avoid using them). We ended up getting this Thai style salad bag (which you can see at the bottom of the pic above), some honey coated dried beef, and some mini grilled bananas. We headed down to a park next to the Chao Phraya, and went about making up these delightful leaf packages from our salad bag (just as the lovely stall owners had showen us). The bag included: Green leaves (not sure what kind), shredded roast coconut, ginger, red onion, dried shrimp, peanuts, honey and chilli. Devine.
I meant to remove the chilli from my parcel after taking the photo, but I forgot and accidently ate the whole thing. It was hot, but I'm pleased to say, the experience has definately not put me off chilli. In fact, it's probably given me the confidence to be a little more daring!

Such a tasty lunch, so different and fresh and all for just NZ$6.

Something for everyone

I've reached the conclusion that this right here, is our favourite mall. Not too flashy, not too hip, not too ghetto, but just right.
The size is utterly mind boggling. There are another two central spaces just like this and an extra two floors you can't see! We managed to find just about everything we were looking for.

It's called the Pinklao Center, located just across the river from Banglampoo. We found it by accident last time we were in Bangkok and located it again today. It really does have everything you could ever ask for, including some great food stalls. It's popular with the locals too which is great (we only saw two other pinkies while we were there).

Shop til ya drop in Bangkok

Bighead and I have lost hours upon hours wandering through the massive malls of Bangkok. It could be very easy to spend a shit load of money here, as things do seem more affordable.

As we wander, my evil consumerist side begins to emerge, knocking at my brain and whispering in my ear. That could be handy. Such good value. What else could you get? Buy that. You've always wanted one of them. You definitely need that. Two for the price of one!

I've resisted so far. I know what I need and I'm sticking to it.

Be sure to shop with something specific in mind, it's far to easy to become distracted and loose your way. Take regular breaks, sit back basking in the air con, and order one of these! Don't judge it because it looks a little funny, it was the tastiest coconut shake Bighead has encountered.

After making our way slowly through four gigantic malls sitting side by side in Siam Square, we thought we'd seen them all.

One local style, market stall type place with a million escalators, one jawdroppingly lavish creation that was so posh it made me feel guilty just stepping inside, one so funky it bursts at the seams with trendy young Bangkokians (once again, leaving me feeling uneasy), and one so massive you need a segway to get around in (it even had 16 very well appointed movie theatres!)

Well, little did we know that we'd barely scratched the surface! In Siam Square area alone, there must be hundreds. Something for everyone! For those of you at home who love to shop (you know who you are), this is the place for you my friends!

Assult of the Nostril

After a bit of a shit flight with Air Asia, including a late departure and very quick dash across terminals in Jakarta to meet our connecting flight, we arrived safely in the BIG MANGO! Yeh!

It feels great to be back! Although, after the pleasant aromas of Bali, Bangkok has been a bit of an assault on the old nostrils - the dominant smell being dog poo combined with an undertone of human waste. Nice.

You have to be able to look, and smell, past all the shit to get to the heart of BK and enjoy it.

In true Bighead and Samesame fashion, we've already made friends with all the local alley cats. Very pleased to see the Thai's like cats just in case we decide to bring ours over.

Much to our delight, Khaosan Rd is still the same, a bit more expensive, but still as same same as ever. We've already been busy seeking out old haunts (last seen in 2003).

We also thought we'd better check out the D&D Inn on Khaosan Rd (an old fav, bar the grumpy staff). I'm pleased to announce that not only have we been pleasantly surprised by friendlier staff, the whole place, including the rooms have had a make over. I recommend this place to anyone wanting to stay in the heart of Khaosan Rd.

The other thing I love about the D&D, is that they have a roof top garden/pool/bar/salon/internet/lookout area where you can spy on the action below.

We've wondered around quite a bit already, it's stinking hot compared to Bali. I haven't been feeling to good that last couple of days (stiff neck, headache something or other) so I've had to take it slower than usual and stop for breaks regularly, which is a bummer because I really wanna get into it. However, a wander round computer geek heaven, Pantip Plaza, in search for a lappy for Samesame and one look at Bighead's lunch perked me up heaps!

When we walked past this delightful array, I couldn't help but take a pic. Whenever I take pics like this, I always ask first. Sometimes I secretly shoot from the hip to catch the real action. In this case, I had asked first and it was fine. However, I don't think all of the cooks agreed, as while I was taking the second pic, I was pushed out of the way by someone on their way to the wok! Perhaps we won't eat here after all. Looks delish though don't ya think?