Day One in Bangkok

It's like the millennium controversy all over again....was today our was it yesterday that is counted as the first day?
We arrived at the hotel Royal President at about 5pm, the Qantas flight was fairly straight forward and we transferred by taxi again fairly seamlessly so by about 6 we were off onto the streets of Bangkok.We found our way from the hotel annexe to Sukhumvit Road and into our first contrast of the visit the roadside stalls selling anything from knock off watches, handbags and even Viagra ( also available as a generic for the price conscious consumer!) to the swish Terminal 21 mall where you can shop the world.

We got back to the hotel just past 10 and woke up at 8.45 am after a very good nights sleep but late for the early morning start we had planned for ourselves.Grabbed a quick breakfast and headed off initially in a taxi to take us to the Grand Palace this turned very quickly into hiring the taxi driver for the day!.

Initially we were expecting to pay 400 baht but it cost us 1500 in the end with the guy who was very friendly taking us around the major sites we had in mind.We  had our first bump within about 200 yards of hotel as the taxi driver behind forgot to break.They got out and sorted it amicably and we were off with a cheery smile.

Traffic jams everywhere with all sorts of exotic vehicles including Tuk-Tuks  a sort of scooter driven bench seat, to motor cycle taxis with young ladies riding side saddle and an array of different coloured taxis denoting what I don't know.