Welcome to Bustling Bangkok.

 I emerged from the 12 hour flight (two long films, two meals, and a couple of hours sleep) at 6.15. By the time I had navigated my way to the end of the first underground line, it was very hot.  The heat hit and the huge buildings engulfed me, it would have been very easy to be overwhelmed, but luckily a Thai woman, about my age, spotted me trying to navigate using my phone and poor Booking.com map, and encouraged me in a certain direction.  No sooner than she had left me a man about my age, but with less English than the first person, also checked I was okay.  Luckily they had sent me in the right direction and when I came across a bus stop and really clear information about which bus to catch to my hotel, I was doing fine.    The 20 minute wait went easily whilst chatting to a South American German, on his second trip to Thailand and he was also able to reassure me that I could pay for the bus once on board. I often walk rather than try and use public transport so in this heat that was very helpful and it was nice to find a conductor on board who ensured that I got of at the right point near to democracy square.   Initially I could not find my hotel and I was worried that things had gone wrong again, but another Thai helped me and even though I did not expect to be able to check in nice and early, I was in my room and resting very quickly. But sleep would not come so I went exploring. It was so hot that I kept to green areas, but this way I got to see Sanan Luang, near the Royal Palace, then Saranrom Park and finally Rommaninat Park, which eventually became my favourite as I could head down there after the heat of the day and enjoy watching the locals doing exercises.    And in the evening I walked down to Mahakan Fort, the relatively new Wat Ratchanatdaram and another park.    I even found a nice little place, by one of the little canalways that crisscross bits of the Old Town to have coffee. It was very modern. As well as coffee and cake it supplied Thai Wedding Costumes.  

Bodhi tree in the park

It was very hot. 

Electioneering.