It is our last day in this lively city and I am determined to see just a bit more of it before we leave. We check the map for cool temples within walking distance and alight upon Wat Rachanaddaram. Like many other Buddhist Thai temples, this one gleams brightly white, with sparkling colorful mirrored tile roofs, finished with dragons. However, this temple has a beautiful landscaped garden, and also houses some of the Buddha's relics. I climb a gorgeous polished wood spiral staircase past the library, the walking meditation floor, the seated meditation floor, and on up to the pinnacle. The top is a quick trip due to the hot sunny tiles burning my bare feet. Beautiful view.
Across the street is the Golden Mountain, a circular golden temple with an awful lot of stairs. More gorgeous jungle landscaping with small golden Buddha statues set in rock waterfalls. We climb about 400 stairs into the sky itself, passing a few landings with brass bells of varying size and sound power. The top of Golden Mountain is one of the best views of Bangkok. There's a large gold pagoda to keep you grounded, and a few big black gongs to provide entertainment. On our way down we admire the Big Buddha, a fifteen foot golden Buddha who towers over you with a friendly yet authoritative air.
Another hot sweaty day and we are drenched and exhausted from walking. We can it to Sukhumvit, a neighborhood of good restaurants, fine hotels, and loads of shopping. We plan on passing our last few hours in air conditioned peace at one of Sukhumvit's many fine shopping centers. Terminal 21 is the destination. A modern mall where each floor is themed to a different city, with elaborate decorations and brands to match each city's personality. We view Rome, London, Paris, Tokyo, Istanbul, and San Francisco. After eating our fill at San Fran's Fisherman's Wharf amongst wrought iron crabs and a large Golden Gate bridge spanning the length of the mall, we head up one level to Hollywood to enjoy a movie. We are just in time for the new Spiderman. While the screen size is slightly more economical than in the States, the seating situation is far preferable. You are given assigned seats so there will be no mad dash for the back row and five seats together. The red chairs recline, and have all the leg room in the world. This feels like the pampered package, but then again we spent all day in the sun and haven't been to a movie in 10 months!
Back at the hotel we grab our bags and catch a cab to the bus station, where our night bus is waiting to take us to Chiang Mai. The night bus was our second choice, the train had been fully booked for days. However, the night bus was pleasantly surprising. Included were a bus attendant, who not only brought us juice and water AND crackers, but a chicken and rice dinner as well!!! The seats are far roomier than an airplane, they fully recline, have footrests and even back massage buttons! If it weren't for the warthog with sleep apnea sitting directly behind me, inhibiting my night's sleep, I would have quite enjoyed the nine hour overnight bus journey. But I'm not bitter. Even warthogs need sleep. The morning was pretty rough as well, being woken by the extremely loud vocals of a Thai pop princess music video at 6am, to signal our "descent" into Chiang Mai as our attendant most likely informed us over the intercom in Thai. We have arrived in the beautiful forest city of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.
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