Dubai to Bangkok

Sunday 28th October (Dubai - Bangkok)

Paul looked around local shops this morning for a video camera and I met up with Marty and Naomi to visit a shopping complex (?Al Kyaman) which has “real fakes”. Met a young man (called Elvis) who asked us if we wanted “cheap Gucci etc handbags” so we followed him up a hallway, into a tiny room and up even tinier stairs through a doorway for a midget (my hands were dragging on the floor like an ape) and into the roof where there were more handbags than I had ever seen before. Had a great time and would definitely go back – Marty and Naomi bought 5 bags and numerous other bits and pieces and also had a ball. Very hot today. After this we met up with Paul at the Radisson for a beer and then onto a boat for a river cruise (it is not known as a river in Dubai but a creek). This was very interesting and is a great way to get a handle on the city. Tour took around 1 hour and had an excellent English speaking guide. It was provided for free as part of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. Took a taxi back to the Sofitel and checked out. Paul and Marty had a few beers at the Churchill Bar in the Sofitel and Naomi and I did some more last minute shopping in the Deira Centre again. Said goodbye to Marty and Naomi – don’t know what we would have done without them. Flight left Dubai at 10:50pm for a 6 hour flight – no flat beds so no sleep. Dubai was a desert 30 years ago and is setting itself up to be the financial and medical centre of the Middle East – a Middle East version of Zurich. Amazing architecture and they are building a huge “one stop shop” for all medical care within the next 2 years. They’ll need nurses and they pay well! Extremely low crime rate (no alcohol and no guns). Felt extremely safe here, treated with great respect by everyone and a lot of the women are amazingly beautiful. If you are a national and you marry another national the Government will give you a lovely home for free plus UAD70,000 (around A$175,000) for your first wife and UAD40,000 for your second wife. 80% of people are expats. and 70% of the workers are Pakistani. We left Dubai at 22.50 and onto Bangkok on Thai Airways. Not as good as Air NZ but they don’t fly this way.

Monday 29th October (Bangkok)

Arrived in Bangkok at 8.00am local time (5.00 am Dubai time) and Pam had not slept at all but Paul had an hour or so. Arrived at the Peninsula at 9.30am and went straight to bed and slept until 3:30pm then off to explore the hotel and surroundings. This hotel was recommended by Karen and Ray Martin and it was an excellent recommendation as this was one of the best hotels we have stayed at and not as expensive as some. Some of the features of this hotel include great room size including a working desk and fax machine, TV in room with one also at the end of the bath and built into the marble wall with the controls next to the bath, and also built into the wall. Bath was too big for me. I want one. Built in phone in the bath as well. Amazing! Floor to ceiling glass windows all round with views over the river and the city. Automatic curtain opening and closing at the press of a button. Beautiful unusual fresh fruit delivered each night as well as bottles of water – no charge.. We caught the Peninsula boat across the river to the Skytrain. This train runs on elevated tracks above the streets and we had been given free tickets for the time we are here. Ended up at the Patpong Night Markets. Paul thought we should get into the swing of the city so we walked though the red light section of the markets to get to the actual night markets. I was not too happy about this as the first place we walked through was for men who wanted to pick up men. Not very pleasant at all. Ugly, unsavoury and very sad. Then walked through the section where there were ladies of the night. Not ugly or particularly unsavoury but again, very sad. Some of these girls were very young. Would hate to think what their overall lifestyle would be like or what disease they have. Onto the general night markets which were great fun. Paul called in to have a beer and I had a coke at one of the many “pole dancing” type venues. Very interesting. We bought a few things at the market, then back on the Skytrain, onto the little boat and back to our very beautiful hotel overlooking the river on 23rd floor. Everyone puts their hands together and gives a slight bow and we do likewise. What a lovely custom. Every time we get off the boat we are helped and saluted. I could get used to this. Nothing is too much trouble and the Thai people are lovely and very gentle souls. I do not feel as safe here as I did in Dubai however. Off to bed so we can explore more in the morning.

Tuesday 30th October (Bangkok)

Only had about 3 hours sleep as I had slept until late yesterday, not to worry. I’ll catch up tonight. After a leisurely breakfast by the pool we went to the pool area and claimed a lounge cabana which is a double sun bed elevated and with a roof. We also had wireless internet connection so we were able to catch up on emails and even used the skype phone to speak to the kids. Just fantastic to think you can be this far away but still close. We even had lunch by the pool and then decided we should do something so after dressing we caught boat/Skytrain to Panthip Plaza. This plaza is solely for electrical goods such as computers, camera’s etc. We needed to purchase a video camera for Alexa so she could film her upcoming wedding. We were spoiled for choice but eventually decided on one after many visits to many stores. After all the paperwork was done we could not use the replacement Mastercard so had to arrange to come back tomorrow when we sorted it out. Continued on to the night markets and brought a few more genuine fakes and some clothes. Skytrain, boat and back to hotel.