David's World

July 9, 2006

Grand Palace and three Buddhas by tuk-tuk

Went to see the Grand Palace, with all its temples and galleries and Buddha statues and demons... Fantastic for taking pictures (not very creative though - full of tourists taking the same shots). Had my own, personal tuk-tuk driver (a tuk-tuk is a trike with two-stroke motorbike engine, ratatatatat...), who insisted on getting me to all three buddhas: the sleeping buddha, the laughing Buddha and the standing Buddha (not much of the latter, due to momentary downpour). Mr. tuk-tuk driver also dropped me off at two textile stores, asking me to just spend a minute at one, and five minutes at the other one, so he could get vouchers for gas and t-shirts. He was a nice guy and honest about it, so I thought I'd play along. On the other hand, it's rather uncommon to find a tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok who wouldn't do just that - and cash in big time on the commissions (or vouchers or whatever). Even bought a silk tie, which, after haggling, cost me 4 British pounds or so.

Haggling is fun. Managed to get cheap t-shirts and many other things at a market at Sala Daeng, usually for less than half the price they quoted first. Makes me feel good and I'm sure they still turned a profit!

Dinner time. My trusty Lonely Planet sent me up and down a Sub-Soi and into dark alleys, but the promised restaurant "Le Lys" doesn't exist any more. Instead, a block down (same dark alley), a nice Italian/Thai fusion food - of course I ordered Seafood salad with peanuts and all sorts of yummy things, a coconut chicken soup (asked for medium spicy, came bland) and some - commendable - pork with leaves and whole pepper corns.

Demons...

Feeding the Fish:

Reclining Buddha:

Driver with is tuk-tuk, living off shop commissions he gets for bringing tourists to some textile shops...

I received the following from the owner of Le Lys:

le lys restaurant in bkk moved to the adress below since end of march 2006 . we send a email last year to lonely planet but in the new edition we are at the same adress . sorry and may be see you in the new place

best regards

Pattie and Philippe

LE LYS RESTAURANT


104 Narathiwat soi 7

Narathiwat road Thung Mahamek

Sathorn 10120

BANGKOK Thailand

Tel : 02 2871898 - 9

Web Site : www.lelys.info