Thailand - Bangkok - Whistle stop

Flight to Bangkok - all on time and Vim (the guide) was there to meet me, but we waited 2 hours for Iris from Germany who didn't show. We left for the hotel at 9.45pm and so after a welcome drink and a brief meeting of the rest of the group I went to bed.
I was up at 7 on Saturday and down to breakfast to meet everyone properly - they're all from England and a mixed age group which is nice - there are 7 women and one man - Peter, Ros, Sintra, Michelle, Paula, Olly, and Sandra.

Saturday we visited the Royal Palace and a buddhist temple - very ornate - lots of gold leaf, then a gem factory where I tried on a lovely sapphire and diamond bracelet but at over 1000 pounds I decided to give it a miss. AFter a lovely Thai lunch 4 of us then thought we'd tackle a Thai shopping mall, but it was 'all too much' - 6 floors of wall to wall stores and people so off we trotted home.

In the evening we went to a restaurant on the edge of the river and had another Thai meal which Vim had chosen for us. WHen I went to the toilet there a boy was coming out of the ladies - I had to check that I was in the right place but it seems in Thailand you can never be sure who's who!!
After the meal we went to a show in a big hotel. As we entered the foyer 'THERE WAS ELVIS!' singing to the diners - surreal. Off to the show in the main theatre - I didn't know what we were going to see but soon did - The Calpyso Ladyboys - another surreal experienc and afterwards lots of photos but you'll have to wait for them as I'm about to leave for our placement and this is the 1st time I've been able to get to the internet.
Yesterday we went to a floating market about an hours drive from Bangkok. I thought the roads were bad but the waterways are ever madder - boats 4 abreast trying to get through a space made for 2 - boats heading at you head on, but I'll write properly once I', settled in Singburi.

Speak to you soon
Love s
Sue.xxxxxxxx