Shopping

Shopping!

They said.

So we trudged to Emporium

and along the way

we passed the Royal National Park

where the statue at the Dancing Fountain

caught my eye

and then I had the most delicious Cherry crumble

at the Gourmet Food Hall

It was so good

I had it

Twice

It was strange how I was the only person in our group who hadn't been to BKK before

yet was unofficially appointed tour guide.

I led them to and fro,

up and down

left and right

here and there

my little Penangite army.

We also went to Siam Square that afternoon where we

munched on Dunkin Donuts

people watched

and spotted a pair of gorgeous twins.

Male, of course.

The next day I hauled everyone out of bed at 9,

then we gleefully checked into our new hotel

(en-suite bathrooms)

and caught the BTS

so that we could

spend all Saturday at Chatuchak Market.

Earrings and flip-flops for RM2 a pair.

Tops for 10.

Unbelievable bargains, clothing, books, accesories, furniture

you name it, they have it.

We walked for hours

as the market became choked with more and more people.

All hot and sweaty.

all dazed from sheer variety.

I met a Marine called Terry

who kept accusing me of following him

because he kept bumping into me.

I had coffee at a great little bar

that played Katie Melua.

I had a simple yet delicious fried rice lunch.

We got stopped by the Park Police for smoking in a park.

And the policeman insisted on personally showing us the "No Smoking" sign.

So I insisted on showing him that there was

no "No Smoking" sign at the entrance we used.

We wickedly pointed other smokers out

and when they were sufficiently distracted,

we discreetly slipped what felt like a fat wad of cash

in the palm of one.

and hurriedly made off.

RM20 it was.

(=