Bangkok-the city that never sleeps

Our flight from Gold Coast, Australia arrived into Bangkok 13hrs later including a 5hr layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By far, one of the worse flights of my life. After eating a typical Malaysian dish on the plane on flight #1, I became extremely ill just before landing in KL. Sharp, stabbing stomach pains left Shawn wondering if we'd have to make an emergency visit to the hospital. Doubling over in pain, I barely made it on the 2nd flights between the attacks and to make things worse, Shawn and I got split up on the flight leaving me to suffer silently beside two strangers. Needless to say, our taxi speed and weaved his way through traffic at record speeds and we made it to the hostel just after 11pm. Then I crashed!

I figured our first day in Bangkok would be spent in recovery however, miraculously the pain subsided just enough for us to do a bit of exploring.
Our first stop, Wat Po temples.

After navigating Bangkok's air train, we hopped on the ferry over to the temples. 

Wat Po

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok (with an area of 80,000 square metres), 

and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images.

The reclining Buddha. 

A mere 15m high and 43m long. The 3m high and 4.5 m long foot of Buddha displays are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Now that's one serious Buddha!

The echoing sounds of coins hitting the bowls is to help feed the Monks. (bottom photos)

This special guy (we think he was blind) crossed over the river ferry with us to see Wat Arun AKA Temple of Dawn (seen in background). I don't think he paid the 3Baht (.11c)...

Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn

Often personified as the radiations of the rising sun, Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks.

The stairs are extremely steep and definitely not for the faint of heart! Shawn and Erich rubbing Buddha for...? Actually, I made them do it for the photo;) (above).

View from the top of the temple (below) 

Happy Birthday Erich!

Celebrating with a Thai treat:)

Chinatown

One word-INsane.

A complete assult on the senses. With literally thousands of vendors selling E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G, this place doesn't disappoint. And cheap, cheap, cheap!

Food, clothing, t&t-it's ALL here in Chinatown. 

If you've never experienced your personal space being completely invaded, this made not be the placd to give it a go. We toured what seemed like miles of market stalls and yet came out empty handed. However, not with empty stomachs;) 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner. All for under 200Baht each!($8)

Hello Asia!

Pad Thai wrapped in egg -famous Thai dish (above left)

Coconut chili chicken noodle soup-cleared Shawn right out (left)

Dim Sum-radish cakes. My favourite! (right)