Day 2 - The day we met, 30 years ago: reliving old memories!

Well, there you have it, Darrell and I have reached another milestone in our life together. Today we celebrated 30 years together as a couple, and ten years married. I never thought I would be saying that after the trials and tribulations we have suffered throughout our life. With the memories of our relationship firmly on both our minds, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of our old Bangkok favourites, that have played such a large role in our recent history.

When we left the UK in 2022, we first visited family in Croatia and then took a trip to Thailand. We fell in love with this Asian country almost straight away and have been back twice since. Bangkok remains our destination of choice. This vibrant, busy city is so full on, in contrast to our Western Australian home, that it hurts. Both of us prefer the bright lights of city life, and coming here always reminds us of the life we once led — not so long ago.

We began the day by taking a river cruise along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. This really is a special place, and a great experience to enjoy, relax and unwind. Today the temperature was a perfect 26 degrees, although it did feel a hell of a lot hotter, with the humidity in the 90s. This is of course in stark contrast to Western Australia. 26 degrees down under, can, and often does, feel positively freezing. Being a desert, WA just doesn't have the humidity Thailand does. The dry heat during the day can feel cold at night. I have personally always preferred humid climbs, which is probably why I love Bangkok so much!
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​As we cruised along the Chao Phraya, it was fantastic seeing all the old sites once again: The Grand Palace, and of course Wat Arun where we stopped at to take a walk down memory lane. This is probably the most famous Wat or temple in Bangkok and is richly decorated in colourful, distinctive Thai style; it is a wondrous sight as you travel up the river. This is a destination I would come back to time and time again and is always bursting with many happy memories!

As I got off the boat, I banged my elbow on the side of the rather dirty counter and immediately panicked. This was the very elbow, I was being so careful to protect, after contracting a severe strain of staphylococcus aureus on the last two holidays we went on, in exactly the same place. I could not believe it. After all the preparation and careful planing, I had once again whacked the same elbow — my heart literally sank.

Thankfully, I was carrying some antiseptic with me, which I quickly sprayed over the now painful graze, and we quickly got back on the boat, heading towards Icon Siam. Here I managed to find a Boots Pharmacy and grabbed some cream and plasters. This time, I am doing everything I can to stop any infection in its tracks. At the moment it is looking rather dodgy, but, with my bag of medical supplies, I am just praying nothing bad will happen. Known me, however, it will, and I'm truly holding my breath!

Arriving at Icon Siam, Darrell wanted one of their famous shaved ice desserts, which are legendary in Bangkok and they taste bloody lovely. They are a little pricey, however, but when one of these refreshing confections is enough for two or even three people, they are certainly great value for money.

Icon Siam is probably the most expensive shopping mall in Bangkok, full of designer shops, and high value goods for sale. It is worth having a wonder around this vast complex, however, as the food court on the ground floor is pretty reasonably priced. There is also a large market inside selling local Thai handicrafts and art, also on the bottom floor. The luxury air-conditioned building, is the perfect place to keep cool for a few hours, while window shopping for some luxuries, that Darrell and I, certainly wouldn't be able to afford. It is nice to dip in every now and again, just to see how the other half live!

After a quick walk to the famous Khaosan Road to get some souvenirs and a quick snack, we popped back to the hotel to freshen up before heading to, So Samsen, for our anniversary meal. This was the part of the holiday I was really looking forward to, and I wasn't disappointed.

The wonderful owner, Aom, had arranged a bottle of bubbly for Darrell and me, which was a lovely gesture from a welcoming and friendly host. Aom has always been an absolute pleasure to talk with, offering some friendly advice and often chatting about life in Thailand. I have always found Thai people extremely courteous and affable — nothing is too much for them, and they just want to be sure you are enjoying their country and hospitality, that they are rightly proud of; after all, they don't call Thailand the land of smiles for nothing.

We spent a good few hours drinking wine and a few pints of Chang, while chatting with the staff and other customers. Sat there looking out across the road, with a busy 7-Eleven opposite, watching urban life pass by, I was reminded by the vivacity, energy, and exuberance this city offers. I am indeed a fan of urban life, because of the many wonderful characters you meet, each with their own story to tell.

Bangkok is a manic cosmopolitan city, encompassing tourists from every corner of the globe. For that reason alone, it is worth visiting. For us returning year after year, we are transported back to our happy place, after leaving adverse times in Portsmouth in 2022, before we started our new life down under. Back then, as now, Aom and the girls offered us a comfortable setting in which to sit and unwind, after one of the most turbulent years of our life.

So Samsen, was the only choice for us to return to on our 30th Anniversary. This was us coming home to see old friends in a setting we adore. The Michelin Star food is without exception the best we have tasted in Bangkok, and I always look forward to my time here. This was indeed another memory made, as we enter the fourth decade of our life together. We are of course a lot older than we were — our aches and pains get more every day, and the simpler things in life are all that matters now. This is a holiday we have been planning for a long time, and it is also the end of one life and the beginning of something new, as we gently drift into older age!

From So Samsen, we took a brisk walk to the colourful Khaosan Road, to say farewell to this special part of Bangkok, before we leave tomorrow morning. Heading to Soi 11, right in the centre of the city, we will continue the rest of our time in Bangkok, until we leave for Singapore on Sunday!