We returned to Bangkok from Chiang Mai on Wed, Oct 9 at 6am. Aside from the freezing temperature on the bus from the air conditioning, the trip was fine. The annoyance of Bangkok returned quickly the minute the bus stopped. Just outside the bus door, there were 20 taxi and tuk tuk drivers anxious to overcharge the backpackers for a short trip to a hotel. We decided to walk back to Khao San Road and went to the D&D Inn located in the centre of the street. After patiently waiting for a vacancy we managed to get a great room (probably one of the best hotels of our trip). Jen took a short nap while Dan did some e-mail. Afterwards we went to a nearby travel agent and booked our bus tickets to Cambodia and arranged our visas. That night we went to the Chabad house for dinner and had one of the best Snitzel dinners of our lives! We knew we had to return before we left Bangkok.

The next day we got up early and went on a tour to see the famous floating market, which was outside of the city. On the way we stopped at a coconut sugar factory and saw how coconut sugar was made. It tasted a lot like maple sugar. Then the bus dropped us off and we took a 40 minute drive by longtail boat to the market. On the way we got to see a floating village. The houses were raised above the water and their only means of transportation was a boat. The floating market in its hayday was probably very interesting, but now it is very commercial and designed specifically for tourists. The sellers peddle everything from hats to postcards to fresh fruits. Nevertheless it was a nice way to spend the morning and we were not upset to have gone. We took a 20 minute trip in the market on a small paddle boat up and down the canal. On the way back to the city, we stopped at a wood carving factory.

In the afternoon we hung out by the hotel pool which was located on the roof, far away from the noise and clutter of the streets. We bumped into Jaime and Kam and enjoyed an afternoon by the pool. That night we taxied over to the Oriental hotel to book dinner for the next evening. (Jen's birthday). When we arrived Dan was told he could not go in because he was wearing shorts and sandals. Jen went in and made the reservation and then we walked over to the Pat Pong market which is a night market full of knock-off goodies (among other things). We walked through the market, had dinner and then headed home, but not before Jen bought a DKNY purse.

The next morning Jen woke up to Dan's singing of happy birthday. After a leisurely breakfast, Jen and Dan went to check e-mail and connect with the friends and family at home. We had chicken snitzel for lunch at the Chabad house and then went up to the D&D Inn pool to relax. At the pool, Jaime and Kam surprised Jen with a birthday cake, which we all got to enjoy. Afterwards Jen and Dan did their best to get ready for their 5 star dinner. Jen wore the only dress that she had, along with a brand new DKNY purse. Dan wore his hiking pants with white sport socks and muddy running shoes. Hardly fine dining attire. We then took a tuk tuk to the Oriental hotel. We were a bit early, so we strolled over to see the Shangra-La, which was an equally impressive 5 star hotel. Back at the Oriental, we took a ferry across the river to our restaurant. Our reservation secured us a quiet table overlooking the river. It was beautiful. The food was traditional Thai cuisine, and it was excellent. For dessert Dan surprised Jen with a scoop of chocolate ice cream (in a coconut of course!). We ended the evening packing our bags in anticipation for our early morning journey to Cambodia. Sadly we were leaving Thailand after almost 4 weeks of excellent travel. We were sure we would come back to Thailand in the not to distant future.