Bangkok

16 March 2006. 3 days to race

Joined a half day city tour. Free in the iternary. Visited the usual place. Cruise down the Chao Praya, visit temple, gem factory and finally the obligatory stop at the 4 faced Buddha.

Afternoon, met Annie and her family at the former World Trade Centre for lunch. Took curry rice followed by sticky rice with mango. Does this count as carbo loading? Then went to Pratinum. The place is so hot and boring! And it's so big. The ladies wanted to cover all the 4 adjoining markets and malls. Must have walk a marathon this afternoon!

Night time went over to Suan Lum Night Market! Alamak, more of the same stuff and more walking! I dead beat - like that how to run this Sunday?

17 March 2006. 2 days to race

Dropped the family off at Siam Paragon - a super duper big shopping mall with a fantastic food court and went over to Amarie Watergate to collect my race pack. The taxi journey took 30 minutes just to clear the stretch from Siam Paragon to World Trade Centre (which is just next to each other!). The taxi driver kindly suggested I walk instead and dropped me off 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel! Sigh - more walking. Collected my race pack. The t-shirt not bad! Couldn't get extra ticket for the Mrs to go to the race site on race day. She sure going to be HAPPY! No need to wake up early and hang around there for 2 hours! Decided to walk back to Siam Paragon rather than take the cab. Another 45 minutes of walking. So much walking. Went to the Ocean World. Quite impressive.

Nightime walked down to Patpong from the hotel. My legs are really tired.

18 March 2006. 1 day to go

Today we booked a coach - to recce the race site but first stop on the way - Chatuchak weekend market. The place is hugmogous which means more walking! Luckily not much time to spend there. Went off to the Elephant and Crocodile farm next before going to the Race Site at Amphoe Amphawa, Samut Songkram province a good 2 hours drive from where we were.

The stalls are already opened for business! Loud music is blaring from the speakers. Don't they have any respect for holy ground? Got our tour guide to ask whether the products on sale are genuine. Seems all the major sports brands have their products made in Thailand and these are direct factory outlet sale. Took a few photos and asked the driver to follow the running route!

Shit - either he don''t understand or pretend not to since we were running late and before I knew it we will out on the main round to Bangkok instead of going along the race route! Gave up!

Night time - it's Chinatown and more walking! I really don't know whether I can run tomorrow. I must have walked a marathon distance these 2 days!

Photographs at Yahoo! photos and more on Bangkok trip at Yahoo! 360.