Factor 50 has been applied in abundance so we're good to go but, for the first hour or so, we're the only ones by the pool this morning. The pool area is beautiful, as you enter you are met by this little cascading waterfall with the usual Buddha statue at the top, and the pool area is around behind this and up some steps. The bottom decking area is laid out with some tables and the trees have lights wrapped around them for nighttime effect, I presume. As we sit there quietly on our own I suggest having dinner here tonight (the decking area by the waterfall is laid up with tables and is one of the Hotel's restaurants) and Becky agrees that we probably should as its the last proper night of the holiday, the last night at the hotel, as our flight home is tomorrow night at midnight!
Gradually the loungers around the pool start to fill up and the temperature goes up as the sun gets higher. Lying in the sun, reading, is very pleasant and I'm not usually one for sunbathing (I'm not good at sitting still!) but I'm quite happy, even in the shade of the parasols. As the temperature rises, Becky goes for a dip in the pool to cool, and by midday we decide a caramel Cappuccino by the pool is the way to go so I talk to the nice chap who looks after the pool area and he orders them from the bar downstairs for me. They arrive with the usual cookies and that's enough to keep us going for most of the day!
By lunchtime, it is so warm that even I go for a dip in the pool and everyone knows that's unusual for me - I don't do water if I can help it as I don't enjoy swimming, however this is just right to cool down. Becky has several dips in the pool and even moves around the pool to different loungers to get the best bit of sun, she's like Goldilocks, trying them all out! Eventually, by about three in the afternoon, we've both had enough sun and decide to get dressed and go for a walk and maybe get some souvenir bargains!
We decide to try and get the Skytrain to the MBK Shopping Centre which is just one stop past Siam station and is the end of the line so we shouldn't miss it. I'm surprised to find that we get there without any problems and find our way into the Mall. It is huge, eight floors apparently but we don't go near most of them, we only manage three of them but Becky wants to get some bargains and bits to take home for her friends, good job I haven't got any to take crap back for! She soon finds some scarves and gets the girl to knock her prices down and she's happy that she's got a bargain. I spot some beautiful Thai silk scarves that are marked on sale at one stall and instead of 250 Baht they are down to 100 Baht. I ask the girl if I can have 6 for 500 Baht and she says 'no, they're on sale already', so I walk away and just as I've given up hope, she calls me back and agrees to my deal which I'm very happy with, as every other stall has the same scarves but all marked at 250 Baht each. We've both had a tiring couple of hours wandering around looking at everything, so many shops and stalls; we even stopped for a milkshake each, and Becky's managed to use an ATM to get some money out and it didn't swallow her card, phew! So we decide to head back to our stop and actually manage the Skytrain again and get off at the right stop, despite being stuck in the middle of the carriage and having to push our way off!
We get back to Nana station and walk back towards the Hotel, most of the stalls are already set up for business but it's funny as we walk along seeing the stallholders sat by their stalls, most of them are more interested in playing on their ipads, or watching films on said device (other devices are available), and we also have to avoid the walking (more wheelchair bound than walking to be fair) wounded and some of them aren't even walking as we have to make sure we dont step on the ones just laying on the pavement - there seems to be a lot of limbless people begging here which is distressing but obviously a big problem over here. I can't help but wonder if it's a result of their driving and the crazy motorcyclists that weave in and out between all the other vehicles. Not only are the pavements littered with handicapped bodies, the kerbstones and dips in the path keep you alert if you don't want to end up deformed too and as we round the corner by McDonalds I take a couple of photos of the electric cables that run along the streets from large junction boxes (these are at most of the junctions and are quite worrying, how they stay put is a miracle in itself!) at just above head height and I'm sure all of these things combine to be an accident waiting to happen!
Before going back to the Hotel, we call into the shopping mall opposite where Becky had seen a top she wanted so we get that and then head back to the room where we dump our shopping and then decide what to do next. Our usual catch up with the Hotel wifi in the Lobby and Becky goes to use the Hotel computers again whilst I sit and mind my own business with my IPad, blogging after I've caught up! We decide to go out for a walk to get the last few gifts and mementos so that we can get everything packed up in the morning and get a few bits, obviously well bargained over! It's dark by the time we get back to the Hotel and we can't be bothered to go back to the room to change so go straight to the Season Thai Restaurant by the pool area. It's really beautiful at night, although its a bit windy tonight, but lovely to eat in the warm evening open air, and we are the only ones there when we arrive, although others arrive after us. The very attentive waiters give us an insect repellent spray to use as we're near water so after a spray on all exposed bits, we go for a glass of wine each and order a couple of dishes so that we can go halfy halfies again.
We had a really good meal between us and didn't get bitten either so, all in all, a good night! Back to the room to finish off the bottle of wine, which I'm afraid I couldn't manage (too full) and Becky had to finish mine for me! What a lightweight I am! Still we get to bed, knowing that we have to get up and pack in the morning and at last we'll be on our way home.
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