Chapter four

The next day Bette and Tina decided they wanted to see something of Bangkok. They would have plenty of time to stay by the pool when they would get in Hua Hin. They got up at 7 a.m., got dressed and went down for breakfast. Again, they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. There was a wide selection of fruit, vegetables, and cereals and you could choose between four different kinds of juice. There were Thai and Japanese dishes but also a wide selection of American and European dishes. There were three kinds of sausages, ham, bacon, eggs in anyway you wanted them, French toast, pancakes, waffles, donuts, muffins…There was really something for everyone. What really surprised Bette and Tina was that when they took a sip of their water, someone would come and refill their glass. People here worked very hard for their money, they could see that.

When they finished their breakfast, they went outside the hotel and the warm air overwhelmed them again. Immediately a guy came towards them asking them if they needed a taxi. They would be taking the sky-train so they thanked the guy and were on their way. The station wasn’t so far away. While walking through the streets, all kinds of different smells filled the air. At almost every corner of a street, there was someone selling fruit, drinks or meat. It was really cheap, but Bette and Tina decided they wouldn’t take any chances and would never buy something on the street. They came at the train station, climbed up some stairs and bought two tickets. There were advertisements everywhere, especially Pepsi, and there was a large TV right there in the train station. Again they were surprised. The sky-train arrived and while entering it a cold air filled their longs. The air was freezing in the sky-train and the switch between hot and cold gave Bette a headache. Tina took her in her arms and soon the headache disappeared.

When they got off the sky-train, they were only a few streets away from the Grand Palace, so they walked towards it. They bought two tickets and after being checked to see if their wardrobe was appropriate, they entered the palace. A guide offered them his services, but they almost didn’t understand anything he was saying so they quickly thanked him and moved on alone. They walked hand in hand past the beautiful statues and buildings, in total awe of the work of these people, so many years ago.