Thailand Part 12 - Back to Bangkok: Visiting Wat Pho and Enjoying a boat trip at Chao Phraya River on my last day in Thailand with @martibis

After a few days in Pai, recovering from my injury, we decided to head back to Chiang Mai and go from there straight to Bangkok the very next day.

So we packed our things pretty early, went a last time to Pai hospital to get my wounds cleaned up and went back on the scooters. - I have to admit, that it was super crazy doing this for me.

I could still feel my injury in every of the 762 curves on the way and of course I was still traumatized from the accident, scared that something would happen again.

Above all of that my scooter was not in the best shape anymore neither. The steering wheel was a bit broken as well, which didn`t make it easier to turn left or right... short: not the best conditions for this trip

Anyway, after about 6 hours (yes, I drove slow ;D )of fear, sweat, a lot of concentration, meditation and trauma confronting - oh and 3 almost accidents because of crazy drivers!!! - We finally arrived in Chiang Mai!!! I was so glad when we got there!!

It had been physically and mentally tough to do this, but honestly I didnt want anyone else drive this half broken scooter back, maybe even getting in an accident as well, aaaand I dont like being afraid of something!!

So usually if I know I am afraid of something I confront it right away and most of the times that makes it easier! - I know that in this case it was pretty stupid and dangerous, but in the end we arrived healthy (except for my wounds haha). The owner just said: wow who drove this bike back?? must be a really good driver because its totally broken :D:D:D

We enjoyed the evening on the rooftop, watching a nice sunset and went to bed early.

New Day, New City, New Hospital, New trip.

The next morning I searched a hospital close to my hostel to get my wounds cleaned before we went on to Bangkok. Google Maps lead me through a funny short cut, and once I got there I didn`t have to wait long.

I figured out that the medical attention in big cities like Chiang Mai is indeed a lot better than in Pai. The past few days they had opened my wounds every day again by pulling off the bandages (sometimes nicely, sometimes not so much), putting alcohol and putting new ones without getting any air close to it.

In Chiang Mai they were much nicer and more equipped. They had this grid patches that don't stick to your skin and are much easier to remove without opening anything anymore!!! since that day my injury got so much better!!

So after that I went back to the hostel, packed up my things, had some breakfast with @martibis and waited for the bus to pick us up and bring us to Bangkok.

Buses in Thailand are pretty inexpensive and comfortable! I could put up my food almost the entire drive and even lie down a bit and sleep during the trip.

It was a long drive, so once we got to Bangkok, we checked in the hostel, had some Pad Thai and went straight to bed :D

The next day was also my last day in Bangkok, so I decided to see something of the city, even though my doctor said I shouldn't walk much. As any other day of the past few days it started getting my wounds cleaned.. at a place I never thought I would be: Khao San Road Clinic hahaha - yeah there is nothing that doesn't exist at Khao San Road!!

From there we went on to the majestic Chao Phraya River to take a public transport boat and see everything from the water.

The Chao Phraya River is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.

It is really interesting, because you kind of start at the "old part of the city", passing temples and palaces such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keaw, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Kalayanamit going over to things like the Siriraj Hospital Museum and Royal Barge Museum until you get to the big new buildings of the city and all of the sudden you are surrounded by skyscrapers. - And then you go all the way back again ;) - It looks like it was almost night already.. but it was really just the smock clouds over the city...

After that little adventure we went to Wat Pho, the temple where the biggest golden lying Buddha is!!!

The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site, and became his main temple where some of his ashes are enshrined.

The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. It houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand!!

What many don't know is also that the temple is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme.

Until today it houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is also still taught and practiced at the temple.

The whole location itself is really big and counts with many more temples inside. Each of them have Buddhas or handcrafted towers, little shrines or statues. Really beautiful and relaxing to go through.

I love how the monks here are tourists as well ;)

It is simply a place I always wanted to see!! Its giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 metres long and is covered in gold leaf.

It was a bit crowded but still really cool. The Buddha was lying in the middle of the temple and we were allowed to walk around him.

I was really happy that we had seen this temple and when we went back with the tuck tuck and then walking along the little canals my foot was hurting like hell but I had a smile on my face.

We made it just in time to the rooftop pool, to enjoy the sunset once again from there, before I would head to the airport and catch my plane!

At the airport everybody was really friendly, they even offered me a wheelchair because of my injury!! so cute. Same for waiting room and even the plane!!! I had 3 seats to myself - Awesome ;)

I was sad to go back to Germany!!! - But at the same time I knew it wasn't gonna be the last time in Thailand or Bangkok!! - And I mean just a few weeks later @roelandp announced that steemfest4 will be there!! So I will be back in November and hopefully see a lot of you guys!!.

Cheers,
Liz