My holiday began with a few days in Bangkok. After arriving by air late at night, next morning I went downtown by Airport Express bus to stay at Sri Krung Hotel near Hua Lamphong railway station. The hotel is on the edge of Chinatown (see separate subgallery), and exploring its streets and alleys kept me enthralled, so much so that I almost forgot to see the official sights. When I found myself in a street with a ferry stop at the end, I caught a ferry up the Chao Phraya River and back. Next day I caught a ferry to Nonthaburi, last stop on the route, and back. Then I explored Jim Thompson's House, Siam Paragon mall and Phahurat (Little India), bristling with fabric shops. Next day I caught a train to Mahachai (see separate gallery), and on my last day I saw Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) and the attached Chinatown Museum, which I found very interesting. Then I went on to the Golden Mount and Monk's Bowl village. After lunch at a traditional Chinese cafe close to Klong Saen Saep, I caught a taxiboat to Jim Thompson's house for a final, delicious cold drink at the cafe before boarding an overnight train south to Trang.