Frank's tour continues to Golden Mount, a hilltop golden chedi. Statues welcome us. We ring bells, signaling our arrival. Fair climb for a smoggy view.

Giant Swing and lizards by the water canals. No end to the sights.

Hunger shuts me down. Sadly, we agree Khao San Road has the best vegetarian options.

The gaudy tourist street hawks cheap clothes, bars, accommodation and over-priced food.

"Crazy street! Nepal, Burma, India, but no Thai people anywhere," Frank remarks.

Vendors push fried insects and flashing, flying toys.

Bland supper, our treat.

His first and last trip there.

Our apologies.

He's still easygoing.

***

Poor Frank, but he as much as he shook his head at the area, he was mildly entertained. In case you're wondering why our Thai host had such an English name, most Thai people have nicknames. Some names are shortened forms of the longer Thai name, while others are taken from Thai words and can represent their appearance at birth or be after an animal, leisure activity, colour, etc. Parents also turn to English or the world around them for inspiration. English names are used and other nicknames can be a bit random like 'Computer, Fifa, First, Babe, Big, Peach, Ice, Cream'. And yes, I have met people with all those nicknames; the last three were a sequence on my class attendance list one year.

If you're curious, there's an external link attached to the chapter with a comprehensive write up on Thai nicknames.

Thanks for reading!