Sunday, March 28, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand - March 19-24, 2010

Arrival in Bangkok was very smooth. They sure know how to handle priority baggage. I think mine were number two and three on the conveyor belt.

The taxi ride to the city was about 15 miles, and took over an hour. The traffic was worse than I-4 in rush hour. The meter kept ticking away - 105, 175, 223, 287, 348, 337...... which was in bahts, and only about $12.

The hotel was nice, and after settling in I decided just to have dinner at the hotel - they have 8 restaurants to choose from - but no surprise, I picked the Thai one. My mouth is still on fire. I started with the spring roll appetizer - and I finished all eight. For my main course, I had chicken and vegetables in a chili paste - thus my hot tongue, but is was so good.

What a crazy night - I think jet lag finally caught up to me. I was up and down most of the night, so at three I took a pill and slept until eleven the next morning (just like Lisa and Staci).



One of the many many Buddhas in the city. I saw at least 10,000.


I took a tuk-tuk to visit a few Buddhist temples. The driver wanted 500 baht an hour, but I negotiated him down to 200.


Here are the red shirts you've read about. The first time I saw them I didn't have my camera, but they reappeared at least a dozen times during the day. They were very peaceful, just causing major traffic jams.


The red shirts kind of reminded me of Gay Days at Disneyworld, with everyone wearing a red shirt.

Dinner was in a great steakhouse - oops, sorry, I'm not in Buenos Aires. Dinner was at an upscale Thai restaurant, where I had six more spring rolls to start and something resembling Peking duck. I think I had half a duck.

Tomorrow night I'll be daring and try eating with the locals.

Following dinner I headed off to the gay section of town. There were over 20 massage parlors, bars and saunas. The street hawkers almost forced you to see the boys on display.

Well I found a cute guy and arranged for an hour long massage. It was very relaxing and erotic.
Tomorrow I have a 6:00 am wake up call to visit some ancient ruins north of Bangkok.

I was awake at 4:00 am, still feeling the effects of jet lag. I had a quick breakfast before my pickup to go to Ayutthaya, the original capital of Siam.

We passed lush rice paddies before reaching the Bang Pa-In Palace, the favorite summer resort for Thai royalty.




I did climb to the top of this tower.




We then visited three temples ("Wat" in Thai). Two were in ruins and one restored. You were forbidden from taking a picture with your head replacing the one missing on the Buddha - immediate ejection from the grounds.


Here are three of the nine Buddha positions I learned about.

In the afternoon we cruised down the mighty Chao Phraya River on the return trip to Bangkok.

I had a nice Thai dinner before calling it a day.


The next day, Monday I think, I found out that many tourist sites were closed until late afternoon. The Grand Palace was open, and I spent a few hours viewing the magnificent architecture and statues - and at least 2000 Buddhas.








Tuk-tuk is the cheapest way to travel. I then went to the Amulet Market, where they sold food, antique coins and jewelry. I took a boat back to the elevated train, which I finally discovered is the easiest way to get around.

After lunch and another shower, I headed out to see the Wat Pho, which has the 46 meter long reclining Buddha. This is just a picture of his head. There were too many columns to get a good shot.


I wandered around taking more Buddha shots - probably over 100 pictures now.


I hopped in a tuk-tuk and went to the Golden Mount and Wat Saket. The climb gave a great view of the city, and I got more Buddha pictures - and some monks featured above.

I tried visiting the Giant Buddha, but the demonstrators had the streets closed.


Here's the modern elevated train that stopped right outside my hotel.

I had my first ever Thai massage that night (the one at the gay massage parlor was really an oil or Swedish massage). They gave me a silk shirt and pants to wear - the pants had at least a 50 inch waist, with no belt. They don't use any oil, mainly pressure and stretches. I absolutely loved it and will be back again tomorrow. The best part was the cost - 250 baht plus tip, less than $11 in total.


March 23 - probably Tuesday. No Wats today, I hope.

I started the day visiting the Victory Monument. Then went to the duty free shopping center, which is like any airport duty free - no bargains whatsoever, but I did get a free gift
Then I headed to the shopping area, but found out nothing opened until late afternoon. They have such crazy hours here. So I hopped on the train and boat and headed for Chinatown.


Chinatown was not what I expected at all. Thousands of alley shops selling material, toys, jewelry and assorted crap. It seemed like hundreds of shops with identical merchandise. What I wanted was a good Chinese restaurant, but after 40 minutes of wandering I gave up. Instead I had great Japanese food near my hotel.

After a rest, and another change of clothes (at least 95 degrees and 110% humidity) I walked through Lampani Park, like Central Park, with joggers, swan boats and people just sitting in the heat. I couldn't wait to get back to my freezing a/c room.

For dinner - Thai again, followed by a 90 minute Thai massage. I might have to bring a Thai masseur home since I'm not sure where to find one in Orlando.

I then walked the popular night market - they are in almost every Asian city I've visited. Probably since it is much cooler at night. I bought one small gift, since there really were no bargains.

This is an orchid arrangement at the Bangkok airport.

The next morning I packed, then got a manicure and pedicure, before having my third Thai massage. I sure hope I can find them as cheap in Phuket, my next stop.

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