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Published: December 11th 2006
Bangkok is a box of crayons of every color -- scribbled in mosaic with a generous sprinkling of gold leaf. Despite its boisterousness, Bangkok is very orderly in relation to Hanoi. There are rules and lanes. The streets are dominated by cars and trucks that manage to function without much honking. People on motorbikes pass wearing helmets.
We went on a longboat tour of the klongs, which are side canals of Bangkok. The boat was brightly colored with huge sashes of tulle lined with lace in many colors adorning the bow. Boys swam in the klongs and dropped from the overhead railroad trestle, clad only in their underpants. Shirtless old men waved while washing their clothes in pails on their porches.
This will be our only day in Bangkok to see things, so the Grand Palace was on our list. Since it was a holiday, many Thais were out wearing bright yellow shirts...sort of homage to the king. At the Grand Palace, we saw many gorgeous buildings - tile and mirror mosaics, gold leaf. It's truly a mingling ground for visitors from around the world. Some students asked Wendy the time and then said they were out practicing their
Little Houses at the Turtle Temple
We're still not sure of its significance, but this temple features a number of grimy-looking turtles milling about. The rock formation and mini-house structures are pretty interesting. This is in a district that seems to be the funeral parlor district.English. They were very earnest university students and had many questions for us after we spoke with them.
Then we decided to catch a tuk tuk to another temple. We found a driver who offered a mini-tour to include a free temple (free only that day) and a stop at a shopping center. Mr. Son, the tuk tuk driver, wore an I heart the King yellow t-shirt and had a beefy neck and stick straight hair that stuck out in an bowl shape around his head. He was euphoric and giddy. He punctuated especially happy sentences by jabbing his fist in the air while holding the wheel with the other hand. He was a frenzy of joy, like a wind up toy infused with pure happiness.
After the first stop at an overpriced jewelry shop, we told him they didn’t give us a gas voucher. He took us to an overpriced tailor shop. Again, no gas voucher, and we had no plans to buy silk suits. We told him we did not want to shop and he acted as though we’d given him the worst news of his life. His face darkened and he no longer smiled. He
let us off at a nondescript temple near our hotel.
We splurged for dinner on the waterfront - a whole $25 for 3 of us. Later we stopped by Khao San Road, a famous backpacker enclave, and wandered the closed streets. This is a crazy city - Seattle is so sleepy by contrast!
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Judy Pell
non-member comment
Tuk Tuk
I assume that Tuk Tuk is the bigger-than-life fellow with all the scale--or tiles? Bet he has some story to tell. Of course I am intrigued by the little houses. I hope they have a happy background..or future? Perhaps they are meant for use by the turtles? My number one granddaughter looks lovely..as do Wendy and Karen..