Another Couple Great Days in Bangkok

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Hello everyone. I haven't checked my e-mail in a couple days - the hotel charged for it and I was too cheap. Bangkok is absolutely amazing, in so many ways. It is big, noisy, dirty and yet wonderful. I cannot express how great the Thai people are. I am learning some new words. Boy, this tonal language is really difficult to even hear the subtelties in, much less parrot them back.

Ka-wa-dit-ka (spelled phoenetically in english) is hello
Kap-kune-ka is thank you
dai-po is please.

I have changed hotels, because of a change of plans. I am now at the Grand Hyatt in Bangkok for 7/8 7/9 and 7/10. I will still be at the Grand Hyatt at Hua Hin for 7/11, 7/12, 7/13 and then back to the Grand Hyatt in Bangkok for 7/14. I have changed my flight to now fly home on 7/15. I had run into some Aussies who reported an outbreak of violence in Cambodia, so I decided to re-figure my remaining time. Speaking of violence, I am so saddened by the bombings in London, as I am sure you all are. Security here has stepped up also. They would not let my taxi enter the driveway at the Grand Hyatt until a guard had checked the trunk for explosives. I'm not sure whether that makes me feel better or worse :-) it is what it is.

Well, I have had a great couple of days and will be attaching some pictures. My first hotel (the Marriott) was across the river from Bangkok and to get to Bangkok they provided a river shuttle service on old rice barges. I went to the Grand Palace and then took a longboat tour of the canals. It was wonderful - I saw an alligator on the side of the canal - wonderful. The river was so filthy I thought we'd be doomed if the boat sank, then I realized that might not be the worst of my troubles (kidding). Seriously, the river was gross and smelly but blessedly cool. I have to tell you I am getting sooooo tired of sweating!

A couple more days in Bangkok, which unfortunately I'll probably spend shopping. My big suitcase is not exclusively things I've bought, but I can't seem to stop. That is more than mildly hilarious since we all know it's like pulling teeth to get me to the mall. However, the things here are so interesting and the prices so good - right up until they charge me for overweight on the baggage coming home. I figure I'll ship some presents and all my clothes home on the last day and cross my fingers!

Well, keep the e-mails coming. I dearly love hearing from you all. Although I miss Sophie and Mickey so very much (I look at their little pictures on my IPOD every day), I haven't worried once about them because I know they are happy as little clams and being very well looked after.

Okay, I'm going to upload a bunch of pics now. Love to all!

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Photos

Grand Palace
The artwork here is amazing. The sun was so bright that it was glaring off the gold.

Kim and the Snake
My guide really, really wanted to take my picture in front of the snake. I didn't tell him how funny that was! Thank goodness you can't see the sweat dripping off me in the picture!

The Guardians of the Palace
Too bad there were so many people, but these guys were really quite impressive.

The "Super Monkeys"
These were, by far, my favorites. I'm going to crop this when I get home and frame it. By the way, all this gold is real!

Temple Top
Magnificient!

Temple Offerings
This is the offering place, where people light incense and say prayers. For all the people around, you could feel the spirituality.

Wat Arun
A Wat is a temple. This one is done in the Khmer style and is called the Temple of the Dawn. Ironically, it is best seen at sunset. I couldn't figure out how to get across the river to get there and I was hot and hungry. Maybe I'll make another attempt

Rice Barge
This is the hotel Rice Barge Shuttle. It was quaint and efficient. Also, blessedly cool.

Longtail boats
These are longtail boats, that can be used in the shallower canals. They hang flowers off the front as an offering to ensure safety on the river.

Canal lady
This lady is a seller. She has a small boat on the canal and you pull alongside her to buy trinkets or beer. I got a happy Buddha and a beer for my driver.

My alligator
I hope you can see this one. I was so startled, and we were going so fast, I almost missed it. The alligator is below the break in the red wall, ontop of the long tin piece and is a baby. Alligators, who knew?

The canal
There are miles of these little canals, and many Thais live along them. Although extremely smelly, there is a nice breeze along the canal. Also, using boats allows people to avoid some of the horrendous traffic.

Canal home
Some of these are quite charming and quaint

Canal home 2
Some of these are quite charming and quaint

Canal home 3
Some of these are quite charming and quaint

Temple on the river
Okay, I have no clue what this is, and my longtail boat driver spoke no English, but I thought it was interesting

Chao Praya River at Dawn
This is the river at dawn this morning. Pretty, isn't it? I know, you're asking yourself, what was she doing up? I don't know, I'm keeping kind of weird hours.

Orchid Boat at my hotel
The Marriott is absolutely beautiful and orchids grow like mad here.

Another beautiful vignette from my hotel
The Marriott is absolutely beautiful and orchids grow like mad here.

Comments

[doyhead]

zzzzzzzzzz
i havent looked at ur site untill now on july10th

[anonymous]

it's a lizard not an alligator.

[MsTsClass]

Semantics
Alligator, lizard, schmizard - it was huge and could bite! Obviously, a post from someone who doesn't know about my ahem, aversion to lizards and snakes :-) Seriously, thanks for the clarification - the riverguide said alligator, who was I to doubt him. As I always say, it doesn't matter if the snake is poisonous because a heart attack makes you just as dead!

[Sarah B]

Bankok is Beautiful!!!!! I would love to go to Bankok!!!