Thailand

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January 29^th and 30^th

We got in about 11 am to Thailand.  Really couldn’t call it Bangkok but rather a massive container port about 2 hours out of the center of Bangkok and with the traffic it can take 3 hours sometimes.  Our schedule for today as another big bus tour call Highlights of Bangkok and a River cruise.

First stop because of the late start was lunch along the river.  It was a Ramada Inn that had a buffet and a Thai beer.  Good but certainly not the normal food Thai’s would eat.  Back to the bus and off for a drive through the colorful Chinese district.  It is just a couple of weeks to the Chinese New Year and everything is brightly colored with Red and Gold.  Loads of gold shops here but we passed them by.  We did get to the flower market for a walk.  It certainly was the European style market all prim and proper but rather like all Asian street markets.  Narrow walkways with a mix of flowers, fruits, wares and fish.  Not really anytime to shop but didn’t really have the idea that we were there to buy.

Now down to the river to catch a Thai boat for the cruise.  We made one stop at the Templeof the Dawn.  You could climb it (which Terrie did) but I chose to take photos.  Definitely an interesting stop which we topped off with fresh coconut water straight out of the shell.

Back to the boat to watch the famous Long Tail Thai boats which were powered by car engines racing up and down the river.  Reminded me of a James Bond movie.  Along the river we saw houses on stilts where people lived and fancy place all mixed together.  Bangkok is a strange place with huge auto plants churning our Mitsubishi’s, Toyota’s, Kia’s and Volvo’s.  Money is everywhere with all the things they make and export here.  So different from Vietnam and Cambodia.  One by-product of the plants is heavy smog over the entire area.  Even though there were no clouds you couldn’t see the sky.  They may have jobs but they pay for it in so many ways.

From the river we jumped back on the bus for the rush hour trip back to our little spot amongst the containers.

Day two of our stop in Bangkok we chose to try a different patch and so to the Sanctuary of Truth.  A wooden structure that is hand carved to show how all religions could get along.  It is still under construction so we got to see the workers carving the pieces to be added. This was in the area of Pattaya.

Monks use cell phones!

Oh yes should I mention the stop at the Jewelry store.  All kinds of rubies, diamonds and sapphires.  It made for a interesting and quick stop.  Maybe the Queen could afford some of these but common folks could just stop and look.

Being a second day we were out early and watched the containers and car carriers load as we sailed away.