Bangkok 2 Feb through 4 Feb.

So, this is the first of an irregular set of postings, hopefully more pictures than words.  For those whom i i have not already bored with our plans, Sherry and I left for three weeks to Thailand and Laos on 31 January.  We arrived in Taipei for a stop over, having lost a day somewhere over the Pacific (this date line stuff still confuses me).  the airport is big...big malls (open at 5:00 am!) and big roofs.

 We arrived safe, sound, and soaking wet in Bangkok, which although in dry season was pouring rain.  Bangkok is hot and humid, with temperatures easily over 30C (90's farenheit) and humidity in the mid 90s -- on a good day.  no wonder the flowers bloom. Lamphu Tree Hotel is tucked away on a canal walk-street (we can't seem to get away from canals and walk-streets).  Just yards down the walk and beyond a small bridge, we discovered food stalls, our favorite choice for dining!  Also discovered an alligator navigating the murky canal waters.

 

 Bangkok is huge, well over 7 million people, so it was easy to wander the streets among Thai people -- below are street shots from near the amulet market. Using magnifying glasses, buyers are examining the wares- mostly Buddha images that will be placed in pendant frames to be worn around the neck.

 Yes, pictures of cow and cat.


Going to the Grand Palace (where the King only sometimes comes) was a different story.  For those who have not gone to Bangkok, i recommend the Palace in spite of the crowds as the statuary is over the top.  the gold tiles on the chedi (stupa) cost over 800 USD each. The chedi looks like a shimmering golden spaceship from another planet, set down among temple pavilions with swooping roofs and other grand buildings as befit a king.  Buddhist icons are everywhere in the small glimpse of  Bangkok we've seen, often adorned with garlands of flowers intricately and precisely woven together.  Images of King Rama IX abound as well (Note:  it is a criminal offense to say anything bad about the King).

After spending quite some time with the friendly young man who gave us lots of advice about sites to visit, we managed to avoid his scam of eventually guiding us to a particular store to shop.  This was a fascinating experience.  did you know that the grand palace was closed right now, so you can rush over to see the standing buddha, which is only open to the public one day per month (we were told this two days running).  the tuk tuk will take you for only 45 Baht (about 1.50USD) and wait, take you to a showroom and off to a low cost one hour river tour and get you back to the palace by the time it opens.  of course, the palace is open the whole time, and the point is to pressure you to shop. 

on the streets, another cat.

All this on our first day in Bangkok.  Topped off by ..... stall mall.  In this case, we treated ourselves to a long cab ride to a 7 story shopping mall east of downtown (BMK mall), reputedly with some of the better food stalls.  i was tired enough i didn't take a lot of pictures, so i won't bore you on the 7 kinds of noodles we say (our favorite being called Mama noodles), the seafood, dumplings, papaya salad, and coconut ice cream.  None of the food was unfamiliar and it was all delicious (tony still thinks about the taro cakes), but here is what we saw.

The next day (4 Feb.) we left for Chiang Mai, which is cooler in many ways, not the least of which in temperature.  As you will see later, tony has become entranced with Buddhism and street food (but not necessarily in that order).  but this will have to wait for another day.