Buddhas in Bangkok

After our late night, we had an easy morning and then packed up for our last flight to Bangkok. The gal that just finished her semester in Tanzania had developed a nasty infection in both feet, due to blisters from big boots while climbing Kilimanjaro. I had noticed them getting worse and worse, but didn't say anything because technically she's a grown woman. The hotel had a doctor arranged, who came and gave her a shot and then drained her feet and put her in a wheelchair. Chicago is an oral surgeon, and he apparently supervised and provided lots of opinions on what should and shouldn't be done - this did not endear the Cambodian doctor to anyone. But at least Chicago had brought antibiotics, so she also began to take these.

Airport was a piece of cake in comparison to the way in and I laughed when I saw they had a Dairy

Queen. I had a green tea and almond blizzard, and it was incredible. Landing in Bangkok, we got the VIP treatment. This was Sue's town and everyone was going to know it. We had mass of people buzzing around collecting our luggage and whisking us through immigration.

We stayed at the Peninsula - amazing hotel. Each room faces the river, not sure how they do that, and there were separate rooms for changing and everything was completely tricked out with electronics. I had a corner room and could see forever.  

There is no zoning in Bangkok, so this great hotel is next to a fishing shack and a temple. We had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves, I got in a good work out and then went out for Thai food - lamb curry and shrimp cakes - yummy.

The next day we headed out in a boat and took in the city. The hotel has a boat that will take you back and forth - the river is busy with lots of commercial traffic and lots of littler boats. We were in a fairly low profile boat, and it was scary at times - really tossing and turning. Over the screams,

Sue said the tide was coming in and this was totally normally. A nice guy on the boat handed each of us a giant loaf of bread and we stopped to feed the catfish. They were very big and very hungry I enjoyed this a lot and from the sounds of it so did everyone else.

Then we parked up and walked over to the Palace. Sue had given us very clear instruction about how to dress appropriately, not only in the palace but in the temples in Cambodia. We had managed to do okay until this morning when she had to send 75% of the group back to change - one annoyed/annoying teenager had to change 3 times, and she let it ruin her day. I discussed this with her after an hour and a half and by this point, she saw the humor in it and laughed - unfortunately, she never let her mother off the hook - girls?!

The palace did not used to be open to the public and when they first let people in, it was only nationals and they had to be in formal dress. Everything was covered in gold. We saw the crown jewels and got a good understanding of ceremonial practices and then we went and saw the emerald Buddha. The Buddha was discovered by a monk when a bit of plastic fell off of his nose and revealed the jade beneath. He is much revered and the king built the building for him and changes his clothes every season after giving him a little bath.

You can't take picture inside, but there he is up on his little perch.

We also went by the palace, which you cannot go in and then we were off to the reclining Buddha. This is going to be very difficult to explain - he's huge! First, you have to take off your shoes and then you put them in a bag which you carry with you, then you join a line that shuffles the length and around the Buddha. There is a lady shrieking walk walk walk because they do not want you to stop and stare, holding up the people behind you.

I was not bothered by this and stopped often along the way. The soles of his feet are laid with mother of pearl, in all shots of fabulous patterns. There were also lots of people trying to pray during all of this chaos.

We stopped at a market and then we were free for the afternoon. I wandered down the street and into a place for lunch. I was the only white person and two guys were sitting at the table next to me were drinking a bottle of Johnny Walker black label, and it was almost empty. I have beef with basil and bamboo shoot, and it was blazing hot and totally delicious. This was really the only hot food I have had on the trip, I suspect everything was toned down for us.

I also had a foot massage,and it was the first time I have ever said to a massage therapist - too hard. Yikes, her thumbs were strong. Tonight was our Farewell dinner at a place down the river where everything was set for us. We had an amazing selection of starters, then noodles, and then duck curry. Dessert was a custard, and they had made tapioca at the bottom that were colored to look like pomegranate seeds.  I LOVE tapioca. It also had lotus seed in them they were not bad either - crunchy.

There was a performance throughout, and it was a great way to end the trip. Chicago left right after the dessert as they were catching a late flight. We all meandered out onto the boat. Everyone but me was leaving at quite uncivilized times - like 2am and 5am. Hugs and kisses and it was goodbye - I had one more day in Bangkok, but I would be ALL ON MY OWN!!!