Bangkok, Thailand

After three fights totaling 22 hours, plus a 12-hour time difference, we reached our hotel at 2 AM. The west coast kids arrived about an hour after the east coast group. There was only time to get a few hours sleep then we walked out to the congested streets of Bangkok.  First things first–delicious iced coffee for all five of us. It seemed so odd that we couldn’t find any cafe open until 10 AM so we used the time to walk around the streets and watch the merchants set up their wares including raw meats, aromatic cooking, fruits and vegetables. There’s something fun about sitting outside in shorts while it’s freezing back home in Virginia. I was aware of the recent passing of the king and the customary year of mourning but I was surprised to see the depth of the show of sympathy including black bunting draping walls and buildings, memorials set up all over the place, and black attire or ribbons on the locals. This memorial display is typical of what we saw at least once every block. With just one day to spend in Bangkok, we opted for a two-hour boat ride on the river and up the canals.The water was filthy including floating dead goat but it was surrounded by life. The big floating markets are set up on weekends but we passed a few boats selling things. Children were swimming and busy households were cooking, washing, and making noise. We saw many of these large amphibians sunning on the banks — I think they’re monitors. They’re much bigger than an iguana and almost as large as an alligator.

Going into and out of the side canals, we had to pass through a lock to adjust to the water level.Before heading back to port, we stopped by one of the many temples and walked around. These gardeners are balanced on bamboo scaffolding as they trim ornate trees.

These pictures were taken of smaller temples but some are huge compounds with multiple buildings and gardens. Temples are all over the city. We walked by the grand temple where the king’s body lays in state and saw  thousands of people dressed in black, lined up for blocks, to pay respect.  The memorial crowds add to the already grid-locked traffic. At one point, we got out of an Uber car and jumped on the train. It’s really the fastest and easiest way to get around the city.

Dinner was an experience in the extreme…a 10-course meal of fusion Thai cuisine that lasted almost 4 hours. Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin is located adjacent to a seven-story mall full of designer stores.

The time change and sleep deprivation amplified the surreal element of the experience. I feel like we’ve been going for days without end. Time to sleep. Tomorrow morning we fly south to Phuket.