Bangkok - Scenes from the Airport

Bye for Now
Man, I really love Bangkok.  The hustle and bustle, the food, the weather.....  I woke up at 6am to head to the airport.  Dodo had to stay the rest of the day to handle some CFO business, whatever that is.  I don't really feel like going back to Singapore.

 

Bangkok - Upon Further Review

There Are Some Minor Differences
Now that it's been a few days, I've noticed some differences from my last visit.  A few blocks from our hotel, a reminder of the flood - sand bags on the edge of a canal.  These canals were overrun by the rising waters in most parts of the city.  According to the papers, the real estate prices have risen dramatically in the few neighborhoods that withstood the floods.  Apparently the residents fear more to come.

Bangkok - Reflections

Can You See Me?
I doubt it....

Bangkok - The Levels

Keeping Cars, People and Trains Apart
In the busiest sections of Bangkok, they do a good job of keeping things flowing.  High above the street traffic are walkways filled with people and one level above them are the trains, called "skytrains."  Three separate rivers of traffic, none of which mix.

Bangkok - Back in Business

Post Riot Sales
Last year's riots were essentially about income disparity.  The rural poor got fed up with the rich city dwellers and came into Bangkok to let them know.  Near the end of the riots they set fire to some of the malls.  One is just a few subway stops from where we're staying.  I went over to take a look this morning.  Everything is back to "normal" - shiny, spiffy and stocked with pretty things...

Bangkok - Prepping for Work

This One's for Mach
It's hard to believe there's a place out there that's 102 degrees colder.  Even crazier that a family member is in that place.  Yep, we both moved for love, Mach.  I just lucked into loving the woman from the better climate.  After my run, I sat poolside and sipped frozen drinks and read my Kindle.  You see Mach, my job is stressful, so I must find ways to unwind.  I am liking my Thailand approach.  I'd type more, but it's time for my nap....

Bangkok - the Usual

It's All Coming Back to Me Now
After 5 hrs of sleep and breakfast with the girlfriend, I went out for a walk.  It's been two years since my last visit.  While I was away, Bangkok has seen riots, floods and a change of government.  None of it is obvious to an outsider on a short visit, things look just as before.  There are small temples, like this one outside of a coffee shop, with offerings of fresh water, coffee and tea.

Bangkok - We Ain't in Kansas, Toto

Nor Are We in Singapore...
Hotel welcome package.

Bangkok - Safely Landed

...and Straight to Work
At exactly 11:40am, Singapore time, I watched the Giants kick their way into the Superbowl.  We then did a mad dash to the airport for our 1pm flight to Bangkok.  We're staying deep inside the business district, this is the view from our room.  I am only 12 hrs ahead of NY now, rather than 13.  It's a short 2hr flight and it was 9am in Paris when I got to the room.  Perfect timing to start the work day.  I will do some walking around town tomorrow morning.

Bangkok - Here We Come Again...

It's a Bad News/Good News Thing
Chinese New Year begins this coming Monday.  It's a huge holiday where the focus is spending time with family, eating, giving gifts, etc.  Unfortunately, someone in Dodo's company doesn't seem to care - she has to fly to Bangkok for a week for a client pitch.  She's not too happy about it, as you can imagine.  I'm sure her mom is really pissed about it.  I'm going to tag along for comic relief.  We leave on Sunday morning and come back the following Friday.

Bangkok - Chinatown

A Different World
I'm a typical man - when I get lost I don't ask for help, I just wander around pretending like I always meant to take the scenic route. What started out as an attempt to see Wat Arun turned into a 5-mile stubborn-man walk in 95 degree heat that ended up in Chinatown. You can tell you're in Chinatown because everything starts to look different. The buildings are older, the sidewalks are more crowded and the signs have both kanji as well as Thai script.

Bangkok - Eating

It's So Easy
Just walk around, that's all. Everywhere you look there is food being sold. You cannot escape it, even the sidewalks are lined with food.

Bangkok - Chao Phraya River

The River of Kings
That's the loose translation of Chao Phraya and it makes sense - this is a massive river that splits Bangkok in two. I can see how it was the lifeblood of the place in ancient times. This is a shot from a bridge looking eastward towards downtown.

Bangkok - Praying

No Excuses
Whereas in the States you can say you missed the bus to church or that your car broke down on the way, in Bangkok you'd need to find a different excuse. See, there are small temples everywhere. I saw dozens and dozens of them, I think there's one in every parking lot. This was the one in the hawker center near my hotel where I said a few words of thanks to Buddha for the small fruit waffle thingie I got there. It was delicious!

Bangkok - Wat Prayun Wongsawat

The Turtle Temple
I wandered into this temple seeking shade after a long, hot walk to nowhere in particular. I later learned it's known as the "turtle temple." It was built in the mid-1800's by Rama III, the reigning king. It's quirky, to say the least. I like the small pigs.

Bangkok - My Kind of Place

The Clincher
I didn't spend a lot of time in Bangkok, just a handful of days. But you know how you quickly like a place? It wasn't just the warm weather, the welcoming people, the excellent food - this was the clincher for me. A bunch of guys napping on their scooters in the shade. These guys were knocked out! I took this shot under a bridge next to the river.

Bangkok - Beauty Aid

Streetside Adjustments
Bangkok is a crowded, bustling city - Chinatown even more so. There is almost no sidewalk space, it can take an hour to walk a block. All manner of business was being conducted on the sidewalk, even threading. Have you seen this before? It's an elaborate use of threads to remove facial hair.

Bangkok - Dancing

And Munching.....

Bangkok - Motorcycle Taxis

Another Way to Get Around
The guys in the purple vests are motorcycle taximen and this, in fact, is a motorcycle line-up close to one of the sky train stops. There is no sign, no outward signal that this is where you go around here to catch a motorcycle taxi, I guess you just have to know. A few seconds later...

Bangkok - Massage Heaven

Hand to Back Combat
As embarrasing as this is to admit, I'm a coward when it comes to being naked. I don't even like being naked alone in the shower, but I go through with it since it's the best way to get clean. I've felt like this my whole life, I'm not sure why. Fear of a small package, perhaps? I'm a grower, not a shower (at least that's what I tell myself.) Once in Bombay I got an olive oil massage wearing nothing more than an eye patch on my johnson - it wasn't the most relaxing experience. What a revelation Thai massage is - you get to wear loose fitting clothes! Sign me up!