Friday, July 12, 2013

Bangkok




On July 6th, Lindsey's 14th birthday, we made our way from New Zealand to Southeast asia for a 3 week trip many months in the making.  We felt like a trip to this part of the world would be stimulating for all of our senses and another great experience we could share together as a family.  So far it has not disappointed.  We spent the first 3 days getting acclimated in Bangkok, a great city complete with sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that none of has ever encountered.  The kids loved the tuktuks (above) and the long tail boats with which we pretty much got around on.

Bangkok is an interesting mix of new, European and modern blended with old traditional Asian culture.
You can eat traditional Thai noodles served by any one of thousands of street vendors or at restaurants representative of the finest European cuisine.  You can travel in a new air conditioned Toyota taxi, elevated super modern sky train or by open air unmuffled motorized tuktuks (we suggest the Tuktuks, though they do drive like mad).  There are open air markets packed to the gills with merchants and there are some the fanciest looking shopping malls I have ever seen.  Truly a vibrant place.

We are joined on this trip by our dear friends Brian and Daryl and their kiddos Jasper and Kiera.  We met 2 years ago after arriving in NZ.  Brian and I worked together in the ED and though they returned to their home in Canada 1 year ago we remain good friends and they kept their vow to join us on a trip a year after leaving NZ.

What follows is mainly a photo log of our travels thus far.
Chinese style pagoda

typical Thai Wat or temple

Khmer, or Cambodian influenced Wat

Spent a lot of time traveling on the Chao Phraya (river through central Bangkok)

Street Vendors are everywhere.  Many urbanites so not have kitchens so this is where they get their meals.
Very cheap often a meal for less than $1.  We stuck to restaurants as we felt our stomachs not quite ready for  Thai street food.  



Fruit everywhere also.  Fruits I have never seen before.  Interestingly I noticed apples from NZ and oranges from Florida for sale on the streets..

 Outside the temple of the Emerald Buddha next to the Grand Palace.   Allegedly over 2,000 years old the Emerald Buddha, though he only stands about 2.5 feet high is one of the most revered in all of Buddhism.  He has been moved over the centuries around SE asia depending on who was in power.  Four times a year, depending on the season, they have a special ceremony presided over by the king in which they change the Buddha's attire to make sure he is appropriately dressed.



On the grounds of the Grand Palace.  Though never fully colonized by a European power, Thailand early on adopted many western traditions including architecture.  I find this place interesting in that the building itself has a very European look to it but the roof is very Thai.  

Elephants are very important in Thai culture and images of them are everywhere

Our preferred mode of travel

The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho


Owen enjoying his Thai massage




The Flower Market in the Old City.  Incredible colors and smells





Long tail boat, powered by old car engines with long propeller shaft that also functions as a rudder 




Who would have thought?
Bangkok has everything


Lindsey and Kiera


"Floating Market"

Cold Beer while on Long tail boat ride through canals of Bangkok, priceless

Cold cokes equally priceless

Very friendly people where ever we have been in Thailand


Morning exercise in Lumphini Park close to our hotel.  Old folks out as groups all wearing same colored shirts doing Tai-chi early every morning.


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