Bangkok, Thailand

We arrived at 11 pm in the pouring rain. It was noticeably warmer and also more tropical feeling. Because we flew in at night, we really had no chance to acclimate to the city, but we grabbed a taxi from the airport and made our way to the hotel. We were booked at the Boonsiri Hotel in the older part of Bangkok. John had been in charge of the booking this leg of the trip, giving Program Manager David Daldwin a much needed break. As it turns out the hotel was perfect and we decided to stay the entire time.

Thailand is dubbed "The Land of the Smiles", but I feel as if they should change the name to "The Land of the Smiles and Swindlers." In China, it was very noticeable when someone was trying to pull a fast one on you or trying to get commission by taking you to a working factory for a "tour". But, in Thailand, the people are more crafty. The first morning we were here we were offered a Tuk Tuk ride, essentially a motorcycle with a covered back area for three. He assured us that it was a "Holy Day" and for only 30 Bot, we could see all the Buddhist sites. We knew that it would be a fun way to tsee the city and for the most part it was, but he did take us to two suit shops, and also one other non descript destination. Following this experience, we felt much the wiser and ignore al street requests, that seems to be the only way to solve the issue.

On the second day, we headed to the Grand Palace. Davids friend Jarod had arrived and so we wanted to see more of Bangkok.

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign of Rama I. The palace complex sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. Th detail in the building was something that is indescribeable. The paintings, tile work and statues were all unbelievably ornate, and the architecture vastly different from that found in China. We found this to be a welcomed change.

Following our tour, our guide of course took us to her "friend" who had a boat tour she was offering for a "very very special price". "Looky, Looky" she said! After some brief discussion amongst ourselves, we decided that a boat was worth the "low price" and was one of the last missing links in our modes of transportation. We boarded the boat, a long narrow motorboat and were whisked through the canals of Bangkok. It was similar to being in an alley and we were able to see the lifestyles of the Thai families. There were children swimming along in the canals, doing back flips into the water and having a fantastic time. Our boat trip lasted approximatly one hour and we were dropped off on the other end of the river to go see the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), a giant Buddha statue, laying down on his side!

Wat Pho is the one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha. Made as part of Rama III's restoration, the Reclining Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high, decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and the soles of his feet.

Another aspect of Bangkok that we have been enjoying, is the nightlife. We have mad plenty of time for great food, dancing and libations. Of course we always have to make time for napping the next day as we have found a few establishments that are open very late night. Today, we went to Khao San road, an area near our hotel. Khao San is, technically speaking, a small street about three blocks long located about a block from the Chao Phraya River in the Banglamphu district northwest of downtown Bangkok. Backpackers and budget tourists are drawn by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. We shopped to our hearts content and then I found a tattoo parlour, where I got my first tattoo. I always wanted to get something that had meaning for me, but I was always over thinking it. While in Tibet, I found a simple, yet striking symbol for longevity, and good health. It is called the Tibetan Never Ending Knot. I also decided that since Tibet was one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life that this would be a great remmberance for me. Here is a photo of the tattoo, well the outline I used for mine anyways. I will post pics when I get the chanc. I actually thought it would hurt more than it did, but I endured and the entire process took less than hour. Tomorrow, we leave for Ko Samet, an island off the coast of Thailand. Ko Samet is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately 220 km southeast of Bangkok of Rayong province. Here we come white sand beaches and crystal clear water!!!