Sick of Thailand?

I just have a few more things to squeeze in...promise!

Today, class, we will be focusing on Bangkok. Bangkok is fabulous and I would totally love to live there. We began and ended our trip here.

We will start out with a few general pictures. Bangkok has a section that is the China section. This is referred to as the "rich" section, and our Thai tour guide explained that the chinese were allowed to come into the country because they were so poor. The government granted them a certain amount of land, which they built on and started to overcome their issues with lack of wealth. As the city grew, this property has become worth millions because it is in the middle of everything. The chinese will never sell. This is why they are called the "rich" people.

Overall, Bangkok is a big city with canals and massive highways and massive malls. I didn't take any pictures of the malls. One of them had a waterpark on top of it.

When we tried to procure a taxi to take us to the Temple of the Dawn and the Grand Palace area, they taxi's told us no and would drive off. Apparently, this was one of the areas that the government had sanctioned as an approved area for the red shirts to protest. The travel agent in our hotel was irritated with this and for a small fee he took us in his van, with his driver and brought us to these areas. We went in through backways and didn't see a single red shirt. I must admit, I was disappointed. I had my camera at the ready the whole time to capture the group that was so feared. Every once in awhile we would come across a small group of 5 or 6. They would be at an intersection, clapping these little wooden clappers, wearing red and smiling.

Here is one of the docks we had to go through that was considered a "backway"...really? Looks all decked out for tourism to me!

This is one of the outer courtyards for the Temple of Dawn.

The Temple of the Dawn, otherwise known as Wat Arun. It is a must see. At night it is lit up beautifully, during the day it looks grey in these photo's, but let me assure you it is still amazing! This Temple used to hold the Emerald Buddha until it was moved to the Grand Palace.

If you climb all the way to the top (you can see the vertiginous stair climb above my head) you can make a wish and it will come true. I was the only one brave enough to go. The stairs get more lengthy as you go up. My one leg would be completely folded before hitting the step below it with the other and I had to come down backwards. I made my wish. I hope it comes true. I couldn't believe my girls couldn't be coaxed up with the promise of a wish come true!!! Especially after having done zip-lining through the rainforest...this seemed relatively tame to me.

The Grand Palace is spectacular and dazzling in every way. If it weren't so dang hot we would have spent a lot more time here.

One of the guardians. Usually they face out in temples in Thailand, but in this case, they face in. In the inner sanctum is the Emerald Buddha and they keep a colorful and elegant watch over him.

This particular structure reminds me a LOT of when I played Tuptim in the King and I. So golden and distinct.

On the top of both of these structures are actual jewels. The Thai are very proud of this.

This is the outside of the main Temple which holds the Emerald Buddha. So intricate and beautiful.

Cameras were not allowed inside, but I snapped this one from outside. The Emerald Buddha isn't actually made of Emerald. It is made from a single piece of Jade. It has 3 changes of outfits that coordinate with the seasons in Thailand - summer, rainy season and winter. The King of Thailand comes 3 times a year to personally change the small outfits. They close the doors so no one can see inside and then there is a big processional and celebration as he exits.

Directly outside is some holy water that is blessed by the priest monks and brought daily to the temple. While we were there inside there was a monk. There is always at least one monk praying at all times in the temple. You dip these little unopened flower pods in the water and drip some on your head for good luck. I think my kids luck came in the form of cool, fresh water on their heads.

Notice anything similar from Egypt? Stomping on the serpent by a birdman. I'm seeing a lot of similarities between cultures. The belief here is that the serpent represents evil and someone or culture that would harm them.

Perfect illustration of how we felt due to the heat.

We were able to watch the men work meticulously on the doors. They were cutting, drilling and replacing the mother of pearl inlay. Some doors were getting touch ups and it appeared this one was getting completely redone. The work appeared to be done mainly by monks, but there were a few that didn't seem to be men of the orange robes.

Painting with gold.

There is a more cosmopolitan side of Bangkok. On our last day there we really enjoyed going to see How to Train a Dragon in 3d...for a much less expensive price than doha as well as a better theatre in general. David got a massage in the mall while the girls got a manicure and pedicure and I took parker for some orange mango ice cream. Then Parker, Madelyn, Angelina and I all got our hair cut. They washed and rubbed our scalps for about 15 minutes each...it was heaven. I had the most phenomenal blow out of my life. It all added up, with tip, to $40. In the MALL! You cannot beat that! And everyone's hair looked phenomenal! $40!!! I spend over $200 for a haircut here in Doha! I think I should simply hop a plane to Thailand when I need a cut and I will come ahead every time with cost and results!