Bangkok!

I've made it to Thailand! Although I did not end up staying with Michaela's family, I had arranged to stay the weekend with Priya, a girl about my age who moved here from the states and is interning with the UN and teaches piano, that I found on couchsurfing. Which, has been great and I'm so happy how things have worked out!

When I got in on Friday night, I successfully made got from the airport to Priya's apartment in the Ari area, where her neighbors were having a BBQ by the poolside. After more people showed up, many of which were friends and co-workers working for UNESCO, we decided to go to a local-ish Thai bar across the city, Parking Toys, where there was live music being played. Very cool atmosphere, different, but I really like it! The best of the two bands was certainly the ska band! Afterwards, we decided to go to Wong's, another bar closer in town that plays old 80's and early 90's music videos on the TV and is one of the few establishments where you can smoke inside (although it is illegal here too). After being there for a while I was sticking with Tristan, Priya's neighbor and coworker at the UN, to get home because she had to work in the morning and didn't go out, we left the bar at 4! Talk about a long day!

Saturday I woke up at 9:30 and bought my ticket to fly down to Krabi on Monday and back on Saturday to catch my flight to Kathmandu. Then I decided to get some sightseeing done. I took the BTS Skytrain to where I could get off for the pier for the Chao Phraya River Express boat to go towards the Grand Palace and where many temples are. It was really cool to travel by river to get to where I was going! I got off at the Tien Pier, walked through the Tien Market to find the Grand Palace in front of me, Wat Arum behind me and Wat Pho in front of me. I walked inside, wandered around, taking lots of pictures, and took of my shoes as I entered the temple to see the largest reclining Buddah. I left, walked around, with the intention of going to the Grand Palace, but got picked up my a tuktuk driver to go see the Laughing Buddah, drive by the Chitralada Palace, explored the Wat Benchamaborphit, went in to a tailor to see the silks and outfits they make and ended up back at the Grand Palace. Unfortunately, it was 3:30, and it was closed! So, I indulged in some street food, chicken skweres! However, I did feel rather Buddaha-ed out. I got back on the river boat and went to Khao San Road, an area known for backpackers, shopping and food. I saw Phra Summer Fort first and then explored Khao San Road and bought a couple shirts. I just couldn't bring myself to buy any trinkets because they will take up too much room, and really, I don't know who would necessarily want them. However, everything is so cheap I feel like I should. We will see, I feel like I'd rather get those types of things from Nepal or India. I headed back via taxi, where we got stuck in traffic, to take a shower and took the BTS to a housewarming/dinner party of one of Priya's friends, where there was also going to be other couchsurfers! It was great! So much fun, so many great conversations, nice people, excellent food and recommendations. I also met one of the owners of the resort on Koh Kradan, near Krabi, where I was going to couchsurf for the week. Such a great guy! Turns out he will be there next week, and another couchsurfer from Australia may go down as well! Anyway, turned into another late night, only until 2 this time before we taxied home. I feel asleep to the sound of rain and thunder.

Sunday morning I slept in! Very much needed! I took a dip in the pool and then decided to head over towards the Chutuchak Park and Market. After walking around the park first, I found myself encompassed with a sea over tents and goods. Any and everything you wanted was there. And so inexpensive! I can see why people come to Thailand to shop. Unfortunately, I am being a backpacker at the moment and had to keep my Western consumer habits at a minimum. I did end up with great gifts, or at least I think so! I did give in to a couple things for myself too... Again enjoyed some street skewers, and also had a 'detox' smoothie! Delicious. Afterwards I headed back over towards Priya's place, but then remembered about Lumphini Park and the King Rama statue there that I hadn't taken a picture of yet. Although it was getting dark I headed over there before heading back to unload everything. Then Priya and I went out to dinner :)! We had a papaya salad and sticky rice! We ate "thai" style via hand. There was also mint, cabbage and green beans on the side that we dipped in a very tasty, but spicy red sauce. Over dinner it started pouring! It gave me a whole new idea of what it means when one says, "when it rains, it pours." As a matter of fact, the streets were flooding and we had to take a tuk tuk home! Then I started to pack, update this, and upload pictures!

Bangkok pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/Bangkok?authkey=Gv1sRgCJORjuPe66vJ8AE&feat=directlink