Thailand Journey: Bankok Part 2 Dec 25-26

Monday Dec 25th: A Different Type of Christmas
Our Christmas experience was a little different than most. The hotel was filled with Xmas trees, little Thai girls running around with Santa Clause hats and a man attempting to sing Xmas carols but not doing so hot. With 90% of the country consisting of Buddhists, it didn’t really feel like Christmas. We just accepted this fact and went on our way.

The day’s agenda was to visit the Grand Temple and see all of its beauty. In the end we saw much more than that. The craziness began when we fell for the biggest trick in the book when a tour guide “look a like” told us that the temple was closed until 1pm and we should go see other sites. We boarded the tuk tuk and from there the driver took us on a wild goose hunt, stopping randomly at places for “himself” to get commission. Although he did take us to an amazing 30ft high standing Buddha and many other beautiful temples, he also sped down alleyways, insisted on buying jewelry and clothes and couldn’t understand why we didn’t want to go to his dumb little stores.
After two hours of this, we returned to the Grand Temple to find out that it was never really closed. The temple was composed of numerous temples in one complex. Hand drawn artwork covered the outer walls of the complex. Thrones surrounded by Buddha and covered in gold plating or gold leaf and mirrored glass and gemstones (all mixed). Huge statues looking like guards or some sort of armed Gargoyle protected the temples.

It felt a little weird entering the temples, not knowing the rules. Just an FYI if you ever go into a Buddhist temple you must take off your shoes, wear long pants and shirt and never let your feet face the Buddha statue.
Next on our agenda was the search for the famous Reclining Buddha. This trip became an hour long mission with more than one local telling us that the site was closed for a Thai ceremony. But…. We had learned from our past mistakes and didn’t listen this time…. We surged forward and found the 40+ft. long sleeping beauty.
From there we hit yet another of the 1001 Places to See before You Die, the Oriental Hotel. Our stay was short due to the outrageous prices, and the fact that we were starving, but the place was perfect; garden flowers hanging from the ceiling, strings of lights decking the halls. It smelled like paradise with a little scent of money.
Next we headed toward Siam Paragon Mall to check out the shopping there. It’s enormous and was filled with stores like Gucci and Channel and D&G. I did snag one pair of awesome Italian jeans that may fool some but impress others.
Christmas night was far from familylike as we hit up another $5 Thai massage and ate at Cabbages and Condoms where condoms are everywhere except in the food. The purpose of the restaurant is ingenious with its emphasis on cultural support by protecting the tribes in the outskirts by giving them education, birth control and medicine. The restoration programs raise money for many Thai villages and programs.
From there I found out that subway cookies just aren’t the same like the states and then headed toward our room to hit the sack.

Tuesday December 26th: Where the Thai Really Live
An early 6:30am wake up and a 9am car service pick-up and we were off for another days adventures… this time, the Floating Markets of Thailand. Things were a bit different outside Bangkok with rice patties lining the roads and air just a little big cleaner.
Once at the market we jumped in a long boat and sped off down the narrow canals dodging boat after boat and being bombarded by yet more market sellers.
These ones were a little different. From the sides of their village homes they sold all types of hand made goods and fruits, desperately trying to make ends meet. The heartbreak of going away empty handed showed on their faces and nearly brought tears to my eyes.
We bargained like we were broke but the time came to say goodbye. We also took the opportunity to wrap a few pythons around our necks for giggles and pics.
On to the ZOO…. A different kind of zoo for sure…. This was no American set-up. This was closer to Jumangi. Elephants roamed with their babies or guides up and down the entry sidewalks. Bangle tigers sat patiently as Liz made their backs her throne.
Crocks you ask? Oh Yes. hundreds. Even shows where crock tamers risked their heads and their arms for the pleasure of the crowd.
Lastly. We found the monkeys anxious for a tasty treat. Trying to Americanize the monkey the crazy vendor lady insisted that we feed them Lays potato chips. The Trans fat was just too high and instead we went with the nutritious baby banana.

Time ticked down and we rushed out of the park just to find our driver MIA and delaying our journey to Paradise. At the airport we found out that security was not what it is in the US. The removal of fire arms before boarding is on the “honor system” and bag checks are brief.
We checked into the Maritime Krabi late but needed some food and so we got dinner and watched the live concert that was nothing short of horrible. Don’t know who told the Thai women they could sing like Madonna and Prince but they were wrong. At least she was hot!