Two wild and crazy guys . . . Paul and I showing how much we love Bangkok.
I am really enjoying myself in Thailand. The people here are wonderful. Paul Sorenson, who is here visiting from Vietnam, where he teaches college business classes, has been my guide around this wild city. I have a bit of time here to post some pictures of the city . . . They tell the story better than I can.
The courtesy river shuttle that the Royal Orchid Sheraton provides to ferry guests to the “Sky Train,” where you can access all parts of the city much more effectively than a taxi or Tuk Tuk.
Sheraton as seen from the river Chaopraya.
River traffic on way to Sky Train.
Tao, instrumental in me not getting lost on the Sky Train system. He pointed out the way to the Sukhumvit district, where I was going to meet Paul.
Tao taking a picture of me before we board the skytrain.
Two models at luxury mall, Terminal 21.
Thai masseuse posed for me, after I received a great Thai massage. These types of massages are sometimes a bit too much (painful) versus a traditional massage, especially if someone is out of shape.
Tuk Tuk driver.
Paul and I poolside at the Park hotel.
Nightlife in Bangkok. Paul is a few feet ahead of me.
Paul leading the way . . .
Umm . . . Yes, it was heavenly. 🙂
Ronald, a converted Buddhist, even convinced me to join.
Don’t ask.
Traffic is even worse than I ever imagined. Fortunately, fares are inexpensive.
The food is excellent whether from a restaurant or a street vendor. Also, cheap.
Paul hydrating, which is very important here. Ironically, I am acclimated to the humidity now. Having been in New Zealand and Australia – where it is also humid – provided me the necessary acclimation here in Bangkok. It didn’t really bother me at all and I hardly sweated here, as I did in Australia and New Zealand.
Humongous advertisements are everywhere. I think they are talking about Coca Cola here. Similarly, they have these massively big jumbotron screens on buildings similar to Tokyo and New York, where they also advertise.
You will find a Buddhist “mini” temple in all business establishments, e.g., bars, hotels, massage parlors, restaurants, etc. The employees can be found (usually before starting work) praying at one of these temples.
Street scene in Bangkok. This place is busy, busy, busy, rarely an idle moment.
This is a replica of the highly revered temple of the Golden Buddha (which I will visit on my return trip from Chiang Mai). The original Bangkok temple is made entirely of gold like this one . . . but, weighs 5 and a half tons. Wow!
I have no idea if that is a Muslim mosque above that building. However, there is a very large community of Muslims that live here.
Bangkok skyline. Notice the pollution. It doesn’t bother me, but people who are in poor health or smoke, are constantly coughing here. It seemed like all the taxi drivers were doing that. By the by, the taxis are very new, clean, and have excellent air conditioning. Same deal with the trains.
Large indoor multi-story mall, where they had a fashion show going on, with all sorts of media reporting it.
Model strutting her stuff on the runway.
Everyone smiling and Paul and I smiling back. 🙂
Flavor said:
Great to see you guys hooking up in Bangkok. Everyone at The Flap salutes you!
blade3colorado said:
Thanks Flav. Yeah, as I indicated to Tom, Paul is 1st class and he has enlightened me a bit more about SE Asia, then I otherwise would have been traveling on my own.
snarkk said:
Sounds like you had a nice happy ending to your brief time in Bangkok before heading for Chiag Mai…
blade3colorado said:
Tom, it has been a lot of fun. After Chiang Mai, I will return to Bangkok, where I have another couple of days at the Sheraton before flying to Kuala Lumpur for a 3 day layover. After Malaysia, I will be heading to Nepal for 2 weeks. Paul is a really good guy.
ewisco said:
Steve, you the man!
blade3colorado said:
Thanks Eric, but Paul has done all the heavy lifting so to speak on this leg of my journey.
pawliekokonuts said:
Simply wonderful. I am so happy for both of you. This Flap business is taking on a wonderful life of its own. Steve, I’m not here every day and have missed some things, but it is sheer joy how you capture the spirit of a place and its people. Grateful for your words and images, my friend.
blade3colorado said:
Much humbled coming from an accomplished writer, as yourself Pawlie. Still thinking about this, but I am going to propose a flap trip to SE Asia to Flav. Yes, I am serious.
unca_chuck said:
That would be Hangovers 3, 4, and 5 . . .
Some of us wouldn’t survive.
blade3colorado said:
Well, Pawlie and I could nurse maid you other Flappers, since we don’t drink. 🙂
paulinasia said:
Steve, hope you make it ok to Chiang Mai and really enjoy your time up north in the mountains as well. Pleasure hangin’ with you in Bkk….
blade3colorado said:
Paul, I just arrived at my Hotel. Not too shabby. Next time you see Mimi, tell her thanks.
Bob Rouse said:
Great pics, cant’s wait to see the city we shall be there on Monday 4th March
blade3colorado said:
Bob, are you going to Bangkok? I return there on the 4th. Thanks for the comment!
Bob Rouse said:
Hi Steve yes we are in Bangkok from the 4th for three nights before we head of into Cambodia then onto Vietnam
blade3colorado said:
I leave for Malaysia on the 6th, but perhaps are paths may path while we are both in Bangkok. I will see what’s what when I get back there – I still want to see a few things and you’ll be busy as well. Right now I have to get off the pc because I am going on a jungle elephant trek. Take care Bob.
Carstie said:
Fun pics, Blade. Keep on keeping on. From what i’ve heard Chiang Mai has a very different vibe from Bangkok. Looking forward to comparisons.
blade3colorado said:
Yes, that was apparent on my first day (yesterday), e.g., far less traffic and more of a kick back style. By accident (walking and exploring to no place in particular) – I discovered the market place(s). Specifically, the main street which is quite chaotic in it’s own right and spent the evening there. I got a massage, bought a long sleeve shirt (where I am heading this morning, I will need it due to the mossies). Thanks for commenting Carstie . . . off to do a jungle trek the next couple of days and I doubt they have WIFI. Ha.
chipower9 said:
Blade – the stories and photos are awesome. It is great that you got to meet-up with Paul…damn…Flappers uniting around the world. Not sure Gail would cut me loose for that Flap trip to SE Asia. 😉 (She is a smart woman.)
Really enjoying the stories and pictures. Thailand is a place I have always wanted to visit, and seeing/hearing about it from your pictures and words are great. Looking forward to your pictures from Chiang Mai.
Happy Trails and safe travels, my friend.
blade3colorado said:
Thank you bro! Also, again thank you for checking in on me. 🙂
snarkk said:
Blade, be sure to “talk to the elephants”, like Dr. Dolittle…
blade3colorado said:
Hi Tom,
It was anything but a Dr. Doolittle experience. I am a bit pissed at myself for participating in the elephant aspect of this tour, i.e., it just supports their inhumane treatment of these beautiful animals. I was disgusted with their treatment. See my blog post and you’ll understand. By the by, no criticism of you in this response, as I was expecting the same sort of Dr. Doolittle experience. Very naive of me.
chipower9 said:
Yo brother – hoping you are just off and busy enjoying the sites, sounds, and taking pictures. Looking forward to some updates and new picts. Hope all is well.
Happy Trails, Blade!
blade3colorado said:
Chi, thank you for checking in on me . . . Just too beat to post last night after my jungle trek. I have posted about it in a new thread. I am already laughing about this experience . . . Grin.
Shelley said:
Steve, the “mosque” is actually the sky bar and the view from there is fantastic!
blade3colorado said:
Ahh! Thank you. I thought it was a bit too modernistic to have a mosque on top of a highrise building. 🙂
TBM said:
Looks like a great place to visit. We had hoped to make it there this year, but it won’t work out. Someday!
blade3colorado said:
Yes TBM, you would like Bangkok. It’s chaotic as all get out, but they seem to make the city work despite the traffic congestion, pollution, steamy heat, and city sprawl. The river and the Sky train are the best ways to get near your destination, with Taxis taking you to the door or your destination.