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Two wild and crazy guys . . . Paul and I showing how much we love Bangkok.

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 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.

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.

Sheraton as seen from the river Chaopraya.

River traffic on way to Sky Train.

River traffic on way to Sky Train.

Tao, instrumental in me not getting lost on the Sky Train system.

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.

Tao taking a picture of me before we board the skytrain.

Two models at luxury mall, Terminal 21.

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.

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.

Tuk Tuk driver.

Paul and I poolside at the Park hotel.

Paul and I poolside at the Park hotel.

Nightlife in Bangkok. Paul is a few feet ahead of me.

Nightlife in Bangkok. Paul is a few feet ahead of me.

Paul leading the way . . .

Paul leading the way . . .

Umm . . . Yes, it was heavenly. :-)

Umm . . . Yes, it was heavenly. 🙂

Ronald, a converted Buddhist, even convinced me to join.

Ronald, a converted Buddhist, even convinced me to join.

Don't ask.

Don’t ask.

Traffic is even worse than I ever imagined. Fortunately, fares are inexpensive.

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.

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 in Australia and New Zealand.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Model strutting her stuff on the runway.

Everyone smiling and Paul and I smiling back. :-)

Everyone smiling and Paul and I smiling back. 🙂