Bangkok, Thailand., Day 1 March 21, 2018

Hope all is well.  Very busy touring everyday.  I am in Singapore today 3/25 and way behind on my posts...

Bangkok offered vibrant night life.  Markets.  Rivers and canals crisscross each other.    Temples.     The real name of Bangkok has 162 letters.  30,000 wats in Thailand with the  Emerald Buddha, Reclining Buddha, many more Buddhas.  Buddhists pray for good health, good fortune and seek advice from monks.  All males become monks for 15 days before marriage, some 3 months, some forever???   Bangkok has had several uprisings.  Bangkok is spiritual, economic etc center.  

Bangkok by Night  Walking Through Chinatown and Patpong.   Leave 1:00 PM  13 hours. Return  2:00AM   Took a guided stroll, 1 hour, through Chinatown and the infamous Patpong district.  Walked through Bangkok’s colorful Chinatown, seeing the Old Market and Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. Passed by Chinese curio chops, goldsmiths, and Wat Trimitr.  Saw the Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, the world’s largest solid gold statue, weighing 5.5 tons.   Went to massage school to enjoy an hour-long foot massage with aromatic balms.  It was a great Thai massage.  Walked through small alleys to Tep Bar, a bar amid old Chinese and colonial buildings.  Tried a shot of Thai herbal whiskey that is supposed to have medicinal benefits.  Also, Pad Thai was served.   Heard Thai classical music. Took a 30 min. drive to the Patpong Night Market and nearby bars and restaurants.   Clothing, jewelry, junky stuff, but mostly clubs with dancing girls that were scantily clad.  2  hours there.  Back on the bus at midnight.  2 hr return drive to the ship. 

Saw the Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, the world’s largest solid gold statue, weighing 5.5 tons.  Yes, I felt hot and sweaty.  Forget glamour on this trip...

Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

Dragon Temple

Yeah!  Fish heads in the Chinese market.  

Let's have some cooked pig's head when I return...  

Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

The new king and the past king have their pictures hung all over the city.

Walked through small alleys to Tep Bar, a bar amid old Chinese and colonial buildings.  Tried a shot of Thai herbal whiskey that is supposed to have medicinal benefits.  Also, Pad Thai was served.   Heard Thai classical music, the musicians are on the right side of the picture.