Bangkok

I have the feeling that Bangkok can be just about anything for anyone.  It's a huge city - with 10 million people, so it is likely that everything is possible.  For us, it was the end of the road for a great trip.  We had spent little time thinking about the big city and arrived without much of an agenda though Krista wanted to shop, shop, shop.  The transportation system from the airport is quite impressive.  We had been told to avoid being in a car as much as possible because the traffic is horrendous.  Attached to the airport is a Sky Train terminal and this elevated train whisked us into the city.  We soon found ourselves in the Banglamphu area of the city and found a hotel.

The big draw of this area is the Grand Palace complex built after King Rama I ascended to the throne.  The building are quite ornate...

From Thailand - Bangkok

In some open air corridors, beautiful wall murals adorn long galleries.  The walls are painted with scenes from the Ramakien, Thailand's national epic.

From Thailand - Bangkok

The vast complex hosts some 34 structures of which some are temples, or wat, throne rooms and other buildings; a portion of these buildings are not open to the public.  In a few places, there are guardians protecting entrances...

From Thailand - Bangkok

or demons holding structures

From Thailand - Bangkok

Near the Grand Palace was a beautiful temple complex named Wat Pho.  This wat is home to the 46 meter long Reclining Buddha

From Thailand - Bangkok

We spent quite a bit of time in Bangkok walking around.  Local markets were bustling and filled with lots of produce and flowers.  The Banglamphu area is also home to Kho San road, which is an active place for tourists.  Within five minutes on this street we probably saw more westerners than in five months of living in Taichung.  Unfortunately, we had waited for the "great deals of Bangkok" and while there were some, items passed on in Chiang Mai had seemed more creative and sold at better prices.

From Thailand - Bangkok