Bangkok

Although I am sad to leave Vietnam, I loved spending some time in Bangkok.

Had lunch at the Oriental Hotel, then Signa and I took the water ferry, not sure what you call it, along the river to the Palace and hopefully, the Reclining Buddha temple. Was very confusing to understand what boat we got on and where we needed to get off, but what a blast. Wish I had pictures as it was quite an adventure packed into the passenger ferry with all the Thai people. I finally asked a young guy to help us figure out how to get to the palace and he walked us off and around to the next ferry to get there. AFter that, we were lost.

And my camera was out of batteries so I have no photos of that part. And of course, its boiling hot. Unbearably, drippingly, stiffling hot.

We walk to the palace and figure out its just too long to wander through and we would rather see the Reclining Buddha temple. Wandering along that way, we keep seeing tuk tuk drivers that tell us the temple is closed and we should go to this other temple that is a little Further away. We ignore them as we wander browsing the street side shops, and arrive at the REclingin Buddha temple to find its open and all kinds of people entering in. Glad we persisted.

We hired an individual guide as soon as we entered and had the best time. Was only about a 45 minutes tour, but learned so much. He was funny and excited to answer our neverending questions.

That evening we went to a Thai Restaurant with another friend from our trip. His wife was still sick from some Coconut Shake she had earlier, but he was up for going out. Signa and I had soft shell crab in yellow curry. And a glass of not so good red wine. Cant wait to get home and have a decent glass of wine. The whole time we were in the restaurant, there was a live Thai band and dancers. Fun but chic. Great place. Mango Tree - in case you are ever in Bangkok.

AFter dinner we walked around the night market up the street. Lots of massage parlors sprinkled about like a mini red light district. A bustling market goes on in the street until late in the night. We were so hot and tired of all the markets in Vietnam, that we just wandered a little bit then went home to call it a night. An early flight to Tokyo (where I am now) had us getting up at 3:00am. But Im almost homeeeeeeeeeee.