Bangkok Part 2

I flew back to Bangkok, partly because you have to fly through here from Siem Reap, and partly because there is still so much to do here!  After flying in and out of Bangkok several times now, you get to see just how far out this city sprawls. 

Free exercise equipment in the park
some even with weights!

A view of one of the large lakes in
Lumphini Park

My first afternoon back in the capital, I still had a couple of hours of daylight so I took a stroll down embassy road to Lumphini park.  This beautiful green space is dropped in the middle of the huge city of Bangkok.  It's incredibly scenic and was full of families picnicking, biking or just soaking in the sunshine together on Sunday afternoon.  I immediate went back to my mall-lined neighborhood on Sukhimvit Road, bought running shoes, and changed where I was staying to be closer to the park.  I ran in Lumphini Park every morning after that day while I was still in Bangkok. 

Tai Chi anybody?

The park was full of Thais, usually doing Tai Chi or some other martial art, walking, or using the exercise equipment in the morning.  It felt great feeling my muscles re-awaken after not running for over a year, and I am SO grateful that my knee didn’t start hurting.  I even used the exercise equipment for a few leg exercises.  I did have to show up very early in the morning by vacation standards so I could run before it got warmer than 85 degrees.  But if I’m going to sweat as soon as I walk out the door in Thailand, I may as well do it with a purpose.    

A view of Bangkok from floor #47

One evening, I headed across the street to the sky bar with another single traveler and enjoyed a fabulous view of Bangkok by night.  The next evening, I joined 3 other single travelers to go to the over-hyped Khao San road. I took advantage of being on my own again in Bangkok by doing a lot of trip planning.  I planned the last 2 weeks I would be in Asia and started lining out my trip to South America.  On top of self-improvement projects like running in the mornings and trying to learn Spanish, trip planning and blogging take a lot of time.  I decided to the islands (specifically, Koh Toa) to learn how to scuba dive.  It was hard to narrow down itineraries because all the reviews on everything here are 5 stars.  (and by all, I mean dive shops, cooking schools, and places to stay).   I think everybody is just friggn happy while they are in Thailand.  

Chef LeeZ

I took a Thai cooking class while in Bangkok – one of the best investments I’ve

Lessons in them market

ever made.  The school was run by a firey little Thai woman in a chef’s outfit.  Chef LeeZ come from a long line of restaurant owners/chefs and had her own bachelors degree.  She spoke great English, and had put together a fast paced course that covered a lot of my favorite dishes here in Thailand!  I loved her emphasis on fresh ingredients.  She kept all 8 of us laughing the whole time and I am anxious to see how many of these foods that are so readily available here can be found back home.  The list of things to cook when I get back is getting longer!

The roofs over the Grand Palace

Also while back in Bangkok, I visited the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (which is actually jade) and wandered

They look like Ogres!

around in awe of all the glitter.  So much gold and glitter.  I also visited the Reclining Buddha complex next door.  I wished I knew more about Buddhism so I could appreciate what I was staring at above and beyond the sheer size and sparkle.  The reclining Buddha itself was HUGE.  I even enjoyed the textile museum, which showcased the Thai version of Jacki Kennedy - their queen.  The Thai's love their king and queen.  (Fun fact: the Thai king is the longest serving head of state in the world.)  The royal family no longer spend much time at the Grand Palace, but it was still very impressive.  Maybe I'll see it on TV one day for a state ceremony.  My last morning in Bangkok, I even visited the Temple of the Golden Buddha with another random traveler.  I think I enjoyed that temple more than the rest, maybe because it was not mobbed with tourists like all the others, and maybe because I went with an ex-Buddhist who could walk me through some of the significance of what I was looking at.    

Temple of the Emerald Buddha
So much that glitters!!

This little jade guy is what
all the fuss was all about
**this is a sneaky photo because you're
not allowed to take pictures inside

If you want proof that Angkor Wat was
amazing, there is a replica inside
of Bangkok's Grand Palace complex

The giant Reclining Buddha
 (Wat Pho)

Complex around the
Reclining Buddha

The Golden Buddha
5.5 tons of real gold

Giant offerings made of
coconut leaves and flowers
Beautiful, fragrant, and
conveniently shaped to hold $$

In general, I saw a lot in Bangkok that was one of a kind.  But I have missed the second birth of a child for the second of my good friends while I’ve been overseas.  I have not been able to congratulate a 3rd good friend on her pregnancy in person.  I missed Thanksgiving with my family.  Traveling is great, but I’m getting travel weary and a little homesick.  I will be glad to come home to Texas for Christmas.  

Next Stop: Koh Toa