So we have been having so much fun I have not written in some time, sorry about that. Much has happened in the last few days so I hope to capture it as best as I can.
Our first full day in Bangkok was the floating market called Damnern Saduak. We were in no way prepared for what we saw here at this treasure of the Bangkok area. Our driver parked the van we had traveled approximately 1 hour 20 minutes in and we walked about 1/2 of a block, through a small shop, and we had arrived, our guide introduced us to a 70 year old woman whom had one oar in hand and a long skinny wooden boat. Dre and I hopped in and were told to keep our hands inside to prevent them from getting smashed and to keep balanced in the center of the boat to prevent from capsizing (by the looks of the water, I definitely did not want that). A camera popped up in front of our face a few shot were taken and we were off. The floating market is all about vendors selling their goods and trying to entice you to buy something they have. We were informed by our guide that the first price they offer to you is the start of a negotiation and immediately you should offer 50% less (unless it is food products, then the price is considered set). Many of the vendors have long pieces of bamboo with a hook at the end, they will reach out catch your boat and pull you over for the start of what seemed to be a display of all of their goods. I am not sure how many times Dre and I said no thank you that day but I know it was a lot. We ended up buying a green stone bracelet, mango sticky rice (omg yummmmm), (2) large Chang beers (pronounced Chong), and some of the most delicious pork skewers I think I have ever had (btw, we purchased the beer and skewers right off of a boat where they were cooking more of the same). We people watched, ate and drank our beers and we were on the move again.
We were delivered back to the hotel where we showered and headed to the little sports bar called Sports Corner on our street. This place was filled with men watching sports and flirting with the Thai waitresses. Dre and I had an early morning the next day and decided we should head back to the hotel.
Day 2 in Bangkok was a tour of the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Pho. Due to the dress code of the temples, we had to wear certain items to ensure we were not being disrespectful to the culture (this was also the hottest and most humid day of our stay in Bangkok). In short the amount of detail, design, thoughtfulness, and pride that Thai people have displayed in these buildings is quite incredible. The Grand Palace is under strict security, you see the King who has been on the throne for the last 70 years passed away on October 13, 2016 and on the palace grounds he is lying in state. Thai residents flock to pay their respects by the 100s of thousands per day waiting for 5-8 hours for a few seconds to make an offering and say a blessing.We were told that this king will lie in state for about a year while his grave is designed and built. His son, by the way, whom is 64 will take the throne but will not have a coronation until his father is creamated. The Emerald Buddha, was another highlight, this Buddha was said to have been found in northern Thailand in 1434 covered in plaster, when there was a chip on the nose of the Buddha, it exposed the green stone underneath. The remaining amount of plaster was removed, only to find a flawless piece of jade designed in the shape of the Buddha. This Buddha is considered the highest of all Buddhas. Such amazing history was heard and felt today. We headed back to the hotel where we immediately decided to go to the pool and to cool off. We then went back to our little sports bar, Sport Corner where we met a few folks from Cali (Long Beach and Temecula) that encouraged us to see one of Bangkok's Red Light District, Soi Cowboy. We went, we saw, we drank, we got a late night snack and we're back to the hotel by 5ish (AM). :/
Day 3 was one of pure relaxation, not only were we out very late last night, but we also have still been trying to adjust to the time....We needed this day of lazy.
Day 4 pack up and be ready for our transfer to the airport....Off to Phuket we go.
