Krung Thep or Bangkok

We arrived at the Thailand port of Laem Chabang at 10 AM.  We lost about 300 passengers and gained another 300 making for another full ship on this fourth segment of the World Cruise. After lunch we headed for a 2 hour bus trip to Bangkok, the biggest city in Thailand. Our plan was to spend the night at the Shangri-la 5 star Hotel, enjoy the overnight and take in an easy tour. The Prince of Brunei joined us. He waved at me as he passed but I did not have my camera ready.  Talk about security. I watched as the security force inspected all of his cars for bombs then had the dogs do a double check. 

Last year when we were here, the red shirts were demonstrating. We just missed the big clash. On our return, the city was holding a remembrance for the 26 killed a year ago today. During the month after our visit 1,800 were injured in various anti government clashes. Our guide would not talk politics or about the difference in views between the red and the yellow shirts. He was not allowed to. He only said he believed in the yellow shirt view. Elections are coming up soon and things will be resolved he said. This silenced the bus.

Anyway, it is HOT and HUMID here. Almost the kind of day you just want to stay in. I miss the days when I needed gloves and froze to death. Why is it always too hot or too cold? What happened to just right? Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. It is one of the largest cities (area) in the world. In recent years the city has been strained with an ever increasing population and limited housing, traffic congestion, crowded living conditions, slums, chronic pollution and prostitution. The city, barely above sea level, is sinking 2" a year, similar to other cities we have visited. Bangkok is built on a swamp. We all have our problems. I would not want to live here, too crowded. Too everything.

I did not know that only the foreigners call it Bangkok. Those that live here call it Krung Thep. It means "city of angels".  It is also known as "city of smiles"and "Venice of the East". The full REAL name, just to confuse you, is:

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

Yes that is one name. It has 160 letters in it. The Thai people love to have long names for everything. The Guinness Book of Records lists this as the worlds longest place name.

Here is a picture of our hotel room. It is a beautiful hotel, well located, and had a great view.

Fruit in our room Rose apple, (crisp and crunchy) and Sapodilla (fig-like).

$1 = $28 Baht, again if wealth is number and weight, I felt so very rich.









Last year when we visited we were in and out within 14 hours. This year we took a tour of The Royal Grand Palace and saw the Emerald Buddha, the most visited site in Bangkok. King Rama I built this walled city in 1782. Every monarch since then has added his touch.  It continues to grow today, mixing the old with the new. This complex contains the royal residence, throne halls, government offices, and temples. Only the grounds are open to visitors. It was interesting. It is Grand. I think there is more more gold here then in any Catholic Church I have visited, very impressive and intricately detailed. Most of what we saw glistening at us was real gold, 24K, gold leaf. The Emerald Buddha is smaller then I would have expected but, none-the-less, worthy of idolizing in his opulent environment. I can say I was there. The but is, I am not excited about this culture as much as am for example, about Chinese or Japanese. I just can't get into Thai as easily.

taken outside, at the rail of the Emerald Buddha



pictures not allowed inside-but here is the Emerald Buddha from afar
if you take a picture inside...the guards will break your camera chip-
don't mess with these guards



Words of Advice: If you ever get a chance to eat a Durian, (fruit) don't buy one sliced, ready to eat and bring it on a crowded bus. One guy from our tour did this and was almost killed. He opened his plastic box and the smell was so bad everyone complained. Smells awful, almost like sulphur. So he tried to store it under the bus in the cargo. Next stop, he brought just a tiny piece on the bus. As we filed it, we all knew without a word ......OMG. People love it or hate it, they say..... the aroma is strong enough to stop people from even trying it.... Can you spell foul? It is the most expensive fruit in Thailand. They would have to pay ME to try it. There isn't enough money in the world.