Bangkok, Thailand 2018
Even though our wonderful 2018 winter cruise has ended, the fun goes on. We popped over to Bangkok for two exciting days. It is sensory overload at its best.
We stayed in the fabulous Mandarin Oriental which is the flagship hotel of the chain. It is also the first hotel built in Thailand (1876) and never have I had such amazing service.
Why go out to breakfast when I can just view the Chao Phraya River from the suite.
Lunch was on the street allowing us to take it all in before having three great massages.
We ate at the hotel’s deluxe Thai restaurant right on the water, a five minute shuttle crossing to the other side. The beautiful setting, evening, and food was only topped by the company.
Speaking of beautiful, the Skybar, a block away, is the highest in Thailand (with matching prices).
We had heard of a famous jazz bar, The Bamboo Bar, and it ended up being in our hotel. We had nightcaps there both evenings. Very relaxing.
We love taking a leisurely long tail boat ride to view the river and local khlongs (canals).
The number of wats (Buddhist Temples) in Thailand is staggering and they range from simple to staggeringly ornate. In fact there are about 40,000 of them with 30,000 actually being used. They are the center of almost all family activity in Thailand.
I was interested to learn that every young Thai Buddhist who reaches age of 20 must go to Temple to become a monk for at least 15 days before they are allowed to get married. Some stay much longer.
What Pho is quite famous for its huge reclining Buddha.
Not all is beautiful though. However, many do so much when they have so little to work with.
