One week in Bangkok...

Bangkok, what an interesting place, it seems to never sleep. Not that I can comment on the wee hours though, some of us had to try work. I am also convinced that without the women, the place would not happen, it seems that there are 53 women to every man. Well, on reflection, I know where the men are; in their cars, in the traffic... and what traffic! It's chaos in the streets. More than three wheels, and you will not be getting there in a rush. To combat this, lose a wheel and the tuk-tuk is born.

Given the traffic it is no surprise that they build the giant moving air conditioner, aka the skytrain. It's not a pretty structure, nasty concrete beam that slices up the city mid skyline, but what a bonus if you want to go anywhere. And ooooh, it's like a fridge inside. If you're early for your meeting, take in a few more stops, it's a whole lot better then being outside. The high 30's with humidity, not suit wearing weather!

Like I found in Malaysia as well, Bangkok is big on shopping. Here is the one extreme:

The Siam Paragon centre with all the labels and trendy chic one could ask for. Not much cheaper than elsewhere though. On the other extreme, you could rather go get your dried squid from the stall alongside the river, this is a lot cheaper than dried squid in your average Paris shop.

In search of some peculiar Thai experience, we landed up at an evening of Muay Thai. It was fun to see, soak up some atmosphere, but I won't rush back. From the spectators' seats it seems quite mild, although I can imagine that the competitors don't have the same feeling.

OK, that hurt!

There is also quite a bit of ceremony that is involved. I understood diddly, but I like ceremony.

It seems screaming is the thing to do when your man makes contact.

The before match concentration. 500 baht on the guy with the blue thingy...

The next morning was Buddhist temple day. The river bus to the temples afforded great views and a good sense of the contradiction that is Bangkok.

It looks quite quaint. This is a typical example of why photos should not be trusted. It was at teh very best unsanitary and on the verge of collapse. It was beautiful though.

And apparently even able to support fish... I didn't see him catch anything, but then fishing isn't always about catching fish. Maybe his mother-in-law was visiting that weekend...

Above and below, more river dwellers, of varying types.

The river seems to host some pretty swish hotels, and temple looking buildings.

Alongside of which is the old and knakkered, or is that new and knakkered? Difficult to tell. So typical of towns with people of diverging wealth. Contrasting neighbours like this make me think of Brazil and Peru. Somehow the feeling in Bangkok is slightly different though. Even as someone who is obviously comparatively wealthy, one doesn't feel like even the most hard-up would wish you any harm, could it be a Buddhist influence?

We didn't have time to explore too much, but if you head up the canals of which there seem many, hence the nickname 'Venice of the East', you need to go in one of these longtails, narrow with shallow draught and pretty quick and noisy.

At the temple complexes, we took in the reclining Buddha first. Quite impressive in a good way (I say that because I learn this last week that in French one can be 'impressed' in a negative way, oh well there goes my literal translation technique ;))

On the feet are beautiful inlays in mother of pearl.

Onto the complex of the emerald Buddha and the Royal Palace. Lots of gold, and bright colours, things that sparkle in the sun, and lots of tourists, blah, they really are painful.

And for me one of the more beautiful things, a simple painting on a wall in a walkway.

The Royal Palace, with what seems to be Dr. Seuss topiary in the front garden. Still the Royal Palace, although the Royals, who seem much loved by the people, don't live here any more.

An all too brief an exploration before work started, although that in itself was interesting. If you have the chance be sure to take a day or two in Bangkok, it is a little mind blowing. Life there is different, the people are friendly and gentle, and yes, it's true they are all smiles.

Choc-tee! Wishing you warm climate, smiles and cold beer.