Crazy for Bangkok

Right now I am having an I love Bangkok moment. It is evening and 77 degrees (cooler than normal), I have the windows wide open and a magnificent view of the city lights (27th floor view).  The breeze is lovely.  It is easy to love the city right now. My camera does not take great night photos (and the photo would not capture the true essence of my view anyway), so here are some photos that I took at twilight instead:

 


I have been in Bangkok for 6 days straight now (did not go back to Korat) and will stay until we leave for vacation on the 18th.

I have really enjoyed how exotic Thailand can be and the differences it has from home.  However, since I am living here I have made attempts to search out some activities that I liked to do at home, and it is much easier to find these in Bangkok than Korat.  I found a pilates studio that I went to over the weekend and I now have someone to play tennis with.  Today I went to the movies with some friends, there is a nearby theater that I can walk to, most of the movies are in English with Thai subtitles.  We were introduced to a cute Mexican restaurant within walking distance.  I think this place may be my favorite Mexican restaurant right now... and it is in the middle of Bangkok!

It is hard to be in the holiday mood when the average high in the upper 80s (believe it or not this is considered Thailand's cool season).  I did attend a fun Christmas party with other expat women the other night - with a gift exchange game and free bellinis - this helped put me in the holiday mood and who doesn't like unlimited bellinis?  The majority of Thais are Buddhist and do not celebrate Christmas.  However, there are Christmas trees everywhere in Bangkok (especially in the shopping and financial districts).  These Christmas trees are huge, also all of the stores are playing Christmas carols. 

Colin has been such a great sport on the weekends.  Every weekend I plan at least one adventure.  My task is to pick the adventure and plan how we are to get there.  Last weekend I decided we were going to take a water taxi down a canal (klong) and then explore an area that has a lot of temples.  This water taxi is used by the Thais for transportation - kind of a city bus on water.  It was a blast, not to mention very cheap (around 50cents each).  Not only is it fun to be use the transportation that Thais use but it is also very interesting as the canals are lined with Thai houses, with several Thais 'hanging out" behind their houses.

Once we arrived at our destination, Bang Lamphu & Rattanakosin district, we hopped on a tuk tuk to visit some of the temples.  We decided to avoid the biggest tourist areas (Grand Palace and Wat Po) and to only explore a few sites.  We are saving some of the big hitters (like the Grand Palace) for when people come to visit.

Here are some photos from the day's adventure (once off the klong water taxi - which was an adventure all on it's own):

 

Phra Sumen Fort

Standing Buddha at Wat Indraviharn



mural in Wat (wat means temple)



Wat Benjamabophit - Marble Temple



 

holy tree

Golden Mount - climbed 82 steps

Colin is taking a week of vacation and we are going to Chiang Rai on Sunday (northern Thailand near the Burma border).  This should be a very scenic area with forests and hills/mountains; the weather will be cool.  Plus I convinced Colin that we just have to spend New Years in Hong Kong.  So we are going to spend four nights in Hong Kong.  I am beyond excited about visiting Hong Kong.