Thailand--Bangkok and Ko Samui
BANGKOK
The King and us! Wow, what a terrific place to visit. The contrast between Bangkok and Saigon is hard to believe: Bangkok is clean, business oriented and modern while Saigon is the exact opposite. Where motor scooters ruled the road in Vietnam, automobiles were very prevalent on the streets of Bangkok. We visited the Grand Palace which was established in 1782 and it houses not only the royal residence but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This is the place where King Mongkut (King and I as well as Anna and the King) did his magic. Known as Rama IV, his impact is still present. The current King, Rama IX, is loved by the people and considered one of the best at the job. 80% of the people of Bangkok are Buddhist and you can see monks walking to and fro to visit more than 400 Temples throughout the city. We also took a boat ride down Chao Phraya, Bangkoks river lifeline. At one time, Bangkok was compared with Venice because of it’s network of canals but most have now been filled in to accommodate the growing metropolis. While on the river, we were given loaves of bread to feed the catfish, with each fish that takes your bread, you get a day of good luck; they were ravenous, good for us! Had a traditional Thailand lunch, overall, delicious but Larry had trouble with the hot, hot, hot soup.
KO SAMUI
A small, sleepy Island with shops aplenty. Not much to say about our two hour walk through the city. It was again very hot and humid, so we decided to go back to the ship for a movie and needed rest.
By the way, we haven’t heard much from the desert, is everything OK? Everyone healthy? Dale, Doug, Tom, how are you all doing? Miss you and all the guys! Dennis and Jane, did the inspection go well? All closed up? Tom and June, how are things at the beach? Has the new road been started? Jennifer, mama June, Jo Bell, Chrissy Gail, Shannon, Beth and Tina, thanks for the news of the family. Katie, let Mikayla know that grandpa is getting sugar free syrup on his pancakes here on the ship. Alec and Isobel, are you back in Belfast? Orin,Bill, Jack and Charles, have you been playing? Everyone healthy? Mike and Natalie, all well with you and the boys? Stephen and Debra, we’re sailing our way to South Hampton on schedule, hope you can make it. You can tell Larry is a bit stir crazy and misses home. Next stop, Singapore.
5 comments:
I heard it was 80 degrees over the weekend in Las Vegas. No such luck here. Rain and clouds and cold. Hoping to make it across the Snoqualmie Pass without incident. The snow levels have been all over the place. One day it's 3000ft and the next 7000ft and the next 2000ft. Gotta love spring in the Northwest. We miss you too! Keep in mind that no news is good news!
xoxome
They just had the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on Jeopardy! ~ Thai food and life amongst the Buddists sounds lovely - good food and peaceful. The humidity must be tough, but I'll bet it's gorgeous. I'm going to need a week of dinner's and pictures at your house (hee hee, note the dinner inclusive). You better hold off on heading North for an extra week. ~ Tucker is, at this moment relaxed, on his back, spread-eagle, with his soft toy resting next to front paw. You know the look. He's worn out from chasing Max around the yard for the wknd. Later and love you... B.
Hi L&R. Yes, back from the Canaries on March 13th and straight into a conf-call. Good to see you'll reach civilization on schedule and I presume you're meeting Stephen et al. Give him my best regards. Latest news here is that Andrew and Sangeeta are to be married in Vancouver on Aug 30th this year. They've taken our advice and kept their engagement brief. I'll probably make another trip down to Seattle to do more research on the McCord saga but I'll be in touch with you before then. Best. Alec & Isobel
Hi L&R. Yes, back from the Canaries on March 13th and straight into a conf-call. Good to see you'll reach civilization on schedule and I presume you're meeting Stephen et al. Give him my best regards. Latest news here is that Andrew and Sangeeta are to be married in Vancouver on Aug 30th this year. They've taken our advice and kept their engagement brief. I'll probably make another trip down to Seattle to do more research on the McCord saga but I'll be in touch with you before then. Best. Alec & Isobel
Hi you two world travelers, Your comparisons of Thailand and Saigon were quite interesting. So much good luck is coming your way because of the fishes eating your bread. Great! Everyone is fine here. C and C are leaving today to begin their journey homeward. Gary and Ginger are still in Hawaii with Thad and family. Thad and family have the flu! Yuk! Where is your next stop? This blog has been so much fun to read, etc. Love, Gail
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