Another sleep-filled night followed by a HUGE breakfast in the Executive Lounge of the hotel - they really know how to do breakfast. This morning they had some other different fruits to try - really good. Durian was one that was offered that my nephew, Rick, had wanted me to try - it was good. I saw many of these fruits later in the markets I visited.
So today I decided to "get out of my comfort zone" a little more and go to some of the local markets to experience life as a Thai would - I was exhilarating! I took the hotel ferry to the Sky Train terminal and set off on foot from there. As I walked through the small streets and alleys (not big enough for cars), they were scrubbing their stoops and walks in front of their homes/shops. Turns out that the scrubbing was for good reason. Shortly after this, they started cutting up meats on their stoops - chicken, port, beef. Gee - I wonder if this is where some of my meals have come from????
I loved being immersed in the Thai local culture - everyone was friendly - remember - the Land of Smiles! I think I got a bit carried away with my adventure today. I was roaming and not paying attention to where I was going and got hopelessly lost for about 45 minutes. Didn't panic though and just kept moving and acting like I knew where I was going - but I hadn't a clue. I finally caught a glimpse through a clearing of the main river and headed that way. I walked quite a way further than I had imagined I would and saw so many things. I walked through street after street of jewelry wholesale stores. Then street after street of machine repair shops - stacks of car engines being worked on everywhere and lots of greasy men! I found a bit of ChinaTown too.
I finally got to the Chao Phraya River and used the River City as my landmark to get back on course. Took me another half hour to get there but made it. I've been trying to find a Buddha amulet to wear around my neck (for good luck) and went shopping for it but didn't find just what I wanted. I went back to look at the silk oriental rugs again - but didn't buy it (Tim would be so proud of me - he wants to send me to "Rugs Anonymous!). I did find one store with so many things made out of Mother of Pearl. This was beautiful. But we already have a mother of pearl spoon for Tim's caviar!
Once my shopping adventure was done I took the free River City ferry back to the Sky Train terminal to catch the Marriott ferry back to the resort. But now the weather had cleared up so I spend a leisurely afternoon soaking up the sun by the pool - and reading. Very relaxing.
Tonight I went to the Executive Lounge for cocktails and tried their special drink - a Mangorita - a Margarita made with Mango juice - it was good. But one of those was enough and I went back to my scotch. Dinner was amazine - a huge spread of asian treats - the beef on lemon grass with spicy sauce was my favorite. They also had shrimp in spicy tomato sauce with herbs. The desserts were good too - my favorite was the mango with sticky rice, and another that looked like fish eggs in creme with raisins - it was somewhat like tapiocca - yummy! I had a feast!
Tim arrived in Hong Kong today and is at the Intercontinental Hotel where I'll join him tomorrow for our 3 weeks in China. Can't wait to begin that adventure.
Tonight was "chill out time" - get packed, etc as I needed to get up early for my ride to the Bangkok airport. The hotel is taking me back to the airport in their limousine so I won't have traffic to worry about.
This has been a great visit to Thailand - such friendly people - the Land of Smiles - well worth a visit to experience this wonderful culture.
Larry
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