Another great day with Crystal! Some Valentine’s Day planning, two coffees, the Royal Palace, the Amulet Market, some pool time, laundry and dinner. 

The Grand Palace is insane. It’s a holiday all year bc of the king’s recent death. All the roads are blocked to street traffic. Swarms of mourners arrive by the busload, all day, every day. There was so many people trying to leave the Emerald Temple area, and the exit was blocked, I had a little panic attack and had to run away. It was worth it!! So beautiful. I have been to three other towns in Asia where the Emerald Buddha WAS, so great to finally see him.

The majority of the palace grounds are of course off-limits. It’s a working royal residence.

There was, in addition, a great little textile museum. Two exhibitions, a collection of Queen Sirkits clothes and gowns, and a display of performance costumes.

The amulet market was super neat. Taxicab drivers (and others) in dangerous professions buy and wear these charms to protect themselves. Cheaply made or priceless treasures, all can be purchased by the handful.

I had a pleasant beer on the backpacker street listening to a pretty great singer cover the Chili Peppers and Nirvana while Crystal got a footrub.

Overall, another great day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Spent it at the Chatuchak  Weekend Market. Supposedly one of the biggest markets in the world, it is enormous!

Just as a for instance, if you wanted to buy a goldfish, there was 200 fish stalls. A puppy, 100. If it’s food, every kind of street food you could name. Clothes, hats, shoes, art, jewelry. Anything for sale, it was there. 

So many people. Just having a stroll around, spending and having fun.

After we couldn’t take it any more,  a lovely hour at the park, people watching.

Dinner was doner kebab and corn on the cob, standing up in the backpacker street.

Talking until 1 am…my throat is sore still this morning.

Today is the royal palace, some wats, green curry, and an amulet market.

Have a good night!

What a day! Our hotel last night….(shudder). Just a few hours of sleep.

Now it’s all better! In a nice place, and looking forward to closing my eyes.

Crystal and I had a good day, despite my  restless night. 

There’s a commuter boat on the Chao Pra Ya, and we went back and forth a little, taking pics and such. Very nice. 

Saw a cathedral. A wedding was just held, so we got to see some beautiful rose arrangements.

Lunch was so gooooooood. I had a splendid green curry that made me lose my voice temporarily. It was that good. Also had these filled pancakes called murtaba, or something. Mmmmmmmm.

After that,  a walk, rest, and recharge. Some laundry for me, and get out for dinner.

I had thai food. It was okay.

After dinner, I popped in to a wat to see the holiday ceremony that was happening. I beleive it is kind of an “all saints day”. Very interesting. Special foods and candles were purchased,  then a worshipful procession around the main prayer hall, with chanting and such. Many attendants were wearing white, I think to honor the dead. Also could have been a kind of Memorial Day thing.

Now I’m really anticipating a good sleep!

Goodnight everyone 

Just a travel day

I’ll have to work on something good for tomorrow!

Goodnight