Highlights from another wonderful day:
- boat ride with the group along the river and canal system. Apparently flooding has been a serious problem, most recently in 2012. Many rather derelict homes, but with satellites!
- tour of several of Bangkok's most important sites: Grand Palace (1472, a complex of buildings where the King once lived), Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew, buddha created in 43 BC and moved to Bangkok in 1784), Wat Pho (home of the reclining buddha and more than 1000 buddha images).
- lunch (tom yum soup) at one of the street vendors (hot!)
- camera shopping (no cheaper than home)
- supper with the group on Ram Buttri, a street close to the hotel chock full of restaurants and people.
Homes along the canal system
At the Grand Palace
Reclining Buddha
December 17: to Chaing Rai
Up at 4:30 to get an early flight to Chaing Rai, followed by a 1.5 hour ride to the Golden Traingle, where, from one spot, you can view Thailand, Myanmmar and Cambodia. This area was known for the growth of poppies and the production of opium. An Opium Museum details the history of opium in this region.
After lunch overlooking the Mekong River we were back in our mini-vans for the drive to another temple, Wat Chedi Luang. It dates from the 13th or 34th century and is rather overgrown, and undergoing restoration. Quite a contrast to the temples in Bangkok.
Finally another 1.5 hour drive to our hotel for the night in Chiang Khong, the Teak Garden Resort (very nice). Quite the day!
View from the Golden Triangle
