Our First day in Bangkok

Religion is much in evidence here and at the actual temple there are worshipers as well as gawkers.  And there is much to look at.  Then we head to stop number two.  Noi our guide is very experienced and does her job extremely well and with a sense of humor.  Her English is very good.   The flower market on the way to Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha) is now limited to vendors just outside their shops - street stalls are illegal in April - who knows why and Noi claims it is ignored.   Apparently the Thais (meaning the Free People) are used to disregarding laws that are inconvenient.   At Wat Pho a river of tourists meanders through the compound.  and it is a compound -  dozens of minor temples and shrines.  One is the original hospital where Thai people study medicine and first aid.  Another section houses 500 small (10 foot) Buddhas which hold ashes of important and rich families.   Here temples are built through donations and it takes years to complete any one project.   We save the temple of the 150-foot long Reclining Buddha for last.  And here happens our first incident of missing passengers.  Noi keeps counting noses and coming up short.  I must say directions were not clear as to where to meet, but we find the stray lamb (Arinee) on the outside of the compound.  A few words about this group.  There are 75 of us and two full busses.  People are from all over the states and we have met a few more beside the honeymooners.  An interesting group is a Hispanic family of about 7 -  a petite mother and four strapping twenty-year old sons and daughters with mates/spouses.

4/14/16  (Zosia writing, Joseph napping)

Our first full day in Bangkok was a bus tour around town focusing on two spectacular temples. But first we had buffet breakfast with food to please every palate -  European (all those cold cuts and cheeses),  American (eggs, bacon etc.) and Thai which we missed but may look over tomorrow.  Lots and lots of fruit, juices and pastries.   It is the New Year in Thailand and all the people celebrate for three days - April 12, 13, and 14 - by closing shops, services and heading to their homes in the provinces.   There is hardly any traffic (what a boon!)  and few tuk-tuks operate.   However the masses of tourists make visiting the temples a true experience - crowded as can be.  On way to first temple, that of the Golden Buddha we see much construction going on and tucked in here and everywhere are small shrines to the various god/apostles.

Our last stop was at the Gem Factory and Thai silk.  Poor Joseph just kept shaking his head.  This is not what Buddha is about.   The consumption of non-essentials!  It's a good thing he had his journal with him.   And we are melting.  Sweat runs down from tip of head to neck and all garments, creating its own climate system, which surprisingly has a cooling effect on the body as the cycle is in motion.  You would understand if you were here.  Makes perfect sense.  There is a either one gigantic cloud over the entire city or smog which greeted us at sunrise and now at 4pm still enfolds us.  A train just passed in view from our room window.  We have a fairly interesting view from room 1302.  My knees are holding up very well and Joseph has commented about how fast I am walking.  I have decided not to read my email today.