Venice of the East

Docked in Laem Chabang.Lunch on ship and then a 90 min.drive to the Shangri la Hotel in Bangkok.Lovely, though not quite as magnificent as the one in Beijing.However the view was gorgeous,looking out at the river with boats going up and down.
Thailand has a population of 65 million,12 million of whom live in Bangkok.Space is at a premium so many of the canals have been filled in for roads,destroying much of the city's charm.Transportation used to be by water and the floating markets were famous.Now they have moved to the suburbs.

One of many canals now being filled in

Three of us went to a tailor to see about having a silk suit or jacket made.Then we went to the Gems Gallery.A vast array of necklaces,earrings and bracelets of every kind.I didn't even price anything but went to the silk area where I bought an evening jacket.Very hot!
I had a Thai massage by a woman who came to my room.Our guide arranged it and said she was trained in the temple and did the authentic Thai massage.It was very good.I had a quick bite and then a fitting for the suit I had decided on.I hope it turns out OK,one fitting is really not enough.
The Thai people are extremely polite and bow all the time.I learned two phrases which I used appropriately and it seemed to please them no end.We had a buffet breakfast next morning and the waitress bowed deeply with her hands together to show me to my table.I felt awkward with a plate in each hand not being able to bow back.
I went on the Grand palace and Emerald Buddha tour,while others went on the floating market tour.It was very hot and humid.We saw beautiful shrines with gold and gems inlaid.
We had to remove our shoes to enter the temple of the Emerald Buddha which is carved from a single block of the stone and dressed in 24 carat gold differently for spring,summer and winter.This is done by the king.The statue was high up and not very easy to see.No cameras allowed.

Roof detail

Detail at base of a shrine

Jeweled shrine

Ornamented shrine

Detail of shrine in Palace compound

Part of Palace

Monkey guard in front of shrine

Gilt temple

Mythical creature guardine a shrine

Inlay

Close up of gilt tiles

There are many pictures of the king around the city.He is now in his 80s and not well.

One of many photos of the king throughout the city

On our way to the Palace we passed many street markets.

Street scene

Flowers in street market

Street market

We saw many tuk tuks which resemble golf carts and are named for the sound of their engine.

Tuk tuks

We had a buffet lunch at the hotel and the coaches brought us back to the ship.All in all a very delightful excursion,but tiring.We were all glad to be back on the ship.
There was a lot of security around lunch time and we heard that the Prince of Brunei was staying at the hotel.We had to walk a short distance to our coaches,they were not allowed to come to the front.

Venice of the East

Bangkok, Thailand