Chinese New Year in Thailand

Shin Yen Qui La! Happy New Year!

Last year Ben and I took our time off in February to brave the cold of Beijing and climb the Great Wall. This year we decided to stay warm and tackle another great Asian city - Bangkok. We spent ten days traveling all over the city. We marveled at the architecture, historical and cultural sites, and vast diversity of this city. We took tuk tuks (motorcycle taxis), river ferries, hot pink taxis, buses, trains, sky rails, subways, and our feet all over the city. This eclectic city boasts excellent food, extremely kind and helpful people, and exuberant charm that is unparalleled with other capital cities that we have visited thus far in Asia. I hope these pictures, more than any we have posted before, relay the great enjoyment we received out of this trip. Enjoy!

Monks awaiting their sunset meditation.
A staple of Thai architecture, chofahs, in the shadows.

The back of a typcial "tuk tuk" (a motorcyle taxi).

We took one afternoon and and rode the city buses around Bangkok. Leisurely riding the bus is the best way to see a new city.

Fish spa anyone? This tickles for the first 2 minutes and then it actually starts to feel really good.


We ventured out of Bangkok for a few days up to the old capital of Ayuthaya. This small city was a historical goldmine of ruins and gorgeous sunsets.

Ben sketching the ruins from a higher view point.





A reclining buddah in Ayuthaya. 6'4'' Ben is the measuring stick.


In 1767, Ayuthaya was attacked by the Burmese army. During this attack, the Burmese soldiers cut off and destroyed all the heads from the buddah figures in all the temples, a great sign of disrespect.

This one was placed a the base of a tree and over time became part of the roots. It seems that it should have always been there or was carved out of the trunk for aesthetic value. It fits.

Back to Bangkok. We had to do a cooking class while we were there. Papaya salad anyone? Yum!

Simple pad thai.

Such a gorgeous array of ingredients.

Ben making coconut milk.

Ben loves his sarong! We had to buy these in order to go into one of the museums. It is very good quality and has served many purposes for us so far.

This is the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The kings used to live here, but now they live elsewhere. It is absolutely gorgeous.



On to another famous site - Wat Po (Wat means temple), home of the reclining buddah (see below).

This is the famous reclining buddah. Gold casing with pearl inlay on the feet depicting the virtues of buddah.


A more modern historical site along the river in Bangkok. This used to be the customs house, but now serves as low income housing and fire station.

Another side of the customs house.

The european colonial style buildings sit all around the city.

Wat Arun alongside the river.

Inside Wat Arun.
Veiw of the city atop Wat Arun.


The river that runs through Bangkok is used as another roadway. One of the best ways to get from one end of the city to the other is on the river taxis. A scenic and convenient ride.

Roses at one of the popular flower markets in the city. As you look at these 2 pictures (above and below), try to imagine how it smelled!


You got the right on baby, uh huh, uh huh! Pepsi from old school glass Pepsi bottles is the drink of choice.

A temple along the side street of a market.

The pomegranate seems more vibrant here for some reason.

Where else would we go on Chinese New Year?!


Sunset sky atop the Golden Mount. The Thai flag in the background.


A lunch time break of pad thai at the Chatachuk Market. The shopping was amazing!

Ben's haven of books in the Chatachuk Market. So many old school Nat Geos.



This a video for your viewing pleasure. We stumbled across this group at the Lamphini Park (kind of the "Central Park of Bangkok). This was one of my favorite moments.