Thailand "the Land of Smiles"

February 22
I flew out of Hanoi at 9:30 am and landed in Bangkok at 11:15 am. I stopped off at the cell phone counter to get a SIM card for my phone and headed off to get a taxi to my hotel.

Thailand is often called the “Land of Smiles,” not only because visitors love its natural beauty and historical riches, but also because of the country’s friendly people and fascinating culture. I unpacked and headed off to Khao San Road. Khao San road is a place in downtown Bangkok where backpackers and tourists are immediately drawn to from when they first touch down in the airport. It caters to every tourists need. Khao San is a welcome respite and you are sure to have a memorable time. However with cheap liquor it becomes a different place at night.

The street was busy when I arrived around 3 pm... There are stores and stores. You can buy electronic everything, clothes, shoes, silver to name a few. Irregular items can also be found...roasted scorpions on a stick, beetles and various bugs are also sold for consumption.

Snack anyone?

My lunch - very, very, very spicy!

This is called a fish spa! You put your feet/leg in the tank and these fish simply suck up your dead skin. There has to be some health issues that come with this treatment. Yuck!

I wandered around the area and found a park. So I found a shady spot and people watched.

I noticed a man walking towards me, he said hello and sat beside me. He started asking me where I was from? Where in Thailand was I travelling? The hairs on the back of my neck went up, I talked for a minute then I said I had to leave. He asked me for my email address and telephone number. I said my husband was getting a tattoo and I had to go meet him ... And was gone!

I headed by to Khao San road because it was getting on in the evening. Bradley, my son, had told me not to stay long in Bangkok..."you need to see Khao San road during the day and at night... Then get out of there." That's exactly what I'm doing. I fly out tomorrow for Chang Mai.

Night time view from my hotel room.

February 23
Back at the airport to catch my 1 hour flight to Chang Mai. We sat on the tarmac for an hour, so frustrating!

Arrived at the hotel and headed out to explore. I've signed up for a cooking class tomorrow and a visit to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for the next day.

Chang Mai is a mix of old and new - the moated, partially walled old quarter has many celebrated temples and the ethnic mixing pot born during the caravan era. It is important to dress properly when entering a temple. For women, this means wearing skirts or pants that cover the knees, and a top that covers the shoulders and is not transparent. For men, long pants and a shirt that covers the shoulders are necessary. So dressed appropriately, I headed out for temple day.

I headed to the old city. The area is a reminder of the past... You can see orange-robed monks weave in and out of the tourist crowds.

The first temple I walked to was Wat Chedi Luang. Wat Chedi Luang was building in 1441.

Wat Phra Singh is Chiangg Mai's most revered temple. It draws pilgrims and sightseeing for its resident Buddha.

Can you pick out the real monk?

Walked back to the hotel and rested. It's hot and muggy out there! Headed out to the night market to get dinner and walk around. There are about 3 or 4 night markets that just join on to each other and loads of entertainment.

Things sold in every store is "same same but different". I had dinner at Lemongrass Thai. It's very popular due to Tripadvisor and it certainly is good. Their customers write their dinner praises on the wall. Great pad thai!

I've had a difficult time getting my pictures on this blog. Off to my cooking class!