Bangkok –
I boarded a 777 outside on the tarmac which seemed weird in Haneda airport in route for for a six-hour flight to Bangkok. The good thing is it really allows you to get up close to the plane and you realize just how large it is.
I will be staying at the Peninsula Hotel which is located near the Chao Phraya River which is a very busy river. The tour boats that pass by are very colorful.
I am glad I wasn’t driving to the hotel as the road signs are a bit different.
I attended a food tour of the city which was a 4 hour non- stop eating event where we stopped by all the Michelin rated restaurants and ate Thailand cuisine. While doing this I met some nice folks from Belgium and Cleveland, OH. You really get up close to the cities sights and smells doing this. Some of the dished were the best Thai food I have ever had.
Bangkok is so opposite Tokyo. It is complete chaos with loud horns, sirens and constant crazy motorcycles and tuk tuks (3 wheeled motorcycles). It is unbelievable how different it is from Tokyo – hard to put it into words. But I like it for what it is and when you land here you know you are not in Kansas anymore.
In the evening I went up the Sky Bar which is my favorite open rooftop bar in the world. It is on the 64th floor of the Lebua Hotel where the Hangover Part II movie was filmed. Incredible 360 view of Bangkok with very expensive cocktails (but they are worth it). I love this place and saddens me to think I may never see it again.
From there I was told I had to visit the Four Season Hotel bar which was also and incredible site. One of the top hotels in the world.
Since I have been running on 3 hours of sleep a day since arriving (due to a 12 hour time change) I was back to the hotel in good time. I had time to enjoy the spa which was much needed.
The next day I took a canal tour on the Chao Phraya River which is mind blowing. It shows some of the slum areas and it is amazing how some people live. Makes me appreciate Parkville, MO. In the afternoon I had time to catch up on some work and did some pool time. Also packed for our very early morning departure for Phuket where I will catch a boat shuttle to Phi Phi island.
So far everything has worked like clockwork so feel very lucky.
The last evening in Bangkok I did a dinner cruise on the river which had great food and entertainment. It allowed me to take pictures of the city from a different view. We literarily had to duck our heads going under the bridge.
Doug's Travels 