December 19: Let's go to the movies!

Paragon Cineplex

Sabrina heard from someone that a must do in Bangkok was to go to the movies.  I know it sounds like something you wouldn't do while in a foreign city but for less than it costs in NYC, we got VIP seats (a couch), soda and popcorn.  The theater has 14 screens but they were only playing the Hobbit and Cloud Atlas in English, so we decided to see the Hobbit.  We mostly wanted to stay through the previews and the salute to the king.  After the previews, right before the movie starts, there is a 2 minute video honoring the king when everyone in the theater stands (see below), and we heard that if you don't stand you could be subject to a fine or jail time.  The Thai commercials and previews were entertaining enough to warrant paying the price of admission.

 Fish flavored chips...no thank you

The enormous theater

Video to come later...

December 19: Train Market and Floating Market

Maeklong Train Market

On our last full day in Bangkok we traveled outside of the city to see aspects of Thailand that are more representative of everyday Thai living. The Maeklong Train Market is a local fresh market where you can find everything from spices to live catfish (not to mention live stray cats walking over all the products). What makes this market different is how close it is to the train that passes through 4-5 times per day.  When the train is approaching the purveyors need to move all of their products away from the tracks, some even have tables that are on tracks with wheels to slide easily.  Unfortunately we didn't get to see the train pass by, but we definitely got a sense of Thai life from this unique perspective.

Minature tuna fish... Sabrina didn't like the overwhelming smell of fish and the overall unsanitary conditions of the food

Floating Market

Our second stop on this half day trip was to the Floating Market. A long time ago this market was also used by Thai people to sell fresh products and handmade goods; however, it has become a tourist trap where you find many of the same cheap souvenirs at every booth. Mook told us that if we wanted to buy anything that we should bargain down to less than 50% of the original price. We arrived at around 9:00 am, and thank god we did because after about 40 minutes the canals were so full of boats that you couldn't move.  Our paddle boat driver took us through the side canals where the people who work in these markets live, and we were able to see what rural Thai housing looked like.

December 18 (Part 3): Suits and Massages

Two things that we wanted to try in Bangkok were the Thai massages and getting a custom suit made. For half of what you would pay in the states I had a custom suit, shirt and tie made in only 2 days time, and for $15 each Sabrina and I received 2 hour Thai massages.  It was a nice way to end our second day in Bangkok, that is, until we ran out of cash.  After paying for the massages we ran out of Thai Baht and didn't even have enough money to take the sky train back to the hotel (30 Baht = $1)...we didn't have $1. We ended up walking all the way back to our hotel, needless to say Sabrina wasn't too happy with me.

Suit Fitting (Peninsula Tailors)

Thai Massages (Health Land Spa)

The beautiful clothing they had us change into to get our massages

Our walk back to the hotel

December 18 (Part 2): Wat Arun & Grand Palace

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)

On the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River sits Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), named because of the way the first light of the morning reflects off the porcelain.  On all 4 sides of the pagoda are stairs that we climbed to get to the third level.  These stairs are extremely steep and Sabrina wasn't crazy about the idea of climbing down once we got up.

We were dressed appropriately...even in the 97 degree heat!

                                                                              Not too trilled

Sabrina gripping onto the railing for dear life on her way down

Our first Tuk tuk ride

Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a large complex of many building that used to be the residence for the many kings of Thailand. Throughout the years many kings continued to add new buildings to the palace. Many of the later buildings that were built by King Rama V have a western influence because, according to our tour guide, he was bored with the ornate Thai architecture. One of the major places of prayer is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha is carved out of one piece of Jade and it's clothes are changed according to the seasons.

 The Emerald Buddha