Both Stephen and I were pleasantly surprised by Bangkok. It helps that we were staying in the Banglamphu district, a haven for wearied backpackers. It is a short stroll to tasty, inexpensive restaurants, outdoor markets for shopping and cozy cafes. We were also within walking distance of the National Museum, the Grand Palace and other well-known temples in the historic Ratanakosin area.
On Wednesday we woke up early in order to join the free English tour of the National Museum. They only have one tour each week. Our guide was an entertaining and knowledgeable, American expat. He is an enthusiastic retired businessman who has a passion for history. He has accompanied archaeologists to Angkor Wat and he attends all the events and lectures of the Southeast Asia Foreign Correspondents' Club (as he dabbles in foreign correspondence on the side).
We had an especially thorough tour because there were several women in our group training to be English museum guide volunteers. They had all come to Bangkok with their husbands, but they are not allowed to take jobs from local Thai people so they cannot work. They have joined the museum volunteers group to give them something to do. The group plans several outings and events. It was interesting to talk to them about their experiences living in Thailand. Best of all, we had an excellent tour although I think Stephen was fed up after it exceeded three hours! Luckily, there was a really good restaurant on sight. Some Thai food perked him up again.
I learned so much about Thai Buddhism and the history of the Ramas (the kings....) on the tour. I won't bore you with all of it, but Rama IV is the one portrayed in 'The King and I'. He was a gifted scientist that predicted a solar eclipse. He took his entire family out into the countryside to watch it. His prediction was correct, but the area he chose to witness it was infested with malaria-carrying mosquitoes. His entire family got sick. He died of malaria. Fortunately, his son recovered and became one of the most respected kings of Siam, Rama V.
Later that day we took the passenger ferry. I love traveling by boat. It is much more peaceful. We passed several beautiful temples I want to go back to see. Finally, we disembarked at the connection with the sky train. We took the sky train to Siam Square, but unfortunately we had to stay confined to a posh shopping mall (much to Stephen's discomfort) because it rained heavily the rest of the night! At least I didn't find anything to buy!
