Finally — Angkor Wat!

Temple-Touring Day

We spent the morning touring temples at Angkor, the capital city of the ancient Khmer Empire. We’ve learned about Khmer society through their carvings, meandered from site to site under the shade of huge trees, and climbed to the top of 800-year-old temples to the gods.

I don’t remember learning about the Khmers in school, but thanks to our guide, we’re starting to understand them now. Just as the day’s heat was starting to take a toll, we took a break and had a refreshing Cambodian-style lunch. We’ve cooled off, and at least for the moment, our batteries have been recharged.   Time to head out to see “Angkor’s Little Gem,” and then the famous Angkor Wat. Continue reading “Finally — Angkor Wat!”

A Visit to the Temples of Angkor

Finally! We’re going to see the temples of Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire, first-hand. Our guide is picking us up at 8:00 AM. We’ll visit a couple of temple sites this morning, have lunch, then visit a couple more this afternoon. Let’s go find out what these amazing structures and the people who built them are all about! Continue reading “A Visit to the Temples of Angkor”

Long-Tail Boat Ride

We’ve been watching and hearing long-tail boats go by on the Chao Phraya river ever since we arrived in Bangkok. They’re colorful, graceful, and they make a ton of noise, so they have a way of getting your attention. Today we’re going to take a ride in one through Bangkok’s “back alley” waterways. Continue reading “Long-Tail Boat Ride”

Train Ride to Mahachai

Today we’re going to take a break from Bangkok and get out of town. We’re going to take a train ride to Mahachai, a seaport town on the Gulf of Thailand. We’ve signed up for a tour with a guide. We’ll take a train to Mahachai, where we’ll tour the local market and have lunch.

After lunch we’ll hop on another train that goes to a town named Samut Songkhram. There’s a market there that sits right on the tracks. It called the “Folding Umbrella” Market. More on that later. C’mon… it’s time to go. Continue reading “Train Ride to Mahachai”

Bangkok Foodie Tour by Tuk Tuk

It’s our second night in Bangkok. Tonight we’re going to go on a “foodie tour” focused on Thai street food. We try to go on some sort of a food-oriented tour whenever we’re someplace that might have a good one to offer. The tour tonight ought to be good because 1). We’re in the land of wonderful Thai cuisine. 2). It’s at night, and 3). We’ll be going from place to place via tuk tuk. Continue reading “Bangkok Foodie Tour by Tuk Tuk”

Time for a Massage in Bangkok

We’re in Bangkok with a free afternoon on our hands. What to do? What to do? How about getting massages? Not just any old massages, though – massages by blind masseurs and masseuses. People who “see” with their hands. And “Thai” massages to boot. Sounds interesting, no? Continue reading “Time for a Massage in Bangkok”

Taken for a Ride in Bangkok – The Rest of the Story

This morning – our first morning in Bangkok – we were taken for a ride, literally and figuratively. In what must have been a set-up, (although it was so clever, sometimes I still wonder), our tuk tuk driver took us to IFC, (International Fashion Center), Bangkok. But scam or no scam, we had a great experience there. And guess what? Continue reading “Taken for a Ride in Bangkok – The Rest of the Story”

Taken for a Ride (to IFC) in Bangkok

We’re in Bangkok. – Just a couple of tourists out exploring on their first day in town. We’re in a tuk tuk, deep inside a labyrinth of alleyways. The driver has just pulled over to park in a little tuk tuk-sized niche. This looks like a pretty rough area to us. Have we been “taken for a ride”? We’ve heard stories… Continue reading “Taken for a Ride (to IFC) in Bangkok”