| Nine Days in Thailand, July 27th to August 4th, 2002 |
| Bangkok |
| As soon as we landed in Thailand, we were greeted with these; Tuk Tuks, Onomotopoeically named three wheeled taxis that are everywhere in the Thai capital, leaving a deep blue exhaust in their wake. They're a cheap and exciting ride, though they have a tendency to flip when their drivers take turns too quickly. |
| Examples of extreme poverty, such as this "squatter community" are everywhere in Bangkok, a real shock to a couple of Canadians sheltered from any of the real problems of the world (outside the Ethiopian jokes and Sally Struthers commercials). You are constantly reminded of how lucky you are, as you see people walking barefoot through the Sois (side roads) with torn and soiled clothing, carrying a tin can or two. When they can organize themselves a little, they make small huts on vacant plots from scraps of whatever they can find. It makes you want to do something about it. |
| The King's grand palace. An exhibition of the grandeur and majesty of times recently past, showing the extreme contrast between Bangkok's rich and poor. Buildings heavily adorned with all things valuable, and Golden "chedis" reaching skyward are intended to show the power of the king, a man who is revered by all Thai people. It is a crime to utter the slightest negative comment about the king or his reign. Don't mind the fake background... |
| Us with a statue made from engine parts, at the largest street market in the world (with 10 000 stalls! Though we don't have pictures available right away, while in Bangkok we also had traditional Thai massages done at a temple, a quite relaxing (and slightly painful) experience. We also saw the world famous Bangkok sex trade in action as we visited an upscale bar, where skimpily dressed Thai women flirted with Farangs (white men). We were told they're either women looking for a better life, or they're prostitutes looking for men with deep pockets. Some of them were even "lady boys", transvestites who may or may not have had the operation yet. Bangkok performs more sex change operations than any city in the world. |
 |
|
 |
 |
| Us with Napat at the grand palace. She was not only our benevolent guide in Bangkok, but also one of Dave's roommates in fourth year of university. |
| Thai dancers that we saw near a night street market in Bangkok. They were strangely placed among poor elephant owners with their elephants begging for food for their pachederms (no, seriously, they had baby elephants in the streets) and outdoor heavy metal concerts. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |