Bangkok: Start of trip

We spent the first 2 days of our trip in Bangkok. It is huge, crowded, fast-paced, and dirty. But that creates a certain energy that keeps it exciting. It's a 3rd world city trying to become a modern one. The traffic is insane but somehow has an orderly chaos to it. They drive on the left side of the street and use their horns more as a courtesy instead of aggression. Somehow it all works and we never saw a single accident the entire trip.

We stayed in the Silom Road area which has a bustling night market and a nearby red-light district. The night markets are a great place to practice bargaining and buy gifts. Our favorite meals came from the street vendors. They were excellent and usually cost under a dollar. We each had 1-hour Thai massages for about $5. Jen thoroughly enjoyed hers. Roger wasn't as crazy about his. Shrines and billboards of the King were plastered everywhere and always well maintained. The King is honored before any public event, including movies.

Near our hotel was Lumphini Park, a peaceful escape from the insanity of the city. There's a large lake which is home to many monitor lizards, which, as the photos show, are very prehistoric looking. They appear menacing but will slither away when approached by people. Two days in Bangkok were enough. Next stop - Hua Hin…