We made it to Bangkok at 0100 on 2/16 after 35 hours of travel! We had a good trip with no problems and we’re both able to sleep some but I had a wicked headache on arrival.  Long line at immigration but no problems changing money and buying Sage a Thailand SIM card.  None for me due  to American phone companies refusing to unlock phones. :(.  We took a taxi to our hotel and collapsed at 3am after a much needed shower.  We are staying in the Bangrak neighborhood at the Pas Cher Hotel

This morning we got up at 8 and had breakfast downstairs–it was a mix of Thai fried rice and congee, and American toast and fried egg.  There was also fruit and strangely hot dogs and curried chicken wings. The coffee was wonderful!  Then we headed out—today is Temple day…The sun is vicious here and it is quite hot but to visit the temples you must have your legs and shoulders covered.

We walked 10 min to the Sathorn pier and took the ferry to the Grand palace.  It was nice to be on the water. We got off at pier 9 and walked to the Grand Palace. Apparently the Grand Palace is the no.1 tourist attraction in the country and it was packed–overwhelmingly packed! Plus the Thai people are still in mourning and having funeral processions so there were many mourners there as well. The main attraction at the grand palace is the temple of the emerald Buddha and then the royal residence. There are many guardian statues and even a stupa with the remains of Buddha himself. Here are a few pictures…

Here is a picture of the statue of Cheewok the patron of Thai medicine. He was a doctor of the lord Buddha and is regarded as the father of Thai herbal medicine.

Next we walked about 15 min to the Wat Pho where the largest reclining Buddha is. It is an awesome sight. There is also a colonnade there lined with 342 Buddhas. This temple was more peaceful.    

After this we got lost for approx one very hot and footsore hour before returning to Wat Pho to a cafe to have lunch. The AC was very much appreciated. I had papaya salad.

After lunch we walked behind the grand palace to see some lesser known temples and also rested in a park and hit up Starbucks. For dinner we went to ThipSamai for pad Thai. There was a long line to get in but it went pretty quickly. We took a tuk tuk back to the hotel. It was a great day but we are glad to be in the AC and off of our feet!