Map

Shopping

Our last day in Bangkok was spent shopping, looking for those special treasures to bring back home.  The first stop was at a small market which has. Train tracks going down its middle.  It seems dangerous to the merchandise and the shopper.   But everybody seems to adjust and do their business.  

Then we went to the modern mall in Bangkok.  The grocery section was amazing and full of everything you could want.  They even had a Christmas tree, in a. Country that is over 90% buddhist.

Tomorrow we begin our journey home.

Its been fun sharing a little bit of the. Journey.

I Plan on being there for the Sunday masses!!

Bangkok

After a quick tuk tuk ride through the city we arrived at the central monuments of the city.

First was Wat Pho, the most important royal monastery and temple.  The first stop was at the reclining buddha.  It is 50 feet high and 150 feet long, plated in gold.  Amazing!

Then there was the pagoda and stupas of the first four kings. 

Then we saw the emerald buddha, which is venerated as an important site in Thailand.

Finally we went to the Royal Palace for the kings.  The king of Thailand died last month and so the country is in mourning.  He was beloved and reign ed for the last 70 years.  The line to go past his remains was 6-8 hours long.  We merely saw the line and his palace from the out side.

Cooking

Food has been such a part of our travel in Indochina .  So today we were given a cooking class so we can carry some of the tastes home.  We went to the local market to learn about the ingredients and buy supplies.

Then we transported to a cooking facility and soon were involved in the process.  I didn't have alot of hope in my abilities.  We cooked pad thai, curry chicken, cashew chicken, hot and sour soup, and sticky mango rice for dessert.  It was very tasty.

We left with full bellys and headed to the airport.

Our last stop is Bangkok.

Elephants

We rose early today to visit one of the sites where they preserve this marvelous animal.  It was amazing to ride one and then to see how they are trained and cared for.

A quick stop at an orchid farm.

Then we stopped at a tribal village where a number of tribes from different backgrounds have bonded together to preserve their lifestyle and make a living at the same time.  They had many beautiful items that are made by hand.  They were threshing rice this day.

Chiangmai

Our 4th country on the tour is Thailand.  We arrived in. This city and went to Sacred Heart Cathedral for mass.  There are very few Catholics in this country.  

After mass we went for a lovely Thai meal.  Then we released some lanterns into the sky.  It is a once a year practice to ask forgiveness for making the gift of water dirty.  We all qualify for that and we happened to be here for that celebration.

The bed will feel good tonight.

Monks

Each morning the people of Lavang Prabang feed the Buddhist monks of this area in a beautiful ritual. It has been going on for over 500 years.  We participated today..  I got my little container of rice and sat by the side of the road.  Soon the monks came processing by and I placed a bit of rice in their bowl as they went by.  The silence of the ritual of receiving and sharing was a privilege to be a part of.  

We stopped at the local market where the groceries are bought.

Then a ride up the Mekong River valley.  The scenery was soothing as we floated along.