Sa Wat Dee

Leaving Vancouver.

    
 Our flight here was incredibly long and incredibly uncomfortable. The first plane was pretty old, like ash trays in its bathroom old. Kelly didn't sleep as much as we both anticipated. Which was nice cause it gave me some company. The tv's provided were a 4x4 inch screen and two channels of movies. The movies were on a repeat cycle and constantly skipped and jumped around. When we were arriving in China I was anxious to get my first look at China. Unfortunately for me, it was very cloudy. When we were approaching the landing strip we could hear the landing gear being lowered, but when we looked out the window we couldn't even see land. It was so foggy that when we touched down, I couldn't even see the engine mounted on the wing. My seat was located only ten feet away. Pretty sure if this was in Comox, BC, the plane would've been re-routed. (Possibly back to Calgary ;) ) But then again, it was in China and we were flying with South China Airlines. Our next flight was only a quick three and half hours. Kelly and I both only remember parts of it. We both slept so hard that we missed the meal that was provided. When we landed in Bangkok, we were able to track down a hotel to stay at through the airport info booth. When our heads hit the pillows we had been traveling for over 25 hours. The next morning we swapped hotels for a hotel just down the road. It is half the price, with all the same creature comforts..ie// a/c, hot water, wifi, elevator.

Our hotel, the little yellow one.

This time around in Bangkok things are different, very different. We are miles away from the infamous backpacking hub of Koh San Road. Hardly any pale faces to be seen here. We are in the trendy, rich neighborhood of Sukhumvit. Our hotel is one block away from the BTS Skytrain and from there, for a dollar, we can jump on and get to most major destinations. Much like at home when you travel around here every ones face is glued to their smartphones. Speaking of Smart phones and Computers. It is making traveling a thousand times better/easier. We are able to research everything. From finding stuff to do, to finding the best route. We can locate on the gps and find how far it actually is. Then research the best possible way to get there. The old method of clunking around travel books is phasing out, so long as wifi is available.

Kings Grand Palace

Our first day was spent wondering down the streets checking out some shops and just trying to get over the jet lag.

 Yesterday, we jumped on the train and headed down towards the river docks to catch a ferry boat up river to the Royal Palace. Last time we were here, we showed up to the Royal Palace but were denied entrance. Our shorts didn't meet the dress code policy, and we didn't feel like wearing the clothes they provide to tourist. Well this time we showed up in shorts again, but decided to wear the pants and skirt provided. It is the official residence of the King and Queen. Although they don't actually reside here. The buildings and temples were stunning. Incredible detail, gold and murals painted on all the outside walls. True to our famous timing abilities we showed up exactly as the sun was directly above us, easily +40, it sucked. It was one of those days traveling that every twenty mins you feel great, then feel like you're going to pass out twenty mins later. We returned to our room to recoupe and later headed out for some dinner. Kel fell asleep at 7:15 and I followed shortly after, haha, we were beat. Today refreshed and filled with some motivation, we left bright and early. Bound for the Bangkok Zoo. We had a moment today at the zoo that could only happen in Asia. Hand feeding a Hippo!! We walked around the corner from the Hippos pen, and there right in front of us, head over the fence, was a rather large hippos face, mouth wide open. A zoo employee was taking donations for the zoo in exchange for some food to feed the hungry hungry hippo. Rather hesitantly we slowly approached and threw the food in his mouth. Getting braver by each piece of food, I slowly got close enough to hand place the food in his mouth. Other tourists came around the corner and damn near freaked out. They couldn't believe it. They did some feeding and left. I enjoyed having such a rare moment with a hippo, so we decided to hang around a bit more. I placed my hand on his face and gave him some rubbing. He loved it and closed his eyes. Then I grabbed both of his big tusks and tried jerking him around, didn't budge him. It was awesome to say the least. Kinda of ironic cause on day three of our last trip to Bangkok we were petting Tigers, this time its hippos

getting photo bombed on my derp shot

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   We're gonna hang out in the city for a couple more days. Take a day trip to the old former capital city of Thailand, Ayutthaya. Climb around on some ancient ruins. Then after that, head south to start working on our tans. Bangkok has blown my mind this time. Its childish reputation of sleezy night bars and wild anything goes has been shattered in my mind. This city is beautiful, it has a stunning skyline. Giant sky-rises give way to ancient temples. The people have been so polite, shy and very quick to smile. When boarding the train, everyone forms lines and wait for the people to get off then politely file on. I can only imagine how vastly different India is going to be.

just swimming around a pond in the zoo