14 Dec -- Bangkok, Thailand

We have just returned from Thailand. We spent 5 days in Bangkok and 7 days in Phuket. Bangkok was a crazy city. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and enjoyed taking in all the cool sights.

1st day in Bangkok: We settled into the hotel after arriving late in the afternoon.

2nd day in Bangkok: We took the train to a river boat ride to see the Emerald Buddha/Grand Palace, Wat Po and Wat Phra Chetuphon (Reclining Buddha, 46m long and 16m tall).

The pictures from the river boat ride do not do it justice: the waves/wakes were huge and you could hear the floor boards clapping below us as we went up and then came crashing down.

Charlie does not think the boat's inspection is current.

The boat sped away before Charlie could inspect the driver's license.

Charlie's primary mode of travel.

"Listen lady, get that knock-off camera out of my face!"

The Reclining Buddha doing what it does best. 2nd day in Bangkok: We went to Wat Benchamabobhit (the Marble Buddha), the Golden Mountain, the City Parapet Phrakan Fortress and the Wat Intharawihan (Standing Buddha, 32m tall and 10m wide).

The Golden Mountain needs a 'Golden Escalator' or a 'Great Glass Elevator.'

The view from the top was great even if Charlie's face does not show it.

Yes, we climbed up the side of this one, too.

We finished with a trip to the hotel pool.

3rd day in Bangkok: It was their King's 80th Birthday so we went to Lumphini Park and had a low key day.

The next day we made the 1 hour flight down to Phuket, Thailand, a small island on the southwest side of the country.