Our Trip to Bangkok, Thailand We've just returned from Bangkok, Thailand, a trip we took out of India which is required by the type of Indian visa we hold. A great time was had by all as we traveled with friends Nathan and Rachel Waldock and their daughter Rebekah . Posted below are a few pictures of the events of our five days.
The Bangkok Christian Guesthouse was a great place to stay and we enjoyed meeting people from all over the world...England, South Africa, India, Finland, Australia and even Michigan...very close to Marie's home state of Wisconsin! To see pictures of the hotel, you can go to their web site at www.bcgh.org and view pictures of the interior and exterior of the building. It's a great place to stay if you're ever in Bangkok and is close to the Sky Train which will quickly take you to many interesting places around the city. That was the preferred mode of transportation while we were there and found it to be a wonderful alternative to walking in the heat. Marie said several times that Seattle should get to work on such a mass transit system. Bangkok seems to be several light years ahead of many American cities in their mass transit plans.
Our first impression of Bangkok was that it was HOT & humid, neat and orderly. There were no cows on the roads, no dogs running around, and the vehicles all stayed in their proper places on the streets. It was definitely culture shock to be suddenly transported (in a 3 1/2 hour flight) to such neatness and order. We learned that if anyone is caught throwing trash on the ground, they will be fined 2,500 baht (the equivalent of $75.00 U.S.). Needless to say, we hung on to our trash as if it were gold!
Our first impression of Bangkok was that it was HOT & humid, neat and orderly. There were no cows on the roads, no dogs running around, and the vehicles all stayed in their proper places on the streets. It was definitely culture shock to be suddenly transported (in a 3 1/2 hour flight) to such neatness and order. We learned that if anyone is caught throwing trash on the ground, they will be fined 2,500 baht (the equivalent of $75.00 U.S.). Needless to say, we hung on to our trash as if it were gold!
One of the first things we heard when we where on the ground for a very short 
while was that we had just missed HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand's, 80th birthday event. His birthday was December 5th and indications were that they were still showing their great respect (like everyone wearing yellow shirts on the same day and then blue shirts on other days to show their deep loyalty and respect for the man who has lovingly led them for 60 years of his life). Pictures of him were everywhere...in the malls, on the street as seen here, and even posted on the exteriors of big buildings. Not knowing much about Thailand or its history, we didn't understand the feelings of the people. Then on the plane back to India we discovered a book that spoke of all the work he has done for his country which is a constitutional monarchy. His crowning achievement seems to be that, through much personal effort, he has led his people out of their dependence on the opium trade and into organic gardening of food as an alternative . That accomplishment alone certainly helped us understand their deep regard for this man who truly seems to love his people. He is apparently a noble man with deep respect for the position he holds...a good example for many rulers in the world these days.
while was that we had just missed HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand's, 80th birthday event. His birthday was December 5th and indications were that they were still showing their great respect (like everyone wearing yellow shirts on the same day and then blue shirts on other days to show their deep loyalty and respect for the man who has lovingly led them for 60 years of his life). Pictures of him were everywhere...in the malls, on the street as seen here, and even posted on the exteriors of big buildings. Not knowing much about Thailand or its history, we didn't understand the feelings of the people. Then on the plane back to India we discovered a book that spoke of all the work he has done for his country which is a constitutional monarchy. His crowning achievement seems to be that, through much personal effort, he has led his people out of their dependence on the opium trade and into organic gardening of food as an alternative . That accomplishment alone certainly helped us understand their deep regard for this man who truly seems to love his people. He is apparently a noble man with deep respect for the position he holds...a good example for many rulers in the world these days.We checked into our rooms at the Christian Guesthouse, took a quick nap and then went out to meet a young lady from the States who is in Bangkok working for a year as a
teacher/nanny for some MK's whose parents are attending language school. Bethany Johnson hails from Colville, Washington, and we enjoyed our visit with her as we munched Subway sandwiches. Subway was our restaurant of choice as we drove those many miles while we were on deputation and this was the first time we've had one since coming to Asia. It was a nice treat and it was great to see and chat with Bethany. Thanks Bethany for taking that 40 minute trip just to visit with us.
teacher/nanny for some MK's whose parents are attending language school. Bethany Johnson hails from Colville, Washington, and we enjoyed our visit with her as we munched Subway sandwiches. Subway was our restaurant of choice as we drove those many miles while we were on deputation and this was the first time we've had one since coming to Asia. It was a nice treat and it was great to see and chat with Bethany. Thanks Bethany for taking that 40 minute trip just to visit with us.For two days while Nathan and Rachel traveled to see friends from school days, we napped, wandered around a mall across the street from the hotel, ate and napped again. It was a wonderfully restful two days and much needed after our busy first two quarters. We attended church at a newly started International Christian Fellowship meeting within the guesthouse on Sunday evening and met several people from Thailand and the manager and his wife, David and Joy Hsu. He is Chinese American and she is from mainland China. So there's another country that was represented at the guesthouse...China!
On Monday, we awakened to another hot and sunny day. Our plan was to travel to the river via Sky Train and then take a river taxi to The Grand Palace where we would (and did) spend the morning walking and oohing and aahing over the amazing architecture of the various kingdoms throughout the centuries in Thailand.
The water taxi's shown above are just two of many types available to ride. Some were city operated; many were private businesses. We took the speedboat type which is shown above traveling under the SkyTrain rails, and we had fun as it cut through the choppy water. Lots of spray that was impossible to dodge added to the fun of the moment.
The following three pictures of buildings are just a SMALL sampling of the various styles of architecture that are represented in the 60 acre Grand Palace grounds. Various kings throughout the centuries built their own magnificent edifices during their rule to make up this amazing grouping of buildings.
(Please double click on the pictures for an enlarged view)
Not only were the buildings spectacular, but there were also amazing murals depicting mythological history and statuary of mythological figures and some real creatures. Everything was beautifully done and we didn't have to have much artistic ability of our own to be amazed at the skill that it took to accomplish the works.
We spent many hours touring the palace grounds and came away with a profound amazement at the size and wonder of the architectural accomplishments of the past.
Finally we were tired and ready to make our way to some air conditioned comfort. So, we headed for the Sky Train and a western-style shopping center where we could wander the aisles to our hearts content.
After our hours of immersion in Thailand's past, we walked the streets of Bangkok later, and realized that the present day people are the great heritage of Bangkok and the love of God's heart. Today the majority are Buddhist and don't know their Creator. We thank Him for those who have been called to that great land to share the truth about their Creator and Savior. Pray that they will understand their need!
A friendly watchman who smiled at us each time we walked by. We hope he never meets a bad guy...he looks altogether too friendly!
A street vendor who was selling wobbly headed dogs. We had to get one...they reminded us of the wobbly heads in India. (Are they saying yes or are they saying 'no'? We never quite know). 
A gardener at the Grand Palace
Miss Thailand, the winner of a tri-city beauty pagent and a popular male model in Thailand all rushed Marie when she showed up at Silom Mall in Bangkok and asked to have their pictures taken with her...Yeah right! Would you believe that the designer of these amazing costumes volunteered to take the picture for me and then shared the above information? All I did was ask if I could take their picture and was rather embarrassed to be included in the photo with them. But it was fun and they were sincerely friendly.
