Bang-kok means village (bang) kok tree (kok), although we saw fewer trees than we did roiling, boat-filled waterways and streets shared by tuk tuks and big passenger vans.
There are over 1000 temples in this city of 12 million. Inside the Grand Palace, we visited the Emerald Buddha (actually jade) and did a birth-day ritual involving a candle and incense, scarves, and a bottle of oil. Since I was born on a Tuesday, my color is pink (for love and I’m not very good at holding the truth in!). We also saw the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and Wat Pho, which houses a 46-meter-long, gold Reclining Buddha. There, Don and I each paid 20 baht (about 60 cents) for a handful of pennies that we dropped one at a time into 108 brass bowls. If you empty your heart, and concentrate on a wish, the Buddha will grant it.
Burma almost succeeded in destroying Thailand around the same time as our Revolutionary War. The Thai, pushed south to the sea, drove a pole in the ground, and made a stand. What was once a sleepy fishing village became the capital of Siam, in 1782.
There are only 44 characters in Thai language. Depending on how you intone a word, it can mean many different things. Our affectionate guide’s name is “Orasa,” or “wife of God.” But because so many clients pronounced it “wife of buffalo,” she now asks to be called “Alice.”
Thailand is a democracy, but the Royal Thai army staged a coup in 2006 and continues to be in charge. Big framed portraits of the Royal Family appear throughout the city. Only boys can inherit the throne, so if the queen does not bear a son, the King must find a courtesan who can. The current (and scandal-ridden) crown-prince beat out his 15 siblings to ascend to the throne in 2016 and will be coronated May 16 this year. The Thai royal family is one of the richest in the world.
To bow properly in Thailand, put your hands in a prayer position at your heart, and bow your head only, touching your nose to your middle finger.
I love your blog and the historical, cultural and descriptive information in it. Hope you’ll keep doing it. It’s fascinating and a really good way to share a little of the adventure with you.
Love …
I love your blog and the historical, cultural and descriptive information in it. Hope you’ll keep doing it. It’s fascinating and a really good way to share a little of the adventure with you.
Love …