First impressions and the first couple of days!!

Well, we finally arrived in Thailand on January 12th, and for those of you keeping track, it’s now the 22nd. Thailand was quite challenging. Once settled in, we found it a pretty decent place to stay. The location was just two streets away from Khao San Road, which is like Mifflin Street on Halloween (I’ve heard), but it happens every night. So, the immediate reaction to being there is a great party. 

Wat Chana right down the block from our place. 

Bangkok: Back and Forth

The primary issue is that it caters mainly to backpackers
and while the quality of food and drinks is decent, 

it only reaches a certain standard. 

The area lacks a public transport system, 

but it’s also conveniently located (a long walk)
from most major tourist attractions. 

However, it was somewhat limiting as there wasn’t an easy

 way to leave the specific area we were in. 

Some of this is our fault since we weren’t prepared for the famous tuk-tuks yet, nor the river ferry system. However, the traffic was extremely bad so it didn't make much difference if we had taken an Uber, which is called Grab here. 

The Queen's Memorials 

The Queen passed in October so these memorials and bunting are all over the place.  Almost as many as the amount of Buddhas.

The people here have been incredibly kind. The only recognizable phrases we’ve learned so far are the polite bow, the greeting “welcome,” and the simple words “thank you.” These words are said so pleasantly and sweetly with a nodding bow that they provide a refreshing contrast to the divisiveness and anger that seems to dominate many parts of the Western world right now. Yes, I realize that we are tourists and people are catering to us and wanting our money, but the kindness is absolutely striking.

We made it with a grab to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) which was absolutely amazing. The grandeur of the place would stun anyone. 

Kerry in a classic Thai house in the museum which reminded both of us of the streets of Old Milwaukee at the MPM. 

 

This was the main exhibit which was really cool.

We got a grab after over an hour of waiting and then it took over an hour to get home in the rush hour traffic. 

Wat Arun and the first couple Wats

Wat Arun

Wat Pho

Above: The Reclining Buddha who has made it to Nirvana  

Below: His feet with the story to Nirvana

And more Buddhas!!

An amazing lunch on the river. 
 

The Department of defense, remember when we had one?

Kerry found her department on the long walk home. I think we did 22,000 steps.

And now a little Khao San Road.

Hello from Chaing Rai, Thailand 

We made it through Bangkok and are now in Chaing Rai. I haven't blogged for a while and I still have to finish up Hong Kong... our next stop in Hong Kong was Victoria Peak. We took a tram to the highest point in Hong Kong to see the view: 

The Victoria Peak Tram, which first opened in 1888, is one of Hong Kong’s oldest landmarks and Asia’s first funicular railway. 

It was built during the British colonial era to carry governors and wealthy residents up to Victoria Peak, it was originally powered by steam before later converting to electricity. 

Of course there is a Harley store there.

Hello From Hong Kong

We’re back on the road! We were upgraded to premium economy, I believe because it was our inaugural flight with Cathay Pacific, and they wanted us to consider future upgrades. Then, they took us right over the Arctic Ocean! Santa gave me an anti-nap jerk eye mask that worked wonders. (Did I mention that I invented this 15 years ago but never found an investor?) 

We arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday night, and lost all of Thursday, but slept the night and were up and ready for some sight seeing on Friday. 

But first some Dim Sum at a hotel recommend place that was super local. I have no idea what the name was, we struggled with the language but managed to get some amazing Dim Sum. 

We then ventured out to visit our first temple, which I’m certain will be many more. This particular temple is the Temple of Man Mo. A Man Mo temple, also known as Man Mo Miu, is dedicated to the Chinese folk god of literature, Man Tai, or Man Cheong, and the martial god Mo Tai, or Kwan Tai. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, scholars and students commonly sought the patronage of these two deities to advance their studies and secure higher ranks in the civil examinations.

From here, we walked on Hollywood Road, which I believe had some Star's plaques on the sidewalk, just like the Hollywood we know. We did some window shopping along the way and then walked up Cat Street, a street filled with vintage Chinese knick-knacks, resembling a daily flea market. We saw some cool Jackie Chan pictures, vases, and various other valuables for sale.

The walk down Hollywood Road led us to a place called Tai Kwun, formerly known as the Former Central Police Station Compound (CPS Compound). This compound in Central, Hong Kong, houses three declared monuments: the former Central Police Station, the Former Central Magistracy, and the Victoria Prison. In 2018, the compound underwent a heritage revitalization and reopened to the public as Tai Kwun (Chinese: 大館), a center for heritage and arts.

We visited an exhibit here called the Book of Changes. This exhibit delved into Dao and Taoism, offering an intriguing glimpse into their history and philosophy. “Basil Pao, renowned for his photography work on Michael Palin’s BBC travel programs, which were later compiled into large-format books, presents a unique interpretation of the concepts explained in the I Ching through two photography series: The Great Walls of China and Glimpses of Silence.” - Time Out Hong Kong

More to Come!!!