Austin Plays Rugby in Bangkok!

 A couple of weeks ago, Austin flew to Bangkok to play in a rugby tournament with his school.  

Austin left for the airport from school.  There were several flights to Bangkok, and I didn't even realize we would be on the same flight until I spotted him at the airport.

Here is Austin with a few of his friends.  They don't call me Mrs. Holmes.  They call me Mrs. Lightyear.  Why?  Because Austin's nickname is Buzz Lightyear!

Do you see the resemblance?  I do!  :)

The rugby team at  Bangkok International School

We missed the first day of Austin's rugby tournament as Joe wrapped up work and dinner with his boss.  We were excited to watch some rugby on Thursday.  I got back to the hotel after dinner and drinks, and checked my phone, as I had before dinner.  One of the things I don't like about traveling is not having a data plan or cell service.  I usually just do without for a few days, checking phone at hotel.  This is what was on my phone from Austin:

Hey mom.  Just in case you didn't see, gotta broken ankle

!!!!!!!!!!

This is the Austin we found at the rugby field the next day!  :(  He broke his ankle in the second game of the tournament.

He did find some kind souls to push him around.

Needless to say, Austin was very disappointed to not be playing rugby in Bangkok!  But I am happy to say his team won the gold medal at this tournament.

We ended up taking Austin home early.  Luckily I got him a bulkhead seat with a bit more legroom.  So ended our few days in Bangkok!

By the way, we flew Malaysian Airline to Bangkok, Asia Air on the way home, and Austin played rugby.  The Holmes family, living life on the edge!!

Out and About in Bangkok!

So, a couple of weeks ago, I went to Bangkok!  Joe was there on a business trip and Austin was also there to play rugby for his school team.  I decided to do a separate post on Austin.  I already did a post on the Grand Palace, which was amazing!  This blog post is on all the other stuff we did in Thailand in our short stay.

This was the view from our hotel room.  This is the Chao Phraya river, or the 'River of Kings'.

We stayed at the Shangri-La

Few facts about Thailand:

There are over 400 Buddhist temples in Bangkok

95% of Thailand is Buddhist

Population of Bangkok is about 10 million

The movie 'The King and I' was banned in Thailand because of inaccuracies

There are 21 vowels in the Thai alphabet

On my first night, Joe had a business dinner.  I went on a dinner cruise with my friend Mary Ellen, whose husband was also at the business dinner.  The dinner cruise departed from the Shangri-La. 

I have been looking all over for that little book in the previous picture.  It would help me explain some of the following pictures.  I was hoping to tell you the name of this bridge.   No luck.  This was a two hour dinner cruise.  I was not that optimistic about the quality of the buffet, but I have to say, the food was great.  I have never been disappointed with the 'hotel food' at any of the Shangri-Las.  

Our boat was pretty plain, nothing like these floating discos!  We passed several of these, with loud music blaring from the top deck.  On one of them, I saw an Elvis impersonator!  But my surreal moment was floating down a river boat in Bangkok, Thailand, watching people line dance to 'Achy Breaky Heart'!!!!

Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple dating back to the 17th century

This is the only church I saw in Bangkok.  I couldn't find the name.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel across the river

The entire cruise was a wonderful experience!

Jenny, me, Mary Ellen

When Jenny and the guys finished their business dinner, we headed over to Lebua, 'the world's highest open air bar' and 'the most stunning rooftop bar'.  It really was amazing!  So amazing that a lot of Hangover 2 was filmed there.  Lebua is on the 64th floor and has beautiful views of the city.

My Hangovertini

The next afternoon, Joe and I took a little time and went walking around the hotel.

It is hard to get past the sheer number of wires and cables running over the streets.

These are tuk tuks, or motorized rickshaws.  I read lots of tips saying to stay away from tuk tuks!  Many of the drivers try to rip you off.  But here is another side note.  I got a 'limo' from the airport to take me to my hotel.  The ATO company has very nice Camrys to take you around.  I was told by a friend that this would be about $40, much cheaper than ordering a car from the hotel.  So I went to the counter and asked how much to the Shangri-La.  Lady told me 2700 baht, or about $80.  I knew that was too much.  I said, "I heard it was cheaper than that."  She replied, 2000 baht.  I countered with 1500.  She said, okay, 1400. ...  So I got the Camry for $43, what I was expecting to pay.  And this happened at an airport counter, where I would not expect haggling or price gouging.  

Joe ordered a shirt and he picked it up the next day!

I tried on some sapphire rings.  Thailand is well-known for their sapphires and rubies.  It fact, 90% of the shops seemed to be either tailors, jewelers, massage parlors, or restaurants.  By the way, this $3000 beauty stayed at the store.

The Shangri-La hotel sign on other side as we walked to the sky train.  Here is a picture of the king, who is well-loved.  The politicians, not so much.

The sky train was very clean and very efficient.  We were a little confused a couple of times, and both times a very helpful train employee came to our rescue!

I remember the first time I travelled from Oman to the Dubai Mall.  I saw three people I knew!  Well, I ran into my friend, Cindy, at this store.  She was in Bangkok to watch her girls at the tournament, where Joe and I were headed the next day.   This store was at the Amarin Plaza and popular with some of my friends.  Lots of hammered stainless steel at good prices.

I know I have three pictures of these amazing topiaries!  The streets of Bangkok are not necessarily the most attractive, but these topiaries were worthy of Disney!!

I drove by them several times, and kept trying to get the best shots.  Not that easy with the crazy traffic, but this is a great shot with no cars in front.

I found this picture on the internet--the real thing.

Part of my shopping in Bangkok was for things I couldn't easily find in KL, like good affordable home decor fabric. I went to this outlet where there was five floors of fabrics, clothing, and home accessories.  Joe bought more than I did.  He got two elephant shirts and I got some gifts.  But if you want to reupholster your couch, this is the place to go.

We took a taxi to the store, but walked from store to the train station to ride the sky train back.  On the way, we passed lots of lunch options.  This stall just happened to be selling fried silk worms and some sort of beetle!!!  We politely declined to purchase.

This night we had dinner at the Mandarin Oriental.  I always love the floral displays at these hotels.

Live music in the lobby

We ate at The Veranda, overlooking the river.  It was a beautiful evening, a beautiful atmosphere, and delicious food.

Next on agenda, rugby!

Bangkok, the Grand Palace!

I just got back from a few days in Bangkok!  I decided a week ago to join the end of Joe's business trip and watch Austin play in a rugby tournament.  I will talk more about Bangkok in general and the rugby tournament, but this blog post is all about the Grand Palace in Bangkok.  Surprisingly, there are not that many must-sees in Bangkok, but the Grand Palace is definitely not to be missed!

The Grand Palace complex (according the the brochure given at the gate) was established in 1782 and it consists of not only the royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha.  

There are several of these entryways, with a pair of demons guarding the door.  According to my guide.  My guide, Pearl, was an older woman, and I didn't quite understand or remember all the information she gave me.  :) But I will do my best to recall.

This part of the complex is the Upper Terrace.  Here is a reliquary (again, according to the brochure) in the shape of a golden chedi....I looked up the definition of reliquary, and as I recalled from Pearl, it was a resting place of relics from Buddha.

Here is a close-up of the gorgeous structure.  Small gold-leaf tiles.

It was amazing to see these old structures made of porcelain.  This is one of the oldest buildings in the complex.

I think this was the Royal Pantheon in which 'statues of the past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri dynasty are enshrined'.  It houses statues.  

Seriously, my pictures do not begin to do it justice!  I have traveled quite a bit in the last few years.  I have not seen any building or structure so ornately decorated on the exterior!!  Every square inch was amazing.  

There were hand-painted porcelain, mosaic tiles, and mirrored tiles.  I took a river cruise the night before.  You could actually see the temples shimmering in the faint light.  

But for some reason, this was my favorite structure!  I was fairly obsessed with it and took tons of pictures.  I got tired of waiting for this girl to move out of the way, but I was lucky there are not more people in this picture.  There were large crowds at the palace.

Pearl let me explore on my own at this point, so I don't have any more details. 

Okay, no more pictures of these guys.  :)

This picture was taken just outside the the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha.  This monastery also serves as the king's private chapel.  The Emerald Buddha, actually made out of jade, is one of the most important Buddhas in Thailand.  It has traveled to many important cities of Thailand over the years.  The Buddha wears three different 'outfits', according to the season.  These garments are made of gold and precious stones and can only be handled by the king.

I actually found this image on the internet.  You are not allowed to take photos inside the monastery.  As you can see here, the Emerald Buddha is wearing his winter attire.  Although let me tell you, if this is winter, I would hate to be in Bangkok in the summer.  It was hot.

This guy reminded me of the guards at Buckingham Palace.

These statues were actually used as ballasts in Chinese ships.  They weighed the ship down on its voyage to Thailand.  Then the statues were gifted to Thailand.

I thought this was so cool.  It is an elephant-mounting station.  The elephant would stand on the platform.  Then the king would come out of the building, hold on to a pole, and mount the elephant!

This section had government buildings.  The tops were of Thai architecture, but the bottoms were western.  The tree in front is a Japanese bonsai tree and is over 100 years old.  Not the miniature bonsai trees I am used to seeing!

I just happened to catch the changing of the guards.  No horses or bands like in London, but cool just the same.

I am trying to recall if this was the coronation building for the one used for funerals!  Slight difference.  But beautiful all the same. The king and queen of Thailand do not live at this complex any more.  There is a residence here, but used to house foreign dignitaries.  Bill and Hillary Clinton stayed here when they visited in 1996.

More on Bangkok in my next post!