Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Read more here.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Adventures In Bangkok
ADVENTURES IN BANGKOK
Eliza and I flew to Thailand in early May and spent nine days in Bangkok. Neither of us had been there before, or even knew that much about the country. Mostly what we knew about Thailand was: 1) It is one of the primary destinations for sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and children; 2) the majority of the country is Buddhist and has many beautiful temples; 3) the country has experienced considerable political unrest over the past year; and 4) the food is known to be far better than the Thai food in the U.S.
In the short period of time that we were there we did in fact see many disturbing scenes of prostitution -- and that was just what was visible on the street. It was heartbreaking to see block after block of women lined up like livestock, seemingly drugged, and the multitudes of old and young bloated, white men milling about and purchasing them up as though they were buying a six-pack of cheap beer -- to be consumed and tossed with as much thought.
The temples we saw were stunning -- especially Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha. The only suggestion of potential political unrest was one day when Silom Street in the Bang Rak district was lined with military, though we never learned what that was about. The food was okay. The few Thai meals we had in restaurants were so spicy it was hard to really taste the flavor. The street food was better. Mostly we had Indian food, which was super good (Bangkok has a relatively large Indian population).
For the most part, Bangkok was very walkable and we enjoyed exploring the city. It also has a great Skytrain.
We stayed at the Navalai River Resort in the Banglamphu district on the Chao Phraya River. Very nice ... with rooftop pool and great breakfast buffet included.
Street near our hotel
Yes, here too.
Love the green bike action
as well as the funky bike action -- Chang beer cans
We love Swensens!
Tuk tuk ride
Tuk tuk
Tuk tuk ride
Always thinking of the kitten
Ronnie wai-ing
Mister Donut -- here too
Taking the riverboat from our hotel to the Skytrain station
From the Skytrain
Sathon district
Bangrak District
MBK Mall
Never!
Eliza and I flew to Thailand in early May and spent nine days in Bangkok. Neither of us had been there before, or even knew that much about the country. Mostly what we knew about Thailand was: 1) It is one of the primary destinations for sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and children; 2) the majority of the country is Buddhist and has many beautiful temples; 3) the country has experienced considerable political unrest over the past year; and 4) the food is known to be far better than the Thai food in the U.S.
In the short period of time that we were there we did in fact see many disturbing scenes of prostitution -- and that was just what was visible on the street. It was heartbreaking to see block after block of women lined up like livestock, seemingly drugged, and the multitudes of old and young bloated, white men milling about and purchasing them up as though they were buying a six-pack of cheap beer -- to be consumed and tossed with as much thought.
The temples we saw were stunning -- especially Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha. The only suggestion of potential political unrest was one day when Silom Street in the Bang Rak district was lined with military, though we never learned what that was about. The food was okay. The few Thai meals we had in restaurants were so spicy it was hard to really taste the flavor. The street food was better. Mostly we had Indian food, which was super good (Bangkok has a relatively large Indian population).
For the most part, Bangkok was very walkable and we enjoyed exploring the city. It also has a great Skytrain.
We stayed at the Navalai River Resort in the Banglamphu district on the Chao Phraya River. Very nice ... with rooftop pool and great breakfast buffet included.
Street near our hotel
Yes, here too.
Love the green bike action
as well as the funky bike action -- Chang beer cans
We love Swensens!
Tuk tuk ride
Tuk tuk
Tuk tuk ride
Always thinking of the kitten
Ronnie wai-ing
Mister Donut -- here too
Taking the riverboat from our hotel to the Skytrain station
From the Skytrain
Sathon district
Bangrak District
MBK Mall
Never!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Jogja highlights: Random 2
JOGJA HIGHLIGHTS
Dangdut!
When I was in Jogja in 2003 dangdut was all the rage. It was described to me as the "country music" of Indonesia because it originated among the working class. At that time the rage literally was over Inul, the most famous dangdut singer because she accompanied her performances with a raunchy grinding move and that was perceived by Indonesia's religious leaders as pornography. I went to a performance during that trip with my friends Arie and Nadiah. It was a somewhat surreal experience because sure enough it was pretty risque given the culture. Beautiful scantily clad girls would belt out arabic influenced pop ballads while grinding their bodies together with each other or the men onstage and sticking their asses out at the crowd. The audience was filled with hundreds of men (Nadiah and I were the only women), dancing together and holding hands.
Flash forward 6 years: dangdut is still in full swing with nightly performances at the Pariwisata. Eliza and I went with a group of our Jogja friends to enjoy the spectacle. While it's still mostly men, there are a few more women now.
Hanging with friends:
Dinner with Arie at Mila's
Mila's is one of my favorite restaurants in Jogja -- great atmosphere, great food, great mission!
Mie and Ebi (owner of Mila's) at Mila's
Nawang, Eliza and Nano at Via Via!
Sunday afternoon at Mie and Ingvild's (I'm looking through Mie's work -- she's an amazing photographer!!)
Ned Branchi -- one of Australia's best folk muscians! We were very lucky to get a private performance
Out and About:
Drawings on the wall of the tailor's Eliza went to -- love these!
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Departure from Jogja:
Entering Jakarta via train
Jakarta
Hotel lobby at Jarkarta airport
Hotel hallway at Jakarta airport
Dangdut!
When I was in Jogja in 2003 dangdut was all the rage. It was described to me as the "country music" of Indonesia because it originated among the working class. At that time the rage literally was over Inul, the most famous dangdut singer because she accompanied her performances with a raunchy grinding move and that was perceived by Indonesia's religious leaders as pornography. I went to a performance during that trip with my friends Arie and Nadiah. It was a somewhat surreal experience because sure enough it was pretty risque given the culture. Beautiful scantily clad girls would belt out arabic influenced pop ballads while grinding their bodies together with each other or the men onstage and sticking their asses out at the crowd. The audience was filled with hundreds of men (Nadiah and I were the only women), dancing together and holding hands.
Flash forward 6 years: dangdut is still in full swing with nightly performances at the Pariwisata. Eliza and I went with a group of our Jogja friends to enjoy the spectacle. While it's still mostly men, there are a few more women now.
Hanging with friends:
Dinner with Arie at Mila's
Mila's is one of my favorite restaurants in Jogja -- great atmosphere, great food, great mission!
Mie and Ebi (owner of Mila's) at Mila's
Nawang, Eliza and Nano at Via Via!
Sunday afternoon at Mie and Ingvild's (I'm looking through Mie's work -- she's an amazing photographer!!)
Ned Branchi -- one of Australia's best folk muscians! We were very lucky to get a private performance
Out and About:
Drawings on the wall of the tailor's Eliza went to -- love these!
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Care-Four Mall
Departure from Jogja:
Entering Jakarta via train
Jakarta
Hotel lobby at Jarkarta airport
Hotel hallway at Jakarta airport
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