Embracing Bangkok - July 31 (day 25)

I began my day with a run.  I love seeing the city come alive in the morning with the many vendors setting up and selling fresh fish and produce.  This morning was extra special as I was able to witness alms giving with the monks - young, appearing to be Caden's age, and old.  They filed out of one of the monasteries, wearing their orange robes and no shoes, carrying a vessel.  As they passed vendors, prayers were offered and food an money placed in the vessels.  It seems a bit intrusive to be taking photos so I tried to be discreet.

The view from our hotel looking up the river before it gets busy with the day's traffic

Once back, our group took our hotel ferry up to the next pier, and then then picked up the ferry for the Oirent Hotel, to ultimately end up at breakfast at the Shangri La Hotel.  It was amazing - including house made gelato.

Ferry boat #2...

Our walk to the Shangri La took us through a few different beautiful hotel lobbies.

Afterwards we headed out on a long boat tour of the river and canals.  The long boat engine is a turbo-charge V-8, which was very loud, but very cool!  The water was fairly rough too, so we'd go full throttle, and then slow up.

 We had a chance to check out some of the floating markets at a much smaller scale than those that happen over the weekend.   We bought some pencils and the Kidders bought a hat that folds into a fan.  Amazing ingenuity :)

It was so interesting to see the houses precariously perched along the waters edge of the canal, often leaning one way or another.

We came across some gigantic lizard/alligator looking things - 11 in all.  Turns out they are monitor lizards!  Some were just a couple feet long, others were as long as an alligator!   They blend in to the color of the water and the rocks, so you have to play a bit of "eye spy" in the following pics.  It secured our commitment to NOT swim in the river.

Monitor lizard in drain

Monitor lizard on right hand side where rock and water meet

This one is in the middle where rock and water meet

We stopped at one of the temples to buy bread from the monks to feed the fish.  Our own form of alms giving - to both the monks and the carp or catfish...  If I was a fish, this is where I'd live!  Our boat alone fed them a full bag of what appeared to be fresh baked rolls!

The fish feeding provided a boost of energy for the kids for return ride back to our hotel.

The river was even more riled for the return journey!

A few final long boat pics:

Once on dry land, we hopped in tuk-tuks to "race" back to the hotel.  The traffic is much more congested during the day making the trip a little less harrowing, but my tuk-tuk driver still managed to clench the win.  Two-for-two!

The pool is on the sixth floor overlooking the river and is shallow enough that the kids can touch throughout.  We relaxed at the pool for the afternoon and had a few snacks, which was all that was needed after eating so much at brunch we were "Thanksgiving full". These kids are living the life!

Brief observation - dogs and cats are everywhere.  The appear to belong to know one and everyone, and roam around freely and friendly, or at least indifferent.  They are often laying on the side of the road, or in the road, yet never manage to get hit!  We watched one of them wait for the traffic light to change before crossing!

We attempted to locate a food tour that could accommodate our large group.  We were not having any luck, so decided to play our own tuk-tuk food tour :)  Micki did the research and found the best sushi, pad-thai, and gelato around, starting with drinks on the 36th floor of our hotel!

Our large group took over the little sushi restaurant.  A sweet woman moved her table mid-meal to let us all sit together.  We were very grateful and covered her tab.  She was so surprised and thankful.  It was a great start to the night.

Caden devouring roe

After sushi, tuk-tuks were required to get to the next restaurant.  Since we needed three tuk-tuks, the race once again was on.  The drivers seems to love racing as much as we do!  

Our arrival at Baan Padthai was hilarious.  Our three tuk-tuks, revving their engines and racing up to the open-air dining.  Three-for-three for my tuk-tuk wins.  Just saying.

The food at Baan Padthai was incredible!  We tried a few different pad-thais and had some thai mojitos.  I can see why Baan Padthai has won so many awards! 

They sold a cookbook that some of us bought.  Mango sticky rice is one of the best things ever!

At least Micki is having fun :)

The kids had pad-thai, spring rolls, and of course, chicken wings!  They have become a staple!

Can you spot the cat on the roof?  There were a few coming and going we kept an eye on during dinner.

We had a 15-minute walk to gelato after dinner, which was really appreciated at this point in the dining tour!

Interesting spirit house we passed along the way.  I just wish there were signs explaining the choices of figures included.  Zebras?!?  This was a first.  

Our final stop of the night... Lily declared this the best gelato she has eaten outside of Italy.  There was a 'gelato laboratory' onsite!

After gelato, we had our final tuk-tuk race home... this time my tuk-tuk had only 4 of us.

It was tight at times, but my tuk-tuk driver once again came in the victor!  Four-for-four.  Working on the t-shirt.  Time to leave Bangkok before my luck runs out!  

We head out for Cambodia tomorrow.