Almost the end-

Perhaps some might find this entry a bit graphic- nonetheless I have to report on the toilets in the ladies bathroom of the JAL lounge in Narita (Tokyo) airport. First impression, the seat is heated. Very relaxing. Next one notices that in the location where you would expect to find the toilet paper, there is a square control panel (see photo ). I clearly understood the button that said stop. The bigger issue was whether I should start whatever I could in theory stop with the stop button. You can probably guess what Miss Curious did. I proceeded to try all the buttons. It was a good thing I had 3 hours before my next flight! I have no idea how much these toilets cost, or if they are readily available in the USA- maybe I'm behind the times in toilet couture. Definitely a thumbs up product.

Some of my favorite signs from the temple complex

You have to laugh!

Royal Palace Complex

All I can say is that my photos don't convey what it is like. It is so overwhelming. Spires and gold and jewels everywhere. This is the first tourist site where there have been loads of people. Also my first encounter with a con artist. Upon approaching the place , a fellow in what looked like a police uniform said that the palace was closed to non-Thai from 11-1 do they could pray in peace. This seemed totally reasonable. He suggested going to another temple complex which he said was open. Then a tuk-tuk driver offered his services for a ride and guide. While I totally believed this story, I decided just to walk a bit further up the side of the palace wall (the whole complex has a wall)..... A few minutes later I was at the main entrance and it was clear that the whole story had been BS....

Wat "Pho" Reclining Buddha temple

So massive.

Bangkok scenes from the street and from the water

Bangkok is very clean and orderly. The water ferry works very well. As does the subway. I love the colorful cabs. Terrific contrast of old and new.

Cool technology

Many streets are 5 or 6 lanes wide and are one way. Similar to Vietnam, traffic lights have LED screens which count down how long until the light changes (120 seconds was the longest I have seen). Major roads also have LED screens which show if any roads have traffic problems (like a traffic phone app). I wonder if anyone is looking at these helpful items because most major intersections also have HuGE video screens with advertisements. In the photo the screen looks like a billboard, but it's a video.

Toe nails- both big

Which are bigger? The toenails of The reclining Budda (37meters long and meters tall) or those of an elephant (a real one)? Fun fact, the way to tell if an elephant is sweating is to look at his/her toenails.

Jim Thompson house

Jim Thompson (American) was an architect prior to WW2. At one point he was posted to Bangkok and after the war he returned there permanently. He was intrigued by the cottage industry of the hand weaving of silk, and he devoted himself to reviving the then long neglected industry. Today he is recognized as being responsible for the industry's growth and the worldwide recognition of Thai silk. He combined 6 teak buildings (2 centuries old) to make a beautiful home (now museum). He mysteriously disappeared one day while on vacation in Malaysia . This guy would have been a huge success as an interior designer in any too capital of the world. Attention to every detail and a perfect combination of Asian- western. I especially loved the saffron colored display niches with similar colored lamp shade (the lamp itself made from a Burmese drum). The niches had been windows that were filled in when the structures were combined.

Durian fruit

I had been told that the Durian fruit has such a horrible smell that some cities there is only one vendor allowed to sell it- and if you happen to park your car nearby this stand, your car (even with windows shut) will smell for days and days. Last night at the Nahm restaurant in Bangcok (owned by the michelin award Australian chef Robert Thompson, there was Durian with sticky rice on the dessert menu. Needless to say I had to try it. I am being totally honest that I could smell it approaching the table! I managed one bite- needless to say the taste was nothing like the smell- actually somewhat sweet. I had asked whether she had an actual whole fruit to show me (the dessert had been peeled and sort of pureed- and she offered to take my camera into the kitchen for a photo (see below). When she returned with my phone, i was horrified to see she had brought me a "doggy bag" with the remainder of my dessert in a Tupperware inside of a fancy bag! I obviously had to take it with me so not to hurt her feelings. I still need to google Durian fruit as I think my photo is of a peeled one...

The White temple and the royal villa Doing Tung

There were 2 highlights of the Chiang Rai day which I never mentioned in my previous post about Chiang Rai. Ringing the 108 bells at the Royal Villa after ascending both the mountainous road (route 1149) and numerous wide steps between the dragon rails- was like being a kid again. What could be more fun than taking a stick and banging on 108 HUGE metal bells- the sound echoing all around. One of the joys of traveling in the off season- there were not 37 million other people enjoying this rite of passage- celebrating ones potential 108 lives as decreed by the V
Buddhas teachings. I apologize for all the historical, cultural and religious inaccuracies and faux pas (and of course spelling, grammar and syntax errors) I have made in my many postings....

The White Temple is about 15km outside of Chiang Rai proper. A flight of folly. Built by the artist xxxxx who was surely Dali influenced- it is magical, mythical, mysterious and horrifying at the same time. The only modern gem discovered this far.

First views of Bangkok