Part I of Part I (Bangkok and Delhi)

After twelve days backpacking, two Asian mega-metropolises, and mind-blowingly bizarre street food we now officially have way too much to write about in a single blog. A small tragedy, although one that has many rewards for us, the travelers. I apologize now for not posting pictures with this entry; we promise to do so soon.

We last left our trip at the quiet seaside town of Prechuap Khiri Khan on the Gulf of Thailand coast. From there we headed straight north to Petchaburi, a slightly larger city that has been the confluence of historical currents throughout Thailand's history. We went looking for Wats and found nothing but angry and aggressive long-tail macaques far too adjusted to city street life for any animal of the wild. Small wonder that we hopped on a bus to Bangkok the next day.

And what a great choice that was. Bangkok, known as the City of Angels to Thais, offers everything to everyone and more. We arrived in typical backpacker fashion (hopelessly lost) and spent the next day re-adjusting to city life after spending four weeks on relaxing beaches. We stayed with Jen's aunt, Jeanette, and her family at their condo in central Bangkok for the week that we were there. Jeanette has lived in Thailand for over two-decades and speaks fluent Thai. We appreciated such an incredible "in" for the first of many times the first night when we spent the evening devouring all the savory dishes that we never had the chance to try (ok, because we don't speak Thai and know hardly anything about the limitless possibilities of that awesome cuisine). We at yum salad, stir-fried snapper w/ exotic vegetables, fried springs rolls with taro root, clams in chili sauce, moong noddles with spicy salad, and delicious tangy shrimp soup. Yum!

The next few days were spent just taking in Bangkok. We went to Koh Ratanakosin to explore the Thai Royal Family's Grand Palace and other ancient Wats. On the way there, I felt I had entered a new world. The streets of Bangkok are filled with churning steel, chaotic movement, reckless scooters, and lung clogging exhaust. But the human traffic and colorful cacophony that fills the sidewalks is glorious. At the Grand Palace we made our way past the "guides" and into the main complex. Stop. Turn 360 degrees around. In every direction, on every square inch, looming above and resonating below were giant statues, ornate friezes, stupas and chedis in every color of the rainbow and more. We didn't know where to look, so we looked everywhere. In the Palace grounds resides the famous Emerald Buddha, a small jade-color statue of Buddha that has served as a symbol of Thailand's power for hundreds of years. It is decked and gold and countless Thais come to it to pay homage to everything Buddha. After the palace we walked around the rest of the old part of Bangkok and took in more Wats, Buddhas, and Bangkok street life before boarding a river taxi and cruising down the Chao Phraya.

The next day we went to Siam Paragon, supposedly one of the largest super-malls in all of Asia. Now, I have seen glimpses of wealth and modernity that put America to shame in some of the places I have traveled before, but nothing like this: seven stories, top-end boutiques, an entire floor filled with every cuisine and treat imaginable, a farmer's market, SE Asia's largest aquarium, an Imax, bowling alley, and a movie theatre with reclining chairs and full menu service. On top of this decadence, we happened to be there during a traditional north Thai food festival that was located right outside the mall. We ate Burmese curry, noodle-wrapped-noodles, a salad made with green black pepper, and much more. We were also entertained by traditional Thai ballads performed by the Lanna Troop. All this at a mall!

Now, I could go on forever more about the other awesome and exciting places, food, and people we experience in Bangkok, but sadly I have run out of time for this entry. I hate to leave on a cliff hanger, but we promise to update soon.

We still have India to talk about.

End of Part I (Bangkok and Delhi)

We are now in India, an ancient and chaotic country.