4/14 - 4/16, 2014
With Eric and Michelle Martin
When planning our trip we were disapointed that we would be arriving in Bangkok just as their Thai New Year celebration, Song Kran, was wrapping up. But alas! We were greeted by a city wide water fight through the streets of Bangkok with friendly participants lovingly smearing wet clay on our faces while smiling and saying "thank you". It turns out the Thai really like to stretch this holiday out! Unfortunately, this meant that many of the tourist sites, like the Grand Palace were closed due to official celebrations.
We entertained ourselves by exploring Kao San Road (the backpackers area), getting cheap foot massages, visiting a fish spa (this was Eric's favorite, and he spent the rest of the trip looking for more), and trying out the local street food. The noodles were great, but we do not have great reviews for the pancake ball on a stick or what we think turned out to be fish balls purchased from a shady back ally while trying to escape the Sang Kran madness.
We happened to be in the right place at the right time to watch the king leave the Grand Palace. They closed the whole street and then a procession of cars exited the palace, so you didn't know which one he was in... very secret service. There were police officers making sure everyone remained standings, kept hats and sunglasses off, and didn't take photos. After, we were allowed to see the grounds around the Grand Palace which were pretty amazing! We also paid too much for a boat tour up the river which we thought would include a trip to the floating market, but instead cut short and only saw a boat with a man selling beers at 4 times the price calling himself "floating market".
