These Days

One thing that you can easily see and understand about Bangkok is the lively street life especially at night.  When darkness settles, vendors just pop up along the streets with very good bargains.  Street food is everywhere, too. Here are some pictures of us being out on the street. Shrines everywhere Street night market Street food Photo from April/CJ We did a LOT of walking in Bangkok but we tried the BTS as well. I did not get to try the tuktuk this time.

We had one free day in Bangkok and decided to spend it at the Grand Palace and Jim Thompson house. We originally planned to go to Pattaya but that did not pan out because of logistics and expenses so we researched what is the must-see place in Bangkok.  The Grand Palace was # 1.  Wat Pho was right next to it but we were sooo drained from the heat that we just decided to have lunch at Jim Thompson after touring the palace. Lots of photos coming up!=) The Grand Palace Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Grand-Palace--52 Entrance is 500 THB, dress code enforced Photo from April/CJ Jim Thompson House 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/ Photo from April/CJ

I had a week in Manila after the Singapore trip, before heading to Bangkok for work.  I have not been to a new (to me) country since 2005 so outside of being away from family for a week and the hassles of packing/unpacking, I was looking forward to this trip and the fact that our whole team at work is present, which is a rare occurrence.  It was everyone's first time in Bangkok. Because we were there primarily for some business training and brand familiarization, this first part is all about that.  We met with with some folks from the corporate office who shared with us about the business/hotel side of the area we report on.  It was great to see their perspective and realize the important applications of the data and reports that we provide to them.  We also did hotel tours, including the back of house which helped us appreciate the usually unseen elements and people that keep a hotel running. This was a great experience for me and the team and I am truly ap...

Gardens by the Bay 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953 http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html DUKW Tour Singapore Flyer Tourist Hub http://www.citytours.sg/funveeavtour.html Our original plan was to do the DUKW Tour in the afternoon and proceed to Gardens by the Bay in the evening of the same day.  We missed both because we went to the wrong DUKW tour provider (Suntec City instead of Singapore Flyer!) and then had very little time in the evening (after dinner at Marina Bay Sands foodcourt)  to really enjoy the 2 domes in Gardens by the Bay so we did not go in anymore.  Nevertheless, we still had fun and we have one funny story.=) DUKW Tour