musings on music, the human species, and the excitations of travel. maybe books, too, or architecture! and food!
May 18, 2020
Thailand Enticements
Anybody need a vacation? Take mine with me! Although we ended up scurrying back into Singapore on March 23rd hours before the serious quarantine rules were imposed in both Singapore and Thailand, Lynn and I nevertheless were able to spend several enjoyable days in Thailand as Lynn completed her coaching training workshops. As usual I have a hard time editing my photographic excesses, but I hope someone out there enjoys.
Yours truly, posing as a Japanese tourist while proudly displaying my Tasmania West Coast t-shirt amidst the awesome Bangkok graffiti, mask in pocket. I still need to share our amazing Australia adventure!Frame of reference: March, the Year of the Facemask. I really hope this doesn’t displace one of the animals in the cycle (Coronavirus instead of Rat?).A quick (since I was standing in the street!) snapshot of the multiple levels on which life moves along in Bangkok—oh, and that building you’re trying to see more clearly is Ole Scheeren’s MahaNakhon Tower.This wall art is not as outrageous as many others (re. my profile pics), but it is representative of the skills on the streets and to me has a Thai feel to it. Is it ok to say that?Not all the art is on the wall. This lovable egghead was easing himself out of a crack in the sidewalk.View upon entering the grounds of the Jim Thompson House. Mr Thompson was an American architect who is given credit for making Thai silk a popular commodity around the world. This complex of buildings was his home before he mysteriously vanished…Harmony.The chandelier was imported from Europe, but it looks like it could have been inspired by the native foliage.And speaking of native foliage.Let’s not forget the fishies. Once again I’m struck by the similarities between dissimilar things. We had the elegant restaurant almost completely to ourselves. Nice place, good food, friendly people.A traditional dance performance was included with our meal. My fingers don’t do that, can’t do that.Going home…Riverboats are popular with commuters (but this time we just watched).Bangkok is known in part for Excess, and this sign helps convey that impression. And yet the reduce speed idea is not lost, despite the clear FU attitude.Images of Bangkok’s tuk-tuks (sam lor) are too familiar, but I couldn’t resist including one of my pics. He’s not breaking any speed limits, except maybe for downloads?Before finding myself surrounded by them on our way to the Train Market I was unaware of the extent of the salt farms in Thailand south and west of of Bangkok along the coast. It’s harvest time at this one. Harvesting salt.The Train Market. To point out the obvious, a thriving market (admittedly largely now for tourists, but not originally and not entirely) exists on either side of this completely functional train track. While the trains don’t exactly move along at a bullet-train clip, shopkeepers know exactly how many centimetres they have in which to exhibit and preserve their goods. When the train approaches awnings are lowered or raised, tables are shifted as necessary. The scene repeats itself over and over. We observed the train from outside, then from inside…See?! No satellite dishes crashing to the ground. Nobody collapsed in agony with a dislocated shoulder. Not even a squished slippery banana peel. Smoooth, And a view from the train, now that we’re on it. I can’t say with any certainty what this is we’re not buying as we pass by. But looks like it was once animate.So many shops selling so many things as we pass through. Those are bananas. And Hello!I really like this one, pedestrian though it is. From the train. Coffee shops, restaurants, beauty salons, etc. are interspersed with so many food stalls. It’s like walls have been removed for our viewing pleasure, a living performance. The actors are acutely aware of our presence–and the wave is very nice–but there’s still the feeling that we are being allowed a view behind the curtains.Speeding slowly into the sleepy countryside. First class accommodations. NOT. But plenty of room for the two of us to claim one side of the train for ourselves. Forgive me for another selfie.More salt farms, as far as I can tell, kilometre after kilometre. If I’m wrong somebody please set me straight! Farmland. Progress. And we can’t hope for more than progress.The flocks of birds seemed to prefer the other side of the train, but on this side there was plenty of partnering.Once again the curtains are pulled back and we find ourselves observers–maybe guests?–in someone’s backyard.I think this is an image to which many people around the world can relate.Back at the station, not sure if business was too slow or too busy, or, more likely, it’s just nap time.Now it’s time for the floating village. Exists for tourists, but it’s still interesting.Bustling city life, but in this case there happen to be rivers for streets. No it’s not Venice. Beer with a breakfast banana must make sense to those crazy rich foreigners.Whatever the circumstances it’s really nice to witness people interacting happily with each other, especially across generations (or nationalities).Slow day on the river.Super-charged artwork and super-charged river cruiser. Maybe some people do some surfing here? Well, I guess I was surfing…I felt so guilty we weren’t even pretending to shop.We almost had the hotel restaurant to ourselves for breakfast! This is not me social distancing from Lynn.a Farewell Bangkok view from one of the hotel decks.
