Bright Lights, Big City 2

We met our friend, Steve, in the lobby at six p.m.  He is teaching a five-week class at Chulalongkorn University, which he has done every other year for more than a decade, in collaboration with Cornell University.  We grabbed a map and headed out behind our fun, energetic and informative friend.  Since he has been to Bangkok numerous times, he was well-equipped to act as our guide. Our first stop was the BTS station - a raised mass-transit system of trains, somewhat similar to Chicago's L, but more modernized.

We rode the standing-room-only train to a station to the south, then got in line for a boat to carry us up the Chao Phraya River to a  somewhat new restaurant and entertainment venue called Asiatique.  It was a fairly long, sweaty wait for the boat, but was a good opportunity for people watching and catching up with Steve.  The boat ride to Asiatique was quite lovely, with a nice breeze and a good view of that part of Bangkok.

Asiatique was originally developed in the early 1900's by King Chulalongkorn, in collaboration with a Danish national, Hans Andersen, and was dedicated to the exportation of teak wood. It was conscripted by the Japanese to use as a supply port during World War II.  There are a few bronze statues and some historic architecture memorializing the area's past.  Only very recently has it been redeveloped as an entertainment venue.  It reminded me a bit of Zona Rosa in Kansas City, where Ted took us when we visited - mostly pedestrian traffic, lots of shops and restaurants - very trendy.  In addition to the shops and restaurants, it has a ferris wheel, a Muay Thai Boxing venue, a Ladyboy show, and lots of live entertainment.  (I'm not sure "ladyboy" is politically correct, but I don't know another term to use here.  Thais have the word "khatoey," but I'm not sure if that's derogatory or not - I do not wish to offend.)  

We stepped from the boat right in front of Baan Khanitha, a nice restaurant with good reviews, so we took a table on the outside deck.  It was a very pretty building - it made me think more of a southern US-style building, with white walls and glass-paned doorwalls.  Enjoyed some spicy Thai food and reliving our college days with Steve.  We thought when Tim ordered a medium bowl of soup, he was referring to the size of the bowl; but apparently it was indicating level of spiciness!  

After dinner, we wandered up and down the walkways, taking in the shops and street entertainment.  A family of Thai were entertaining the crowd with their amazing skills on the "khims," or hammered dulcimers.  Looked like a father and several of his children, the youngest being perhaps seven or eight.  They played traditional Thai music, like "Hotel California" and "Pachabel's Canon." ;-)  They were fun to watch, and we each bought one of their CDs.  

Steve and I enjoyed a sample of another Thai dessert called "Kanom Buang."  They look like little tacos, but they are actually sweet.  The shell is like a crispy crepe and the filling has coconut and some other delicious sweetness - nice and light.  Caught a taxi back to the hotel and promptly crashed.  Tomorrow, Jatujak Market!