Bangkok, then home for Christmas

First night in Bangkok, we met up with our friend Patinee at the highest restaurant in the city.

Unique dinner experience.  Street vendor meets buffet meets dim sum.  Also, they gave us a bonus rebate if we ate all the food we ordered.  What a great idea, and good food too.  Anyway, great experience!

Ready for what Bangkok has to offer!

The next day we headed off for some touring.  The boys picked up some sunglasses the night before.

You must cover up when entering the palace grounds.  Both shoulders and knees!

Statue outside of the temple.  As I recall this is a demon from Thai mythology.

View of the temple, very ornate.  I some some jade and mother of pearl inlay work that was stunning.  Unfortunately, no pictures allowed inside!

The old palace, now basically used for foreign dignitary visits.

Ro was the only one up for a photo op with the royal guards.  He's always game when the king is involved.

Whew, it was a hot one!!!

Love it.

We hopped on a long tail boat after the palace.  Note the size of the engine driving it!

View of a passing long tail.

Monitor lizard sunning itself.  Four or five feet at least.  There were two more under the trees.

As long as it can hold up the satellite, the home improvements can wait.

Gambling?  Hmm, wonder how much he lost before the clothes came off???

Punks or monks, you be the judge...

There was a collection of royal barges we thought was really cool.

Reid shown for scale.

Laundry, about $.38 per pound.  That's what I'm talking about.

Thai boxing gym.  Just on the side of an alley, no doors.  In other words, the real deal.

The boys weren't all that excited about the class as it was very hot.  That all changed when the hand wrapping began.  And yes, I was keenly aware the little guy could whip me without much effort.

Front and center, Ro and Riley were really into it.

Want to know what an "overhand elbow" tastes like?  Yeah, that's what I thought.

Fear this.

After an hour and a half (including a few minutes in the ring).

Next day we hit JJ market with another couple of friends.  Spent and having spent, we needed a massage.

Upon pointing this picture out, my friend stated the obvious that it beats the opposite.

I like the sentiment here.

Returning home, we learned first hand the difference between 35 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Sweet gift from a friend commemorating our Chiang Mai time.

The next day: Christmas fritatta.  Chorizo, potato, roasted red peppers.  These are a few of my favorite things.

Sporting the Thai ties for church.

Nice little tiny tree.  Nothing like opening gifts on New Years Day!

Patinee came to China not too long ago with a few gifts for the boys.  These are now wardrobe staples.

Except the hair, he is all business.

A few days after returning home I get the following text from a friend and neighbor:  "After about 10 minutes taking tree decorations down, he [Rowan] looks up at me sincerely:  'Oh this is hard work, I think I need a massage.'"  Two hours later:  "My dad always sends me for massages because they are healthy, especially with fruit."  Yeah, Rowan's lifelong addiction to massage has begun.  Join the club son, join the club.