WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE HENRI AND MARJ: Heatwaves and Hitwaves in Bangkok (April 18

THIS

is how hot it was in Bangkok. It was 10pm, we had our second shower of the day, but the sweating won't stop. Our bed was drenched in sweat. I joked that this could train Henri for the heat in Manila, but in reality I don't think it was ever constantly this hot at home.

The next day, heat notwithstanding, we went to the Grand Palace, a second time for both of us.

We joined the free tour, but felt like abandoning it a couple of times because it was too hot, and we couldn't understand the (well-meaning, I had to admit) Thai guide whose accent we sometimes couldn't understand. I think I understood him more than most, but some foreigners disappeared after the Temple of The Emerald Buddha.

Everything our eyes fell on was enveloped in gold. Even the murals had gold leaf.

The whole complex sparkled and impressed, especially under the blazing Bangkok sun.

Monkeys and demons supporting a wat. How could you tell one from the other, with faces like that? The ones without shoes are the monkeys, of course. Guess if Henri was wearing shoes :)

There was a bowl with lotus buds on it and people were welcome to anoint themselves in front of the Emerald Buddha.

The throne room, where I played in my mind scenes from "The King and I."

This is the Dusit Maha Prasat. Dusit means heaven, but in the heat, we felt like we were anywhere but.

It was so hot, that even though we thought of skipping the Coin Museum (it was added to the cost of the ticket, so even though you don't want to go see coins, you still pay for it), we went there just to get out of the heat. Henri was close to having a heatstroke.

We thought of going to Wat Po after, the home of the Reclining Budhha. We also saw it on our last trip to Bangkok so we didn't feel the need to see it again; but if the entrance fees were reasonable, we might have. Alas, they were not.

So the following day, we went to the Vimanmek mansion from Samsen road ON FOOT. Henri was adamant that it would be close and easily reached, but he used to live in Paris, where everyone walks. But I'm from Manila, where walking a kilometer in summer is a death sentence. It's a miracle we got there alive.

Henri had to buy a "sari" to get in, because he was wearing shorts. It was either buy a sari or return to Samsen, so he bought the sari. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but if this was India, you can bet there would still be one or two locals trying to snatch a photo :-p

There was hall after hall of impressive jewelry and golden howdahs (the carriage put on top of an elephant). The employees were a bit annoying, repeating the only phrases they were taught in English depending on what their job was. "Show ticket," "put inside," "camera no," and other words repeated ad nauseam while you ask for clarification.

Next, we walked past the current Royal Palace and found the Marble Temple.

Monk apartments.

We went to the boxing stadium early because we heard you could only get the cheap tickets by going there yourself on the day of the match; otherwise, travel agencies sell ringside tickets for 2,000 baht. We found out the "cheap tickets" were behind a chicken wire fence and when it's time to rumble, you will have to parry the flying fists of those placing their bets.

Henri is happy to find 10-baht chicken.
Unfortunately, he noticed the pieces were too fatty.
That was when I noticed they were all chicken butts.

The good news is, we were the first people there and a promo girl gave us a very good discount price and we got first pick on the seats for the night. We were right in front of the action!

It was interesting to watch all the matches. Each started with a ritual dance and, if both opponents are still standing, the last minute was just dancing around the ring.