Bangkok, the First Days in Thailand

Bangkok, the First Days

Many pictures of Bangkok, inlcuding temples, Chinese New Year, Kao San Road, Chao Praya River and more...

I took this shot as I was flying across the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Growing up on the West Coast I have always dreamed of magical places existing on the other side of the seemingly infinite horizon. This is a picture of the island of Japan as our plane descends into Tokyo International airport.

Tokyo from the airplane.

More of Tokyo from the air.

Every morning in Bangkok, shopkeepers and restaurant owners make offerings to the gods for prosperity and good fortune for the day to come. This along with burning colorful paper in a bucket or bin is a morning ritual widely practiced here in Thailand.

This is a lucky cat, showing no fear at the "Lucky Buddha" monument in central Bangkok. Cats, dogs and homeless people seem to be welcome in the temples here.

I caught a ride on a long boat and rode it down the river, just to see where it went. Then I got off and got lost in the endless maze of alleys of Bangkok. Eventually I found my way back to my guesthouse in Banglampoo.

This is the famous Kao San Road, located in Banglampoo neighborhood in Bangkok. During the evening this street looks like New Orleans during carnival.

This is where the "Lucky Buddha" is housed. Unfortunately it was closed for a holiday. No luck for me...

Bangkok is just filled to the brim with temples. Anyone can go in and meditate or listen to chanting.

This is a self portrait from the back of a Bangkok original, the Tuktuk. These three-wheeled taxis zoom in and out of traffic as if they're late for a wedding. They have no doors, windows or seatbelts, but its worth it.

Bangkok has plenty of modern architecture to compliment the centuries old temples, such as this cool looking bridge crossing the the Chao Praya River.

After being a vagabond in Kao San and Banglampoo for long enough, I finally met a local guy named Sowit. we met in the park and he tols me about the Chinese New Year party going on in China Town. These girls are doing a not so traditional dance with American flag outfits. I could not resist taking this shot.

I've never experienced anything as crowded as this Chinese New Year festival.

Kids playing volleyball in a Hindu temple. Shot taken while walking to Chinese New Year festival.

Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn. It was beautiful as the sun set behind it in the evening.

More shots of Wat Arun.

I caught this monk smoking a cigarette while sweeping the temple grounds. Naughty monk!

I took this shot for my friend Emily who lives in Seattle. Only she will know why. Here you go Emily!

My tired feet...

Kids racing to their shoes in Wat Arun grounds.

Standing Buddha shimmering as local meditates below. This Buddha image is a symbol of the peaceful state of mind we all have the potential to experience.

Sowit and I pose after we go through the Buddhist rituals together. This is a wonderful man, who I am blessed to have met. Thak you Sowit for being my friend, even for such a short time. We will meet again.

Every evening in the park they pull out the loud speakers and 100's of people to synchronized aerobics. I can't help but be amused, but they love it.

Not a good photo, but there is a poodle on the front of this motorcycle.

These little specs in the sky are sky divers, dozens of them, falling into Bangkok.