Part 5: Bangkok

Some friends are lifetime friends. 

My friend Abbey is one of those friends. 

Years and distance can go by, yet somehow we know we will pick up right where we left off. 

I've known my friend Abbey for over two decades. We went to high school together and since graduating have lived on opposite ends of the country and the world; she moved to Florida while I moved to Oregon. Then, I stayed in Oregon while she lived all over the world!

 She was my Maid of Honor in my wedding. 

14 years ago Abbey stood by my side as John and I married

 She ended up marrying another good friend of mine, Jeff.
Jeff was in the military and then began work in embassies. His work takes him all over the world, living in different places for several years.
I've remained in Oregon for the last 14 years. Abbey and Jeff have been in D.C, Turkey and then Bangkok. We only get to see each other if we coincidental end up in our hometown of Wheaton at the same time; the last time that happened was 7 years ago!
10 years ago Abbey came to visit me in Portland. That was the last time we really had a chance to spend time together and have fun.

I showed her all over Portland!

When I found out I was going to Thailand, I thought of Abbey and Jeff. I would be in northern Thailand in Chiang Mai. They live in southern Thailand in Bangkok. Could this work? Could I find a way to see them? They also have a two year old son, whom I'd never met!

Abbey told me it was an easy hour flight.  Our group leader said it would be fine if Emily and I went by ourselves to Bangkok during the day we had "off" at the home. So,  I booked two tickets to Bangkok! We were beyond excited to venture out on our own and have an adventure in the big city!

Chiang Mai is in upper north; Bangkok is South by Gulf of Thailand

The area we were staying at in Chiang Mai was very rural. It would be exciting to mix it up with a visit to a city!

When we were dropped off at the airport and the taxi pulled away, Emily grabbed my arm and looked at me seriously, "Ok, we are on our own now. We CAN NOT  get separated."
It was a different feeling being in Thailand by ourselves, away from our group leader and Judy our host. We had to navigate this foreign country by ourselves now. We were thrilled and a little anxious until we found Abbey on the other side of our flight.

The flight was easy, and Abbey was waiting for us. Seeing her brought tears to my eyes because it has been so long, yet at the same time, everything felt the same as if we just saw each other last week.
We took a taxi to her apartment in central Bangkok, a very nice gated residence.
Jeff, Abbey, Emily and I chatted for a few hours on their couch, catching up on life, their adventures and our families.  It was surreal to sit across from my long lost friends all the way around the world.

The front of the Grand Palace

The next morning I met their son Jude, a handsome little guy of energy and smiles!

 Abbey led us all over the city. We toured the Grand Palace, the area of the government and residence of the Thai king.

Built within the grounds of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew or 'The Temple of the Emerald Buddha' is the most important and most visited temple in Bangkok. One of the most significant features of Wat Phra Kaew is the Emerald Buddha, carved into a 2 foot tall block of Jade.

 

Abbey and me in front of the temple Wat Phra Kaew.

One of the beautiful spires in the Grand Palace  area

Built in 1782 - and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government - the Grand Palace of Bangkok

Next we visited Wat Pho, the temple of the "reclining Buddha."

This is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. The statue of this Buddha is 49 feet high and 141 feet long. He is very relaxed, casually resting on his side.  

Wat Arun temple

Finally, we took a quick ferry across the water to Wat Arun temple. The spire (prang) on the bank of Chao Phraya River is one of Bangkok's world-famous landmarks. It has an imposing spire over 229 feet high, beautifully decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain placed delicately into intricate patterns.

 Wat Arun is easily one of the most stunning temples in Bangkok, not only because of its riverside location, but also because the design is very different to the other temples you can visit in Bangkok. Wat Arun (or temple of the dawn) is partly made up of colourfully decorated spires and stands majestically over the water. 

Monks serve at the temple, sitting in silence and preforming a blessing ritual to anyone who seeks one. 

Bangkok is full of rivers and canals. It is called the "Venice of the East."

Taking a break from our morning of exploring in the hot sun, we indulged in a special afternoon of High Tea at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Bangkok's 5 star luxury hotel that has been around for 140 years! Reservations have to be made way in advance to 

secure a table for high tea in the Author's Lounge. The minute Abbey heard we were coming, she called to get us in!

It’s hard not to give in to the lounge’s undeniable charm; brightly lit, it’s in a style from another era, with gorgeous white wicker armchairs, a grand staircase, and small adjacent rooms offering a view of the garden. You’re literally transported to a different time, when numerous writers would frequent the hotel!

 After a busy day, Abbey led us through narrow streets and ally ways to a tall brick building lit with candles and smelling of incense. Here we experienced a real Thai massage, which had more to do with twisting your spine, cracking your back and pulling on your limbs than rubbing sore muscles. For $9.00 though, it was worth it!

  We rode around in a Tuk Tuk and observed the craziness of Bangkok nightlife. There was traffic and people walking, eating and laughing, just like any other city. There were people sitting on the side of the road selling their goods while their toddlers slept next to them.
A fat rat scurried into a sewer.

The moon was bright and life was good.

Before we took our flight home on Saturday morning, we strolled around in Lumpini park, the central park of Bangkok. It was so busy with people exercising, doing Ti Chi, kids playing...however at 8:00  am sharp everyday, Thailand's national anthem plays over the loud speaker and everyone stops what they are doing and stands upright in silence to show honor and respect to their country and king. It was amazing to me. Not one person moved or spoke during this 60 second interlude. It was if someone hit a "pause button" on life!

Reunited! Jeff, Abbey, Jude and me in the central park in Bangkok

Bangkok was a nice break and definitely a highlight of my trip. Seeing Abbey and Jeff and Jude in their life abroad was so special. They were such wonderful hosts; we felt right at home. It was so nice to shower in warm water without geckos spying at me!

 I will always cherish this time in my heart.