Back in Bangkok (Nov.26-30)

Artemis relaxing in hotel lobby of D&D

Return to Bangkok
November 26-30, 2008

We arrived back in Bangkok the day before the airport was taken over. Not really paying attention to news on a daily basis we were not aware of anything until we saw the notice in the elevator of our hotel. From there all the talk began as we were surrounded by tourists who were now stranded in Bangkok. For us Bangkok was a resting place to decide where and what we were going to do next and now that the airport was closed, we were not going to fly anywhere.

Caleb outside the Palace - just walking around

For the next 4 days we talked to various agents about possible routes and places to go and I guess more than anything else we lay around the pool on the rooftop of the D&D. This was the place to be, we had never seen it so packed. For us it was great, people just hanging around with nothing to do, waiting. We gathered up all sorts of travel stories and possible itineraries. Caleb made a friend, young guy from Kelowna, whose family was travelling for 6 months and were now waiting to get out for their flight to Australia. Mark and I went out for dinner with the parents and another couple one night and had a great fish feast and good conversation. The Kelowna couple, travelling with 2 children, one 14 and one 18, were going through some similar challenges that we were, so very interesting to swap stories.

Having another delicious meal on the streets

A hi-light for Artemis was going to see the opening of a movie she had been waiting for “TWILIGHT”. She had already completed reading the series of 4 books, books which we had to search for in every city until she found them. Then she was very torn to part with them once finished but after carrying them she realized there was only one choice.

Seeing a movie in another country is always an experience. The theatre was enormous with plush comfortable seating. We had to sit through at lest 30-40 minutes of commercials and pre-views first and then we all had to stand to sing the salute to the King – Thailand is obsessed with their king and it seems to be hammered into their heads wherever one goes.

The movie was a success! We all enjoyed it. Artemis was pleased but was also very critical of things they missed or expectations she had had for the movie.

Having breakfast at our favorite - Hello Cafe (they make homemade English muffins)

The airport was under siege, there was talk of the occasional random bomb going off, the traffic was horrendous, we were receiving many emails from concerned family and friends but sitting there on the rooftop of the D&D or walking around the city, one would not have any idea that there was anything drastic going on at all.

We left Bangkok on a bus early morning of the 30th to explore Siem Reap, Cambodia.


Lianna