Four Nights in Bangkok - June 20-23 (Eric)

One last entry about Bangkok and we will be fairly up-to-date. I know "Four Nights" doesn't quite have the same ring as the Murray Head song from Chess, but what can we say. Bangkok was much more interesting than I expected. Yes, it is "crowded, polluted, stinking" as the song suggests, but it is filled with both a "little history" (or a lot depending on your view point) and a remarkable culture that I personally find fascinating. Unlike the voice of the song, Jenny and I were both gripped by the "muddy old river" and the "Reclining Buddha." Again to save time, I will bullet point the highlights and then finish with pictures.

• Bangkok at night (even if you get your "kicks above the waistline") is an experience. It is vibrant and electric even avoiding the party districts. 
• The Thai people are amazingly friendly. The nickname "A Land of a Thousand Smiles" is well deserved, and no, they're not just looking for a tip. Tipping is not expected in Thailand, but it is definitely much appreciated by the locals. 
• Visiting the temples ("a god in every golden cloister") and sights around Bangkok is a must, but be prepared to battle the crowds, especially at the Grand Palace. 
• The Tuk Tuk drivers, suit makers, and other service providers will aggressively try to sell you their products. Scorpions on a stick were one of the more unusual food items for sale (no, I did not try one - sorry to disappoint).
• Ayutthaya, an old capital of Thailand, is a short trip from Bangkok and contains some amazing ruins (if you've seen Mortal Kombat then you've seen them). We had a fabulous tour guide who showed us "everything but Yul Brynner." Our trip included being blessed by a Buddhist monk, a river boat tour, a Buddha head in tree roots, a chicken street, many amazing centuries-old ruins, and a six foot monitor lizard. 
• We did not make it to any "bars" or "massage parlors", but we did have a poolside massage at our hotel, the Riva Surya, which was delightful, but I must warn you if you have never had a Thai massage, the Thai people are quite strong, so you might want to ask them to be gentle. We also had a pleasant experience at Susie Wong's Beer and Buns (not what it sounds like) where we shared a good sandwich and good music with some of the locals. 
• And now pictures...

Shanghai June 16-19 (Eric)

There's so much I would like to write about on our visit to Shanghai, but we are about to go get massages (I know... sucks to be us), but I'm trying to catch up as much as possible. I think I will bullet point a few highlights and then post some pictures.

• Our immigration experience was delightful (no sarcasm here). By the way, if you're going to take advantage of the 144 hour transit visa while visiting China, make sure you print your itinerary. 
• The taxi ride to our friend's building was terrifying. This is the only time I have ever been in a taxi where the driver clearly had no clue where he was going. On route, he was driving 10 mph calling several people to ask for what we assume were directions, then picked up another passenger to help navigate, and finally, came to a dead stop on the freeway while trying to find our destination. All of this managed to double the length of the ride. Luckily, he was apologetic and did not try to overcharge us. 
• Thanks to Kathleen and the other Concordia teachers for being such gracious hosts. 
• The food in Shanghai was amazing and an adventure at times. We did a night market food tour where I ate snake which was literally killed and cleaned before our eyes.  
• The night skyline from the Bund (riverbank) is a must see. 
• The temples are spectacular and a little crowded on incense days (the temples were filled with Buddhist worshippers). 
• If you can squeeze in a trip to a park, it is well worth it to see the plethora of activities that the locals participate in during the day. 
• Now pictures...

Southern Hong Kong - June 15 (Eric)

Going back in time a little over a week (seems longer given the experiences we have been having), we went to the southern parts of Hong Kong island with a visit to Repulse Bay, Stanley, and Aberdeen. This was an interesting experience when compared to Central Hong Kong, a lot less hustle and bustle. Of course, it still has a plethora of shopping options (no escaping from hell). My favorite had to be the H&M that took up half of a historic building. My favorite part of of the trip to this part of Hong Kong was the majestic views of the bays and smaller islands off the coast. To keep this short, I will finish with more pictures and captions. Enjoy!

The majestic views...

The H&M (in Stanley) and the view from the top floor...

Finishing our day with a trip to the Jumbo Floating Restaurant...