Bangkok

 Our first stop was Bangkok where we visited the great temples including Wat Phra Kaew which is in the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and was the home of the King of Siam until 1925.

 It was very, very hot but the palace requires proper dress so you will notice the long pants on the men and skirts and sleeves on the women. The palace is huge, being built over 200 years and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bangkok.

 The temples are beautiful and impressive. There is gold everywhere and the colorful tiles on the roof impressed Julia.

 

If you look closely, you can see the 'middle' building in the complex which is covered in tiles and surprisingly tall.

 The center temple holds Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It's a solid dark green statue of a standing Buddha which is 26 inches tall carved from a single stone. It's history goes back to India several centuries.

Aside from the Thai King, no person is allowed to touch the statue. Here is everyone in front of the Buddha. (We could not photograph it from inside the temple.) Look at the excitement on Brian's face!

The day was quite interesting and everyone found something to enjoy including our most difficult customers.

The different buildings were incredible and the children held up against the heat. (mostly)

David said this looked like a statue of Dad. I told him that he is on his way to becoming his father so we could share a picture with the guy. Incredible that I was here with my father 20 years ago and can remember vividly visiting the temple. (although - not this figure)

Every turn provided an incredible picture and history dating back centuries.
Brian wanted a picture with the royal guard in front of the official ceremonial home of the King.

 He believes he is getting taller and liked the comparison to the best guards in the country.

 We ended by going back to the hotel which had a lovely pool next to the not-so-lovely river in Bangkok. Swimming makes the group happy.