Thelma and Louise Take on the World: Bangkok, Bangkok, Bangkok

On Tuesday, we made the epic trip to the Hua Lom Pong train station to purchase our tickets to Chiang Mai. It was our first trip on the subway and we were very surprised by how nice it was. After the train station, we planned to go to the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Center (BACC). But on the way we found this really cool Neo store. It was a Japanese version of Dollar Tree. Everything was 60, 70, or 80 Baht. I was the best random find ever and we bought some unique Japanese items. After Neo, we got back on the track and headed for the BACC. It turned out to be a great place with an awesome HIV/AIDS exhibit that was created to dispel negative thoughts of those who have the disease. It was very interesting. We also found this really cool rocking chair that was build like a parallelogram. It looked rather disturbing...one of those you don't want to look but you can't look away kind of deals. It was really cool. After the BACC, we headed over to the Siam Shopping Center. It was just another glorified shopping mall.

Wednesday was another attempt at our mission from Monday...Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and a newly added Medical Museum. Again, we took the express boat but this time we made sure to look out for Wat Arun and any other river sites. Our first stop was the Medical Museum at Siriraj Hospital. Once we got there...we were quite impressed. There were 6 museums in one - Prehistoric, Anatomy, Forensic Pathology, Parisitology, Pathological, and Thai Medical History. Many would have found it gruesome, but the sites ranging from preserved conjoined twins (Siamese Twins - Thailand was formerly Siam) to murder/rape bodies that naturally mummified to aborted fetuses in the placenta. Being medically minded, we found it very intriguing. No worries to our readers...no pictures were allowed. After the museum we headed off for Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Its a beautiful palace that is now filled with a collection of gifts given to the King and Queen of Thailand. We were not allowed to take pictures, but believe me when I say there are no words that could possibly explain the beautiful masses of gold, precious stones, intricate wood carving, and most astonishing of all...beetle wings. The wings were use to create magnificently iridescent additions to almost all of the incredible pieces of craft work. Truly amazing. Another highlight of the Throne Hall was that Thelma had to wear a skirt. Although she was wearing pants, it is mandated that women where a skirt in the Hall. So...she had to buy one and wear it over her pants. It was just another hilarious memorable moment.

Thursday and Friday we decided would be a rest and relaxation days. So we spent some quality time at the pool getting some sun and enjoying our vacation.

Saturday was Chatuchak Market day!!! Chatuchak market is the largest weekend market. It is composed of over 15,000 booths/stalls selling everything from knock off iconic fashion items to exotic animals. We made sure to go early before the heat and the crowds became unbearable. We found ourselves in an overwhelming large consumers paradise!!! Coming from the world of Wal Mart and Target...this place blows even our minds!! The shear variety of options available was unbelievable. We made some amazing finds and can't wait to show/share them friends and family.

Tonight, we are packing for our trip to Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, and Chiang Mai. Our time in Bangkok may be over, but our journey is just getting started!

The subway station in Bangkok.
Surprising nice!!

On the subway.

Waste basket sculpture.
Outside Bankgkok Arts and Cultural Center.
(BACC)

Cool rocker at BACC.

Beautiful art at BACC.

Another pretty one.

Thelma's fav.

We couldn't stop looking at this chair.

Its just too cool.

Awesome quote at the AIDS exhibit.
The exhibit was one of the best we had ever seen.
The whole project was designed to dispel
negative thoughts against those with HIV/AIDS.