Monday, May 20, 2013
Today starts our 11-day journey to four countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. Sarah drove us to the Changi airport in Singapore early in the morning. We soon found that we were at the wrong terminal, even though the sign said Terminal 3, so we took the tram to Terminal 1. We had to tolerate immigration for debarkation and then security. We flew Jet Star Air flight 3K 515 at 10:30 and arrived two hours later at the Savarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. We discovered that people were bringing empty water bottles with them through security and then filling them at "drinking water stations" inside the waiting area. We had to pay for any thing that we purchased on the flight. It is an economy airline. We moved our clocks back one hour. You do not need a visa for Thailand, but you have to fill out forms and they take a picture of you at immigration. A very informative taxi driver drove us to the Marriott Courtyard in Bangkok. "Sawasdee Kha" means warm welcome. The temperature is 32 Celsius. Hot is hot.
Today starts our 11-day journey to four countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. Sarah drove us to the Changi airport in Singapore early in the morning. We soon found that we were at the wrong terminal, even though the sign said Terminal 3, so we took the tram to Terminal 1. We had to tolerate immigration for debarkation and then security. We flew Jet Star Air flight 3K 515 at 10:30 and arrived two hours later at the Savarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. We discovered that people were bringing empty water bottles with them through security and then filling them at "drinking water stations" inside the waiting area. We had to pay for any thing that we purchased on the flight. It is an economy airline. We moved our clocks back one hour. You do not need a visa for Thailand, but you have to fill out forms and they take a picture of you at immigration. A very informative taxi driver drove us to the Marriott Courtyard in Bangkok. "Sawasdee Kha" means warm welcome. The temperature is 32 Celsius. Hot is hot.
view from plane coming into the Savarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand
Savarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand
Courtyard Marriott in Bangkok, Thailand
view from 15th floor, Courtyard Marriott, Bangkok, Thailand
The Jim Thompson House and Museum was our first stop after checking into the hotel and getting a snack. Jim Thompson was an American, born in 1906 and became a practicing architect. He volunteered for service in World War II. Later, he served as a military officer in Bangkok and fell in love with Thailand. That is when he decided to live here permanently.
The hand weaving of silk, a long-neglected cottage industry, captured Jim Thompson's attention, and he devoted himself to reviving the craft. Highly gifted as a designer and textile colorist, he contributed substantially to the industry's growth and to the worldwide recognition accorded to Thai silk. There are now beautiful Jim Thompson stores and shops in the exclusive malls selling everything from men's ties, women's scarves, children's clothing to pillows and linens.
He gained further renown through the construction of the complex, combining six teak buildings on stilts, which represent the best in traditional Thai architecture. His traditional Thai house is filled with Southeast Asian antiques, paintings and sculptures. Most of the houses were at least two centuries old and were easily dismantled and brought to the present site, some from as far away as the old capital of Ayudhya. Their roofs are steeply pitched for ventilation, and the walls lean inward to create a sense of height. Surrounding the house is a garden with cooling pools and dense tropical vegetation including flowers, banana plants, and palm trees.
On Easter Day, 1967, Jim Thompson went out walking in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and was never seen again. Since his body was never found, the mystery is likely to stay unsolved.
Pictures were allowed only in the gardens and the first floor. We were not allowed to take pictures upstairs, so I hope that the web site shows and tells you more.
www.jimthompsonhouse.com
a shrine, for protection
spinning silk thread
silk worm cocoons
part of Jim Thompson House and Museum
lush gardens surround the houses
koi pond
a hand-carved wood block for printing of fabrics
Living room, Jim Thompson House
The Erawan Shrine was just down the street from our hotel, so we had to see what was going on; lots of people mulling about. Erawan Shrine is Thailand's most famous spirit house. It gained its fame in 1956 when its installation was credited with halting a string of fatal accidents at the construction site of the former Erawan Hotel. A constant stream of supplicants offer marigolds, incense, and candles, along with silent wishes. It is an island of spirituality in a sea of commerce.
Traditional dances are performed here on occasions
when a supplicant's prayers are answered.
so many marigolds
the sculpture is made of plaster and covered in gold leaf
these people are "washing" themselves with water
incense burning
supplicants offering silent wishes
Sometimes we walk into a shopping mall just for some cool air. Here, I found one of Stella McCartney's stores. I had never been in one, of course. If you can't guess who she is, she is Paul McCartney's daughter and she is a fashion designer in London. She recently designed the outfits for the Olympic athletes from the British Isles.
Stella McCartney's store, Thailand
This is the sign that is in our hotel room.
Durian is a fruit that really, really stinks.
Either they don't want you to bring it in, or they don't serve it.
We then returned to our hotel. We are grateful for the complimentary food up on the 15th floor of the Marriott Courtyard. Many of the foods we recognize and some have an Asian flare. Our day ends with a hot shower!
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