Several nights in Bangkok

When we arrived in Bangkok, the Thai festival of Songkran was just beginning.  This is their New Year.  Originally, the celebration was about paying respect to elders and getting their blessing by lightly sprinkling their hands with water and giving them a floral offering.  

Over time, and especially in areas with a lot of tourists, the focus has shifted to an all out water assault.  At ANY given time, day or night, be prepared to be soaked.  Vendors sell all types of water guns, waterproof pouches for wallets and rain ponchos.  Luckily we knew ahead of time what to expect.  Big bummer for the unfortunate travelers who had no idea.  

It was all fun and games during the day, and sometimes even welcome because it was very hot and humid.  But at night, when all we wanted was to get some dinner and return to our room, forget it.  We had water dumped on us, sprayed at us, hoses . . . the ice water was the worst.  Everyone is fair game, locals and tourists -- even those in a tuk tuk (motorized open air taxi) or on a motor scooter.  

Garvin refills for the next onslaught.  People were set up all over the city waiting to spray the next passersby.  Part of the payment for getting water -- he got drenched.

 Flowers for sale to place on temple altars, or give as offerings to others.

 A few days after I took this, we had a chance to try both these fruits -- though I don't know their names.  We liked the one on the left -- texture almost of a banana and tasted like a mix of that and strawberry.  The one on the right was less flavorful, has a pit inside, and I have not come up with a way to describe the taste or texture.  You peel them both : )

This was amazing --  Wat Pho, The Temple of The Reclining Buddha.  A reclining Buddha is highly revered because it shows he's achieved enlightenment.

And here are his feet, inlaid with mother-of-pearl.  I love how he has toe-prints.

These designs are on the soles of his feet!

There were scores of these seated Buddhas lining courtyards throughout the temple grounds. 

 An altar in one of the courtyards where people could make an offering.

People sprinkle the Buddha statue on the altar with water.  Later I saw 2 minutes of a Thai soap opera, and family members were coming up to the matron of the family, giving her a flower garland, and lightly sprinkling her hands with water using cups like these.

 Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn

These prang (the towers where relics are stored) are decorated with ceramic tiles and porcelain.  Many of the decorations were made from broken plates arriving on Chinese ships in the 18th and 19th centuries.   

Climbing the steps is a bit precarious.  The risers are narrow and the angle of the stairs is steep.

More Thailand to come.  Thanks for reading!