Monday, April 1, 2024

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok was founded as the capital of Siam (former name of Thailand) in 1782 by King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. The city was originally named "Krung Thep" (City of Angels) in Thai. Bangkok's full ceremonial name is one of the longest place names in the world, containing 169 characters in Thai. It translates to "City of Angels, Great City, Immortal City, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's Behest." This will be on the quiz!!

Bangkok was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. After the war, there was rapid economic growth and is known as a cultural and shopping mecca. The city is home to numerous temples, museums, and art galleries showcasing Thailand's unique cultural heritage, as well as luxury fashion brand shops. Bangkok is famous for its floating markets, where vendors sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and local delicacies from boats along the city's canals. The intensive city traffic makes us appreciate Denver’s rush hours! April is the hottest time of year and the best air conditioning outside our ship is a shopping mall! Of course. Many brands we know such as Nike, Adidas and Uniqlo. Shopper Heaven!

An AzAmazing Event, exciting, exotic and entertaining took place at a huge venue where the famous Thai architectures, traditions, and culture is celebrated. Sukhothai Temple Fairs is a 200 acre site filled with reproductions of temples, shrines, palaces and stupas. The refreshments were mai tai cocktails, cold Thai beer samples of flavorful Thai cuisine and beautiful, colorful dancing topped off with fireworks! Azamara defines amazing!

Sailing away from Bangkok into Gulf of Thailand showed the contrast between the bustling modern city and the religious, traditional sites and the simple living conditions for some residents along the water front. Such a fascinating, colorful sail away as we sail toward Ko Samui, Thailand.