BANGKOK     I wanted to get in to the spirit of things in Bangkok, so I took a tricycle tuk tuk ride around the downtown.  Once was enough.  I never knew what was a fair price to negotiate, and I found it cheaper, easier, and breathable in a metered taxi.

There were so many wats and Buddhas.  The Grand Palace was a huge complex and so beautiful!  But, my favorite destination required a hop on a boat across the Chao Phraya River to the most amazing temple, Wat Arun, the temple of dawn.   It was incredibly decorated with ceramics and porcelain.  But, if that wasn't enough, the place was crawling with monks. 

In the northern part of the city across from a big bus terminal was an outdoor market.  It was bigger than expected.  It had everything from exotic animals to Thai crafts and Coke memorabilia to Native American carvings.  It was well worth checking out as was also any Asia Book store.  But, my favorite place for shopping was the King's Antique Shop.  It had reproductions and stolen treasures from across Southeast Asia.