Facts about Bangkok

A few facts about Bangkok
- Population: 8,160,522 registered residents (July 2007)
- Real population: About 15 millions
- Founded on 21 April 1782
- City Name:

The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is:

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

It translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam".

- Weather: 3 seasons (Rainy, Hot, and Way Too hot)
- Temperature today: Forecasted 36C

- Wiki always useful!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok

First Impression of Thailand

We are nearing the end of February and I haven't written any words about Thailand yet. Today you will read about my first impressions when arriving in Thailand. Remember, under my Asian face, I actually never set foot to Vietnam or any Asian soil. I was also going to meet and stay with the family of my wife Sriwan for the first time. Stressing…

We left Australia and arrived in Bangkok on the 11 Dec 2009 after a flight of about 6 hours (I don’t recall exactly). On aircraft approach, I saw Bangkok region from the sky. It seemed quite big, long highways, some green, some grey, some tall buildings far away and very cloudy due to the pollution. Bangkok airport was very quiet following the recent protests of the “Yellow shirts” that closed down the airport and we proceeded swiftly through customs and met up with her mother and auntie. I hesitantly had my first Thai dialogues with my mother in law. Sanook maak!

The Thailand transportation infrastructure is very developed and well maintained. Yes, they have toll stations too. I found out that the Suvarnabhumi airport is located almost 100 km outside of Bangkok. Oh, locals say Krung Thep instead of Bangkok and Suvanaphum airport instead of Suvarnabhumi airport (it’s not as long!).

I met up with most of Sriwan’s family and wife in the first weeks in Thailand. They all welcomed me warmly although we had limited discussions. Don’t worry though. I can communicate with members of her family of friends who speak English fluently. I want to write another entry about the Thai language, and will leave that subject for another time.

I see two main faces of Bangkok. One is the young, rich, modern, fashion-driven, taking the Skytrain BTS professional group with its numerous big big big shopping complexes and entertainment centers. That is the Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, MBK, Emporium and many more. And I mean real big and real nice! If you like shopping like my younger sister, this is Paradise! Good quality, very good service, and low prices. This is the face of the modern Bangkok, students, who all speak English, become accountants, work for several international companies in the city and live in a condominium near the city.

The other face of Bangkok is a more conservative one where Buddhism, family values, honesty and the “simple life” are the main drivers. That is the “Mai Pen Rai” (Don’t worry) and the “Sanook” (Life should be fun) ideas. The majestic Wats (temples) scattered in Krung Thep are more than relics of an old idea. They are living and breathing buildings. The several “open-(hot)-air” markets along the Phraya River or narrow dark streets in the old City are quite far from the modern Thailand.

Something that is shared amongst all Thais is probably the joy of having a good meal. Therefore, one good image of Bangkok is a street-side noodle shop where you will see sitting at the same table a motorcycle-taxi driver with his orange shirt and a businessman in suit, both enjoying a spicy papaya salad or noodle soup for 35 Baths (about 1.25 $CAD)!

A melting-pot of pictures below!

Leaving Australia

So before I forget, a few last words on Australia. Just before we left, Bink and I found some more cool beach spots. The first one is just North of Bundeena Bay. That is Mainabar. The beach doesn't have a striking beauty but if you like nice long lagoon with a lot of sand and water to your hips for miles then this is your place. Beware of jellyfish though, I saw some in the middle of the bay and ran back to the shore where Bink was waiting for me. The second spot is Wattamolla in the Royal National Park. A river runs all the way out to the ocean with nice sand shores. A very nice place. Have a go if you have the chance.




I officially quit CAE on the 30 November. I had a lot to do to leave the country; the car, the unit, all our stuff, the utilities, the bond, super, the tax return for this year. the accounts and alot more. In the end, we managed and we left Australia on the 11 of December 2008. I still have some pending issues but everything is under control.

So after several farewell dinners, lunchs get-together with my friends and collegues, it was time to say goodbye to Australia. As I mentionned, Australia will always be top-ranked in the places I have been to which is afterall, the place where I first met Bink and where we got married.

Farewell to all my Aussies friends for now! It's a small planet afterall.
Cheers!
Jean

Reintrodution - Welcome to my life again

Well, I am not dead. Sorry for not giving any news for such a long time. But it's the New Year 2009 and well, things happened.

As my old friend Nimo once said, the average life expectancy of an internet blog is 2 years so I guess I fell exactly in that number. The problem with these blogs is something the author doesn't get much feedback and well, as the weeks go by, the excitement of great news is not as strong as at the beginning. And after all, I get bored at reading myself sometimes too.

And, well I've been busy too. Had a girlfriend, then Fiancee, and now wife. Yes, all that in the last year or so. Australia was the background of my love with Sriwan, or, as she prefers, Bink. So we decided to get married in Sydney. Then decided to leave Australia. Had another wedding in Bangkok between two trips. And we are now in Thailand, waiting for the Canadian Permanent Residency visa.

Since I have new stories to tell, with more time now that I am unemployed, here are the subjects I will write about soon.

- Last findings in Australia
- First impressions of Thailand
- Visiting Phuket
- My Thai wedding
- Pattaya
- Visit to Vietnam
- And more random stories

Oh, but in the meanwhile, I guess you guys would be interested in (somehow) meeting the one that shares my days and nights. Here are some pictures of Bink and I on our latest wedding.




Stay tuned, more to come real soon! And glad to see you all again.

cheers!
Sa-wa-dee khrub!

Jean