BANGKOK.

Capital of Thailand and what the city it is. 

I arrived in March when the daily weather forecast was sweltering.  Not a breeze in sight and humidity reigned without any respite.  No fan of having my thighs stick together, alas Bangkok still managed to nudge its way to my good side.  The boat rides up (or is it down) the Chao Praya River with views of Wat Arun on one side and fancy hotels on the other.  Slick train rides past the ritziest shopping center in Southeast Asia, the Siam Paragon.  Hours through the rows and rows of Chatuchak Market buying all kinds of inexpensive yet fabulous thingamajiggies.  I liked Bangkok. 

MUST SEES:  Grand Palace with its amazing golden and jeweled exteriors, Wat Pho and the HUGE Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun to climb the high-high temple, Jim Thompson's House, and the Emerald Buddha, which sadly I forgot I saw....so many Buddhas in so little time....And speaking of palaces, well at least for some folks, I did venture into a few red light districts.  Thanks Vikas.  When in Thailand....

MUST EAT:    In Chinatown, grab a seat, stool, whatever and sat yourself down at one of the many "sidewalk" restaurants.  Basically, a few card tables thrown out with plastic stools and waiters bringing out tons of Thai delicacies from God knows where, somewhere across the street and through the woods.  Oh, and cars almost sittin in your lap as they drive by.  Most fun though was witnessing my good buddy Vikas get ass-swiped by a baby elephant as it was walking by and caught in traffic.  Noodle in one hand, elephant boo-tay as head gear.  And let's not forget the waiter who graciously escorts you to the lavatories through chock-a-block traffic, across the street, through some kitchen full of male chefs to a suspicious inside hole in the wall and waits for you so that he can then escort you like a frogger game back to your stool next to the baby elephant.  Service with a smile. 

Piece of Advice though:  Be wary of the seemingly kind taxi drivers/posers who convincingly tell you that the site you are attempting to locate is closed for the day for some holiday, royal activity, because the sun ain't shining...They are in fact attempting to scam you into a far drive to another location so they can get taxi fare - this exchange can easily produce quite a menacing facial expression and/or incoherent muttering under your breath given that you are lost, sweating profusely and almost duped.  Alas, the land of all smiles sometimes produces a slight frown.