Friday, December 17, 2010
Bangkok. Breakfast buffet in the hotel. Checked in with G-Wan, agreed to have another 2 pairs of pants made. We discussed ties and he took additional measurements. Taxi to the nearest Sky Train, which was Phaya Thai. Had difficulty finding Face Restaurant. Lunch: garlic naan, prawns with saffron and cashews, cucumber raita, steamed rice, thai iced tea, still bottled water. This was the best meal I have had in Bangkok—also the most expensive, at nearly 50 USD. Sky Train to Lumpini Park, walked in the park. This was the quiet urban park experience I was seeking yesterday, and it made me very happy. In the park a large fair was taking place: Green Fair '10. Vendors displayed lots of things that were organic, fair trade, ecofriendly, etc. I bought some small gifts and took photos. Spent some time looking for jojoba oil, on which I was running low, but no one had it—mostly lots of coconut oil instead. One vendor had t-shirts and polos made entirely of bamboo! Walked to Babylon Sauna Barracks. This is by far the nicest bathhouse to which I have been. It was very difficult to find by foot—best to arrive by taxi. They discourage arriving by tuk tuk—too noisy. I enjoyed a quick shower, a dip in the pool, did a workout in the gym, had dinner: carrot and crab soup, secretly spicy basil and garlic spaghetti, red wine—very good, beautifully presented, service was just okay. I was surprised when everything closed around 10:30 PM or 11:00 PM. Taxi home—again the taxi driver had trouble finding the hotel even with the instruction card provided by the hotel.