October 2014 - Bangkok

A week in Bangkok - what a nice idea.  Russ had 3 weeks away from home, in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, so I met him in the middle week in Bangkok.  It was great catching up with friends from Leeton, IRRI, Korea and China, and to have a little taste of Bangkok while we were there.  After the conference that Russ was attending (and organising!), we had 3 more days in Bangkok to relax and spend some time together....very nice.

At the Temperate Rice Consortium dinner, the night I arrived.
Russ had been running the meetings for 2 days at this stage.

A local shopping market in
the Siam district.

Libby and I having a foot massage -
VERY nice!!

Our noodles were cooked in front of us.

This wonderful group provided the musical entertainment
at the final conference dinner.

IRRI Korea office delegates - Dr Kim, me (ring-in), Russ and
Seunghee.  Russ will really miss working with these
wonderful people.  They have done so much for both of us
while we have been living in Korea.

Some of the Australians at the conference dinner.

On the final day of the conference, a small group of us (who weren't participating in the conference) had a tour to Maeklong, about an hour southwest of Bangkok - to a local market, boat ride and visit to the Amphawa Floating market, and to a farm/education centre for a Thai cooking class.  A fun and exhausting day!!

At Maeklong Market

The train comes right through the market.....literally!!

The awnings and produce
reappear once the train
has passed through!

 This is our tour group - our driver and tour guide, and the ladies I travelled with!

Floating markets

Making Pad Thai - yum!! 

This wonderful dessert is Khao Tom Madt
- sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt,
black beans and banana.  It is wrapped in
banana leaves and steamed - very nice!

Once the conference was over, Russ and I moved to a hotel closer to central Bangkok.  There we had a relaxing 3 day break (...some would argue that I was already having a break.....), with nothing to do but wander and enjoy the city. We found the beautiful Lumphini Park close to our hotel, wandered around a small section of the Weekend Markets, and had a dinner cruise on the Chayo Phraya river that runs through Bangkok.

The view from the bar near the top of the Banyan Tree, our hotel
for 3 nights.

Lumphini Park

Some locals in Lumphini Park, playing
Sepak Takraw, a cross between
volleyball and soccer - the players are
VERY fit, and are amazing to watch.

Our dinner cruise was wonderful.  For 2 hours we ate fabulous Thai food and watched the city go by, full of temple and palaces.

Our boat carried about 15-20 of us, and was very quiet and
smooth.

We were treated to a range of Thai cuisine.