BANGKOK--DAY 1 PHOTOS

Easter Sunday, March 31st
     We departed the dock this morning at 10:30 for our 2 hour bus ride to downtown Bangkok.  We had a lovely buffet lunch at the Sheraton before crossing the Chao Phraya River to arrive at our hotel, the Bangkok Peninsular Hotel.  It is a super nice 5 star hotel sitting right on the river.  Not sure how we lucked out but have in incredible room on the 21st floor overlooking the river below and city.  This really made our anniversary even more special.  The room is over 500 square feet and just beautiful.  I told them at check in it was our anniversary so they sent up some candy.  I brought a bottle of wine from the ship and it is iced down and will enjoy it this evening prior to going to dinner.  Most of the 80 or so full cruise people will meet in one of the ballrooms for dinner at 7:30.  We spent the afternoon shopping.  It is Sunday so most of the shops are closed but we managed to find exactly what Rebecca was looking for.  It was tough negotiations but I got my price.
     The internet at the hotel is complimentary and VERY high speed so glad I brought one of my laptops.  I can put photos on the blog in minutes when it took me hours on the ship.  So will be adding all I have not previously.

                                               Our Easter worship service program

                                           Our bus for special event in Bangkok

                                                Laem Chabang port 2 hours from Bangkok

                                  1 million cars are manufactured here each year and exported.

                                                    Huge wind farm at port

                                                         Our guide, Song

                                                 One of 35,000 Buddist Temples in Thailand

                                                        King of Thailand

                                      80% of the 65 million people in Thailand are Buddist

   Approaching downtown.  None of this was here in 1972 when I was here on R&R during Vietnam War.

                                            Old and new very close to each other.

                                                                    Lunch here

                                                     Ice carvings in hotel for Easter

                          This was just across the street from Sheraton.  Old mixed with the new.

   

                                                             Tuk-Tuk taxi

                                                    Photos of our room at Peninsular Hotel

                                                      View from our room

                                                  "Cow Cow" made the trip to Bangkok too

                                              Peninsular had shuttle ferry to cross river.

                                                   Again, taken from our room

One of the unique boats in Bangkok.  It has big engine with long prop extending behind.  Used to take tourist for river rides.  One hour for about $25.

                                               The elevated train to get around the city.

                                                 Here you can see how large the engine is

                                                             Shopping photos

                     Looks like the same utility company that wired Saigon wired Bangkok

                                                  Tont, who we bought our "stuff" from

                                               They decorate the front of their boats

                                                                   Our hotel

Cut & paste to browser.
https://goo.gl/photos/gJ5Hom6JHLdSQwMx6

PHOTOS SAILING SAIGON RIVER

Photos taken March 29th after leaving Saigon and sailing for 4 hours down the Saigon River back to the South China Sea.

          Silver Seas cruise ship will pass under the bridge.  Our Captain said ours would not fit under it.

Note they paint eyes on front of these boats to ward off evil spirits.

                                    Not certain, but think this is sugar cane on way to refinery.

                                                Good shot of the eyes on front of this boat.

                                                            High speed "ski" boat

                                        Fishing boat with nets between the floating barrels

Boat cruises on skis

                                                      Some sugar cane fields

                                     Building or house (not sure) made of thatched material

                                Very dense jungle with canopy of I would guess, 70 feet high.

                                             Tiny building-not sure if it was a house

A family heading down river in evening.

                                                   Fishing boats with nets ahead

Fishing boat

Cut & paste to view

https://goo.gl/photos/QgAcj4y814gB29DP7

BANGKOK, THAILAND--DAY 1

HAPPY EASTER!!

March 31st
     We had a great dinner last night with Goren (F&B), Anna, (Head of Housekeeping), and two other couples.  The crew show was fantastic and maybe one of the best we have seen.  You cannot believe the talent of some of the crew members.
     We are going down for the Sunday caviar breakfast in Compass Rose shortly followed at 9am by our Easter Sunday worship service.  We leave the ship at 10:30.  I am taking my laptop along and will try to get photos I took sailing down the Saigon River uploaded on the blog.  Hotel internet should be MUCH faster.

                                              This was on our ship's TV this morning.

CRUISING GULF OF THAILAND

Saturday, March 30th
     WOW!  The ship's internet has been driving me crazy today as it is just about worthless.  None at all this morning and this afternoon I could not do much.  Seems everyone on the ship is trying to use it and as a result, it is VERY slow and will not upload anything.  Everyone getting ready for dinner now so finally can use it.  I had written for an hour earlier but lost it so now starting over.
     It was a smooth day of sailing in Gulf of Thailand with high temperature of 91 degrees and humidity down to 41% under mostly sunny skies.  The sun worshipers up on pool deck were happy.  We worked out and went to Sandra Bowern's lecture on Thailand this morning.  Great one as usual!  Theme for lunch was Seafood Extravaganza.  This afternoon I have been wasting my time with this silly internet.  We also organized what we will be packing for our exclusive event for the 78 day cruisers.  Regent is taking us to the super nice Peninsular Hotel in Bangkok for an over night event.  We will be doing tours and tomorrow night be wined and dined.  Will return to the ship the following afternoon.  Bangkok is a 2 1/2 hour bus ride from where we will dock at 10am tomorrow.  We were in Bangkok 3 years ago when on our world cruise.
     Tomorrow is Easter Sunday but also our 29th anniversary.  First time that has happened.  Guess we will celebrate in Bangkok.  Ship will send us champagne and a cake upon our return.  Tonight we have been invited to dine with Goren, the Food & Beverage Manager.  I suspect there will be at least two other couples also.  It is formal optional tonight as is Captain's Farewell Party and crew show so I better get my tux on.
     Not sure if I will be able to post while in Bangkok.  Internet is not free and not sure how much time I will have anyway.  Probably get something on before we leave tomorrow morning.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!