Monday, April 1st
First let me give you some details about Thailand that our guide passed on to us yesterday during ride to Bangkok. The population of Thailand is 65 million with 12 million living in the capital, Bangkok. 60% of the people in Thailand are farmers and of that number, 50% of them are rice farmers. They are grow tapioca, sugar cane, fruits, vegetables, and coconuts. He said the coconut farmers train monkeys to harvest their coconuts. A good monkey can pick 300 to 350 coconuts a day. 80% of the people are Buddhists and 10% Muslim. Most of the Muslims live in south Thailand near Malaysia. 7% are Christian.
As I said Thailand has TOTALLY changed since I was here on R&R back in 1972. Even the hotel I stayed at is new. Same name and same place though. Back then the road to Bangkok was two lanes. Now it is 8 lanes. The thing that impressed me most about Thailand back then and still today is how nice the people are. I love it here.
I have started writing this Sunday evening before going down to dinner. It is dark now and the lights of Bangkok and the boats on the river are indescribable. I will try to get some night photos later for you. I am a tv addict but we have not turned the tv on in room as the music they have playing is so relaxing. I think we may be in heaven! Once again Regent has defined the word luxury. They do it right!!
Back from dinner and it was a wonderful buffet of Thai foods. Fun time dining with old and new friends. After dinner there was even a short fireworks display over the river. Long day and early get up tomorrow.
A REMINDER: CLICKING ON PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM.
Thai food buffet
Only problem was no chocolate cake for dessert!
Fantastic view from our dining room
About 10 minute fireworks display over river
This is a boat on the river with roof line lit up
Tour boat for morning tour
Our hotel, the Peninsular
Long tail boat--engine is car or truck engine
Ferry crossing the river with some monks in back
One of the boats that is lit up at night
City Hall
Buddhist temple
Exiting boat is tricky
The Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn
Smiling Buddha
Monks live here behind main temple
Yes, shopping at the temple too
This is Royal Barge Museum where the King's royal boats are kept
Maybe you can see the big engine on these long tail boats
Boats loaded with fruit and other goods for sale on river
We stopped to feed the catfish. Tossed bread in water and it was attacked by dozens of catfish.
Motor on our tour boat
The other tour boat with Regent passengers in it.
She is selling just about everything you could want
This is a house boat. Note the eyes on front to ward off evil spirits
We arrived back on the ship at 3:15 this afternoon. Good to be home! Grabbed a little bite to eat as had not eaten lunch and our dinner reservation for Prime 7 is not until 8:30 tonight. Today was end of the first cruise segment and beginning of 2nd so people got off this morning and new ones boarded this afternoon. Not sure how many new ones we have but do know the ship is full. We sail at 5pm and will be arriving in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, at 10am. We have not been to Cambodia yet but I did drop a few bombs here during war. North Vietnamese communists were using it as sanctuary for troops and weapons storage. It was off limits until President Nixon finally ordered B-52 raids there.
When we returned to our suite Jane & Jacob, our suite stewardess & steward, had decorated it for our anniversary. They are so sweet.
https://goo.gl/photos/cmq97Sj4CYb1pBTb7
https://goo.gl/photos/6je79KZVMMTeHeMUA
First let me give you some details about Thailand that our guide passed on to us yesterday during ride to Bangkok. The population of Thailand is 65 million with 12 million living in the capital, Bangkok. 60% of the people in Thailand are farmers and of that number, 50% of them are rice farmers. They are grow tapioca, sugar cane, fruits, vegetables, and coconuts. He said the coconut farmers train monkeys to harvest their coconuts. A good monkey can pick 300 to 350 coconuts a day. 80% of the people are Buddhists and 10% Muslim. Most of the Muslims live in south Thailand near Malaysia. 7% are Christian.
As I said Thailand has TOTALLY changed since I was here on R&R back in 1972. Even the hotel I stayed at is new. Same name and same place though. Back then the road to Bangkok was two lanes. Now it is 8 lanes. The thing that impressed me most about Thailand back then and still today is how nice the people are. I love it here.
I have started writing this Sunday evening before going down to dinner. It is dark now and the lights of Bangkok and the boats on the river are indescribable. I will try to get some night photos later for you. I am a tv addict but we have not turned the tv on in room as the music they have playing is so relaxing. I think we may be in heaven! Once again Regent has defined the word luxury. They do it right!!
Back from dinner and it was a wonderful buffet of Thai foods. Fun time dining with old and new friends. After dinner there was even a short fireworks display over the river. Long day and early get up tomorrow.
A REMINDER: CLICKING ON PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM.
When we returned to our suite Jane & Jacob, our suite stewardess & steward, had decorated it for our anniversary. They are so sweet.
https://goo.gl/photos/cmq97Sj4CYb1pBTb7
https://goo.gl/photos/6je79KZVMMTeHeMUA
