Time for another adventure and this time to a part of the world that was mostly new to us.  We did not camp on this trip although we did use many different means of transport, including an oxcart! We started with a short and restful stopover in Hong Kong,

Our long 14 hour flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong

We stayed at a hotel in the heart of Kowloon and explored as much as possible on foot, the highlights being a long walk in the fresh air and greenery of Kowloon Park, followed by a fabulous dim sum lunch!

Entrance to Kowloon Park, Hong Kong

Walk in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong

Dim sum lunch, Kowloon, Hong Kong

We explored the new Xiqu Centre for the Performing Arts, the city’s new hub for arts and culture.  It’s a two story venue where Cantonese Opera and traditional Chinese theatre are performed.

Xiqu Centre for the Performing Arts, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Xiqu Centre for the Performing Arts, Kowloon, Hong Kong

⁨Temple Street Night Market⁩, Kowloon, ⁨Hong Kong⁩

A short ride on the historic Star Ferry took us to bustling and modern central Hong Kong land of banks, businesses and myriad shopping malls!

⁨Exchange Square⁩, ⁨Central⁩ Hong Kong⁩

From Hong Kong we flew to Bangkok,Thailand for the first leg of our Southeast Asian odyssey…

Our travels through SE Asia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam, May 7-June 1, 2019

Although we had previously visited Bangkok, our stay had been brief and this time we explored a bit more in depth.  First we took a boat ride down the canals of the Chao Phraya River.  Our destination was the home of a woman who showed us how to make red curry.  We were given the recipe, though it would be quite a feat to reproduce this dish; it contains so many wonderful herbs and spices that are hard to find in San Francisco!  We ate the finished product which was beyond delicious!

Boat ride along the ⁨Chao Phraya⁩ River, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

Houses along one of the canals on the Chao Phraya River, ⁨Khlong Mon⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

Red curry cooking demonstration, Bangkok, Thailand

We spent more time at the Grand Palace than we had 13 years ago, this time visiting more of the temples and braving the crowds to see the famous 26 inch Emerald Buddha.  Unfortunately we were forbidden to take a photo!  Lumphini Park was a new discovery and a welcome escape from the hectic, sprawling city.

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Grand Palace⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

‎⁨Lumphini Park⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

We walked around the night market near our hotel and were especially interested in tasting durian, a tropical fruit with an odor so pungent that it is not allowed in most restaurants!

Night Market, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

Durian fruit at Night Market, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

Rush hour traffic, central Bangkok, Thailand

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya (about 50 miles north of Bangkok) was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam from 1353 to 1767.  Much of it was destroyed over the centuries but it has gradually been restored and it is now possible to visit the site which was once home to 33 kings from many different dynasties.

⁨Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Thailand

Reclining Buddha, Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya Thailand

Returning to Bangkok, we boarded the Skytrain to the Jim Thompson House and Museum.  Thompson, an American architect who settled in Bangkok, was responsible for reviving the industry of silk weaving after World War II. Although he mysteriously disappeared in 1967, his house has become a museum as it represents the best in traditional Thai architecture.  Most of the furnishings, which we were unable to photograph, have come from 18th and 19th century Thai palaces.

⁨The Jim Thompson House⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

⁨The Jim Thompson House⁩, ⁨Bangkok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

We ended our visit to Bangkok, again on the Chao Phraya River, with a dinner cruise.  The next day we flew to Luang Praband, Laos…

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), seen on our dinner cruise, Bangkok, Thailand