The Thai Call it Krung Thep—City of Angels

Bangkok

The name Bangkok, used commonly by foreigners, is, according to one interpretation, derived from a name that dates to the time before the city was built—the village or district (bang) of wild plums (makok). 

The Thai call their capital Krung Thep, which is the first part of its mellifluous and lengthy official name meaning "the City of Gods, the Great City, the Residence of the Emerald Buddha, the Impregnable City (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the Grand Capital of the World Endowed with Nine Precious Gems, the Happy City Abounding in Enormous Royal Palaces Which Resemble the Heavenly Abode Wherein Dwell the Reincarnated Gods, a City Given by Indra and Built by Vishnukarm."

(source: Britannica)

After a 3-hour bus ride we arrived a a shopping center for lunch. I was thinking, "We're going to the mall for Thai food?! That is so weird!". BUT honestly, it was the best Thai food I'd ever eaten, layered with flavors.

This is me HANGRY and Aaron trying to lighten my mood

Papaya salad

Tom kha goong

Finally fed and exploring

River taxi

Homes along the river

Our next means of transport—tuk-tuk

Wat Pho

a buddhist temple complex

I was required to wear this fabulous skirt over my shorter skirt

Crazy cat lady

Garden sculptures

Traditional Thai clothing

Buddhas

Strange decorative drawings

Very intricate tile work

Doors

Guard

Hello

Risking our lives once again

Beer : thirty PM

Tasting a terantula

Also on the menu: scorpions

Back on the bus

Later that night in the dining room

Still in port, tomorrow we explore Pattaya…

Images courtesy of

Aaron + Christy Sutton

Curtis + Kathleen Laux