Suzy, with her new camera charger.

It took us many miles of wandering in Chinatown to track this sucker down.

Not pictured: six million little stalls full of exotic fabrics.

Your basic Nikon truck.

The Night Market is a huge shopping district east of downtown.  A laid back atmosphere (for Bangkok).

We spent a few hours at the Thai Boxing arena.

Not pictured: two guys kicking the crap out of each other.

Chatuchak Market.

North of town is a huge market area.  Many square miles of cheap shopping.  Closed on weekdays.

At Wat Phra Kaew, men have to wear long pants, and women long skirts.

One of us got a light, airy cotton thing to wear.  The other one ended up in some NASTY sweaty polyester get-up.

In the murderous heat, anybody who looks relaxed and comfortable is suspect.

What is he up to?

Wat Phra Kaew is the huge main temple.  It houses the Emerald Buddha (who is actually made out of Jasper).

This is where you put your umbrellas.

From the porch, outside the Emerald Buddha shrine.

Once inside, you can't take pictures of the Emerald Buddha, so this shot from the doorway is the best we could get.

He's wearing a solid gold mesh jacket, because it's winter.

These dudes are holding up the temple.

This is one of those shots whose basic idea is that it was impossible for our photos to really do justice to the place.

Ibid.

Ibid.

Ibid.

Minimum guard height: 12 feet.

Here Suzy and Sarah are modeling their government issued modesty-skirts.

Behind them is one section of the illustrated epic poem.  A huge continuous picture that completely surrounds the Emerald Buddha shrine.

Behind the stone lion is the awning that covers the epic poem picture.

Restoration of the epic poem is in full swing.  This is one of two main teams we saw working.

A completed section of restoration.

Some local school kids had an assignment, to interview an English Speaker.

I think sarah's interviewers had more fun.

There's that shifty relaxing dude, again.

And he had an accomplice!

At the exit, one last look.

Just outside the Emerald Buddha shrine is the Royal Palace.

I totally dig bubble trees.

Suzy and Sarah amidst the streetlamps.

They approach the palace.

"Why do you keep taking pictures of me?"

Guarding the palace steps.

Even the grounds workers get weary of the heat.

Please do not climb.

In the Do Not Climb garden pool.