Day 13

Chiang Mai to Bangkok

We checked out of our Chiang Mai hotel at 5:30am and boarded an hour flight back to the City of Angels (Bangkok, and yes breakfast was included.) We said goodbye to John and Jen (they had a transfer to Phuket to begin their island hopping) and jumped in a cab toward the Emporium Shopping Center, the designated place to meet Sibyl and Anatta. (The wife and daughter of our old friend Chang, who we’ve only heard about through his emails and photos.)

We met Chang back in 2003. He’s a Thai and a forensic scientist/national diplomat living in Bangkok that was somehow roped into playing the role of a photographer in “Two Brothers”. We became fast friends and wound up spending a week with him in Bangkok and at the beach, Hua Hin, back in 2003. His wife (who’s a German from the Stuttgart area) and baby daughter were visiting family in Germany at the time, so we were truly looking forward to spending a few days with whole family during this trip. But as luck would have it, Chang was unexpectedly pulled away for business to Hawaii while we were in Vietnam. He pointed out that his wife and daughter would still be in the city and to give them a call to meet up and stay at one of their apartments.

Sibyl had us meet at the Emporium because it was a landmark that would be easy for a taxi driver to find. The addresses in Bangkok are apparently a mess. Once there, Oanh and I settled our bags and our behinds in the lobby of the Emporium Suites Hotel.

We were to meet specifically at the Louis Vuitton shop. A very thin, striking lady with a fair complexion that has been tanned by the Bangkok sun and a little 5 year old girl with light brown hair and cute little cheeks greet me. With hugs and thanks we walked over to the hotel lobby to fetch our bags and my husband.

Little Anatta was a tiny bit shy at first, but not more than a moment passed since her mother left her with us to get the car did she start chatting away about school and living in Thailand. She speaks German, English, and some Thai… and she’s only 5 and ¾ years old! An absolute darling, she had us cheered up very quickly from our boredom of sitting in this hotel lobby.

Mom showed up and we were on our way to Chang’s old bachelor pad apartment. We’ve been there before. As we got closer to our destination, the surroundings became less foreign. And then we turned a corner--- there it was… our FAVORITE massage parlor and across the street, Chang’s apartment. We were here!

Sibyl and Anatta lead us to the 7th floor. (It’s a beautiful little studio with a gorgeous view of the city.) We all talked a bit as the air-conditioning kicked in. As we got to know our new friends, the little one was running around, playing hide-and-seek, tickle monster, and continued her little antics that made us smile. The very lovely hostess brought us some water and soda for our little fridge, and bid us farewell as it was time for Anatta’s ballet class. She was in rehearsal for a recital where she gets to be one of the “12 Dancing Princesses”!

We accepted their offer to join them tomorrow morning for ice skating! Neither of us had been on ice for quite some time, but the heat of this side of the world had us jonesing for some COOL activities. We were very much looking forward to it. Yay for moving without sweating!!

Back on our own again, we decided explore the area and get some lunch. No sooner did we step outside, did it begin to rain. So we quickly ran across the street to a little coffee house. Thai iced tea- yummy. Club sandwich—yummy. Spaghetti with shrimp- also yummy. Passion-fruit hot tea and a waffle--- yu-uh-uh-uh-uuuuuuuuummmy. It was a great meal to wait out the monsoon-like downpour outside complete with lighting and thunder! However as we went to pay, we realized we were short, about 60 bahts (a little less than $2) and they did not accept credit cards or US dollars. We were looking at each other and the front door, when the young pregnant Thai girl behind the register smiled and said not to worry about it. Phew! Good thing for Oanh because I run much faster than he does. We promised to repay her once we found an ATM.

The sky was still being lit up, so we went back to the apartment to get a better view. Just as the light show was getting good, a nearby transformer blew up! Then all of our electricity went out! Oh no! Now what? We start to get a little anxious as the room started to warm up and the night sky was creeping in and we didn’t want to pester Sibyl again, but luckily the electricity bounced back on after only a couple of minutes! Ah---- air conditioning and lights. Thank you!

The rain quickly lulled us to sleep and we were out for the next couple of hours.

We awoke to find a quiet and dry sky, so we headed back to the Emporium for some shopping and dinner at a very special place. Oanh looked in awe at all of the incredibly new electronic equipment. I looked in awe at all of the incredible designer labels. We bought a neck strap for my camera. It was the only thing we actually needed and was within our budget.

Next door was a non-descript restaurant with a neon duck in the window. Shanghai Palace. Chang introduced this place to us back in 2003 as the King’s Peking Duck. This was one of the King’s favorite spots, but of course when he wanted Peking Duck, the chef came to him. This was the THE MOST incredible Peking Duck we have ever had and it was good to be back. We devoured a whole bird ourselves. It was just as we had remembered it.

With very full bellies, we slowly walked home and into our favorite massage parlor. It was under new management, so we decided to test it out first with an hour long foot massage, 250 bahts (about $8). It was awesome and the facilities and atmosphere would hold up to any spa at home. Much different than the Teen Love Massage parlor we walked past down the street. Practically falling asleep in our easy chairs, it was difficult to pry us out when it was time to go.

Across the street for another nap. (It’s good to be on vacation.)

And it was nice to be back in Bangkok again.