Last Day in Bangkok!

We spent the morning doing some last-minute shopping. Took the gleaming new sky train to the upscale Siam Square district, where most expats choose to live, and where the GIGANTIC shopping centers are. We checked out the staggering Siam Paragon, which features lots of international luxury boutiques, an exotic car dealer and a top-end department store.

I wouldn't bother mentioning it except to say that on one of the upper floors there is an arcade of Thai products, ranging from textiles to furniture, fixtures, housewares, gifts and more. ALL of this stuff is of premium production value - incredible craftsmanship abounds! We could have spent the whole day there! I'm particularly impressed with what I would describe as a new Thai organic aesthetic, blending traditional styles with edgy contemporary design. It is innately appealing. I could happily live surrounded by much of what we saw.

We headed back to pick up our new clothes at the tailor and pack before going on for our evening flight. A few words to the wise about this monstrous airport: You might want to stock up on any sundries (no liquids as of today) for your flight. Inside the terminal there are only premium brand designer stores, duty free and, odly myriad cofee/juice/ice-cream stations. NO newsstands at all! Luckily I had stocked up on newspapers before leaving our hotel. I'm just a news junkie and get nervous if I don't have my reading material lined up for long flights. Also note that there are no services beyond security the security checkpoints. Only gates. So spend your remaining baht BEFORE you go through security!

Upon leaving Bangkok, I reflect on the old Bangkok vs. the new. I used to refer to it as a human cesspool - a labyrinthine jumble of humanity and chaos. Today, the city is absolutely transformed! There is of course much of the "character" of the old days, but now it is a fascinating, dynamic metropolis, thrusting itself headlong into the 21st century. In spite of the notorious traffic, it is utterly managable and non-intimidating. What particularly struck me was the quality of air. It is noticably better these days - even on a Monday - thanks in part to government incentives to fuel tuk-tuks and trucks with propane combined with fantastic new public transportation - which actually seems to be easing the traffic! I wax rhapsodic.

I look forward to returning sooner than later and really getting to know this place. Watch. Bangkok will really emerge as a destination in the next few years!

Grueling flight to Los Angeles, arriving one hour after our departure of course. Crashed at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey - as Ellison calls it "The best airport hotel at LAX". Our first meal back in the states? Pepperoni Pizza and a Cheeseburger of course!