Sojourn to Bangkok

I got itchy feet. Since a friend was heading up to Bangkok to get his visa for Burma I decided to follow also thinking I might go to Burma.

With Connie’s blessing and a ticket at least across to mainland Malaysia in my hand I left Connie behind to do her painting and varnishing projects.

Varnishing the interior of Sage

Connie worked hard on varnishing and painting part of the interior when I was away.

Connie’s on a roll (no pun intended). Varnish, varnish, varnish…

Her’ rolling and tipping’ technique made varnishing a large flat surface a little easier.

And when she was finished and I came back and  found Sage a new boat! What a transformation.

Seen on the docks recently. Not a bad varnish job

Now after all that varnishing Connie deserves a little R&R

After a long hard morning of sanding and varnishing it’s off to the massage chair at the mall!

My ticket took me across to Alor Setar and from there I made my way across the border to Hat Yai to meet up with Marcello.

Through the wonders of cell phones, sim cards and tablets we managed to locate each other, buy some train tickets to Bangkok and the sleeper (ie night train) and then headed out for something to eat before the train was to leave.

Marcello on the train to Bangkok

How fortuitous as we ran into the ‘Vegetarian Festival‘ which is held in the 9th lunar month of the Chinese Calendar. Some of the pictures are a little out of this world and others just another festival.

This dragon was awesome

great costumes on many participants

Lots of colour, fireworks, costumes, masks and of course the dragons

Ouch – yes self torture seemed to be popular at the vegetarian festival. I still haven’t figured out what the point is.

After an hour or so of taking festival pictures it was time to climb on the train for the overnighter to Bangkok.  The train left at 1645hrs and arrived Bangkok at 1045hrs.  Everyone has a sleeper, one up/one down, and there is a restaurant car which is always a great place to meet people and have a bite to eat.

As for Bangkok.  We strolled around for 4 days taking in various sites and sounds from Wats (temples) to shopping centres, art galleries (Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC)), street foods, Chinatown, klong rides, Richard Thompson’s house etc etc.  Here is Bangkok in pictures.

weaving silk in the traditional manner

Marcello and Salvador

Ode to Salvador Dali

Hard on the eyes but great representation of Bangkok at night

Lovely oil painting at MOCA

My favourite painting at the MOCA. Do you see the 2 Muslim women looking at each other?

Another gilded statue

Another gold clothed buddha

Interior space of the Bangok Arts and Culture Centre

Interior of BACC

Tony and Marcello portrait

then it was time to say goodbye to Marcello who was heading off to Burma by bus and for me it was a trip back on the train and ferry to Langkawi.