Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A Many Splendoured Vacation-1





A short trip to a beautiful country seems to serve merely as an appetiser- a small sneak preview.
There's so much to think about, sort out and remember. We wisely broke journey in Bangkok for a couple of days, and did wonderfully touristy things like a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya and a morning visit to the famous floating market, things we had never done when we lived in Thailand in what seems like another lifetime, from 1979 to early 1984. We caught up with an old friend of the SRE, who was kind enough to take us to a dentist as the SRE had broken a filling soon before we were to leave for the airport in Kolkata. What is wonderful about his Class-of-75 is that even if you do not remember/know the guy from your college days, there is still a wonderful bond. Thank you, A and Mrs A for your warmth, kindness and wonderful company. We also met the adorable Moppet and Munch and their parents, and of course Maggie and I felt that we've known each other for years.
(Methinks the SRE is somewhat bemused by these wonderful blog friends of mine!)
Two days in Thailand seemed way too short, but the SRE declared that it was near enough and affordable enough for us to come on our own some time. I may just hold him to this!

The photos:
A view from our dinner cruise!
Spirit house near floating market.
To market, to market.....

15 comments:

Nat said...

oh well. as long as you were having a good time while i was missing you. if those boats were actually sat in, id postpone going to Thailand till i lost half my wt! Whats a spirit house? sounds eerie.

Anonymous said...

oooh wow!! a vacation that so cool! loved the pics i am sure you had a great time..meeting moppet and munch would have been so much fun!

Anonymous said...

Luverlee! But where are the Oz pictures?? Glad you're back! Was thinking about texting right before I saw you online. :0)

Rohini said...

Sounds lovely. Like the first pic and whats happened with the lights

DotThoughts said...

nice pics :) is a spirit house what I think it is?

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Missed you :-)

dipali said...

@nat,dottie:
When Buddhism first arrived in Thailand (Siam) over 2500 years ago, spirit worship, or animism, was already widely practiced throughout Asia. Today, many of these animistic beliefs are intertwined with Buddhism and it is here that the Spirit House makes its entrance.

Thai Spirit HouseThese unique, small houses can be seen in every prominent spot outside Thai business establishments, temples,and private homes. They provide an appealing shelter for the spirits, or celestial beings, who would otherwise reside in the heavens. These are benevolent spirits, they protect the home, gardens, and business of the owner.
@churningthewordmill:Yes, it was lovely. Wish I could have spent more time with the Moppet family:)
@oj: I hope to get to Oz soon! Once the general chaos of getting back into routine sorts itself out:)
@rohini: I have some amazing abstract art type light pics too, again from the moving boat. Will post 'em thanks to your encouragement:)
@penguin: Thanks!

Preeti Aghalayam aka kbpm said...

nice to have you back! Look forward to hearing about Australia (a place I have never been to)

Anonymous said...

Lovely pics, seems like you had a scenic vacation

Pipette's Mimi said...

woww lovely pics.

Mampi said...

Wow,
Great that you had had good time.
loved the pics.

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures. Apparently they consider Brahma, Vishnu etc to be spirits.We got ourselves a small spirit house when we were in Thailand earlier this year for our garden!

Sue said...

Sounds like fun. You definitely must go again!

Maggie said...

Yoohoo, Dips! I'm only just catching up with all your posts. Fabulous fotus! And yes, your trip was too short. One more, soon, ok?

dipali said...

@kbpm, ritu,mimi, mampi: Thank you.
@mumbaigirl: A Thai spirit house in an English garden- WOW!
@sue: Hope so! You come too, next time.
@maggie: I'd love to spend lots of time with you and your family. That meeting was more of an appetiser!