We spent Christmas and New Year's in Bangkok, explored its major tourist sites, and used it as a point of departure to Angkor Wat and Ayutthaya. With the Skytrain and the river ferry, it was pretty easy to get around. It was definitely a return to civilization from Africa and India -- a clean, paved city. Ray noticed that the canals had been completely cleaned up since he was there previously.

The Golden Buddha started out as a large plaster Buddha statue. At some point in its history it got dropped, and some plaster chipped off revealing that it was really made out of pure gold. Now the plaster has all been removed and it's shown in its full gold glory.

Gold Leaf Buddhas at the Palace of the Golden Buddha. You can buy pieces of gold leaf and stick them on one of these Buddhas.

Or you can give alms in this hole.

A vase from China at the palace.

We went to Wat Pho, the complex which features the Reclining Buddha. Here's one of many walls of Buddhas, some with a token black Buddha.

Closeup of one of a wall of Buddha.

The head of the enormously long Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon).

The soles of the feet of the Reclining Buddha.

A detail of one of the panels on one of the soles (a mirror image is in the corresponding location on the other sole).

On the grounds of the Royal Palace, a blue-faced guard.

Three chedis, one in the Burmese style, one in the Thai style, and one in the Khmer style.

In the Royal Palace grounds is an Emerald Buddha, who wears different things at different times of year. Here is his complete wardrobe.

A statue outside the Royal Palace.

Our guide at the Royal Palace.

The guards at the Royal Palace tolerated people having their pictures taken.

Wat Arun, a tall tower across the river, which we were disappointed that we could only go up one level from the ground.

A detail of the tower.

There were lots of interestingly arbitrary rules everywhere we went. Here was one at Wat Arun.

We thought this would be free, but the prices were clearly posted at the bottom.

The Buddha in the Marble Palace.

A lion guarding the Marble Palace, and a dog guarding the lion.

We had dinner Christmas Eve with some friends from Switzerland.

Mannequins in the clothing district.

A colorful display of candies.

On to Cambodia