On the 26th, we decided to abstain from too much touristing. Amy mentioned a desire to get a pedicure and I casually suggested I wanted a tattoo. as I had considered getting something in Thai for some time. May knew the owner of a shop, so 'maybe get a tattoo' turned into a plan. After discussing the art with the artist, my friends bargained with the owner on the price, then he got to work. It wasn't much cheaper than in Seattle, but a tattoo isn't something you want to go bargain hunting for.
My third tattoo, it was the first time I hadn't had a specific image in mind for several months prior to the inking. I told the artist what sort of themes and imagery I was looking for and he came up with this concept. For those who don't read Thai, it roughly translates as "help one another build peace with our own hands". The text, along with a dove (which is also a symbol of peace in Thailand), was used by those trying to promote peace and an end to the violence that continues between the various political factions.
We had a wonderful time with our new friends who showed us amazing hospitality. We really didn't want to leave. Naomi often says, "I want to see our friends, like Air and M" or something to that effect. So, thank you to Taew, Ant, Air, Phoon, May, M, Mol, Eiam, Once and Bee. Did I miss anyone?
My friend Dan, from college, is currently living in Cambodia with his wife. He took a 19 hour bus trip (instead of a 1 hour plane ride) to Bangkok to meet us, so we stayed in a hotel for a night and day to spend time with him. Naomi only saw Dan when she was an infant, but she took to him extremely fast...much faster than another other adult.
Traveling home wasn't great. China Easter Air brought us to Thailand 4 hours late (with an unexplained delay in Shanghai). Naomi got sick all over herself and the seat. A flight attendant brought her two napkins to clean up with, then disappeared.
Leaving was even worse. After arriving at the airport at 1 am, the flight to Shanghai was delayed several hours, which means that we would miss our next flight. They told us they'd give us a new boarding pass when we arrived. No one in Shanghai seemed to know about this...especially the visa people who were really confused. We were taken to baggage claim to pick up our luggage and put on a bus to be sent to another airport. Once there, the bus driver unloaded our luggage and drove away, leaving us with group of confused foreigners trying to get back to Korea...but no Chinese guide. The woman at the information desk said it was too early to check-in so we needed to wait. After a couple hours, we were able to check in for another flight...which was delayed.
Here a few shots of Shanghai from the bus.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thailand: January 26th-29th
Thailand: Wat Pho (January 25)
Our last stop was Wat Pho, home to the largest reclining buddha in the world.
Thailand: Wat Arun (January 25)
After the Grand Palace, we reboarded the and crossed he river to Wat Arun which means "Temple of the Dawn". This was the temple I was most anticipating as it is my favorite aesthecially and was the source material for the mural had painted.
Every new king builds a temple (I think one build a school instead).
Wat Arun was built by Rama II (statue on left).
I'm not sure what the point of the cloth or its destination, but various tourists signed their names and drew pictures. Naomi's drawing is on the right.
Back to the ferry and off to Wat Pho...
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