Beach World Tour 2019: You Know Who Didn't Start a Coup in Bangkok.

Officially 8.5 million people, Bangkok actually has many more. On top of that the normally crazy traffic is worse as the military and government are in rehershal for the coronation of the new king. His picture is everywhere along with flags and, yellow and white bunting. Whole areas were closed.

I had planned to visit the local cops but, it is not a good time for several reasons; They are part of the military. There has been some unrest and the big thing, They are doing a full rehersal with all hands on deck for the king's coranation. I also had two excursions scheduled that would have made it tough on time anyway.

The unrest and rehersal go hand-in-hand. Several prominate memebers of Thailand's ruling class have died mysteriously, including the Police Chief who accidently fell out of a hospital window. You know me and hospitals already have a love-hate relationship.

Crown Prince Mahapa Jiralongkorn is to be crowned king soon and a lot of people are upset and trying to find someone legitimate to take the job. There's a little push-back on that. The Prince is a big spending playboy with 4 ex-wives and the recent death of his beloved offical Air Chief Marshal and cute little poodle named Fluffy. Seriously, he appointed his dog as as his Marshal, got him a uniform and everything. Fuffy, damn. I already hated poodles and would have given up that tidbit of information under torture rather quickly.

The heat. The heat was draining. 100 degrees, 73% humidity. I was out in it visiting temples and seeing the city. Whew. However; a shower, and cool sheets on the bed for a while fixed that. We ate at a Thai restuarant that a nice hot spicey soup and some cold Singer brand beer.

At the temples we had to take off our shoes and wander around locals in the middle of prayers. No air conditioners but, the shade and high ceilings, along with the occassional breezes were all welcome. We noticed many of the businesses were closed in the middle of the day. Our guide said, yes, it is too hot. So it wasn't just us. I saw many people just taking naps in the shade.

These photos where taken outside after dark.

Traditional Thai Evening at Sampran Riverside

Buddist Temples

Streets of Bangkok

You can tell a little about a plase looking at the streets, alleys, stores and places people live. The Thai are so much cleaner than the Vietnamese. They also seem to have a million Buddas.

Leaving Bankok

High Tea

As the ship left port it was 4:00 or High Tea. I sat on the top deck lounge named Horizons to have tea and leisurely watch our departure. It wa grand. It was grand.

It took two tugs to turn us around in the very tigh channel. I thought we were going to run ground to our bow in our turn. The smaller tug boat was pushing us mightily but lackede the power to us alone. The larger tug raced, as much as a tug can race, to the port bow to assist the little sister. We just fit and only bushed some weeds.