Bangkok!
So for Memorial Day weekend we went to Bangkok to celebrate our friend Bess's birthday. We went with some of her friends from the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata as well as our friends Lydia and Cesar from the Embassy.
As many of you know, we went to Thailand in 2008 and we loved it. Bangkok has many cool things-bars, restaurants, and good shopping. There is a very big downside of course, the well known sex trade. You can see it everywhere as some of these photos show. So we went from one city of contrasts and contradictions to another. We have already done the tourist things in Bangkok, so we decided to focus on relaxing, good food, and some shopping (I got 2 cute dresses and a few cute tops!)
We of course still had a wonderful time as the photos below will no doubt show.
We arrived early Saturday morning, and after a brief nap went for some food. We decided on a Thai place right near the hotel, and as we were walking there, we realized we had been there before..in 2008. We loved it then, and this trip too. Here is a photo of the place.
And of Sandip enjoying his meal.
On the same street was a German bakery and beerhouse. We stopped in for some refreshments. Also, we did the same in 2008 (though stuck to pastries that time for some reason). They had a sign for Hofbrau, but only in a bottle. Still, yummy beer.
Most of the group (minus Lydia and Cesar) at the first stop Saturday night-a very cool rooftop bar.
Bess having her first birthday drink. Happy birthday Bess!
I think the owners did this on purpose. This was just on the street.
The first post-dinner place that had amazing mixed drinks and a dessert brownie that was like 15% alcohol. Also a decent live band.
Second post-dinner place the Iron Fairy. It was totally funky and awesome, and I wish I had a shot of the inside-dark, spiral staircase to nowhere, bathroom under the stairs with a tub and TV. Totally cool. Oh and there was a secret door that Lydia and I went in-and we saw the security room. totally secure, right?
It is owned by a blacksmith/children's book artist (thus iron fairy). First time all of us tried absinthe, which you see in the photo here! They had 5 different absinthe drinks, and we tried all of them. The red one was awful. We had two rounds.
Oh, they also sell miniature iron fairies. Each couple bought one.
That is our iron fairy taking a subway ride.
The cab. You can't see the forbidden things posted on the window, but the last one says no sexual acts. Seriously, who would do that? Apparently enough people they had to put a sign.
We went to the restaurant Cabbages and Condoms. Also a repeat from last time, when we LOVED the food. Basic idea is profits go to HIV/AIDS prevention, and restaurant is condom themed. Look closely-they are making fun of Tiger Woods. Oh, and the food was awesome again.
Strip club with white women called White Lioness.
At a a Cabaret show with men dressed like women (though we are pretty sure some had a sex change). Almost everyone went, and we were at the table with Lydia and Cesar.
Pretty good, right?
This was some weird thing about a bride and her cheating husband. Apparently a popular Chinese movie.
Sandip with two of the women.
Bess and Alex in deep discussion.
At an outside bar near the show.
Ok, we are in a bar in the famous PatPong area. We found the only place whose live show is music. Cheesy 70s and 80s cover band, but way better than the alternative. And Sandip and Cesar are taking this picture. There was a woman in the bar behind us making interesting gestures at them all night.
Then we decided to go to Happy Beer Garden. So fun, but they were out of pizza :(
See-happy beer!
And the post Happy Beer Garden we went to a Diner (after having our cab stopped and being searched for drugs, which we obviously did not have. At this diner I asked for 3 pancakes and got 3 orders of 4 pancakes each. And randomly, there was a discoclub attached (because that makes sense!)
Another great trip.
