The Quest for Silk

The 1st of November  (see, still 2 months behind) we had a lazy morning, Matt and I were so lazy that we didn't show up for the free breakfast which is highly unusual for us.  This completely uncharacteristic behavior had Matt's parents concerned for awhile.  All turned out well though and we were off for a bit of shopping before we picked up our visas.  On the way to shopping we took some pictures:

Matt had an electrifying experience! Just kidding.

Normally I don't like sculpted shrubbery, but this was too cute!

We were actually on a quest to find the Jim Thompson Silk Factory Outlet.  However, due to a confusing guidebook, and even more confused reader of said guidebook, (ahem, me.) we didn't find it til after the visas.  In the meantime we did some gaping at the duty free gem place.  Zowie.  We did some shopping at MBK, which is an overwhelming mall simply stuffed with stuff you want and even more you never knew you wanted!

Later, after examining the guidebook again we DID find the Outlet.

Only took all day.  Victory!!!

As you can see though, there are lots of bolts of silk.  Which is very beautiful but I'm not doing any home decorating right now so there was no point me buying anything there.  Didn't matter, we found it and then we went to a little silk shop we had spotted on the way.  I wanted to buy this silk for a dress but since my dress skills aren't so great I passed it up.  It was so beautiful though. Sigh.

Then we hiked back to the Banyan Tree hotel for a view of the sunset over the city, and to see the lights come on.

On the way we saw a homemade checkers game.

We were denied entry into the Moon Bar this time, but we went to a different place a few floors down and had a nice view there too.

What a view!

Yummy Drinks and Snacks!

Matt and his family.

 After we had finished our night time viewing session we went back towards the station for a streetside supper.  Matt had scoped out a brick oven pizza place earlier so we went back and had the yummiest pizza we have had since we have been in Asia.

The next day we checked out of our hotel and went to Dusit Park.  You might remember that Matt and I had already been there but we enjoyed it so much and wanted Matt's parents to see it too.

This time we had people to take pics of us together there!

The big stone building with all the glittery gold stuff we didn't go into again, but while Matt's family enjoyed the artistic finery we took some pictures of the stonework outside.  So amazing!

We thought our friends that appreciate stonework would like this picture of the curving detail on this spiral staircase.

 Then we took a taxi back to the hotel.  Turns our our taxi driver has a complicated family situation which he explained the whole way back.  Very interesting.  We collected our bags and made our way to the train station where we caught an overnight train to Chaing Mai!  A first for all of us.  More later!