As part of a trip to Bhutan, Bangkok was a stopping place where we could pick up the only flight that would be allowed into the tiny country of Bhutan. Situated in the middle of the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan has only a short runway surrounded by ominous mountain sides. If weather conditions are not adequate (and they frequently aren’t) the flights are cancelled. Thus we planned three days in Bangkok, both before and after our scheduled stay in Bhutan.

Fortunately, the weather was perfect so we were able to enjoy all six days in the fascinating city of Bangkok Thailand.

For a great number of years, it was only a small trading post at the banks of the Chao Phraya River, until King Rama I, the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, turned it into the capital of Siam in 1782. Since then, Bangkok has swelled to a city of more than ten million inhabitants. I quickly became enamored by the myriad of attractions Bangkok contains, from exotic temples, which underscore Thailand’s strong Buddhist history, to Thailand’s Grand Palace, arguably the premier Bangkok sightseeing attraction. Situated in the heart of Bangkok’s Rattanakosin Island, the gleaming spires of the Grand Palace are conveniently located nearby Bangkok’s most spectacular temples, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and Wat Pho, which features an enormous reclining Buddha and was home of the first Thai massage school in the kingdom.
In the soaring roofs and tapering gilded spires of the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Temple of Dawn and others, we were offered images of awe-inspiring Oriental grandeur. Contained within such monuments are masterpieces of sculpture, painting and decorative arts attesting to the nation's artistic achievement.
Then a stroll round the lanes of Chinatown and a boat ride along the canals of Thonburi, gave us insights into Bangkok's past.

Nights prior to our Bhutan adventure were spent at the Victoria Hotel, a way too expensive place, that our companions wanted to experience. Rooms were over $200 per night. The only really fun thing about it was that the shower walls were clear glass block affording a sensual view for those in the bedroom. 

For the three nights at the end of our journey, I chose the Atlanta Hotel. It has the most photographed and filmed foyer in Thailand. This one time upscale hotel that hosted Scandinavian royalty and celebrities around the world, is now just a “nice” place to stay. It has a lot of history on its walls. And, it is just $12 a night.