spirit house

As you approach a building, you may notice an intricately carved miniature replica of a house or temple displayed on a pedestal. Typically, these are made of teak wood or stone. In the animist traditions of Thailand, this is placed within the compound as a residence for the protective spirits that watch over the home or business. This particular spirit house sits on the grounds of the Bangkok Shangri-la Hotel.

A doorman heralds us at the front entrance with an elaborate gong. The beautiful Shangri-la Hotel enjoys a riverfront location directly on the Chao Phraya. The two connecting wings are set within a jungle of lush tropical plants and flowers. Our upper floor balcony offers fantastic river views in both directions. 

Let’s go down to the lounge and enjoy a drink while the butler unpacks our things. I’m thinking we should swing by the stylish Chi Spa. I know they specialize in ancient himalyan and chinese treatments. We should schedule appointments for a jet lag recovery massage, don’t you think?

Sawadee-ka, Greetings from Thailand. We have now traveled from East Africa to Southeast Asia to an alluringly exotic and user-friendly destination. The former Kingdom of Siam is approximately twice the size of our state of Wyoming and located between Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia. Many people do not make the connection between ancient Siam in the film and the play The King & I and modern day Thailand.

The word thai means “free” so the name of the country literally translates as “land of the free”  which makes us kindred spirits.  Thailand greets hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year through its major Asian gateway, the (still relatively new) Bangkok airport (2006). 

I think Land of Smiles is an appropriate appellation for a nation characterized by the warm hospitality of its people. The traditional greeting or wai is a pressing together of the palms in a prayer-like gesture. People generally do not shake hands or hug. Actually, public displays of affection are are frowned upon in this society.

The modern capital city of Bangkok is huge, crowded, noisy, cosmopolitan and very high energy. We will begin our virtual tour here in the central region before visiting Chang Mai in the north and then Khao Sok and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui in the southern part of the country.

Note: I am trying out an alternate day schedule (Mon-Wed-Fri) this month (May) rather than the daily schedule (MTWTF) from the previous monthly tours (Feb-Mar-Apr). Let me know what you think.
Jacintha@IslandGetawaysTravel.com