Bangkok Dangerous?

Well, maybe for your diet, or your wallet. Today we all went to the Royal Palace - pretty much the main tourist attraction in Bangkok. Hordes of tourists. I still can't get used to it after Burma. But going to the other side of the city was practice for getting the public transport system wired, and I managed to get back to my hotel without a taxi, just taking the water taxi, an elevated train, then the underground, then a moped taxi for the 2k to my hotel (that was scary!). After touring the Royal Palace, we did what everybody does and went to see the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. It was quite impressive, despite the million cameras pointed in every direction (not much reflection or praying going on in front of this Buddha). For dinner we somehow ended up at anther huge shopping mall - they house the best food courts, which are a fast and inexpensive eating option. Since there are 6 of us, it makes it easy for everyone to get something they want to try - a lot of the food is new to the Hings. It is Christmas Day, and the mall was packed and loud. While the Thais "celebrate" Christmas, being that they are a nation that is 95% Buddhist, on this "holiday" they still go to school, work and shop. Ed's explanation is that Thais adopt popular holidays from other cultures as they like any excuse to have a party and eat. It's been great having Ed as an unofficial tour guide, especially for giving me insight into Thai culture. Anna and Julika Hing - ages 13 and 10, are really taking to the place - I am impressed at their adventurous spirits!