Our Bangkok explorations continue with a simply superb lunch at the beautiful Blue Elephant Restaurant on Sathorn Road. It occupies a historically significant Thai-Chinese building, originally a department store. The building served as the Japanese Army’s Command Center during World War ll.

We are ready to experience a wonderful lunch of Royal Thai cuisine.

Hanging on the wall on the left is a vintage Pyinsarupa, a chimeric animal from Burmese mythology. Years agoI almost purchased one to sell in our Denver showroom. See photo below. The photo on the right shows a segment of a vintage Burmese gong circle or, “Hsaing waing.” It would be assembled in a circle and gongs and drums would hang from the top and played during ceremonies.

Admirin a vintage Burmese Pyinsarupa years ago (see mustache) from a resource in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Lisa and Ray loved all the vintage Burmese artifacts on display.

The restaurant’s second floor has a number of interesting dining areas.

Our tour friends, Marc and Kevin, enjoy breakfast at the Peninsula Hotel.

We made reservations for dinner and the dance performance at Sala Rim Naam. Even though it is just next door to the Peninsula Hotel we had to take boat transport to get there.

Traditional Thai dancing tells very interesting stories.

Note the curve of the hands in the Khon dance.

A dancer came to our table then asked Marla to join in.

Let the Bangkok dancing party begin! Lisa and Marla on the stage.

Boats serve as taxies on the water.

Lisa and Marla in the lobby before calling it an evening.

Bangkok has a number of beautiful shopping centers but the ICONSIAM is in a class by itself. The Peninsula Hotel’s boat goes direct throughout the day and evening.

The diversity of shopping and dining options are tuly amazing.

I’m having a quick lunch.

Now this is service!

There is even a floating market downstairs.

The first floor dining hall is always bustling.

And now for something totally different! Roasted Crocodile meat!

A great video showing the manic food court…and eating Crocodile!

We celebrated our last evening in Bangkok with a wonderful dinner in the 4 Seasons Hotel with Lisa, Ray, Kevin, and Marc.

Next on our adventure…Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Photos: Dick Gentry…Not to be used without permission.