Marla and I have stayed at numerous hotels in Bangkok over the years but we find the Chatrium Riverside Hotel our favorite for location, comfort and value. Marla shows the Girls the view of the Chao Phraya River from our terrace.

We made a dinner reservation at the Deck restaurant at the Arun Residence. Our driver couldn’t find the address so I had him drop us off. I used my iphone to navigate. Our last visit here was 7 years ago with grandchildren, Paxton & Logan.

We were seated at a great table on the 4th floor just before sunset.

This is a very personal video of Marla’s very emotional & transformative experience at Wat Arun across the river in 1995.

We are very thankful and blessed to be back at this place once again!

Wat Arun was originally built around 1656 as a small village shrine. It was later expanded with a 269′ spire (prang) in 1851. It is very majestic at night with all the lights.

They loved their first night in Bangkok and listening to stories of previous family trips here.

We all love the buffet breakfast at the Chatrium Riverside.

We booked a private whole day tour of Bangkok with the same company we used in 2023. Our first stop, The Grand Palace, has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782.

We are in front of a gilded pagoda at Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The base is ringed by 12 colorful Yaksha (guardian demons) who protect the temple from evil spirits.

The Girls have a wonderful eye for design and detail.

We needed a little rest from the hot sun.

Very large temple guardians at the entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

We dipped lotus blossums into the holy water for blessings.

It was important to expose the Girls to Buddhist traditions at the Grand Palace.

Our tour included a bumpy longtail boat tour of the khlong waterways off the Chao Phraya river.

We always experience something new while exploring the khlongs.

This is the dramatic 20 story tall “Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Thepmongkol statue” situated along the Yai Canal.

One spots every kind of structure when touring the khlongs; from dilapidated homes to luxury residences.

This is Khlong Bang Luang, a unique, historic canal-side community of cafes, markets, and artists.

We asked our guide to take us for a tour of Wat Arun.

Marla was thrilled to be back at Wat Arun again after many years.

The Girls take photos of gilded Buddha statues within a corridor of the Wat Pho temple. There are over 1000 images of Buddha in the temple grounds.

This is the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho)

The reclining Buddha is 150 feet long.

Marla and I were so happy to introduce our granddaughters to Wat Pho.

We finished our Bangkok tour with a fabulous lunch in Chinatown. Our guide was very helpful instructing the staff to prepare Marla’s lunch with no salt or soy. I had one of my favorite chicken Pad Thai dishes ever!

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