Bangkok Week 65 — Mika's Photos

We hiked for an hour to pick up a little Christmas tree and decorations that an Australian couple was selling.

Took a "caramel sundae" break to rest our feet.

The (in)famous Soi Cowboy, or the reason why most men come to Bangkok. Considerably more hopping at night.

The lyrical bird-on-a-wire.

We also got their Christmas lights (they're moving back to Australia after a few years in Bangkok).

The mini-tree. Expect to see him again in December!

A Sunday morning splurge: real pastries.

This one was called "red bean". I didn't expect whole red beans!

In the old part of the city, lottery ticket central: blocks and blocks of lotto tickets for sale.

Rows of old buildings, as we head to the festival celebrating this area.

Termites!

A small canal, with reflections of both the trees above and the algae oil within.

Every house had its laundry on display.

Which way d'we go?

Western influence in this gate, which used to be the entrance to the mansion of a former prince.

The lady in the gate. I think she has a more official name. The gate is called "Phraeng Sappasart Gate".

An ad for the "walking street" that is supposedly the hub of the festival.

These shops were actually open, but with nothing of interest inside.

Would you like to buy an emerald Buddha?

The grand gate to the festival ... and lots of closed doors behind it.

This is a famous sticky rice-and-other-desserts shop -- closed on Sundays!

Everyone takes this picture. Not sure why!

A famous old garage, that's been around since King Rama 5 (that's 4 eras ago).

It has a collection of old cars ... presumably he's still working on them?

A really mini Mini.

Some blooming floaters on the side of the road.

One of many fancy umbrellas brought in for the "festival".

What did I say about the laundry? Anywhere else in Bangkok, and it'd be gone before it's dry!

A famous, very old half-wood, half-cement building that's now a school. It needs big-time restoration.

Some of the school's ornate supports.

Photos from various community parties. You see how tight-knit the residents of this area are.

A banana tree in the middle of the city!

See, there are the bananas.

People show up in taxis from all over -- only to be disappointed by the lack of festival.

The one open store: a famous seller of ancient-style ice cream. Most people buy it by the 1kg-bucket.

We opted for a more manageable size.

Cooling off under the tent, for the fair that has yet to start.

A 15-year-old girl rehearses the songs she'll perform later in the afternoon.

"Hey buddy. You know you're not supposed to eat all the desserts."

Giant leaf from a Giant Leaf Tree on the side of the road.

Mum's Giant Swing (from the other side).

Lunch at a veggie restaurant upon which we stumbled.

A really hyper seller of traditional desserts had us sold.

She smokes the desserts with candles so they pick up a strong fragrance.

From L to R: sweet, sticky coconut balls; giant popcorn balls; Thai "mochi".

Excited about his cubic Thai mochi.

Doesn't this house look like it could be in urban New England?

Our food court! Our poor, poor food court!

My pomelo-peeling skillz be improving, yo.

Finally! 2 weeks after the frame goes up, they finally get the tiles on. Note how the scaffolding got chopped off just above the roof.