Gone skiing

N and K had passes to their club and spa organized for us and we used them everyday, sometimes twice. We had a chance to view some quite spectacular hotels on the river (with the most amazing flower arrangements twelve feet around and high). The view from the Star Tower is quite the most breathtaking ever. The restaurant and bar are 64 floors up, with nary a worry about people jumping off! One night we actually walked into the hotel that hosts N and K's club. It turns out it is the Bangkok Raffles International run by the Swisshotel chain. And this is my recommendation as the place to stay if you get to Bangkok. As spectacular as the river hotels on the river may be, nothing can compare to the peace and relaxation offered at Raffles and their oasis garden.
Now to discuss His Majesty. Karen has suggested you do not actually use the term "The King" in conversation. I believe it is considered by the Thais to be just too familiar. HM is much loved by all. HM seems to occupy some sort of Father Figure or more in their hearts. HM has been on the throne for 60 years! All of his activities and those of his family seem to be followed by all, but NOT in a People Magazine way. It would be very hard to imagine the military to have taken over the government and install Marshall Law without his acceptance. Still it is a relationship with government and his subjects I don't suppose we can understand. The Thais are Buddists, of course, and that comes with a different way of approaching most things!
One way the population is honoring this momentous 60th anniversary occasion is with the wearing of yellow shirts, especially on Mondays. Every Monday of the year sees sea of yellow. The secondary colour used is blue. The picture shows us in our new shirts, (and royal emblem on the chest and Montah and Uban proudly bringing out their very own shirts for the picture.
Karen's driver picks us up very early for the airport run, as our visit with our kids comes to an end all too quickly. Norm comes with us and we discover with no traffic the airport is exactly 20 minutes from their house! Again we are struck with just how huge this new airport is. Still checking in is very quick, because all the check in lines are open with friendly Thais looking as if there are actually glad to see you. Remember if you are lucky enough to come, that there is a 500bhat departure tax. The time to find this out, I might add is not after you have turned all your Bhats in for HK dollars!
One more thing - The newspapers have been full of the Royal flower show that will start Nov. 1st in Chang Mai(a city in the North) It was decided that this will be a great honour for His Majesty and the plans have been in the works for 5 years. Many countries are setting up gardens including the Dutch who have brought thousands of tulips which they are furiously trying to keep from opening too quickly. Now for all our pals in Toronto, Barbados and London who work on internation flower shows, get this : this flower show is set to run THREE months. I cannot imagine just how many flowers will be needed but how I wish I could visit to see.
At the airport plentious passport desks (very little lining up in spite of the numbers of passengers) we were treated to very serious attendants checking our documents. This is not an easy thing for Thais to do as they love to smile all their time. The next time you pass through Heathrow or Pearson think of this. Each of the government desks contained a card reminding us of the upcoming flower show, and beside that each and every desk had a beautiful little ceramic pot filled with little yellow orchids.
Hong Kong beacons. as ever Katie