I was on my own again this morning and went for a walk in Lumphini Park, known for its Monitor Lizards.

Michael and I went to Gold Mount – a man-made mountain that was the highest point in Bangkok for many years. It still has wonderful panoramic views.

Next we went to see the golden Buddha – a 5.5 ton, solid gold statue that was covered in clay to hide its value from invaders. It was rediscovered many years later when the outer clay was damaged during a move.

We ended with a walk through a market area in Chinatown.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

I was on my own this morning and saw the Erawan Temple and Jim Thompson House museum. Thompson was an American businessman who brought Thai silk to the world market. He amassed a collection of Thai art and Asian ceramics.

In the afternoon, Michael and I visited the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

Michael and I visited Wat Pho, home of the Reclining Buddha, stupas, and some temples. Covered in gold leaf, this Buddha is 15 meters (49 ft) high and 46 meters (150 ft) long. 108 bowls line the wall behind the Buddha. You buy a bucket of coins for 20 baht and drop them in the bowls for good luck. It sounds like a rain chime.

Then we went to the National Museum and saw the Funeral Chariots, the Red House (old residence), and the Viceroy Residential complex.

We rode motorcycle taxis back to hotel.

No dogs at the airport, and, so far, no cows, bicycles or pedestrians on the freeway.

Things I learned in India:

1 Our guide said you need three things to drive in India: good brakes; good horn; and good luck.

2 There is always room for one more: including passengers (2 adults and 3 children on a motorcycle; kids cramming into,or on top of, a bus to school; 2 cars and an assorted collection of bicycles, tuk tuks, bicycles, and pedestrians – not necessarily headed in the same direction- in a traffic lane).

3 Don’t make eye contact,

4 “No” means “yes” to a vendor or beggar.

5 Watch your step.

6 Mutton means lamb. And goat.

It was an amazing trip. Kathmandu, Bhutan and India were breathtakingly beautiful at times (Mt Everest, Tiger’s Nest, Taj Mahal, and Varanasi) and sobering (crematoriums, walks down the side streets, rituals on the Ganges) at other times.

Today we headed out early to observe sunrise rituals on the Ganges. The sunset rituals we saw last night were more organized and group-oriented. The morning rituals are more individual.

Again, we took the bus as far as we could and then walked to the river.

After a short walk by the river, we got on the boat again.

Then walked back through the chaos to get to the bus.

Our guide called it “the city of learning and burning. It’s the home of Lord Shiva and where you come to learn about Hinduism or Buddhism, and it’s were the devout come to be cremated. The ghats (steps to the river) always busy: dawn and sunset are busiest. We were here on the full moon after Diwali which made it more crowded than normal.

On the drive to the hotel and on a walk around the neighborhood:

After lunch we rode and walked to the Ganges.

We walked along the river and then boarded a boat, to observe the sunset ceremonies.

The city of learning (the home of Lord Shiva) and burning. Ghats (steps to the river) always busy: dawn and sunset are busiest.

On the drive to the hotel:

After lunch we rode and walked to the Ganges.

We walked along the river and then boarded a boat, to observe the sunset ceremonies.

The city of learning (the home of Lord Shiva) and burning. Ghats (steps to the river) always busy: dawn and sunset are busiest.

On the drive to the hotel:

After lunch we rode and walked to the Ganges.

We walked along the river and then boarded a boat, to observe the sunset ceremonies.

The city of learning (the home of Lord Shiva) and burning. Ghats (steps to the river) always busy: dawn and sunset are busiest.

On the drive to the hotel:

After lunch we rode and walked to the Ganges.

We walked along the river and then boarded a boat, to observe the sunset ceremonies.

The city of learning (the home of Lord Shiva) and burning. Ghats (steps to the river) always busy: dawn and sunset are busiest.

On the drive to the hotel:

After lunch we rode and walked to the Ganges.

We walked along the river and then boarded a boat, to observe the sunset ceremonies.