Most serious masseuses took their training at Wat Pho Massage School in a one-week course. There are three classes offered: Traditional Thai Massage, Foot Massage, and Therapeutic Acupressure Massage. Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. It is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. You can also go there and trainees will massage you for 200 Bahts ($6). An article on Thai massage training had some great pictures that may give you an idea what I am talking about when I say "painful."

From painful Thai massages to the fantastic Grand Palace Complex...

The Grand Palace Complex lies in the center of town, about a four-block walk from the Royal Hotel. The area is surrounded by a moat, walled and contains several buildings that date from 1782 to the late 19th century. The most revered statue in Thailand is Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, carved from a block of jade. The Emerald Buddha really belongs to Laos and was taken by the Thai during one of the Lao-Thai wars. We learned this on our trip through Laos. You can rent audio guides and if you take an all-inclusive Bangkok tour, a trip to the Grand Palace Complex will certainly be included. Remember, no shorts, no sleeveless tops, no slippers. The no shorts rule goes for men and women.

We just admired from the inside since our apparel would not pass the dress code.

By now, ex-Marine and I were starving and hailed a taxi over to the Chidlom/Siam/Sukhumvit area where all the big retail centers, plazas and malls are located. (Also could have taken the skytrain but if there are two of you, a taxi is the same price.) Each mall has a glorious food court. The Emporium, with extremely up-scale shops inside, had one of the best. G-o-o-d food!

During our many trips to and from Bangkok (primarily because Bangkok is a good hub for other Asian countries), there are still many other places and areas to discover. One of those is the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, open seven nights a week with over 3,000 shops selling everything from clothes and handicrafts to furniture, plus restaurants and a beer garden. There are plans to demolish the Suan Lum Night Bazaar but it is safe for at least one more year. Maybe next time...