Village Squire, 1979-08, Page 22TRAVEL
Discovering
the exotic
Orient
BY MILDRED McADAM
' Thailand - once called Siam - land of
sapphires, rubies, thai silk, temple bells.
spirit houses, elephants and teak forests. 11
was in 1865 that Anna taught the children
of the King of Siam. We were 75 miles
from the infamous River Kwai.
Immediately upon arrival four`of us went
to the colourful Weekend Market. This is a
complete department store under canvas,
which appears only on the weekend on the
car park and sports field, outside the
palace walls. On nice days kites are flying.
This day was raining gently, and we
bartered for souvenirs including alligator
belts, paintings on silk and brass
ornaments. Thai money was 20 bahts to the
American dollar. Thirty bahts bought a taxi
ride across the city. There are four and a
half million people in this rapidly growing
city. The canals (klongs) are being filled to
make 10 lane highways. When Anna was
here, all traffic was either foot paths or
boat. Modern traffic adds air and noise
pollution to the heat and humidity.
Motorcycles are ridden by girls calmly
sitting side-saddle. The motor cycle has
also been converted into a unique
three -wheeled taxi.
We stayed in the lovely Hotel Montein,
where your room key was attached to an
apple -size temple bell -impossible to put in
a pocket. Bouquets of orchids graced the
dining room.
All tourists seem to take the Floating
Market tour as a chance to view the life of
the river people as it was. and still is.
There are water taxis. buses, ferries. fire
and police boats, and traffic signs. The
women manipulate boats of produce and
steaming kettles of noodles for sale to the
workers and housewives. Ducks, chickens.
monkeys. cats and dogs live on the river
edge with the people who wash clothes.
dishes and babies in the river. Diaper -sized
sheets of noodles dry on lines. Huge crocks
hold rain water and purchased water. We
stopped at the Temple Dawn - a well
photographed huge landmark. decorated
completely with broken pottery. We see
boat loads of charcoal. beer. rice, rice bran
(to be fed to chickens) jute filine. and
barges of salt drying from sea water.
Monkey pod trees line the river banks, also
olive, lichee nut. mangostein (a fruit) and
coconuts that yield oil for margarine and
candles. Teak logs float in the water for a
year to dry and season. before being
shipped to Scandanavia.
We were taken to a store that sold Thai
silk and jewels. There is no bartering for
silk at 90 bahts a yard. Dresses could be
made to order, overnight. Opals were
Thumb size.
We saw the best "Asia Show" at the
Rose Garden. This show included Thai
boxing. cock fighting, elephants moving
teak logs. different styles of self defense.
fingernail dance. recovery of silk from the
cocoons (400-1000 metres each) and free
hand painting of gold leaf on bowls and
plates.
There are hundreds of temples in
Bangkok. Temples used to be the centres
of education. We were told that one doctor
serves 20.000 people for a wage of
$200-$300 a month. Electricians make S3 a
day. Our guide Bill explained some of the
teachings of Buddha. We were fascinated
by the story and history of the 51/2 ton solid
gold Buddha. and the emerald Buddha is
carved from a solid emerald 28 inches by 27
inches. Then we walked in the grounds of
the colourful Grand Palace. A replica of
one of the tiny buildings was at our Expo
'67. When a shopper enters a jewelry store
to look at sapphires and rubies, the doors
are locked behind you; adding to an air of
intrigue.
Thai airline advertises a ride "smooth as
silk'and indeed the orchid flight was.
taking us to Hong Kong. Hong Kong
airport is a strip of reclaimed land built in
the middle of the harbour guarded by two
mountain peaks. The Hyatt Regency Hotel
in Kowloon (means nine dragons) was not
so posh, but was in the centre of the
shopping district. Shopping is what Hong
Kong is all about. Any thing you wish to
buy is available at the best price you can
make. Tailored suits and hand made shoes
are as wonderful as you have heard and can
be made in two days. Sales are often
figured on the abacus more often than a
calculation. To those who know how. they
say it is faster.
Kowloon is the mainland. joined to Hong
Kong by a recently -built tunnel. Ferry
Fides are 20 cents and double decker buses
mevx' rads
Fashion Boutique
20-50% reductions on all summer merchandise
Great savings on swimwear, sportswear, dresses
Fall fashions arriving daily
"Where fashion and service
come together"
Open 7 days a week 10-6
Thursday and Friday until 9
11/4 miles south of Grand Bend
on Hwv. 21
238-2818
20 Village Squire, August 1979