1) BANGKOK - Angel and Montri are the brother and sister team that run the Mai Siam Travel Agency in the lobby of the New Siam II Guest House. They are the BEST and literally helped me with dozens of travel arrangements while in Southeast Asia. Although Angel is younger (25 to his 27), she's actually majority owner since Montri also works at the airport. Both got their start in the travel industry by working for the tourist information office.

2) BANGKOK - Canadian sisters Doris and Vera Spika check out the sites near the Siam District in Bangkok. I met them one day while eating breakfast and explored the city with them.

3) BANGKOK - Traditional Thai dancers entertain crowds at the Vimarn Mek Teak House in Dusit Park. The house is the largest teak structure in the world. (Thai Dancers.jpg)

4) BANGKOK - Does anyone need me to get them some house lights while I'm in Thailand? This is the Home Place Store -- a very Western home improvement center in downtown Bangkok.

5) BANGKOK - Walking through one of the high-rises near the Siam District in Bangkok. This building had all the Western trimmings with Musak, a food court, an office supply store, a Blockbuster Video, and a Mrs. Fields Cookie shop.

6) BANGKOK - The ever-changing skyline of Bangkok.

7) BANGKOK - A view of rush-hour traffic from a platform of Bangkok's Sky Train. If you look carefully, you can see Christmas Decorations on the shopping mall in the background.

8) AYUTTHAYA - Is this Thailand or Europe? The architecture around Ayuttaya's Grand Palace had a distinct Paris-flavour.

9) AYUTTHAYA - The Grand Palace is still used for some occasional visit's by Thailand's King. So the security was very tight.

10) AYUTTHAYA - This is Chachihs (11), Siwa (11), and Joke (13). I heard them playing music while exploring some Siam ruins in Ayutthaya. I followed the sound and discovered this school where they were practicing their instruments. Joke was nice enough to loan me his trumpet so I could toot-around to my heart's content. It had been nearly three months since I had played any music.

11) AYUTTHAYA - Siwa, Joke, and Chachihs play a jazz lick during their afternoon rehearsal.