Wednesday 20 November 2024

Laem Chabang Thailand:  When we got up at 6, we could see many kinds of boats – small fishing boats at first, but as we neared the port, more and more cargo vessels of various kinds. Our tour departure was at noon, so we got to watch the activity on the docks before we left. We shared a breakfast table with several interesting people, from Michigan, California and Australia. Eventually, it was time to go ashore and head out toward the countryside. In town, the traffic moved at a snail’s pace, along streets with varied businesses packed together and the usual wild array of wires hanging overhead.

It gradually thinned out and eventually we began to see fields of tapioca and other crops.  Although rice is a major crop of Thailand, it is not grown in this drier part of the country. Our guide, “Ex” (for Expert), told us about the history and culture of the country, which is largely Buddhist. Much of it was very positive, like full acceptance of the LGBTQ community, but some left me uneasy, seeming to confirm unsavoury rumours I’ve heard about this country. Women seem to have little status here, and although we saw evidence of exploitation, “Ex” spoke as if women were being “protected” by being kept out of positions of influence.

 Our tour continued with a visit to a very nice restaurant for a buffet lunch;

then, we moved on to view the
laser Buddha. It’s a huge image, etched in gold on the side of Chee-Jan Mountain - quite beautiful and amazing. 

 Next up was Wat Yansangwararm, a large museum/temple, where we saw examples of works of art from several countries and civilizations in the area, including many of the terra cotta warriors from China. We travelled then, to a huge temple complex, where we visited another museum-type building and a wax museum. On the way back to the ship, we drove along a beautiful beach, as the sun was approaching the horizon. We could see all the spots where the lively night life would be happening in a few hours. Once again, we were caught in traffic, and it was a slow trip back to the ship. After a rest and showers, we enjoyed a decadent late dinner at the Pinnacle Grill.

Photos of the Day