Knocked Out after Day 1

We rested a bit after the market trip and then grabbed a taxi to Rajadamern Stadium to see Muay Thai. The ticket hawks immediately accosted us after getting out of the taxi. Ended up getting a minor discount on 'club' seating but still paid too much. Nice bonus is a live band plays background Thai music during the bouts. Finn was amazed the boxers were probably between 16 and 21 and the heaviest was about 127 lbs. We missed the first bout but the second one resulted in a knockout. Stayed for 6 bouts and then headed over to Khao San Road. This stretch of pedestrianized road is famous for backpackers and students for some reason. People outside the bars were hawking buckets, laughing gas, fried beetles, and you name it. It took us a while to figure out that the buckets were just mixed drinks in small toy sand buckets. We just had to look at the cocktail tables to see all these kids sipping from buckets. Prices varied based on the drink and Finn decided on a LI iced tea. I opted for Singha boss size, not in a bucket. Shared our first street food which was just Shrimp Pad Thai but made up for expensive entertainment tix by spending only about $3 for that. Tuk Tuk back to place. Finn took some GoPro style video. I will try to figure how to post.

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Bangkok Day 1

Safely arrived in Bangkok at about 10:55PM local time (~10AM EDT). Traveled on JAL for our second flight and the food and staff were great. Finn slept a good bit. Driver was waiting with our name on a sign which is very welcome after 24 hours of travel. The staff greeted us with Wai's and 'Sawatdee-krap' which I had forgotten and fumbled to reciprocate. Back in the groove in the morning when we had our breakfast in the penthouse restaurant. Buffet was amazing. Finn had traditional American but then tried the smoked salmon and dumplings. The staff recommended rice noodles so I had it with boiled fish topped with spices, scallions and peppers. Trying to do the 'when in Bangkok' thing. Since my plan was this was our last meal for a while, I also had a 63 degree egg with smoked salmon and hollandaise. I kept thinking the egg would be raw and then I realized we're still the only country that still uses Fahrenheit. Chilled by the pool for a while and then we...

Off we go!

Got to the airport early so we're just hanging out. Thanks Mom! Dulles is cavernous with many halls and no stores in them. We are just looking at our screens. I did my last work meeting and some email before I left the IBM grid. We did not eat because we're still full from scrapple bagels - yum. Charging up devices but hopefully United has power. Finn is not looking forward to the long flight.

Sayōnara

Akihabara reminded me of Times Square mainly because of the massive lighted billboards and marquis signs hanging everywhere. No theaters here though but rather there are dozens of electronics shops and arcades with a few restaurants breaking up the pattern. Finn was excited to check them out so we separated so he could move quickly. I started my search for Jinbei pajamas that Brendan requested. I misinterpreted a TripAdvisor forum and ended up at a big and tall shop that sold clothing for Sumo wrestler-sized people so definitely not a fit for Brendan. I did eventually succeed one station away from our hotel at the Matsuzakaya Department Store. Finn checked out the arcades and played some games. He said kids were ripping through their cash to keep playing and puffing on cigs while doing so. Our hotel was right in the center of Akihabara next to the train station so it was convenient to walk around. I realized we had not eaten sushi since we a...

Crazy Fun in Asia

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