Wat Arun

On Christmas, before flying to Chiang Mai, Debbie, Hannah, and I went to Wat Arun. It was the last big must-see temple in Bangkok left on my list.

The main event of the temple is basically a big structure that you climb up, and then admire the view from the top. We left Hannah at the bottom with our bags to make the trek up.

Our Bag Lady

Honestly, the climb was a bit scary, as the stairs were long and steep. Once we got to the top, there was a fabulous view of the river and the city. 

Ladyboy Show Calypso

As a Christmas Eve treat, Debbie and I bought tickets to see Calypso, one of the top rated ladyboy shows in Bangkok. All of the actors performing in the show were male, but some were ladyboys and dressed as females, while the backup dancers were male.

The show was great. The choreography and costumes were expertly planned and the ladyboys were stunning -- they looked exactly like real ladies. Some of the acts required the ladyboys to dress in swimwear or very revealing clothing. I have never seen men with such curves. They had breast implants, but I think some of them had naturally curvy hips. I'm not sure. Regardless, it was convincing and I found myself envying some of their legs...

Post show photo shoot. They look more feminine than me :(

Jim Thompson's House

One of the few things that was really recommended for me to do in Thailand was to visit Jim Thompson's house in Bangkok. The house, located in the middle of the city, is like an oasis of green. Stepping out of the cab and into the walled enclosure we found ourselves surrounded by western-inspired Thai architecture and a beautifully tended garden. 

My favorite part about the experience is that rather than just blundering our way around the house, we were given a free guided tour through the premises. Our tour guide was funny and informative, explaining the different artifacts, art collection, and architectural points of interest. 

Another highlight of the day is that we were able to explore the house with Kirsten! A California native, Kirsten is currently on a three month exploration of Asia. We met for the first time way back in October when we stayed at the same hostel in Seoul. Just by coincidence we were in Bangkok at the same time, so we decided to meet up.

I really recommend a visit to Jim Thompson's House if you ever find yourself in Bangkok. The house itself, and the story behind it, are really cool. Jim Thompson was an American who singlehandedly made Thailand famous for silk goods. He took the already established Thai silk cottage industry and expanded it into global markets. He set up his house in Thailand before disappearing forever into the Cambodian jungle. He was never found and his body was never recovered. Some think that since he was in the CIA, his enemies finally caught up to him. Others say he probably just fell down a ditch.