August 1,

Up and about, having more cranberry walnut skillet toast X2 each and a yogurt each. We both felt lower back tightness, so our Thai massage may have been too soon??  Anyway, we both did a session with our TENS unit. We felt better! Yeah!!  Then we watched a video of the Roaming Cook to get particulars where we wanted to go. At noon we set out catching Moniiq's shuttle to the BTS. We took the BTS to the MRT- Bangkok's metro, to the proximity of Chinatown. I just want to say here we have appreciated Bangkok's mass transportation. It is convenient and cheap, in comparison to a rental car/scooter or a taxi. (Our only taxi has been getting out of the airport that first day.)

We arrived at our stop and walked to the first place we had on the agenda. It is a dumpling street booth, called  Ar Liang Dumplings. We opted for a combo of shrimp and pork dumplings. The “Auntie” (or “Uncle” for men) as Gary, the Roaming Cook called the owner. I don't know if this is a Thai tradition, of if it's a Gary thing… Questions?? Anyway the Auntie filled us a small take-away container of 10 pieces – five each kind. Then drizzled the dumplings with a dark Chinese soy sauce, asked if we wanted “spicy”, We motioned a little, and then topped this with fried garlic. It cost 50 Baht ($1.41)!  It is not a meal, rather an appetizer, but under a buck and a half?? Crazy! I'm still wrapping my head around the prices!

We took the dumplings just behind the booth an found a table- no chairs. So we stood and relished our dumplings. Very good and you could tell the dumplings are homemade. They were juicy and moist. The pork ones – a hint of sweet from the meat itself and the shrimp ones – a touch salty from some dried shrimp added in the meat mix. We enjoyed them.

Finished, we went to another place, because we needed more food. As we were walking, we passed by some old, highly decorated buildings. They just seem to be begging for some TLC. One building had a placard write up. We also passed by some art/graffiti on other buildings – one was of two elephants, seeming to support the building in playful poses! We glimpsed the river that winds through Bangkok, Chao Phraya, and we were able to go on a dock of sorts, to get a closer look. Lastly we passed by the main gate that marks one way into Chinatown. We arrived at Khao Moo Daeng Si Morakot. It did not have what we had seen recommended(??) on the menu, but it was interesting. We stayed, ordering BBQ (grilled) Pork and Crispy Pork over Rice with a Duck(?) Egg; and Braised Duck in Preserved Lime Soup. The pork in the first dish was tender and crispy. The soup was the best to me: duck, bone in, so flavorful and tender in that lime flavored soup. We were finally satiated. Another great food venture out in Bangkok.

But we wanted to get one more thing! We went to Khao Kha Moo Sai Tua Jae Ta. We got the recommended Pork Leg Soup. The unusual thing about this dish is the still crunchy, stewed peanuts in it! We got it as take-away for our supper tonight. Every Thai restaurant person understands the words “take-away”. The Thai people get a lot of delivery and take-away!! We paid 60 Baht ($1.69). We were heading back toward the metro to head back home and stopped at a Chinese Bakery (we think we bought a large sesame cookie 60 Baht- $1.69). Anyway we did the reverse – a metro to the sky train. We did get out one stop before our regular stop to get steps, and ended up buying a 'Coco-Cocoa'- which is a smoothie of coconut and cocoa blended in coconut water and ice (70 Baht- $1.97).The stand was called 'Coco Monkey'. It was good, a nice pick- me-up. Then saw and hailed our Moniiq shuttle.

Back at our place, we cooled down and relaxed. Around six, we had our great soup. We both thought of a very brothy-rich like a ham and beans! It was good in it's own right. (But we both preferred the brisket soup – because it is just next level!) We also had our sesame cookie, which that is what it was. The cookie had a middle layer. It made me think of a fig newton– at least this was the closest thing I could come up with in comparison.

Then I blogged and Jeff read then proof read this. It was a very good foodie fun day in Bangkok and close to our last!😮