Bangkok's Grand Palace

I made it to Bangkok after a rain delay in Chicago and an airport change in Tokyo.  Came into Thailand only 12 hours delayed. All of us--Jen, Will, and me-- had travel issues getting into the country.  But we were off!

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Everywhere we looked were flashy stupas (the bell-looking towers), and mosaic-encrusted statues and buildings.  The main temple houses the country's most revered Buddha--a diminutive statue made out of jade. It was only recently discovered that is was jade. It had been covered in plaster for decades in order to prevent it from being stolen.

We couldn't see the Buddha though-- they were getting ready for some ceremony.  We caught  glimpse. He sits high on a pedestal with his umbrella overhead, wearing the rainy season clothes.