we had crossed the international date line. Weary and jet lagged, we arrived at the Shangri-La Hotel with very few people still stirring, got to our room, took sleeping pills, and lay down for a hard night's rest. We were awake by 6 am but had at least slept for about six hours. After rousing ourselves, we took a walk through the city. The Shangri-La is an opulent hotel on the Chao Phraya River (the River of Kings) but just a few steps outside the hotel and you are quickly immersed in a third-world Asian country. It is safe to walk the streets, and the sights, sounds, and smells are fascinating.