CHIANG MAI, Thailand--In the five days since the New Year's Eve attacks in Bangkok, the malls and streets here and in the capital still appear to be crowded and the Thai whiskey continues to flow.

Bear and I arrived in Bangkok late Dec. 30 after being separated from our bags on our fifth standby attempt at DIA during the pre-New Year's blizzard. No luggage no problem. Our hotel was in Bangkok's Siam Square, so about all we had to do was walk out the front door to find some deals.

We spent the afternoon at MBK, Siam Center and Siam Paragon, all huge shopping complexes with everything from handicraft markets to Hermes stores and auto dealers (one on the second level!) on their many floors and exciting people-watching opportunities around every corner.

Back in our hotel room around 7 p.m. New Year's Eve, we turned on the TV to see CNN and BBC reporting attacks in Bangkok. What? Victory Monument, the site of one of the attacks, was just a few blocks north of us.

We decided to stay in for the night and I quickly e-mailed friends and family to say so. While the city's official New Year's Eve celebration was canceled, we still could see several remarkable fireworks shows from our hotel window as midnight struck.

Two nights later, when our luggage finally arrived, we dressed up and ordered a bottle of champagne to welcome in the new year. With Christmas trees and holiday decorations still about today, it didn't feel odd at all.

The Bangkok Post reported earlier this week that two teenagers threw a grenade at a Chiang Mai mosque, and we are now reading rumors of another coup or more attacks in Bangkok. Yesterday, the Thai air transportation chief ordered security be stepped up the maximum at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's international airport.

This afternoon, we're on our way to Ko Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, with a stop at Suvarnabhumi and we're feeling fine.

Two days ago: all-day Thai cooking class. Yesterday: Jungle trek including an elephant ride, visit to two hill tribes and a bamboo raft trip. Tomorrow: Open-air bungalow. Enjoy that weather, Denver.

To read the latest on what's happening in the Bangkok area, check out BangkokPost.com.

Thailand trivia:
-This country is 14 hours ahead of the mountain time zone.
-According to Lonely Planet and my trek guide, Thai men are expected to become a monk for at least a short period in their life. Read more about that here.