The next morning we got up real early and headed out to see the sights in Bangkok. Our hotel was just a block from the river, right next to the famous Shangri-la so we walked down a few blocks and caught the river taxi. The river taxi is the best way to travel for sure. It was about $5 for an all day pass and probably the coolest place in the whole city. Cause it is hot there! So check out the view from our river taxi of another river taxi.
Since we were in Bangkok, the main things to see were of course palaces and temples. Before my guy friends say anything about girlie shows being the main thing to see, may I remind you I went with my mom, not you twisted boys! So below you can see Wat Phra Kaeo (Royal Temple) and the Grand Palace. A lot of state business still goes on there and I think they were saying that the royal family still lives in part of this complex. It was amazing! Of course, like at every big site there were guys outside saying it was closed and they would show us this other place. My mom totally believed them. Good thing I read the guide book and knew it was a scam.
The buildings are just absolutely gorgeous, everything sparkles and shines in the sun. And of course there are statues of Buddha everywhere. They are all so different in Thailand, not just the big fat guy we Westerners picture.
We got to see some Buddhist rituals going on at the big temple. There was a group of people who had traveled from really far away to come to this one temple to make offerings. Don't ask me why but it was really interesting to watch. Flowers, fruit, candles, and incense are some traditional offerings so below you can see where you put them. Buddhism is so peaceful.
I love this temple building below. It is all gold and it just shines in the sun like you can't believe. It is almost hard to look at sometimes.
The building in the foreground is the actual temple within the Grand Palace complex. This is where the Emerald Buddha is kept. The Emerald Buddha is so famous that I expected something crazy but he is actually quite small and made of jade not Emerald. It took me a minute to find it in the massive altar he inhabits. But he does have three sets of pure gold clothing, one for each season, so that is pretty cool. Of course, you can't take pictures in there.
I was perpetually floored by the architecture. It was so intricate and ornate and beautiful. I totally would live here.
So many of the surfaces of the building are covered with tiny colored mirrors like tiles. I had to take a picture to show you. It is so intricate and it is amazing how it catches the sun, like everything is covered in jewels.
There are little standing vats with lotus flowers in them all over the Grand Palace. You can see one of the buildings reflected in the water. I was proud of myself for this shot.
This is the area where the Royal family inhabits. Lots and lots of elephant statues. The guard was kind enough to let me take a picture of him. They don't move or smile, like the guards at Buckingham Palace. He didn't even flinch when I fell over after taking this picture. Don't worry, I was fine, just clumsy.
Back on the streets of Bangkok it is hot and crowded, but everyone is still so nice. Buddhism must really work somehow cause everyone is so positive. There are little stands on every street selling everything you can imagine, from regular tourist stuff and food to dentures and penis statues. Just walking around here is amazing. And there are big green trees everywhere, even in the city.
Next we went to Wat Pho, where the massive reclining Buddha is. On the way in, I saw this kitty asleep at the feet of this really tall, mean looking warrior statue. Isn't it just the cutest thing ever? There are lots of animals on the streets cause in Buddhism it is good karma to feed them and care for them and not to tie them up.
Check out the reclining Buddha. I am not sure if you can tell from the picture, but this thing is sooooo huge. They actually built the building around the statue. Just his feet were about 4 times my height. And it just goes on forever, he has to be 800 or 900 feet long.
Wat Pho is Bangkok's largest temple. Outside there was a fountain and oasis like area that my mom just loved so I took her picture there. It was nice to take a rest in the shade cause it is amazingly hot in Thailand.
Then we moved on to Wat Arun or the Temple of the Dawn. This one looks so beautiful from far away, but is actually less impressive than the sparkly ones up close. It is decorated in like glazed pottery tiles instead of mirrors. It is so intricate that it looks amazing.
You can climb about halfway up the temple. Which we did, but let me tell you I have never climbed such steep stairs! You get this weird vertigo feeling from them. It was crazy but I am glad I did it, amazing view of the city. The monks must be in fantastic shape.
After all that walking and climbing and temple visiting, were were hot and tired and it was only about 4pm. So we decided to visit the Shangri-la for a snack and a sit down. That hotel is ridiculously fancy. It has that colonial imperialist feel from last century still. But it is gorgeous and they were serving high tea. Perfect! There is a picture of it below. It was so good, I want to marry the chef.
After high tea, we took a little rest, went shopping and then showered and dressed for dinner. We had dinner at this place that was a traditional Thai dinner and dance show. The food was so good and beautifully presented. You can see it below before I ate it all! I like taking pictures of pretty food.
There were both boys and girls doing the dances, though I had to explain to my mom which ones were the boys. Just cause they had on makeup she got all confused. The girls were like dolls they were so beautiful and perfectly arrayed. They moved so deliberately and slowly but still in time to the music. It was amazing.
Gorgeous costumes, the girl below did the dragon dance. I can't imagine dancing with that big headress on!
This is the finale, the big group shot with everyone in it. It was so cool to watch. I really liked it.
Afterwards I convinced my mom to go down to the night market in Patpong. I just had to see the area. I peeked in a few of the bikini clubs, but this sign was my favorite. I mean come on, does it wear a cape or what?
We didn't stay down there long, it is so crowded and loud and there are a zillion pickpockets in that area. My mom was freaking out a bit. But I got to see it and it was totally interesting. On the way home we rode in a tuk-tuk which was so much fun, but I thought I might die. Tuk-tuks are like motorbikes with golf cart seats attached to the back. They drive really fast and weave in and out of traffic. If you go to Thailand, you must ride in one, it is an experience and a half. Bangkok was amazing and huge and crowded and nothing like anything I have ever seen. Stay tuned for the next post which will be about our time in Phuket, the beach part of Thailand!
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