Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thailand: Two nights in Bangkok



Aahhhhh, the joy of air con in the Sky Train!!  Smile for the camera!

Ready to explore the city of Bangkok, we took the new Sky Train (which was super modern and had air con) to a stop where we jumped off and took a river taxi down the Chao Praya River to the Grand Palace downtown.  There were many cool sites along the river including the longboats with exposed V-8 engines driving the propeller—kind of cool.


Mmmmm...I'll have one of those (whatever those is??)!


River taxi sites


People's homes along the Chao Praya River


A pagoda


Another pagoda


Another pagoda


Naval base


V8 engine driving this boat.  Yeah baby!!


All pagoda'd out


Full pic of the boat driven by that V8 stolen from your car and shipped here


What Pho in the distance.  The largest reclining buddha resides here (see pics below)


Please smile Shelley...the smells will pass


Fine, I'll smile for the both of us


The boat we were on.  Real safe!?


Taxi sir?  I don't think so...

The Grand Palace—the former royal residence-- had some really beautiful grounds and history.  I’ll save you from the details, but the grounds are still used by the royal family for special ceremonies.  All you heard over the loud speakers outside the palace was not to trust anyone outside the walls.  Yet, there were tons of people trying to scam westerners and many still falling for it.  Once inside, the lady selling the tickets made sure we hadn’t been taken advantage of. 

We visited Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple in Thailand that houses the largest reclining Buddha—46-meters long and 15-meters high, finished in gold leaf.  It was kind of cool—check out its toes in the pictures
From there we walked about 5+miles, 2-huge rainstorms through Chinatown.  I have not seen so much crap in one area.  Stalls and stalls of stuff, with lots of redundancies—boggles the mind.


Outside view of Wat Pho


The golden buddha


A mini version to give you an idea what it looks like because it is hard to take a good pic


It's toes


Full length pic


It has toe prints...how interesting?!


Cool looking towers


People come here and attach gold leaf to these sculptures


Another section of the temple


Ornate roof


More of the temple (almost done with temples everyone!)


Goodbye temples!


WHAT!! Is there a problem??


Last pic of the many many many many many many many temples we have seen

In the evening, we headed to the infamous Khao San Road where guys are actually girls, massages being offered aplenty, street vendors who sell junk they think westerners would be interested in, and cheap food, but expensive beer.  We sat down for a couple of hours and enjoyed the scenery.  It was interesting to say the least and one night was plenty.  And for about $1 each, we had some amazing street food.


Typical traffic jam in Bangkok.  We shall take the train from here


And they wonder why buses tip over here.  But check out the talent Shelley has!!


A cool pole near our hotel.  Just thought I would show you all


Shelley has been considering buying a fruit band for hair since Bangkok.  Good idea Shelley?


Just rained in Chinatown and one thousand degrees!!


Please find me respite from the heat Shelley!


Lipstick pink taxis are in abundance here.  Erik's favorite color


A memorial on our walk around the city.  Don't remember what it was for (sorry)


The crazy Khao San Road


Yeah right!?!?

 Day 2 in Bangkok meant packing and exploring a few more things before heading to the airport.  We headed to the cultural center, more time on the Sky Train, the huge mall selling all fake western goods, and finally to the airport to get down to the beautiful islands of Thailand.


Woke up to a jack hammer in the alley way.  Nice alarm clock...thank you Bangkok!


Awesome view from our hotel, okay maybe not


Shelley found another friend.  Look how happy she looks!


I cannot believe we ran into the lunatic actor who was born of aliens.  Shelley liked meeting him for some reason


Erik has been eating too much rice and noodles.  The art gallery was not pleased


Erik mocking one of Tom Cruises space friends!!


Erik found a friend too!  Fetch doggie


Don't know and don't want to know


Aaah, the cute couple enjoying the city life


AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Okay


A non-eventful flight to Phuket, thank goodness!!  Late and to the hotel without being taken too advantage of by the taxi driver, we grabbed a nearby outdoor restaurant with some amazing Thai food and some mango shakes for desert!  We are ready to relax on the beaches of Thailand.

No comments:

Post a Comment