Thailand day 17: Bangkok. | Perfect Planet

Submitted by maria on Tue, 24/08/2010 - 18:28

We have breakfast in a nearby bar, today we'll take the pulse of the city.

We head to the Ko Ratanakosin area, our first stop the Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Royal Palace. You can walk from Khao San.

Bangkok

You have to be careful with the people who come to help you, in our case tried to convince us that the Palace was closed and could take us to another tourist place, not true, what they try is to take you in tuk tuk to visit another part of the city with a stop in shops where they take commission. They are not very heavy with saying it is not enough.

Grand Royal Palace

Buddha

Grand Royal Palace

We buy the tickets and they dress us with a blue shirt to cover our shoulders, it is a very hot day. The site is surrounded by a wall and has several entrances.

The Wat Phra Kaew is a marvel, its emerald Buddha is a jewel and one of the most famous in all of Thailand.

Grand Royal Palace

In the same enclosure the Grand Palace former royal residence, to walk around the courtyards and buildings is fantastic.

Grand Royal Palace

Grand Royal Palace Interior

Buddha Emerald

Our next stop is the Wat Pho, it is the oldest temple and houses the largest recumbent Buddha in the country. It is finished in gold leaf and many people buy little pieces of gold leaf to stick to it.

Wat Pho

In the ferry

We leave and go to the Tha Tien to take a ferry bus across the river to visit the Wat Arun, one of the main Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Beautiful. The ferry ride is a lot of fun.

Wat Arun

We spend the afternoon in Chinatown and Phahurat, we walk around this bustling neighborhood. Exotic food mixed with neon signs and shops of all kinds. Sampeng Lane market is worth a look. The Talat Mai market is also worth a look.

Chinatown

We had dinner on a terrace in Chinatown, there are plenty of seafood restaurants.

Back to Khao San we get some beers and shop at the street stalls.

Khao San Road

Wat Phra Kaew entrance fee: 350 THB per pax
Wat Pho ticket: 50 THB per pax.
Wat Arun ticket: 20 THB per pax.
Ferry: 10 THB per person and way.
Accommodation: 300 THB double room with air-conditioning and bathroom

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