*Photo Intensive Post*
Ami has been to Bangkok many times but she never been to the tourist-y sites before.
We always go shopping only.
Ma, Pa, Michelle and I went on a group tour like 12-13 years ago.
Vaguely remembering the tour, we went to Pattaya, Dreamworld, Temples etc etc.
So, this time round, we took a day tour to Floating Market, Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace.
Our first vehicle and guide to the Floating Market.
Drinking cha-yen while waiting for the boats to start working.
First sighting of soldiers - more to come..
There were only 4-5 groups of 2-4 tourists for this boat ride.
Unlike last time when there were hordes.
Before heading to the boat.
Our guide - she had a really cold sense of humor.
Does this remind you of Japan?
Feeding catfish near a temple.
We stopped at this mini zoo.
I saw this monkey and wanted to take a photo.
Before I realise, he reached out for my camera and tried to snatch.
Dropped my camera on the floor.
Heng the lens didn't break or crack.
Taught me a lesson not to take photos of monkeys.
The usual snake show.
Wasn't even comparable to the Phuket one.
Back on the boat waiting for the rest.
Our guide was probably the only one who didn't bother upselling us with any further packages.
Arty-farty photo of the sky and temple.
At the Gems Gallery, waiting for other tourist to go for lunch.
A pretty normal stop for all tourist that go on a tour in BKK.
No $ to buy so we just sat there to enjoy air-con and free drinks.
We paid 200 Baht for a buffet lunch at a hotel.
Had a pretty full lunch.
Dim Sum - yum yum!
Dim Sum and Tom Yum soup.
Food = Happy!
Next, we waited for close to 1 hour at the hotel lobby for the mini van that was stuck in traffic.
If I knew, I'd have continued eating!!
We met with other tourist and talked about Pattaya and the shock they got when they went there.
It kinda went on and on..
Entrance of the Grand Palace.
There were some officers and diplomats visting thus the large amount of people.
It was really hot that day, waiting under the shade while the guide went to get the tickets.
Heading to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
I look ultra happy coz that's 18k gold plated tiles I'm standing next to...
The floors were marble!!!
The pagodas the are on the ground.
I don't really remember what they are but they aren't open to public.
The floor is marble.
And the blue structure behind was the shrine built for the Emerald Buddha but as it can't house the entire Royal family during celebrations, they are tearing it down.
Standing under the Bodhi Tree.
Another structure being supported by monkeys and demons.
The guide was telling us that you differentiate them by the feets.
Monkeys do not wear shoes and demons do.
The Emerald Buddha Temple.
The Emerald Buddha.
We can't take photos inside but it was real serene when we stepped in.
Was like a totally different world.
Our guide explaining the wall murals that were hand painted.
Grand palace.
Our guide and another tourist.
The guard - this one not that handsome.
I wonder if Buckingham palace looks grand-er?
Time to head back to the hotel when the guide told us that due to road closures we can't!
Had to go back to the Gems Gallery to put us in different mini-vans to get us back to our individual hotels.
At the gallery, no driver was willing to take us.
So back to the aircon waiting room.
When we finally heard news of heading back, they told us we need to walk some parts.
No idea how serious it was.
We were dropped about 4-5 streets away due to a jam.
2 other guides walked with us back to pratunam as they stay that area.
Really thanks to them for ensuring our safety until we reach the road to our hotel.
The streets were lined with soldiers carrying rifles.
There were also truckloads of them at the intersection as we walked nearer to our hotel.
The main road was totally deserted except for reporters.
No cars, taxis or tuk-tuks.
We went to Baiyoke Sky for dinner.
Wanted to eat at their grill bar on the 83rd floor but it was closed.
So we headed to the coffee bar.
Rice Biscuit with sweet curry.
This was my favorite of the whole meal.
Pad Thai and Green Curry with Roti.
Desert - Sticky rice with young coconut ice cream.
I only like the ice cream.
Over dinner we heard 2 loud boom.
It was grenades going off at the Pratunam area.
No comments:
Post a Comment