Return to Bangkok

At the Grand Palace

February 15, 2011 - Returning to Bangkok, we set out to visit the Grand Palace and some of the city's temples. Arriving at the Palace we were immediately informed by a “helpful” passer by that the palace was closed for lunch. He immediately suggested a tuk-tuk tour of the areas other temples and of course shopping districts. This was all of course for 40 baht or about $1.50 and within seconds a pair of tuk-tuks were waiting for us.

Tuk-tuk riding in Bangkok

With the boys wanting a tuk-tuk ride through Bangkok, temptation took over our better judgment and we soon were headed through the streets of Bangkok in a pair of colourfully decorated tuk-tuks. We did manage to see one temple where we had a quick introduction to their typical design before we were led to some “shopping districts”. These shopping districts of course were specific stores, mainly jewelery stores and tailor shops which Thailand is known. After just window shopping in the high end stores I took the opportunity to purchase some tailor made shirts and Susan found a nice ring. But we were tiring of shopping and anxious to get back to see the temple. Unfortunately the tuk-tuk drivers seemed to have a quota of stores we were to visit so after a little more time than we wanted we found ourselves back at the Grand Palace for our visit there.

Temple at the Grand Palace

The palace was large and ornate as most palaces seem to be but in typical Thai style gilt gold, coloured glass, and jewels seemed to cover everything. Dragons, elephants, and mythical Thai dragons were incorporated everywhere. There was no mistaking this for the palaces and castles we saw in Europe but it was by no means less grand. We spent several hours exploring the palace, visiting the temple of the Emerald Bhudda, looking at 100's of metres of murals of Thai mythology. Here was another of the world's civilizations that we know so little about.

One of many markets in Bangkok

Leaving the refuge of the palace we were again facing the hustle of Bangkok's street sellers and its traffic. We wandered through some markets and found ourselves down by the river which was just as busy as everywhere else in Bangkok. Boats were rocking and bouncing through the chop and everywhere there were long narrow open boats taxiing people up and down the river. There was almost as many water taxis on the river as taxis on the streets. With Susan's “love” of rocking boats and crazy taxi drivers we thought it best to to be a spectator to this part of Bangkok life. Our last full day in Thailand was coming to a close, we would end it with a visit to one of Bangkok's night markets.

Water taxi on the Chao Phraya River

Our visit to Thailand was finishing better than it had begun but in many ways, we feel our 16 days in Thailand was a missed opportunity. We had arrived unexpectedly and unprepared for our 2 weeks here. Most of our time was spent relaxing and convalescing in Phuket. Our appetites were not up to exploring very much of the Thai cuisine. Visits across the Cambodian border to Angor Wat were not possible due to border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. Shopping was cheap and once again to Susan's frustration, time and luggage space limited this activity. We did see enough of the country to learn that the people are friendly with perhaps the exception of some of the taxi drivers. Susan and I both agree that Thailand is definitely a place we would like to go back to but next time with more notice and with more of a plan.

For more of our pictures of our Thailand exerience check out our web album.