Since we had been in Bangkok for quite awhile and hadn't seen any of the 'main attractions' we decided to dedicate Tuesday to being as touristy as we could be. The guidebook encouraged us to see the "spectacular sights" that the city had to offer urging that it was a "must for even the most unmotivated students of culture and history." The Ko Ratanakosin area of the city was where we headed since it was home to the Grand Palace with temples Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (temple of the reclining Buddha).
Once we reached the entrance of the temples and the Grand Palace, Sean had to borrow long pants to put on over his shorts. I had worn a long skirt and a long-sleeved shirt in preparation for the dress code even though it was stiflingly hot out. I didn't really know what to expect but I had heard from the other teachers that we would see a lot of glitz and gold. They were right and it was all a bit overwhelming.
We walked around the temples first and to look at them with the reflection of the bright sunlight was enough to burn out your retinas. Each building was impressively ornate and covered with gold, jewels, carvings and decorations. Everywhere you looked you could see gilded buildings, mosaic-covered pillars and orange and green roof tiles. All of this decoration was to honor the Emerald Buddha housed in the main chapel (they wouldn't let me take a picture of it). It was basically a small, dark green Buddha in the middle of an elaborately decorated shrine. People took off their shoes and knelt down in front of it to pray.
After investigating some of the other temples, we checked out the Grand Palace, the former royal residence. Today the king only uses it for ceremonial occasions. You can't really go inside, but just to walk around the grounds was pretty cool. The gardens were pretty and there were Thai guards in stiff military uniforms standing at attention all over the place.
Nearby the Grand Palace was the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho, where you can see the country's largest reclining Buddha. I was amazed at how big it was - 46m long and 15m high! The exhibit is supposed to show the passing of the Buddha into final nirvana. It was made out of plaster around bricks and then covered in gold. My favorite part was the feet which were enormous and decorated with designs made out of pearls.
After seeing a little too much gold and too many Buddhas for one day combined with the heat and the crowds, Sean and I decided to walk along the avenues bordering the palace grounds where vendors sold treats like homemade popsicles, shaved ice, some kind of Thai-style Arnie Palmer and corn on the cob. We quite happily slurped and munched our way through some of the smaller alleys looking at various wares and trinkets the enthusiastic vendors pointed to us while we walked on by.
these are all beautiful pictures of bangkok,
cheap holidays to bangkok
Hope enjoyed your trip to Bangkok...
There almost 50 things to do in Bangkok and i have a list which consists of that many tourist attractions do things to do ..
Have you left out visiting Tiger Monk Temple which is now a days becoming popular for tiger which is nearby Bangkok city.
It is really great place to explore..Awesome.