Bangkok, Thailand …….. our 1st day

November 1st, 2018

Breakfast at the Inn and we are off and running…..actually walking slowly feeling somewhat refreshed after a reasonable night’s rest. It is sunny and 30C  …today the objective is to exchange money and do some sightseeing …. the challenge will be to see how much we can do before the jet lag catches us up. We decide to walk to the Grand Palace (about 40 minutes) passing en route the Democracy Monument…

….. eventually arriving at the Royal Grand Palace a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok. It has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782 and until 1925. Currently there are several official functions held each year at the Palace and grounds. 

The area is huge and so were the crowds….got our tickets 1000 THB (25 CAD) for us both and into the fray we went…….

There are temples and shrines by the dozens, each with a story, what a spectacle for the visual senses ….a virtual riot of colors ,textures and shapes !!

Leaving the most important for last we took off our shoes before entering the Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha housed in the temple being a potent religio-political symbol and the nexus of Thai society. Not surprisingly no photos are allowed and though I was tempted to sneak a pic, the severe tongue lashing the guard handed out to a Chinese lady seeking a selfie with the Buddha, was sufficient deterrent for me. So outside pics and offering area only.

A few more pics on the way out ….one could spend the entire day here just snapping away…..

After lunch in a hole in the wall place > not bad, not great. Prior to leaving Canada our pharmacist who is of Indian extraction suggested we take the DUKOROL vaccine ….as he put it, “I love Indian street food, but not what it does to my western digestion system” ….so if it works for Indian street food we should be good to go, pun intended !! As we finished up we realized that the jet lag was catching up rather quickly…..jumped in a Tuk Tuk and in a cloud of smoke headed back to the hotel…note the driver’s side mirror > Annie the ever vigilant  navigator is making sure we are heading in the right direction…..

Back at the hotel we did some pic reviewing and passed out ! Four hours later and a shower put us in the right frame of mind for dinner … and following the suggestion of the innkeeper we strolled over to the Krua Asporin. Casual it certainly was, but also very good > as advertised ! Mussels (spicy) on the half shell, cowslip petals + minced pork, deep-fried shrimp with rice on the side and a large Singha beer …..nice dinner and a total of 590 THB (24 CAD) for us both.

A beautiful evening  and temperature, as we strolled back taking a look at  the Thipsamai Pad Thai,  a famous pad thai resto….witness the lineup on the street !!!  With the cooking done on the street, we go a firsthand look at the cooks in action. However not sure if we fancy waiting 45 minutes when we are hungry ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A last look at the illuminated buildings and back to the Old Capital Bike Inn….a great day!