Bangkok, Thailand

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called Seabourn Half-World cruise
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Approaching the Temple of the Dawn. Lots of boat traffic!
Approaching the Temple of the Dawn. Lots of boat traffic!

 

Sitting Buddha
Sitting Buddha

 

Standing Buddha
Standing Buddha

 

The towers are supposed to be supported by demons and monkeys. These guys don't look like either!
The towers are supposed to be supported by demons and monkeys. These guys don’t look like either!

 

The tower is decorated with bits of shell and porcelain. Apparently, these were originally ballast on ships coming from China to Bangkok.
The tower is decorated with bits of shell and porcelain. Apparently, these were originally ballast on ships coming from China to Bangkok.

 

The tower is really beautiful and those stairs are so steep to climb!
The tower is really beautiful and those stairs are so steep to climb!

 

A view from near the top to the monastery.
A view from near the top to the monastery.

 

Think about what this museum must be like!
Think about what this museum must be like!

 

Pictures of the king are all over the place.
Pictures of the king are all over the place.

 

The Grand Palace -- THE place to see in Bangkok!
The Grand Palace — THE place to see in Bangkok!

 

The Outer Court has most of the government buildings and temple. Still, quite ornate!
The Outer Court has most of the government buildings and temple. Still, quite ornate!

 

They even have a miniature of Angkor Wat (Wat Envy!)!
They even have a miniature of Angkor Wat (Wat Envy!)!

 

Is it a monkey or a demon? You be the judge!
Is it a monkey or a demon? You be the judge!

 

Outside one of the royal throne rooms. She looks like something from a Sci Fi movie. I want one!
Outside one of the royal throne rooms. She looks like something from a Sci Fi movie. I want one!

 

A great view of the back of the temple.
A great view of the back of the temple.

 

The Emerald Buddha. We were asked what we thought the Emerald Buddha was made of. After many wrong answers, I suggested a lime Jello mold. I will probablt pay for that remark in the next life!
The Emerald Buddha. We were asked what we thought the Emerald Buddha was made of. After many wrong answers, I suggested a lime Jello mold. I will probably pay for that remark in the next life!

We are spending two days in Bangkok to explore both the city and the surrounding area.  First of all, Thailand is beautiful and the people are very friendly and seem to be both happy and prosperous.  They are very loyal to their king, whose picture is displayed all over the place.  For you movie buffs, King Rama IV was the “King and I” king, and his son was the one who really opened Thailand up to the West.  The current king, Rama IX, has failing health and has been in the hospital for nearly 2 years.  The good news is that the king can designate any of his male heirs (not just the first) as the Crown Prince, which he has already done (although his selection has caused some people some angst – they love intrigue in the monarchy here too!

Bangkok itself is a gorgeous city – one that we would like to come back and visit.   The challenge on this trip is the time it takes to get between Laem Chabang (where the ship tied up) and Bangkok.  Even though it is only 52 miles away, it takes 2.5 hours to get there, thus making for a very long day.  Our tour guide was a middle-aged woman named Lucky.  She was an absolute riot and always referred to herself in the third person.  She also imparted some important cultural information; e.g., a “restroom” is a “happy room.”  When a lady needs to use the restroom, she “ bends over to pick up a flower,” and when a man needs to go, he “goes to shoot a rabbit.”  (Hey, I don’t make them up; I only report them!).  Anyway, Lucky kept us pretty entertained.

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a riding a long-tailed speedboat down the Chao Phraya River and the canals that come off it.  We had a great time and a number of near misses as we whizzed along and across the river.  Much of Bangkok is modernizing.  The bad news is that many of the old wooden houses that once were on the banks of the river are being replaced by high-rise condos.  Sad, but probably necessary.  We saw a lot of architecture as well as snippets of everyday life on the river.  We also took in some of the local sights, including:

  • The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)  — this is probably one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand.  The central tower is over 225 feet tall and is covered with small chunks of glass and porcelain.  While you can’t go in the temple, you can climb on some very steep steps to get fairly high on the central temple.
  • The Grand Palace – this is probably the most famous destination in Bangkok and the reputation is well earned.  It was built in the late 1700s and kings of Thailand lived there for around 150 years.  Today, it serves as home to a number of government ministries, as well as the mint.  Lots of detail and very fine craftsmanship.
  • Temple of the Golden Buddha – this is actually inside the Grand Palace Complex, but it is regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand.  This is the home of the Emerald Buddha, a Buddha image carved from a single piece of jade.  The only person who can touch the Emerald Buddha is the king, who changes the Buddha’s cloak 3 times a year (corresponding to their seasons – probably hot, hotter, hottest) for good luck.
    The Bangkok skyline along the river
    The Bangkok skyline along the river
    Ruh roh!
    Ruh roh!
    Not many old wooden houses on the river anymore.
    Not many old wooden houses on the river anymore.
    Why don't we have cool foundations like this?
    Why don’t we have cool foundations like this?
    Doing a little fishing in the canals...
    Doing a little fishing in the canals…

    ... or a little fish feeding in the canals!
    … or a little fish feeding in the canals!
This entry was posted in Cruising, Thailand, Travel
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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