Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day #8 Bangkok

We started our day off kind of late- not that I am complaining. We woke up around 8, ate a nice big breakfast, planned our outings, booked a show for tonight, booked a river cruise for tomorrow night. I think this will be good fun! 
We also dropped our laundry off to be washed, dried and folded- $14, more than we wanted to pay, but still cheap for two large loads I laundry.
We talked to the front desk and found out we were inappropriately dressed for the temples. I had on a skirt and Bill had on shorts. We had to have our shoulders covered and wear long pants. So before leaving we changed for the day. 
At 11:45am we finally set out to see the city. We jumped on the metro to head towards the river to see the various temples along the riverbank. 
I am amazed at how kind and willing to help the people in Bangkok are. We walked off the metro- headed in what we thought was the direction the river, we were stopped by a kind man on the street. He explained the schedule of the boats, told us we were too late for some boats. 
He told us what trip to take, then a Tuk Tuk stopped. He negotiated the price of the Tuk Tuk down and then the driver took us to the riverside. Then we booked our river tour to head to the temples, the floating market and an old Thai village. 
Here is our view from the back of the Tuk Tuk- a motor cycle with a truck bed. 
Here we are sitting in the back. Totally safe! 
Bill paying the Tuk Tuk bill. 50 Baht or $1.75 ride
We negotiate our price for the river boat and boarded the little boat. 
Another private boat ride. 
It was a very narrow boat. Our boat had some motor trouble- it kept stalling. Also the ride was quite bumpy. We got a little wet. And I was certain the bottom of the boat was going to bust. 
Here is one of the many temples that line the river bank. 
I thought it was interesting that we were going to go through a gate. We think they can shut the gates incase of a rain surge or tsunami- beyond the gates is a very fragile village of wooden homes. 
We were not at the optimal shopping time for the floating market. But here you can see a few boats off to the left, loaded down the lots of trinkets to sell. One lady approached our boat, she wanted us to buy a beer for our chauffeur. 
Yet another temple on the river banks. I really love the peaks. They look like they have peacock heads on them. 
Here is a beautiful picture of the whole Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. 
Once we disembarked our boat at a shady- shady pier we were scammed into paying 20 baht for landing and exiting. The lady literally blocked our way and would not let's us pass. 
As we rounded the corner on our way to the Grand Place yet another nice man stopped us. He informed us that the palace was closed until 2:30. He suggested we take a tour of the surrounding Buddhas by Tuk Tuk. He educated us and told us that there are private Tuk Tuks and  public ones. He said the public one should only cost is 50baht. Yet another person who is so kind and nice. So we hopped on the TukTuk and headed on a cheap tour of the temples. First we stopped at the Buddhist Museum. The Buddha we visited is 500 years old. 
Inside we were approached by a man who wanted to know where we were from and what we were visiting today. He notice I was pregnant and he shared a sweet story about when he was a Buddhist Monk 23 yrs ago and how he had an epiphany that he no longer celebrates his birthday, he celebrates his mother on that day. It is when she gave so much for him. He said he realized she suffered for 9 months and gave him the ultimate gift of life. What a sweet way to think about his life and birth. So Mom- June 29th should be celebrated for you as well! Happy Becoming a Mother day! 
Here is a place tourists are not allowed. I just think the temples look so cool. They are so different from what we have seen in other countries. Bill thinks that Bangkok should be called Temple city. 
Part one- finish the day in part two and three! We did too much!!


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