1) The Erawan Shrine
At the top of the list - the Erawan Shrine - just down the road from the Siam Paragon. Color, activity, and incense. It just never stops here, as hundreds of people come to venerate the shrine of Brahma. Grab yourself a spot on one of the benches, and sit back and enjoy.
Be sure to check out the dancers and musicians on the far side of the shrine for traditional music and dancing.
2) Wat Arun
Also known as the Temple Of The Dawn. Best seen when the sun's setting (and one assumes dawn). Catch the BTS Sky Train to Saphin Taksin, walk 100 yards to Central Pier, and then catch the express boat to the stop after the Memorial Bridge. Catch another boat across the river to get to the temple.
The journey on the river is as much a part of the experience:
Wat Arun:
China dishes used to decorate Wat Arun:
Stairway to Heaven:
The other buildings at Wat Arun - definitely worth a look around:
3) Wat Pho
The world's biggest reclining Buddha, in a huge temple area. Just over the river from Wat Arun, through the market place on the right hand side. Spend a few hours wandering through the impressive temple buildings. If your lucky you might catch the monks chanting in one of the temples...
Roof's and views at Wat Pho:
Monk's Chanting:
The reclining Buddha:
4) The Temple of The Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace
It'll take a few hours to get around this place. Incredible buildings, a model of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and plenty of color. From there, wander around to see the Emerald Buddha (actually made of Jade).
Wall paintings at the Temple of The Emmerald Buddha:
Golden Chedi:
Intricate Mosaic at the upper platform:
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha:
A scale model of Angkor Wat in Cambodia:
Exit the temple, and enjoy wandering through the grounds of the Grand Palace:
5) Siam Paragon
A different kind of temple - see one of the biggest cathedrals to shopping in the world. Check out the Lotus, Lambo, and Porsche shops - all with cars to view, or check out the latest gadgets or home wares. Designer clothes and designer home - this place has it all.
The food hall on the ground floor is a great place to get good food at super low prices. It's so big it's easy to get lost.
And then wander up to the top floor where there's a multiplex cinema with Imax and Digital presentations. Or check out what's on at the Nokia Screen's: you get HUGE reclining leather chairs, a pillow, blanket, and waitress service - not cheap but totally worth it.
If you've got time, you might also want to check out China Town, the Thieves Market, Koa San Road - the backpackers ghetto, or Lumphini Park. Gadget freaks should check out IT Mall at Fortune City - they have stuff for sale here that you can't get in the UK and the prices are cheap.
Just as a word of warning, there are scammers operating outside Wat Pho and The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha. They'll tell you that the sites are closed and that you need to get a tuk tuk to some market instead, or that your not dressed properly (although they might be right if your wearing shorts, a see through top, or have your shoulders on display). Just ignore them and walk straight through to the ticket office at each place.
----------
There are room prices to suit all budgets in Bangkok - even some of the five star hotels can be affordable if you shop around - last time I was here I got a great deal on a room in the Shangri La - including a free upgrade to the executive floor.
This time, it was a 5 pound bed at the YHI at Sukhumvit (double rooms with en-suite are about 16 pounds - and it's not a bad place to stay).
The great thing about staying in Sukhumvit is that the BTS Sky Train, and the Subway both run through here, and it's easy to get to Central Pier, or Hua Lampong (The main train station) from where you can take a Tuk Tuk or walk to just about everything else.
A Tuk Tuk ride through the streets of Bnagkok - hold on - grit your teeth, and enjoy the ride:
But be warned - if you stay here you are going to see the other side of Bangkok. Sukhumvit is on the edge of the red light district, and the markets on the main road sell everything from clothes, porn, guns, knives, and even Stunners and Tazers. There's these guy's standing there discharging Stunners and Tazers as you walk past which can be a bit off putting. It can get pretty seedy - although it's worth noting the area is pretty safe.
This time, it was a 5 pound bed at the YHI at Sukhumvit (double rooms with en-suite are about 16 pounds - and it's not a bad place to stay).
The great thing about staying in Sukhumvit is that the BTS Sky Train, and the Subway both run through here, and it's easy to get to Central Pier, or Hua Lampong (The main train station) from where you can take a Tuk Tuk or walk to just about everything else.
A Tuk Tuk ride through the streets of Bnagkok - hold on - grit your teeth, and enjoy the ride:
But be warned - if you stay here you are going to see the other side of Bangkok. Sukhumvit is on the edge of the red light district, and the markets on the main road sell everything from clothes, porn, guns, knives, and even Stunners and Tazers. There's these guy's standing there discharging Stunners and Tazers as you walk past which can be a bit off putting. It can get pretty seedy - although it's worth noting the area is pretty safe.
----------
And in other news:
I think my MP3 player may be showing signs of intelligence. It seems to pick songs when it's on shuffle that are totally in keeping with the setting. Like when I'm on the bus into Bangkok and the first track it plays is "A Passage To Bangkok" one of my favorite tracks by Rush.
Smoking alcohol - Now that's something I've never tried:
Sign outside one of the big hotels here - We are ready:
On a slightly freaky note: I saw the people who sat next to me at the Reduced Shakespeare in Sydney (yep the ones who were disgusted and never made the second half) - how weird is that. Last time they were wearing surgical masks - yes really - this time they had on full face masks - the kind you'd use if you were going to angle grind some concrete paving blocks...enough said.
No comments:
Post a Comment