Tim & Gerri's Wild Ride
Email & Facebook Gerri:
  • Home
  • Worldwide Travel
    • Eastern Europe 2022 >
      • Eastern Europe 2022 Blog Summary
      • Eastern Europe 2022 Packing List
    • Narrowboat Holiday 2022 >
      • Narrowboat 2022 Blog
      • Narrowboat 2022 Packing List
    • Ireland & UK 2019 >
      • Ireland & UK Itineray
      • Ireland & UK Blog
      • Ireland & UK Blog Summary
      • Ireland & UK Packing List
    • France 2018 >
      • France Itinerary
      • France 2018 Blog
      • Blog Summary
    • European Tour 2017 >
      • European Vacation Blog
      • Blog Summary
    • Southeast Asia 2014-15 >
      • Southeast Asia Blog
      • Packing List
      • Blog Summary
    • Afghanistan 2011-12
  • United States Travel
    • Great Lakes Sail 2020 >
      • Great Lakes Sail 2020 Blog
      • Blog Summary
    • Trans-America Bicycle Ride >
      • Trans-America Bicycle Ride Blog
      • Blog Summary
      • Our Team
      • Equipment
      • Breweries Along Route
    • Pacific Crest Trail >
      • Pacific Crest Trail 2016 >
        • What is the PCT? - 2016
        • Why Hike the PCT? - 2016
        • Gear - 2016
        • Itinerary - 2016
        • Blog - 2016
        • PCT Blog Summary - 2016
        • Where are we now? - 2016
      • Pacific Crest Trail 2014 >
        • What is the PCT?
        • Why Hike the PCT?
        • Gear
        • Food
        • Itinerary
        • PCT Blog
        • Blog Summary
        • Where are we now?
    • Motorcycle Ride 2014 >
      • Motorcycle Blog
  • Brewery Visits
    • 2022 Breweries
    • 2021 Breweries
    • 2020 Breweries
    • 2019 Breweries
    • 2018 Breweries
    • 2017 Breweries
    • 2016 Breweries
    • 2015 Breweries
    • 2014 Breweries
    • 2013 Breweries
    • 2012 Breweries
    • 2011 Breweries
    • 2010 Breweries
    • 2009 Breweries
    • 2008 Breweries
    • 2007 Breweries
    • 2006 Breweries
    • 2005 Breweries
    • 2004 Breweries
    • 2003 Breweries
    • 2002 Breweries

Day for visiting the most popular site in Thailand plus many more sites

11/18/2014

4 Comments

 
17 November 2014
After taking yesterday's tour and our tour guide telling us we need to see the Grand Temple we gave in and went. But first...breakfast.  Here is a picture of where were ate and is pretty typical of the kind of restaurants in this "backpacking' area we are staying in that caterers toward tourists:
Picture
 There were tons of buses for at least 1/2 mile from the site, and when we got there there half of China there taking a tour.  After pushing and shoving our way through the pack we finally bought our tickets ($15 USD each...quite expensive) and made our way to the renowned emerald Buddha.  We approached the huge temple and couldn't wait to see this Buddha.  As we entered, there it was...a tiny, little 2 foot tall green Buddah on an enormous golden throne.  Although the Buddha wasn't big, the ground were amazing.  Here are some of the highlights:
After the temple, we entered the area of the Grand Palace where the royalty of the past built building after building as they took power.  Great architecture, color, and landscape. 
Here is the obligatory picture of me with the royal guard:
Picture
After being Grand Palace'd out we decided to head back to the hotel and unwind.  On the way back we passed the Thammasat University with sculptures in yard.  We walked around and found out it was a Memorial garden for the fight for democracy.  There were some pretty cool sculptures:
Picture
Picture
Our plan was to spend a small time in the room to cool off in the air conditioning and then head off to the sites to the east of where we are staying.   First stop Wat Bowonniwet:
Next stop Golden Mount.  This is a temple built on a artificial hill that was created when a large stupa, under construction in the year 1830 collapsed.  It was a bit of a climb up there, but the views were worth it.
We have to climb up there.
A view from above.
On the top of the Wat.
Great pic of the monks quarters below.
Time for a little snack after that climb:
Picture
Next we passed Ban Batt where the last remaining family hand makes alms bowls for the monks. I would have loved to buy a bowl that only cost $15 USD, but we can't carry it around for 4 months, so a picture will have to do.
Picture
Sao Ching-Cha (giant swing) and Wat Suthat.  I guess people used to swing on that red structure trying to grab a bag of gold.  Many people died trying, and around 1930 they stopped holding this contest.
Giant red swing.
Skelator?
Golden Buddha.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped for our first (of I'm sure many) bowls of street vender soup.  YUM!
Picture
Tim enjoying a bowl of street vender soup...just like a local!
Before going to the room we stopped for a few beers and called it a night.  Tomorrow we check out of this hotel and move to a different part of Bangkok for a couple of nights.
4 Comments
Bobby
11/18/2014 01:24:37 pm

Hey G&T! Great photos! Was hoping to see one of the little green Buddha. Hows the local brew? Stay safe and keep the photos flowing! BMo

Reply
Tim
11/18/2014 07:53:48 pm

It was against the rules for photos in this particular shrine. Been drinking mostly Thailand Chang and some "LFO" - very drinkable for the price. The short PCT trail (or was it trial?) and 12k km hard on the camera - still working at this point.

Reply
Scott & Julie Carmean
11/19/2014 02:49:44 am

Zippy & Guzzi, great pictures! We are following your trip and letting our local Brothers & Sister know how you guys are doing... Please be safe in your travel and, needless to say Have Fun!
Blitz & Krieg

Reply
Zippy
11/20/2014 11:43:02 pm

Blitz & Krieg...We are glad you are enjoying the blog. Hopefully I can keep it interesting throughout our travels.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    background info
    Packing list

    Archives

    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.