OuR SeConD Day In BanGKok 13/04/2009

After the buffet breakfast (included as part of our hotel package), we continue our second day trip in Bangkok---We went to possibly the most famous tourist attraction in Bangkok- Grand Palace. We took a boat from Sathorn pier where near the BTS Saphan Taksin.

From the pier, you can go to quite a few of tourist spots such as Wat Po, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, China Town and so on.

(You can go to the counter at Sathorn pier if you wish to buy the ticket of one day river pass for unlimited ride or you can choose to buy one way ticket on the boat to any pier you want).

We chose to buy the one day pass ticket which cost us 125THB per ticket.

(Sad to say buying the ticket for day trip is not worth it, because you might not be able to visit so many places in a day. Anyway, we enjoy the sightseeing along the river road......)

Unique boat cruise along the river. It is one of the most important mode of transport for both locals and tourists)

Surprise to see a Chinese Pagoda along the river...The good thing to cruise along the river is that you get to see many landmarks and bridges such as Rama VII Bridge, Sapan Phut, Wat Po, Temple of Dawn and Grand Palace. From the boat, we saw the silhouette of Wat Arun.Enjoy the breeze on your face as the speed of cruise increases......Get off at Pier Tha Tien and walk for around 10 minutes to reach the main entrance of Grand Palace. Before we reach the entrance, there was a people who trying to trick us. He started to talk to us and told us that Grand Palace was close due to Songkran Festival holiday in Thailand. He told us he could take us to go around other interesting places by his tuktuk.
Without any consideration, I refused the offer and suggestted to go around and see if that information was true. Conclusion, my dicision was correct. The Grand Palace was open. The Grand Palace has a very strict dresscode, but you can 'borrow' appropriate clothes with B100 as deposit. We went to the ticket counter and pay B350 each before enter the Palace. Impressive wall painted with Ramayana scenes Grand Palace with the famous Phra Sri Ratana Chedi TowerThe Grand Palace of Bangkok is one of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen. Within the palace complex are several impressive building including Wat Phra kaew, Dusit Phra, Chakri Mahaprasat Hall and other ceremonial buildings.

"Golden" colour covered most of the building here. It seems like everything here glitters. I like the textures and statues around the Palace especially the demon guardian in front the door.

From the temple, we walked to Grand Palace Hall. A giant European style building. I like the ball shape tree in front of the Hall.....Just wonder how they prune the tree.... Take a photo with the royal guard standing on the gate entrance.After hanging here for around two hours, We decided to proceed to our next destination.

On the way back to the pier, we saw one big family having fun throwing or shooting the water among each other or to the people passed by. (Luckily we walk quite a distance from them) Took a ‘自恋照’while waiting for the boat.Our next destination was Wat Pho. Wat Pho is known for its gigantic reclining Buddha and its extensive collection of Buddha images.
It was quite challenge for me to take a shot without annoying other tourists. (This place was crowded with many tourists) And it was just too big and very difficult for me to capture the whole statue into a picture. Make a wish and throwing the coin into the bowl behind the giant statue while Dear choose to shower the little buddha for a good fortune.

There are lots and lots of towering structure like this (with a spike on top) around Wat Pho. They called these structures as Chedis. This is very unique because it was made of porcelain. We finished our so called cultural trip by 4 or 5pm and proceed to our 'shopping' tour then.