2 Days in Bangkok
Well, these have been a pretty amazing two days.
Yesterday we went to the Grand Palace, which is basically right downtown and is such a tourist spot. Here are a few words to describe it:
giant.
gold.
immaculate.
outrageous.
Exhibit A.
It should be noted that to enter these places there is a certain dress code. So, most people borrow or buy skirts/pants and shirts to cover up, as seen in photo below.
Today, we weren't able to take any pictures inside. We first went to Vivanmek Mansion, which is where King Rama V lived from 1901-1906. Let me just say, the place is immaculate. Holy moly. There are separate staircases for king, queen, princesses, and servants. Some of the rooms are still used today by the king and queen for "reception" areas and dressing rooms. Sheesh! Fancy!
On the same grounds, there is the Throne Hall. I am in absolute awe, and have never seen anything as exquisite, as detailed, as beautiful. Throne Hall begins with a beautiful green chandelier, and the green comes from beetles that have died naturally so as to retain their iridescence. Then, in the next room, a number of thrones, models of boats, and artwork. The thrones and models are gold, the artwork is 3D wooden and tells a story. Oh! The ceilings are more detailed, careful, and beautiful than the Sistine Chapel. I honestly can't do this place justice. I SO wish someone could've been there to see it with me, but Sarah lost her ticket, and no one else is in Bangkok :( I was almost in tears from the sheer beauty of it all. I could've spent hours in this Throne Hall.
Throne Hall
So, there are three types of taxi transportation in Bangkok: motorcycle, tuk tuk and car. We decided to try the tuk tuk - ohhhh boy. Luckily, our driver spoke a lot of English, BUT, it would seem that drivers get commission for having tourists stop at various shops. We were first taken to a really lovely jewellery store. If we had more money, we could've easily bought beautiful rings and necklaces, and the sales ladies were good. Really good. Our second stop was a silk shop, to have dresses, suits, jackets, etc. made. Upon entering, there were more than a dozen men milling around waiting for unsuspecting tourists such as ourselves - only slightly creepy haha
Sarah in a Tuk tuk
Stop 3: another jewellery shop Stop 4: a travel shop so we could ask about buses and flights (where we wanted to go in the first place) Stop 5: another clothing shop, but we said no, and the tuk tuk driver got angry so dropped us off in the wrong place and stopped talking to us. It was great at first, but after we said no, he was definitely upset :(
So, tomorrow we head to Chiang Mai on a night bus. I won't have my computer, so no pictures, but I'll be sure to continue writing on a fairly regular basis.
Yesterday we went to the Grand Palace, which is basically right downtown and is such a tourist spot. Here are a few words to describe it:
giant.
gold.
immaculate.
outrageous.
It should be noted that to enter these places there is a certain dress code. So, most people borrow or buy skirts/pants and shirts to cover up, as seen in photo below.
Today, we weren't able to take any pictures inside. We first went to Vivanmek Mansion, which is where King Rama V lived from 1901-1906. Let me just say, the place is immaculate. Holy moly. There are separate staircases for king, queen, princesses, and servants. Some of the rooms are still used today by the king and queen for "reception" areas and dressing rooms. Sheesh! Fancy!
On the same grounds, there is the Throne Hall. I am in absolute awe, and have never seen anything as exquisite, as detailed, as beautiful. Throne Hall begins with a beautiful green chandelier, and the green comes from beetles that have died naturally so as to retain their iridescence. Then, in the next room, a number of thrones, models of boats, and artwork. The thrones and models are gold, the artwork is 3D wooden and tells a story. Oh! The ceilings are more detailed, careful, and beautiful than the Sistine Chapel. I honestly can't do this place justice. I SO wish someone could've been there to see it with me, but Sarah lost her ticket, and no one else is in Bangkok :( I was almost in tears from the sheer beauty of it all. I could've spent hours in this Throne Hall.
So, there are three types of taxi transportation in Bangkok: motorcycle, tuk tuk and car. We decided to try the tuk tuk - ohhhh boy. Luckily, our driver spoke a lot of English, BUT, it would seem that drivers get commission for having tourists stop at various shops. We were first taken to a really lovely jewellery store. If we had more money, we could've easily bought beautiful rings and necklaces, and the sales ladies were good. Really good. Our second stop was a silk shop, to have dresses, suits, jackets, etc. made. Upon entering, there were more than a dozen men milling around waiting for unsuspecting tourists such as ourselves - only slightly creepy haha
Stop 3: another jewellery shop Stop 4: a travel shop so we could ask about buses and flights (where we wanted to go in the first place) Stop 5: another clothing shop, but we said no, and the tuk tuk driver got angry so dropped us off in the wrong place and stopped talking to us. It was great at first, but after we said no, he was definitely upset :(
So, tomorrow we head to Chiang Mai on a night bus. I won't have my computer, so no pictures, but I'll be sure to continue writing on a fairly regular basis.
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