Travels in Thailand

After getting all nostalgic over India I've decided to go back in time by a year and put up my pictures of Thailand too. We travelled there in December 2009, flying into Bangkok.

We stayed at the New Siam Riverside (www.newsiam.net) on the bank of the Chaophraya  River. It provided a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the crazy city. Having breakfast overlooking the majestic river was fantastic. This is a wonderful hotel and I can't recommend it enough!

So first on my hit list was obviously the Grand Palace in Bangkok. With its myriad of glittering spires and epic grinning demons, it has been on my travel wishlist for a long time.

So braving 36 degrees and a lovely heat rash that was developing nicely, off we trundled!! After being way laid by lots of helpful people telling us the Grand Palace was closed! (it wasn't) and offering us alternative trips in their tuc tucs (we politely declined) we arrived.

The sunlight was so bright it was almost blinding as it hit the golden tiles and intricate details of the temples. It was a beautiful sight. But sunglasses were a definate must!!!!

Huge demons grimaced and guarded the gates, detailing covered every surface. The work involved was immense.

Then it was on to Wat Po.

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok (with an area of 50 rai, 80,000 square metres), and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha.

Here's Neil trying to out gurn a local deity!

                                And a monk keeps cool in the heat of the mid day sun.
 
We also visited Wat Arun - The temple of the Dawn, perched majestically on the edge of the river. The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan !!!! 

The whole temple is decorated with broken porcelain and seashells, creating an amazing, if somewhat bizarre spectacle! Neil braved the steps, I however sat sulking and sweltering in the little shade on offer! (I should point out that i am not good in hot climates, ironically)

Then day one was over, so we retired to the hotel to sip cocktails at the rivers edge. Fantastic start to our trip!!