The XtraSuitcase

 

Bangkok, Thailand

May 2014

 

 

Bangkok is such a fun city… great food, great shopping, interesting sights and crazy streets.  So for Tammy's second adventure, we took her to Bangkok.

 

 

 

 

A ride in a tuk tuk was a must do as they are such a unique part of Asian culture.  Be sure to negotiate as the drivers do try to get the most out of tourists.

 

 

 

We also took her on the very local Chao Phraya river ferry.  They are insane… the boat barely slows down and you have to jump on.

 

 

 

And they are jammed packed with locals.  The attendants just keep squeezing more and more passengers on board.

 

 

 

This is definitely not a tourist attraction!  If you do want to give it a try, jump on and the attendant will come around to collect your money. Usually around 50 cents per person.

 

 

 

If you prefer, you can rent a private boat to get you down the river.  We have never hired a private one.

 

 

 

There are so many beautiful Wats (temples) to visit in Bangkok.  We went to Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha).  The highlight of this temple is the giant reclining Buddha that measures 150 ft (46 meters ) and is covered in gold leaf.

 

 

 

 

The Buddha is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet.  

 

 

Wat Pho was the first public university in Thailand, specializing in religion, science, and literature. It is now a working Buddhist monastery and a school for traditional massage and medicine.

 

 

 

Wat Pho is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than 1,000 Buddha images, more than any other temple in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For luck and good health, you walk around and put a coin in each of the 108 bronze bowls surrounding the Buddha.  This is a significant number, referring to the 108 positive actions and symbols that helped lead Buddha to perfection.  

 

 

 

 

 

Flower Market

 

Pak Khlong Talat sells flowers, fruits, and vegetables and is open 24 hours every day.  The market has a long history.  During 1782–1809 there was a floating market, from 1868–1910 it was a fish market, and now it has been a flower market for over 60 years. 

 

 

 

Tammy with her private tour guide.

 

 

 

 

I love to visit here as the colors make for such beautiful photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 The ice truck… a much-needed necessity in this hot part of the world.

 

 

 

 

Tammy by a shrine in the flower market.  

 

 

 

 

Street life

 

 

 

 

 

Dancers at the Jim Thompson House Museum

 

 

 

 

 Food!

Our very favorite – mango sticky rice. 

 

 

 

 

 and coconut ice cream!

 

 

 

The "real" version of Pad Thai – which is very different from the way they serve it in the US.

 

 

 

 

More of our favorites – Pineapple rice, Thai basil chicken, known as pad kra pao gai, and Thai shrimp salad with peanuts.

 

 

 

Bangkok at night from the top of the Banyan Tree Hotel – one of the best places to view the city.

 

 

 

Goodnight Bangkok!