Thailand :: Bangkok, Temples, Floating Markets & the Zoo
Today is christmas day here (what better time to visit a Buddist Temple?). Very different from home, where the streets get quiet on the major holidays. Here, things are crazy hustle & bustle. One local explained to Aaron that Thai are mostly Buddhist first and then Christian.
We had our lovely little routine breakfast again today (amazing fruit and coffee), and then went down for our taxi to the Grand Palace, which I read in our tourist book opens at 8:30am. When we arrived to the area we were greeted by a local tourist guide fellow who explained to us that the temple is closed for a buddhist ceremony until 1pm. I also had read in my tourist book that this is a popular scam to redirect tourist traffic to local vendors via tuk tuk — yet, we totally fell for this hook-line & sinker! We ended up seeing a few nice temples we would not have seen otherwise, but we realize now that of course it was a total scam!
We finally made it to the Grand Palace and, boy, it was everything we’d imagined it would be and more. Just majestic and ornate and lovely/lovely. We took wayyyy too many photos and had a great time exploring all around.
On our way to the Reclining Buddha (the largest indoor Buddha in Thailand) we came across too other visitors bureau helpers who tried to tell us that the exhibit was closed. Of course, we were keen to their tricks, finally. Of course, this makes us suspicious of the nice fellow who helped us on the first day we were here now.... I guess we'll never know.
After the Reclining Buddha (huge and amazing) we headed by taxi to check out the Oriental Hotel, which is also listed in my 1001 places to see before you die. What a lovely spot it is! Jasmine hung on strands from the tall ceiling and the smell of fresh flowers is amazing!! Its located right on this crazy polluted choppy looking river (Chao Phraya River) and boasts famous guests such as Joseph Conrad (1888). We were tired and hungry and the guests there were a little stuffy (and the food was expensive), so we didn't stick around — but I'm glad we checked it out. 
From there we headed to Siam Paragon shopping mall to grab food & browse around. Sooooo much light! Like Vegas, a mall meant to turn you around so you could never find your way out. Aaron picked up a pair of neat-o italian jeans that make our trip there worth while.
The NEXT day... we spent at the famous FLOATING MARKET and then the Samphran Elephant Grounds and Zoo, before heading to the Airport for Phuket. I forgot to write about this day during my trip, but it was one of my favorite days...
The Floating Market was beautiful & it was great to be in a greener environment (vs. the dirty city of Bangkok). At the ZOO, we got to see tigers, elephants, crocs and monkeys! 
Today is christmas day here (what better time to visit a Buddist Temple?). Very different from home, where the streets get quiet on the major holidays. Here, things are crazy hustle & bustle. One local explained to Aaron that Thai are mostly Buddhist first and then Christian.
We had our lovely little routine breakfast again today (amazing fruit and coffee), and then went down for our taxi to the Grand Palace, which I read in our tourist book opens at 8:30am. When we arrived to the area we were greeted by a local tourist guide fellow who explained to us that the temple is closed for a buddhist ceremony until 1pm. I also had read in my tourist book that this is a popular scam to redirect tourist traffic to local vendors via tuk tuk — yet, we totally fell for this hook-line & sinker! We ended up seeing a few nice temples we would not have seen otherwise, but we realize now that of course it was a total scam!
We finally made it to the Grand Palace and, boy, it was everything we’d imagined it would be and more. Just majestic and ornate and lovely/lovely. We took wayyyy too many photos and had a great time exploring all around.
On our way to the Reclining Buddha (the largest indoor Buddha in Thailand) we came across too other visitors bureau helpers who tried to tell us that the exhibit was closed. Of course, we were keen to their tricks, finally. Of course, this makes us suspicious of the nice fellow who helped us on the first day we were here now.... I guess we'll never know.
After the Reclining Buddha (huge and amazing) we headed by taxi to check out the Oriental Hotel, which is also listed in my 1001 places to see before you die. What a lovely spot it is! Jasmine hung on strands from the tall ceiling and the smell of fresh flowers is amazing!! Its located right on this crazy polluted choppy looking river (Chao Phraya River) and boasts famous guests such as Joseph Conrad (1888). We were tired and hungry and the guests there were a little stuffy (and the food was expensive), so we didn't stick around — but I'm glad we checked it out. 
From there we headed to Siam Paragon shopping mall to grab food & browse around. Sooooo much light! Like Vegas, a mall meant to turn you around so you could never find your way out. Aaron picked up a pair of neat-o italian jeans that make our trip there worth while.
The NEXT day... we spent at the famous FLOATING MARKET and then the Samphran Elephant Grounds and Zoo, before heading to the Airport for Phuket. I forgot to write about this day during my trip, but it was one of my favorite days...
The Floating Market was beautiful & it was great to be in a greener environment (vs. the dirty city of Bangkok). At the ZOO, we got to see tigers, elephants, crocs and monkeys! 
