Day 19 A Day in Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Boat & Tuk Tuk Ride

0800 departure from the hotel. We walk to the public boat ramp to experience the Phraya river transportation that many of the locals use. This boat makes regular stops along the way to pick up and drop off its patrons.

Here's our destination: #9

The flag color on the boat denotes which "line" and how far it will go for your transportation.

Empty now but not for long. Got crowded quick!  And the following are sights along the river ride. 

In case you can't make it out, this boat is equipped with a CAR ENGINE in the center of the picture. They mount a long shaft out the back with a propeller and zoom down the river with an impressive spray behind.

We disembark from our boat at the Royal Palace compound built in 1782. It is no longer a residence but used for important ceremonial occasions.  We visit Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand's most important and sacred temple that houses the Emerald Buddha which was carved from a single block of green jade. It was discovered in a Chiang Rai stupa in 1434 covered in plaster! Legend states its history goes back to India in the year 43 BCE.

We all wear a Whisper ear device to be able to hear our guide no matter how far back we fall in our walking. Here Noi tries to corral us before entering the Palace. 

They are very strict about dress code. You CANNOT just cover your shoulders with a shawl but must wear a shirt that covers them. If you don't, they provide the appropriate clothing...at a cost. Knees must always be covered and shoes removed before entering any temple.

And a special line for "foreigners". And be careful not to break a rule that can cost you dearly! LOL

I liked the trash can between Rung and Dome.

The "doctor" can always be distinguished by his long fingernails which he used in his "practice" of medicinal remedies, massage and acupuncture.

These iron elephants depict the royal white elephant that only the Royal Family can own.

A cement replica of Angkor Wat. King Rama IV ordered his troops to dismantle Angkor Wat which is in Cambodia and bring it to Bangkok. He wanted to show Cambodia that Siam was still in charge and the power in the region but his troops failed. So he had this replica built instead.

Constant renovation of the many ornate buildings on the Palace grounds.

The lotus stem has a sinewy center which can be used as silk threads.

Remove your shoes but put them in a bag and carry them with you into the temple. Return the bag to the bin once you've exited the temple and put your shoes back on.

Each man stands guard for two hours without moving until their replacement arrives. Can't imagine being in that uniform in the heat of the day, especially if there is no breeze. Today the breeze added comfort in the shade.

This very religious Buddhist country shows great respect to their Buddha.

The signs explain the medicinal uses for this plant...if I could only read Thai!

Thai massage

We stop in the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum but cannot take photos here. She was the elegant queen of King Rama IX who died three years ago at age 89. The Queen is still alive but in poor health today. This exhibit talks about her many projects working with the common man throughout Thailand. It also shows her many elegant clothes on display.

Road Scholar is so good at timing breaks for us to sit, relax a bit, have a drink and snack on them and use the restroom!

Thai iced tea with sweetened condensed milk and sugar! Yum!

Pineapple crackers and crispy pancake sticks

No, that's not a toke! LOL

We hop a Tuk Tuk to get to Wat Pho with its 1,000+ images of Buddha. It isn't far but the heat and the distance were deemed too much for us to endure and still see everything on today's itinerary.

Listen carefully and you'll hear why they got their name Tuk Tuk.

Here we see the Reclining Buddha which is nearly 150' long and 50' tall. This place is the national headquarters for preserving and teaching traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage.

View from the feet to the head.

The bottom of Reclining Buddha's feet.

A family style lunch at Sala Arun on the river and I ordered another Thai Iced Tea for $4.50 USD.

Appetizer, coconut curry soup and a main course with ice cream for dessert gets us all ready for our boat ride around the canals. Bangkok has been called the Venice of the East. We walk down the massage street with therapeutic vendors and I purchase Jasmine massage oil for Geanne to use on me and take with her. Hope she likes it!

The boat ride shows us the real life of the people of Thailand as we pass beautiful houses and slums on the canal along with many temples.

Ramshackle next to fairly new and modern housing.

Water may be dirty and floating with debris but on a hot day the boys enjoy the coolness.

Spirit houses are for the land spirits who inhabit this place. The Thai believe they must provide adequate housing for them so they will leave the human household and have their own home. Food and beverages are provided to the Spirits from time to time to keep them happy!

Monitor Lizard on the shore

And another basking in the sun.

Feeding the fish in front of a temple brings one good luck.  Doesn't do badly for the carp either although studies say that feeding them bread isn't a good thing because it swells their digestive tract.

The canal locks to control the intrusion of salt water in this dry winter that they are experiencing.

We are delivered to our Ramada Inn dock and everyone heads to their rooms to get the sweat of the day gone and enjoy the coolness of the air conditioning. I didn't find it too bad but then Florida's weather is much like today only more humid.

I was going to shop but decided to just stay in and get my blog up-to-date after a glorious shower!

It's 1830 here which means it's 0630 at home. Good morning all!