Bangkok, Thailand
Next stop on our cruise was Bangkok, our only Thailand stop. We really enjoyed our private tour. Our guide picked us up in a van like no other--we called it the "bling mobile" as it contained a neon lighted bar and walls and ceiling decorated in gold and leather, very Thai styled and ornate. After about an hour and a half drive to Bangkok our first stop was a walk through the wholesale flower and veggie market. It smelled wonderful and the flowers were gorgeous. We learned the Thai people use flowers as offerings in their home temples and neighborhood temples where they worship. We saw veggies and fruits we've never seen before, a real cornucopia of colors and shapes.
Next we walked to the pier and boarded a ferry boat to take us across the Chao Phraya River to the Wat Arun Temple, a beautiful temple decorated with ornate ceramics outside and golden buddhas inside
. We even received a blessing from a monk that is said to bring good luck.
Then we boarded a shallow brightly colored river boat for a cruise along the canals of Bangkok. We saw the huge lizards sunning themselves and homes and buildings of all variety from ramshackle huts to rococo palaces. We fed the giant fish bread and watched the water rise and fall as our boats navigated the difference in height from river to canal and back again.
When it was time for lunch we went to the Royal Thai Navy Club for lunch. Excellent food and service and we'd highly recommend it. After lunch we took a short tuk tuk ride and walked by the Grand Palace, home of the King. We couldn't go in that day, but did get some pictures from the outside.
Last stop was at Wat Pho Temple where we viewed the golden Reclining Buddha. It's one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famed for its giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 metres long and is covered in gold leaf. Very impressive place.
Back at the bling mobile, we traveled home to our ship, having enjoyed Bangkok and the Thai hospitality.
Bangkok Thailand
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Bangkok, Thailand
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