bangkok, thailand – day 3 and departure

On our last day in Bangkok, we visited its two well-known tourist attractions: the gigantic Reclining Buddha, and the Grand Palace.

We went to Saphan Thaksin station via BTS, and took a ferry to N9.

The Grand Palace, a golden complex located on the banks of the Chao Praya River, was the residence of the Kings of Siam from the 18th century until 1925. Though the King no longer lives there, it is still the site of some of the royal offices. Gatekeepers are pretty strict, so no sleeveless tops or muscle shirts, no shorts, no skirts. I wore a dress with black leggings underneath but still got questioned. (A “safe” attire would be a shirt with sleeves and pants.) No worries, the Information office lends proper clothing to visitors. You just need to give a deposit of 200 THB, which you’ll get after you return the garments.

Entrance to the Grand Palace is 500 THB.

I was overwhelmed by the volume of tourists who visited the complex that day. Divisoria-levels ito. While queuing up for the entrance, a group of tourists practically plowed into us. We almost landed in the plant box. It was chaos, and the weather was hot.

Anyway. Grand Palace was a beauty and a great display of Thai artistry and the kingdom’s grandeur, but I would have enjoyed the sights more if the weather was better and there were less rude tourists around.

If you’re going to visit the palace soon, please be kind to other visitors.

 

Look at the detail:

I look tired here, haha.

Panoramic view:

Look how the gold in the painting glows as it catches the light:

Gorgeous!

The Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho is adjacent to the Grand Palace. It was such a long walk under the hot sun that I had to buy a pair of slippers (40 THB) to replace my shoes and free up my poor toes.

This statue is massive. I was blown away.

A closer look at the symbols on his feet:

We walked around to look at the Buddha’s pillows:

The temple itself is breathtaking.

Details.

I was so tired and sweaty I completely forgot we had to stop by Siam Ocean World before heading to Sunflower Place. (I needed a bath!)

I’ve never been to Manila Ocean World, and I don’t dive nor snorkel (and it was air-conditioned), so this was a treat:

Great color!

I love this.

A fleeting view of a hammerhead shark. I love hammerhead sharks. I wished one stopped long enough for a photo-op. LOL.

More:

Nemo!

A pass also gives you a chance to enjoy some activities, like the glass-bottom boat ride, and the infamous Happy Feet. You submerge your feet in water, and these little fish will nibble on your dead skin cells.

Eeeeeeeee—

—eeeeeeeeeeee

It’s not for the ticklish.

We had dinner in a small eatery and visited the night market, where I realized that I only have 30 THB left for shopping. So I went home ahead of the others, rested my legs, and took a long, cold shower, and lamented the fact that I was not able to buy Thai Iced Tea or Pad Thai or a key chain.

We left Sunflower Place before 6 AM the next day and took a cab to Lumphini Park. From there, we got on a bus (after a confusing “conversation” with a conductor who kept speaking to us in Thai, insisting via gestures that all six of us would still fit in a bus that had only four available seats) that would take us to Cambodia.

Goodbye Bangkok. You are a charming city. I will see you again soon.

Total expenses for Thailand is USD 446.63 (including downpayment and shopping).