(I'll get to the WOW part eventually. First I have to lay the foundation.)
We got off the ship this morning in Laem Chabang, Thailand, to start our Overland Tour. There were 16 of us plus a young woman from the shore excursion office on the tour. Our coach awaited us. It was a full-size motorcoach, so there were lots of empty seats and we could spread out. The seats were up high, so we could see well.
Our guide, Nira, introduced herself and our driver, Mr. Tep (?). While we drove toward Bangkok, Nira gave us a lot of information. We drove most of the time on an elevated toll highway. Most of the time we passed industrial areas, and occasionally small agricultural areas. We passed an area called Sriracha, like the sauce. The principal crops in this region are tapioca, pineapple, sugarcane, and rice. Fish farming provides tilapia, catfish, and snakehead fish (?).
After about 2 hours we stopped at a rest stop to go to the "happy room." Nira told us what to expect and handed out toilet paper as we got off the bus. It was an Asian-style toilet, which means you have to squat. There is something on the floor that is kind of like a hole that flushes. It wouldn't be so bad if people had better aim. But there is pee everywhere and you have to hold up your pants, shorts, etc. to make sure they don't touch the floor, while also holding your toilet paper, and maintaining the correct squatting position. Maybe next time I'll think to take a photo, but I just couldn't wait to get out of there.
By this time we were on the outskirts of Bangkok, population 10 to 12 million. There is a lot of traffic, but not an impossible amount. It looked smoggy to me, but Nira said it wasn't smog. (Not sure about that.) There are many modern skyscrapers. Interspersed among the skyscrapers are:
1. Nice looking condo and apartment towers
2. Beautiful temples (which are actually monasteries)
3. Slums - corrugated metal shacks so close together all the roofs overlapped
After another 45 minutes we arrived at our destination, the Grand Palace. The bus dropped us off amidst dozens of other buses and swarms of people. I have never seen anything like it anywhere. Nira told us the tourists would be pushy, and they were. She told us to just keep walking and try to stay together.
Here is where the "wow factor" comes in.
Nira led us through a gate and then we went through another gate and suddenly we saw the most dazzling sight. We were in the part of the Grand Palace compound known as the Temple section. This area contains dozens of stunningly beautiful structures. There are three large towers that command your attention. The first one is all gold and contains somebody's ashes. The second one is decorated with elaborate mosaic designs. The third one is carved in stone. (I am writing this three days later after a lot of touring and I can't remember all the facts. I will look them up later and edit this.)
From there we went to a large building containing the Emerald Buddha. No photos are allowed inside, but we took off our shoes and went inside to experience it. Incense, and a hushed atmosphere.
The Emerald Buddha, photographed from upside the temple. It's really made from jade.
Another section of the compound contained a series of palaces and monuments used by various kings over the centuries. It is no longer used by the royal family because one of the kings was assassinated there in 19__.
Everywhere you looked there was something amazing to see, and every time you went around a corner there would be a new and more overwhelming sight. I have never seen anything to compare with this - not in Beijing or Rome or anywhere. Nor have I seen anything to compare with the crowdedness.
One of 178 mural panels showing Thai history
While Thai history goes way back, we were primarily focused on the modern period. The main kings you need to know about are Rama IV and Rama V. Rama IV is the king from The King and I. As you would expect, Rama V was his soon. Rama V went to Europe and was impressed by the architecture there and had several French-style palaces built in another part of the complex.
It was oppressively hot and oppressively crowded. Otherwise, it would have been lovely to have spent the whole day there. I couldn't really take it all in. Our photos do not really do it justice. You can't get the whole expanse of a pagoda or tower into a photo and you can't get a photo without a lot of other people in it.
Once we got back to the bus, Nira and the driver gave us cold washcloths and cold water bottles. Who knew cold washcloths were so wonderful?
We stopped at a hotel for a buffet lunch of Thai and Western food. I tried a lot of unfamiliar fruits. The only one I didn't like was dragonfruit. It has a red rind with white flesh and black polka dots. I'll try to find a picture when I get home.
After lunch we were taken to a store that sold silver and silk for some "shopping time." First we had to see their fake demonstration of silversmithing and weaving in an alcove off the parking lot. I wasn't too impressed with the place. Tours in many countries take you to shops like this. They pretend they are taking you to see local crafts being made, but it's really all about selling stuff to you. It was only a short stop, and they gave us cold juice and let us use their bathroom, so it wasn't a total waste.
Bangkok street scenes
"The Lego Building" - the tallest building in Bangkok
A tuk-tuk
Finally, we headed for the airport. Check-in was very easy. Everything had been organized by the tour provider. We went to the Bangkok Air Lounge and used the free wi-fi until it was time for our flight. Our plane was a little late, but they somehow managed to board us extremely quickly and they left on time. It was one of those turbo-props like the ones that go between Anchorage and Fairbanks. We had to take a bus from the terminal to the plane. The flight was about 55 minutes. During this time they served us dinner.
The journey continues in another post . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment