Tuk-Tuk Experience

Sunday, October 20, 2024

“Take a deep breath,” I told myself. “This is going to be a ten-hour tour. Be steadfast. You can do this.” 

We were each given an adorable elephant keychain as we stepped off the ship

Local dancers greeted us at the terminal

The tour was called “Bangkok’s Hidden Treasures with Tuk-Tuk Experience.” We had been to Bangkok once before and we had seen the dazzling Grand Palace, so we opted for a chance to see something different this time. 

It took us two and a half hours by motorcoach to travel from the port (Laem Chabang) to Bangkok. This was supposed to take one and a half hours, but the traffic was very bad. 

Our guide was named Banyat. He spoke to us constantly during the drive to Bangkok, but it was difficult to understand his heavily accented English.

Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat is a temple complex near the Grand Palace. It was completed between 1824 and 1851. It houses much older artifacts, including, in the courtyard, 156 images of Buddha, and a large gilded seated Buddha in the main prayer hall. When we neared the main building at Wat Suthat, our guide became distressed about something. He said we would not be able to go into the main building because something was taking place there, but he let us peek in and take photos from outside. I didn’t quite hear what it was.

We did get to walk around the outside of the main building, and it was gorgeous.

On the Way to Wat Po

On the way to Wat Po

The Supreme Court of Thailand

Part of the Grand Palace Complex

Wat Po

Wat Po, or Wat Pho, is another temple complex adjacent to the Grand Palace. It is famous for the enormous Reclining Buddha statue, 46 meters long, or about 150 feet long. Wat Po houses the first school of Thai Massage. We did not get to experience Thai Massage, unfortunately.

Upon entering the temple grounds, we encountered  these elegant tiled structures called stupas. They contain the ashes of important people.

The Reclining Buddha represents Buddha’s entry into Nirvana. The soles of Buddha’s feet are 9 feet high and are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Each foot is divided into 108 panels displaying auspicious symbols. At he center of each foot is a chakra, or energy point. (Thank you, Wikipedia.)

The head of the Reclining Buddha

Toes of Reclining Buddha in foreground, right, and head in background

Wat What?

I don’t know the actual name of the third temple we went to. It was not on the schedule. Apparently we went here to compensate for not being able to enter the first temple. It was quite beautiful - definitely a hidden treasure.

Good to know

Tuk-Tuk Experience

Our bus dropped us off at a taxi and tuk-tuk stand where sixteen tuk-tuks with yellow flags awaited us.  The tuk-tuks were HARD to get into. You had to sort of fold yourself in half.

Our ride was fast and furious, but a lot of FUN. The traffic was crazy, but the drivers knew what they were doing. Being part of a procession of sixteen tuk-tuks was a hoot!

Lunch

Lunch was a buffet at the Princess Hotel (not related to Princess Cruises). It was not memorable. However, we did enjoy a local beer.

Night Fishing

Last night we had noticed a number of brightly lit boats. We guessed that they were fishing boats using LED lights to attract or find fish. We found out later that they were fishing for octopus and squid.

We saw more of these boats tonight while we were docked and after we sailed. At first they were too far away to allow for a good photo, but eventually we got close enough to see the boats and take pictures.

Concluding Thoughts

Comparing today to yesterday (on our own in Ko Samui), I don’t think the lack of a guide yesterday diminished our experience. Today, Banyat was good at getting us from place to place, but he didn’t shed a lot of light on what we were seeing. It was very difficult to understand him, and I don’t think he provided very much information. I found most of the information I used in this post on the internet.

The wats did not have much signage in English. The signs I saw were mostly about rules. There was practically no interpretive signage. In Bangkok there is a lot to see, so it would be helpful to research one’s destinations in advance, and to learn a bit about the local versions of Buddhism.

Today’s fabric is Thai sarong fabric. This particular fabric is a printed batik cotton fabric with a traditional Thai pattern. (Sarong fabric can also be silk and it can have a woven, rather than printed, design.) Note that the sarong fabric has a border printed on one edge only. The fabric is not a sarong - yet. It comes on a bolt and is sold by the yard (or meter) to be made into a sarong.

Fabric sourced by ChiraTHAI