Markets, Temples and Hookers, Oh my!! (day 1 and 2)
This post got destroyed so sorry if it seems scattered or incomplete.
I finally arrived two days ago at midnight, called my new friend Naomi whom i’m staying with (it only took this tech-savvy boy 5 ties at the phone), and hopped into a taxi to awake at Naradhiwas 24 (her street).
Day 1: I awoke to a bustling and hot city. Naomi and I ventured off to the massive weekend market to look around. This market is home to thousands of sellers (everything from live chickens and beetles to clothes and knock-off bags) and each Saturday and Sunday brings in over 200,000 visitors. Naomi and I take in the many sites of this open air market and take a break at the end to enjoy some pad thai and a cold beer. The beer is especially welcome as I decide I rather pass out from alcohol than sunstroke.
At night, We head off to Pat Pong, the famous red-light district of BKK. Surprisingly, between getting asked if I want a friend or if I wanted to see a show, there qere quite a few street vendors selling food and all kinds of other items. Pat Pong has turned into a family-oriented hornball location where we saw quite a few kids. Sorry, no sex shows this time (Cuz Rob, you’ll just have to wait to get your jollies off.) Its actually a great place to hang out, get some sushi as we did and drink some beers.
Day 2:
I woke up early this morning to start really touring the city. First I hopped a taxi to the river, then took an exciting and interesting trip down the rive on a boat. I saw everything from grand hotels and temples to decrepit little homes that looked like a big wave would wash them away. Its a great place to get a slice of thai life.
My first stop today was Wat Pho (temple Pho), the largest buddhist temple in BKK. It is a colorful complex full of great sanctuaries, gardens, and chinese style animal statues. Its greatest sight is the enormous reclining Buddha, a 151 ft. long, 49 ft. high statue of the Buddha laying on his side. Its covered in gold leaf and evokes pure awe. The building it is housed in is not too shabby itself, as Wat Pho is considered BKK’s original school. pots in front of the Buddha where it represents good luck. I donate 20 baht (50 cents) for a flower, incense and a candle which are good luck. I place the flower in the water where it will blossom (but I have a feeling they’ll throw it out before it has the chance). Adjacent to this pot is a place to light and “plant” the incense and candle which are fragrant and intoxicating. But the Reclining Buddha is not the only image to be had there. A sprawling complex made up of many seperate sancuaries, Wat Pho’s architecture is classic thai, and classic beautiful. So very colorful.
Well, I had a long thing about the Grand palace and Khao San road but it looks like it just got erased, so Ill shorten it here:
The Grand Palace is a massive complex right next to Wat Pho that is home to the Royal family and was once the center of governmental affairs. It is a beautiful area full of temples, shrines and governmental buildings. But be careful where you take a picture, because a guards with rather large guns are always there to tell you when its not appropriate. Among its many possessions, the Palace is home to the famous jade Buddha. Its a image of the Buddha sitting cut out of a pure block of jade. It has quite a history and is treated as a prized possession of the country (I suggest everyone checks out the history of it which is amazing and long, so I wont retell it).
My last stop for the daylight hours was Khao San Road, home to hippies, backpackers, shops, piss smells, and many bars, cafes, and hostels. Khao San is your typical backpacker haven, lively all the time (except when everyone is hungover), but after two hours of bopping around I’ve had my fill.
That’s all for today, but its only 4:30 and there’s plenty to do at night. more to follow as usual!!
Tags: India, Random Nonsense, Thailand, Thailand, Travel
TravellingJosh
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