Six Days in Bangkok . . .

 

Thai Dancers



Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew from the Chao Phraya

Six days seemed like a very long time to be in an extremely hot and humid city, but time has gone relatively fast.   I spent one day taking the train to visit the ruins of Ayutthaya, the previous capitol of Thailand. 



Elephants at Ayutthaya

I think I have finally (somewhat) mastered the art of getting around in this city and have taken the Skytrain, subway, train, water taxi on the khlongs and the river taxi on the Chao Phraya River and got lost only a few times!  Between visits to Lumpini Park, ridiculously chaotic boat taxi rides to the beautiful Wat Sakhet or Golden Mount, calm and peaceful boat rides on the khlongs (canals) past people's homes (Bangkok is known as the Venice of the East), the super crowded, super busy Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market with all of the sounds, smells, people, and amazing food, the 'local' wat, an impromptu walking street and trips down (and up) the Chao Phraya River, time has passed quickly.  I didn't even include all the fun shopping places (Khao San Road, Chatuchak Market to name just two of the big ones).  The food here will make your eyes water and your nose run, the streets can get so hot that your feet burn through your shoes, the air is thick with pollution on some days and on others just thick with humidity. 

Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (Note the
4 foot ceiling under the bridge)



Some Homes on the Khlong

Lumpini Park



Bells at Wat Sakhet (Golden Mount)

A Scene at Lumpini Park

Yesterday evening, I went to Lumpini Park.  It was Sunday and the park was filled with people: families having picnics, a choral group singing angelic music at the bandstand, a group of about 40 doing aerobics to music, more swan boats than I've ever seen in one place cruising around the lakes, people fencing, doing Tai Chi, playing checkers and chess, lots of badminton, people running, walking and cycling around the 2 1/2 km exterior - you get the picture.  It was really enjoyable and a great chance to walk and interact with the locals, as well as other tourists.  At 6:00 p.m. on the dot, EVERYTHING stopped as it always does while the Thai national anthem is played and everyone stands to honor their king. 
So, love it or hate it, there is nothing quite like this place.  I'm one of the lovers (in small doses)  but, that being said, it is time to leave until next time.  Time to go home!  Yay!