Welcome to Thailand - Day 1

Monday evening, I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand along with Kat and Caitlin.  Danielle met us at the airport.  We got in late so we just checked in to the hotel and got something to eat.  By this point, I was already amazed at how clean it was compared to India.  There were no cows meandering around and it smelled much better.  

A demon statue guarding the palace

Yesterday we started the day at The Grand Palace which served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand starting in the 18th Century.  The tour guide we had was very informative and funny.  I might remember more of his jokes rather than the important things, but that's what the internet is for, right? 


Taken from Wikipedia because I'm on a time limit here:  (skip down if you don't want to read facts)

"When King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) decided to move the capital of Siam from Thonburi on the west to Bangkok on the east of the Chao Phraya River he decided to build a magnificent new palace as a place of residence as well as a centre of government. The area chosen was however occupied by Chinese merchants, whom he promptly asked to relocate (to the present day Yaowarat area).

The tower of gold began construction on 6 May 1782. At first the palace consisted of several wooden buildings surrounded on four sides with a high defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Soon the King ordered the building of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; as the Monarch’s personal place of worship and royal temple. Once the palace was complete the King decided to under go a coronation ceremony to celebrate in 1785.

The plan of the Grand Palace followed closely that of the old palace in Ayutthaya. The Palace is rectangular shaped, with the western side next to a river and the royal temple situated to the east side, with all structures facing north. The palace itself is divided into three quarters: the outer quarters, the middle quarters and the inner quarters."

- Thank you, Wikipedia.

Our capris weren't long enough so we had to wear skirts.

I love their signs... they made us wear long skirts since our capris weren't long enough but let other women wear short skirts in.  It was random, I guess.  Oh, and according to the sign, you have to wear a shirt.  In case you didn't....


Below is the Barom Piman Hall were meetings were held.  Our tour guide once saw Bill and Hillary Clinton there but did not see Monica Lewinsky.  He didn't know why.

 

After the Grand Palace, we took a ferry across the river to Wat Arun, another temple.  This one was very unique because it was made out of pieces of china.  I don't think that any design on the temple was identical to another one.

Wat Arun Temple

Those are some big feet.

Caitlin giving away her money

Wat Pho is another temple we visited that is home to the largest reclining Buddha.  We also bought coins for 20 Bhat  (less than $1) to drop in buckets along the wall as offerings.   

Even Ronald is Thai

Thai people are very peaceful!

Danielle negotiating a tuk-tuk price in Khao San

Later in the evening, we went out for dinner and drinks in the Khao San area.  There are many restaurants and bars perfect for people watching.  There were Thai ladies trying to get us to come in bars and massage places.  I'm sure you could get anything you wanted there and I'm not kidding.  Many bars advertised cheap drinks and "No ID Check".  We got a few beers and watched the entertainment walk around.

Our first full day in Bangkok was jam packed!  I'm already convinced I might just stay here instead of going back to India.