This was our second stop in Thailand and our second stop on mainland Asia, the first being Singapore. Ko Samui, our prior stop in Thailand is actually an island. The port for the Bangkok stop was Laem Chabang which was about two hours from Bangkok. Sooo, it was back on the bus! Fortunately, Regent doesn't fully load the buses. Rest assured the buses here are configured for the physically smaller Asian people, not the likes of we Americans. Quite a few of us were able to get a row to ourselves. We'd often go to the back of the bus where Tom had room for his long legs!
We were docked for two days there but after a full 10-11 hour trip the first day, we chose to stay on the ship for the second day.
On the bus headed to Bangkok, the traffic was QUITE heavy!
Through the smog, we can see the tallest building in Bangkok standing tall above all the other buildings. Were we to come back here 10-15 years from now, I suspect it would be far from the tallest!
From the elevated highway looking down on homes of the locals.
Our first stop was at a Shopping Center which fortunately had some great, clean, western restroom facilities. We just walked through the center to board our boat for cruising along the Chao Phraya River and canals.
Getting on the boat was quite a challenge as it wasn't docked just pushed up against old tires with its "nose" over the pier. Fortunately, there were folks to help the less agile amongst us make the step.
Homes along the river. Note the apartment building in the background. Unlike in the US where outside portion of air conditioners are mounted on the roof, these are mounted on the wall outside each unit.
A barge boat with living quarters for the owner/family to live.
One of the many temples we passed as we traveled the river.
More homes along the river. Just to the right of center there was a man peeling something that looked like a potato, probably a turnip.
Vendor in a paddle boat trying to sell her wares to folks on another of our boats.
More homes on the river and a vendor either heading out or stopping for a delivery.
First stop on the river was Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple in the Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. It was established before the 17th century and refurbished in the 1800's.
Going into the temple, the path was flanked on both sides by shops.
A golden Buddha at the base of the main structure.
Looking up at the main stupa like structure that is the centerpiece of the temple.
A closer look at the porcelain overlaid decoratively carved stone.
One of the 4 corner buildings.
A closer look at the artwork.
From there, we were off to the beautiful Peninsula Hotel for a delightful Thai buffet lunch.
Main entrance to the hotel.
Bangkok is another of the Southeast Asia cities that values its green space.
One of many three-wheeled motor bikes adapted to function as a small truck.
Just one of the ubiquitous shops with vendor living quarters above. Few homes come even close to meeting US minimum standards.
We were fascinated with the jumbled bundles of electrical, et al, wiring. And, this was one of the more organized bundles!
The stop after lunch was at the Grand Palace and temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace complex was established in the 1780's and covers roughly 54 acres. It has some of the most magnificent buildings and structures I can ever recall seeing. Below is a view of the Upper Terrace. In this photo, you can get a bit of a sense of how bad the crowds were. Tom chose to stay on the bus and wait in the cool there. The most striking structure is the reliquary (structure containing holy relics) in the shape of a golden chedi (the alternative term for a Buddhist stupa).
The intricate carvings, especially around the rooflines are just incredible.
Ceramic / porcelain tile roofs add to the beauty.
More of the impressively elaborate buildings on the temple grounds.
One of a pair of guardian statues in front of one of the temple buildings.
More of the awesome beauty within the walls of the Grand Palace.
A model of Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world!
The structures are just incredible, especially knowing these were all done by hand!
Images look like they are supporting the height of the structure… not pretty faces!
For going into the temple of the emerald Buddha, everyone had to take their shoes off. Being one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok, cabinets were placed at every entrance. Note the sarong on the woman on the left. Women could wear skirts up to their cheeks, however, pants had to come to the ankles. This woman was probably wearing capris, thus, the sarong.
The temple / Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha. No pictures were allowed inside, thus nothing to show except the outside of the building.
Back on the bus, headed back to the port (2+ hours away), I was fascinated by the decorative street lamps.
Modern day structures in Bangkok round-about.
Median strips are very nicely landscaped.
Back on the ship! YEAH! Today was Valentine's Day and when we walked into the main dining room, they had a long stemmed red rose for each of the women.
I took my rose with me for a post dinner Brandy Alexander!
The Voyager Lounge was decorated for the occasion!
The lights of the port coming through the windows in the lounge added to the ambiance.
We overnighted in the port at Laem Chabang and, had a second day to tour. After all the driving of this day, we chose to stay on the ship for that day.
Well, I'm now 6 ports behind and we're headed into Japan waters where internet access is banned on the channels we use. We'll then be making stops in China where satellite interference is not uncommon. Bottom line of that babble: I don't know when the next post will be!
As I write this (3/3/13), we are on the 54th day of our 66 day cruise, the 59th day of our 75 day journey!
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