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Published: November 15th 2021
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Flower lady
Selling flower offerings for the temples We woke up to the doorbell, breakfast is served! Fried egg, toast, margarine, bacon and sausage. Shortly afterwards we got the all clear from our PCR test. We're free!
Except it's Saturday. Banks are closed, so we got some cash from an ATM (at an exorbitant charge) and headed towards the famous Kaosan Road. On the way we saw the city waking up, food stalls opening, lots of flower sellers making and selling offerings for people to take to the temples.
Kaosan road was empty, everything was closed. Nobody there. COVID? Too early in the morning? Probably a combination. Anyway, a bit underwhelming. We went on to the Democracy Square, with all its symbolism and read a bit about the slight irony of the name (Thai democracy was founded and is preserved by the occasional military coup...). At the square is the only McDonalds shop in the world who's sign isn't red - it's brown, to honor those killed in Bangkok during one of the coups.
We went on to Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan (and that's just part of the name. It's also known as Loha Prasat). Apparently it's one of only three temples in the world built in
that architectural style, the other two being in India and Sri Lanka, and both are nothing but ancient ruins. It also holds some relics of Buddha. Loha Prasat now acts as an exhibition on its history, and people come there to meditate. And take selfies. Mustn't forget the selfies!
We got a drink of green tea with milk at the little coffee shop next door (it was delicious!) before going on towards the Royal Palace complex. We walked along some of the canals in the city, meeting some of the people (and some cats) who live along it. Some monks in orange robes, an old lady watering her plants, some fishmongers cleaning squid in plastic pails of water.
We visited the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, where lots of people came to pray and leave offerings of incense, flowers, money, and even oil in the candles. Some even stuck gold leaf on the statues!
Our next stop was at the huge complex of Wat Pho (I should mention that 'Wat' means 'Temple' in Thai). Wat Pho covers a large area adjacent to the Royal Palace complex, and was used in the past as a center of learning Thai
Royal Family
There are pictures of the king and royal family everywhere medicine. It's still the largest and most prestigious school of Thai massage. And it's full of amazing colorful buildings, statues and gardens.
By now it was starting to get late and we've a plane to catch to Chiang Mai. Wat Pho is right next to the river, so we managed to hire a long-tail boat to take us back towards our hotel. Not cheap, but a fun ride!
We collected our luggage from the hotel and got a taxi to the airport. We made it with time to spare and zipped through check-in. I've said it before and I'll say it again - Bangkok's main airport may be huge, but it is super efficient!
The flight to Chiang Mai is just over an hour long, and quite funny - they played a children's song ad for the airline (VietJet) until takeoff!
We got to the hotel, in a small, quiet back street. A really nice hotel, and found that we got upgraded to a suite! Well, you won't hear any complaints from me!
A short walk brought us to town, which is all decorated in preparation for the festival of lights next week. The bridges
over the canals are decorated with lights, and the streets are lined with decorations. We found some street stalls to finally try real Thai food! We got a banana Loti - a sweet banana fried pastry and absolutely delicious! And some 'real' food - noodle soup. Spicy, lots of noodles and meat, and also yummy.
After that day it's time to crash...
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