Bangkok- The Grand Palace

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After arriving in Bangkok, we hot-footed over to the Grand Palace. People had to get what they were wearing checked out by officials to see if it was appropriate. No shorts, no tank tops, no major skin showing. It is a holy place after all. If what you were wearing was not appropriate, you could rent sarongs and such. We knew this ahead of time and dressed correctly. : ) We started by entering this hall that was covered with paintings and gold leaf of palaces and battles and the history of Thailand. The hall/wall runs all around the compound of the temple of the emerald buddha and the entire inside is one continuous mural that runs for about a quarter mile! After being blown away by that we stepped out of the hall and WOW! The pics don't do this place justice. We then went to the most famous building here, the temple of the emerald buddha. Sorry, can't take pics inside but you have never seen such elaborate gold work all over the place. And on top of this about 30 feet in the air was the emerald buddha himself in his gold rainy season robes. Seriously, can't describe it. Everything is painted, decorated or covered in gold. We then visited the rest of the buildings. Check the pics, pretty amazing stuff. They even had a model of Angkor Wat in Cambodia which we will see the real thing in a couple of days. After touring the grounds we saw the Thai royalty's crown jewels. Again, sorry no pics allowed. Its good to be the king! Lots and lots of very elaborately carved gold with jems. Needed a nap afterword. Whew! Off to Cambodia and Angkor Wat...

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Photos

Arun Residence
Our hotel for one night in Bangkok

Wat Arun @ night
Temple across from our hotel room with a brightly lit dinner/party cruise ship going down the river in front of it.

Entrance @ Grand Palace
Grand Palace was built as the official residence for the Kings of Thailand

Gold painted wall mural @ Grand Palace
One of thousands!

Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat Phra Kaew is the name of the temple that the Emerald Buddha resides in @ Grand Palace

Golden Chedi
Chedi is a buddhist monument containing holy relics and/or remains

Emerald Buddha
Yes, he's in the pic. Look close and you'll see him. You can't take pics inside the temple.

Government inside Grand Palace
In style of Italian Renaissance