2008.10.23 Fly Me to Bangkok

come fly with me
stay a little while above the clouds
we'll fly into the dawn

when you open your eyes
we're there...
in Krung Thep
the city of angels.

Sawasdee!

Wat Phra Kaew

Ramakien figure outside the temple

The splendour of Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha) enchants the eyes of the beholders. The temple is so grand, yet the namesake of the place: the Emerald Buddha itself, is quite small. Despite its minute size, it is the most venerated icon in Thailand. The Buddha was dressed in a gilded monastery robe with headress since it was rainy season then. I was told that the Buddha will be dressed in golden shawl in winter, while in summer, he will be dressed with a crown and jewelry.

The reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

View across Chao Phraya from Wat Arun

After bringing us to Wat Pho and Wat Arun (it was his first time visiting these places although he was bornt and bred in Bangkok), MooH said: Since I have been to two temples this year, I don't have to go to temple next year. ~_~* (he has one-temple-a-year policy)

Besides the mandatory sightseeing, we had the essential Thai culinary experience in one of the local markets and in a shopping centre in Sukhumvit area. The food was great: papaya salad, sticky rice, roasted chicken, minced pork for lunch (this meal offered a mix sour, spicy, and sweet taste) and the best Japanese meal ever for dinner (well, Jap food is not really a Thai experience, but it proves the point that food in Thailand is fantastic!).
In addition, we tried all kinds of public transportation in the city: bus, BTS (skytrain), river express, cross-river ferry, tuk-tuk, and taxi.

Bangkok reminds us of Jakarta, only better and cleaner.

A rendezvous, a déjàvu.

The two people that make Bangkok so memorable (=