04 March, 2006
Day one in Bangkok
Today had a rather slow start. I woke at 7am and the heat of the day came on quickly, by 8. I had some delicious pineapple fried rice at my guest house's cafe, along with a couple of cups of coffee, and went off on "business".
By 1pm, I had got myself a huge travel backpack with wheels and telescoping handle, and gotten all of my internet needs taken care of. Which includes uploading the new webpage and calling someone in the US using Skype. The sound was remarkably clear, probably due to the good speed of the DSL connection. I was even happier when the very nice woman, Sujaree, allowed me to connect my laptop to their hub in lieu of one of their PC''s. She also helped me to learn better Thai than the Phrasebook I had gotten describes. In return, I taught her was the word "chanting" means.
After eating lunch, I set off to see the Royal Grand Palace. On the way, I passed Sanam Luang park, where their was a gathering crowd for a pro-Thaksin rally. Thaksin is Thailand's prime minister, and if you Google his name, you'll easily find that he has been under scrutiny from a large segment of the Thai population. Just this past Sunday, 26 March, there was an anti-Thaksin rally. I took a few photos and headed onward to the Royal Grand Palace.
At the palace, I was quickly approached by a "licensed" tour guide offering an hour for 400 Baht (about $10). I balked at the price, and went into a small conversation, just long enough to realize his English would never be worth the money. So I went solo and unguided. After getting my ticket, I saw a door into a building with the Royal Coins & Decoration Museum, which was included in the 250 Baht admission price for the Palace. Because it was air conditioned inside, I hung out for a while before exiting only to find that the entrance to the Palace was closing in 10 minutes.
Not knowing that I could come back the next day, I went in anyhow. First up was Wat Phra Kaew, which is on the same grounds as the Palace. At the entrance, there were signs showing that photography was not permitted, so I had put my camera away. This was sad, because this Wat houses the renowed Emerald Buddha, which the King clothes himself with golden garb, changing for every season. Since there were very few people around, it took a few minutes of walking around the Wat to discover that everyone was taking photos anyhow. But the guards wanted us to exit the Wat area, and so I didn't get my camera out in time. I will have to return tomorrow to take some shots.
When I got to the Grand Royal palace area, I found the place to be almost empty. I hung out for quite a while without any bother from the guards and had the place nearly to myself. Taking such pristine shots without people on the grounds is probably not a common experience.
After the Grand Royal Palace, I went to Wat Pho. Again, it was late, so although I technically had an hour, I was quickly told by someone who wanted to practice their English that I could hang around after the 6pm closing time and exit through a door which was open 24 hours. So, more people-less shots! Wat Pho houses the largest reclining Buddha (his posture just before death/Nirvanna). It is 46m long, 15m high covered in gold leaf. The Wat was just too dark to do any real justice with photos. I may go back with my monopod and try again. Or not.
On my way back to the guest house and dinner, I again stopped at the pro-Thaksin rally. It was dark, and the thing was in full swing. I'd estimate there were at least eighty thousand people, but likely more. I dove into the park grounds and snapped some more shots. Read about it in the news....
By 1pm, I had got myself a huge travel backpack with wheels and telescoping handle, and gotten all of my internet needs taken care of. Which includes uploading the new webpage and calling someone in the US using Skype. The sound was remarkably clear, probably due to the good speed of the DSL connection. I was even happier when the very nice woman, Sujaree, allowed me to connect my laptop to their hub in lieu of one of their PC''s. She also helped me to learn better Thai than the Phrasebook I had gotten describes. In return, I taught her was the word "chanting" means.
After eating lunch, I set off to see the Royal Grand Palace. On the way, I passed Sanam Luang park, where their was a gathering crowd for a pro-Thaksin rally. Thaksin is Thailand's prime minister, and if you Google his name, you'll easily find that he has been under scrutiny from a large segment of the Thai population. Just this past Sunday, 26 March, there was an anti-Thaksin rally. I took a few photos and headed onward to the Royal Grand Palace.
At the palace, I was quickly approached by a "licensed" tour guide offering an hour for 400 Baht (about $10). I balked at the price, and went into a small conversation, just long enough to realize his English would never be worth the money. So I went solo and unguided. After getting my ticket, I saw a door into a building with the Royal Coins & Decoration Museum, which was included in the 250 Baht admission price for the Palace. Because it was air conditioned inside, I hung out for a while before exiting only to find that the entrance to the Palace was closing in 10 minutes.
Not knowing that I could come back the next day, I went in anyhow. First up was Wat Phra Kaew, which is on the same grounds as the Palace. At the entrance, there were signs showing that photography was not permitted, so I had put my camera away. This was sad, because this Wat houses the renowed Emerald Buddha, which the King clothes himself with golden garb, changing for every season. Since there were very few people around, it took a few minutes of walking around the Wat to discover that everyone was taking photos anyhow. But the guards wanted us to exit the Wat area, and so I didn't get my camera out in time. I will have to return tomorrow to take some shots.
When I got to the Grand Royal palace area, I found the place to be almost empty. I hung out for quite a while without any bother from the guards and had the place nearly to myself. Taking such pristine shots without people on the grounds is probably not a common experience.
After the Grand Royal Palace, I went to Wat Pho. Again, it was late, so although I technically had an hour, I was quickly told by someone who wanted to practice their English that I could hang around after the 6pm closing time and exit through a door which was open 24 hours. So, more people-less shots! Wat Pho houses the largest reclining Buddha (his posture just before death/Nirvanna). It is 46m long, 15m high covered in gold leaf. The Wat was just too dark to do any real justice with photos. I may go back with my monopod and try again. Or not.
On my way back to the guest house and dinner, I again stopped at the pro-Thaksin rally. It was dark, and the thing was in full swing. I'd estimate there were at least eighty thousand people, but likely more. I dove into the park grounds and snapped some more shots. Read about it in the news....
Comments:
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k-
these are some pretty incredible shots. (as well as the experiences that come along with them). obvoiusly the first of many. i feel the need to forward these links to a travel magazine and have them pay you, and publish you. really really.
i hope you have another great day today.
for now, i am going to sleep!
xo
b
these are some pretty incredible shots. (as well as the experiences that come along with them). obvoiusly the first of many. i feel the need to forward these links to a travel magazine and have them pay you, and publish you. really really.
i hope you have another great day today.
for now, i am going to sleep!
xo
b
Great pix, Keith! Following your travels with interest. (Enjoying Au Bon Pain, btw! Much appreciated ... C)
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