Today we are going to see Vimanmek Palace if it kills us! We’re up, breakfasted (pancakes and pan egg this morning, along with vegetable salad, dragon fruit and watermelon juice –it’s way too much to eat!!), out the door before 9. At least we know where we are going!
It’s a little on the overcast side, which helps with the heat, but that doesn’t last long. By the time we are halfway to the Palace, the sun is out and its heating up. We arrive a little before 9:30, and the place is deserted. We use our Grand Palace tickets to get in the door, then proceed to the Palace. You have to dress “properly” here as well, so Ed has come prepared in long pants, I have on my longer capri’s and a light top over my sleeveless shirt. Unfortunately though, my pants don’t cut the mustard and I have to borrow a lovely serape for 200b deposit! Oh well – I look cute! Kind of….
She did look cute: Ed
We then have to get rid of our cameras, bags, purses, and put them into a locker. Ok – so no pictures. Bummer. We’re finally ready to enter the palace – and even though it’s a hassle, it’s all worthwhile. This is the largest golden teakwood palace in the world – and it’s gorgeous. We make it in time for the first English tour. We’re so early, that there are only 5 of us on the tour – one other gentleman from Nebraska and two girls from France. You only had the option of English or Thai, so they trundled along with us, asking questions occasionally when they could. The tour takes about an hour and it’s fascinating to see the architecture and learn how the King lived. Built in 1900, and completed in 1901, King Rama V lived there for only 5 years before moving to another villa until his death. The Palace was renovated a few times, then shut down entirely for 50 years. For many years it was used as storage for the Royal Family. In 1986, the Palace was reopened as a museum.
The house is shaped in a large L configuration with 72 different rooms. It is divided into sections according to color: Pink, green, blue, orange, yellow. Each color corresponded to the person living in the area or for what the area was used. The King’s quarters were blue, his queens (yes, plural, he had 4) were different colors. Interesting little facts – there were tea sets for each day of the week –and each day had it’s own color. The King’s favorite was pink because it was for Tuesday, the day he was born.
We got to view all the china, the different rooms, the bathroom with the first ever shower, all the while walking in our stocking feet along the teakwood floors. A magnificent example of architecture. After the tour we were going to go see the throne room and tour some other exhibits, but decided we didn’t want to go through the storage/serape/shoe thing every time so we headed back to the hotel to prepare for our afternoon outing: The Chatuchak Market.
On our way back we couldn't resist taking this picture! Ronald giving the wai sign! Too much.
Better known as the J J market, this weekend only market consists of 10,000 vendors over 25 acres. It’s mammoth – and is supposed to be where you can find tons of bargains. We catch the ferry to the skytrain, then take it all the way to the end. Once again, we simply follow the crowds. Oh my gosh – it’s pure bedlam here! I don’t know how many people – but it’s critical mass! And the vendors! Geez – you name it, it’s here: used clothes, new clothes, shoes, t-shirts, trendy fashions, bags, beads, jewelry, silk, traditional craft products, sunglasses, ceramics, housewares, plants…..the list goes on and on. And the prices are astonishing. We spent a couple hours just roaming up and down the alleyways and stalls – didn’t buy a thing – but oh if we had empty suitcases! Dress sandals for under $3 US – cute well made sandals – I’m not talking flip flops here! Shirts, blouses, for a couple bucks. It makes your mind spin.
The crowds just surge all over the place, so you just have to patiently walk or push your way through. We browsed through the street food stalls, then decided to sit down at Toh Plue restaurant so we could rest and strategize. Had a beer and a water – then stuck off again through the shops – window shopping and preparing for Chiang Mai which is supposed to be even better! After another hour we decide we want some snacks, so we head back to Toh Plue – it’s the best place to sit and get real food (that and we can read the menu!).
Ended up with three plates: a pineapple stuffed with fried rice, chicken and chunks of pineapple – delicious!, Fried catfish with cashews and chicken and rice soup. All excellent and totally filling. Rice! Oy!
We walked the food off heading out toward the skytrain. Vendors everywhere, even outside the gates. Skytrain, ferry, back to the hotel to cool off! Had grand plans for either street food or another little restaurant we saw – but the skies opened up once again – monsoon city! So we just stayed here at the hotel and shared a plate of Pad Thai and a huge salad (with a very good Asian vinaigrette) sitting outside under the palms and shrubs around the garden.
Another good day in Bangkok.
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