Bangkok Day II - Must see in Bangkok!

This was the 2nd day of our trip. We woke up at 6am despite the late night sleep because we wanted to maximize our day time :D We had a simple breakfast...toast and tangerine juice in Urban House.

Then we headed to the Khao San area. First to the BTS, Saladeng station on foot, then catch the BTS commuter to the Saphan Thaksin station. We then transited to the Phra Athit Pier via Express Ferry. Then we walked again to the Khao San Road. The whole journey took more than an hour. It was really good to be able to experience this, the locals way of moving around. The BTS train was flooded with people. The ferries was crowded too. Lots of university students were commuting on ferries...was really surprised to learn that they have to wear uniform even at tertiarary stage.

BTS station during peak hour

Express Boat...13Baht on one way

people from all diff background...working class, students, housewife n etc

We were in Khao San road to find our accommodation for the following nights. We visited a few guest house but mostly didn't have room for three available. The worst in our list was Rekka Inn...cockroach right in front of the room's door. We finally settled with New Siam II. The reception was very friendly...however the room was much smaller compared to Urban House but with a cheaper rate.

Walking along Khao Shan Road was an annoying experience for us. Harrasment words from tuk tuk drivers :S Besides we have a lot of people approaching us, trying to be friendly...asking and guessing our nationality...from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Philipines, German and others except Malaysian...

On Khao Shan Road during day time

We took a big round around Khao Shan area to search for the Siam Niramit agent that could offer us ticket at 850Baht but we could not find any. Finally we settled for 950Baht on ticket and another 200Baht for buffet dinner...giving us a total saving of 650Baht. We have also managed to sign up for a short tour to Floating Market, River Kwai and Tiger Temple at 450Baht each inclusive of pick up from our guest house in Silom.

1150Baht per person for Siam Niramit show and buffet dinner

After all the arrangement done, we continued our sight seeing. We walked pass the Thammasat University. It was a beautiful university along the Mae Nam Chao Phraya. Along our way, we stopped by road to taste some local snacks. We got some fritters...corn, yam, pumpkin, potato, coconut and banana fritters...yummy. We have also got to taste the local home made coconut ice cream topped with glutinous rice.

at Thammasat University

at the fritters stall...I love those potato and pumpkin fritters

coconut ice cream uncle...:D

After the university, we walked along the river bank in search of good local food as recommended by the landlady in Urban House. We found many stalls frequent by university students and we settled in one which has none of English words. So we ordered our food by pointing at whatever available on other tables. We ordered 2 dishes but ended up with only 1 served.

our pork rice in an unknown shop

this stall is frequent by students

Then it was a long walk along the Amulet Market. There were lots of stalls selling religous amulet or various Hindu and Buddhist deities.

at Amulet market...buyers inspecting the amulet with magnifying glass

Next, our first tourist sight of the day, Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. It was indeed a very grand palace...huge in size with extensive mural painting around the palace, colourful with colours glass on the wall and with gold paints on all pillars and linings. The must see here in the complex were the Temple of Emerald Buddha. Not to be missed was the Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins...all sorts of royal ornaments and jeweleries being exhibited here....and of course the coins attracted me most. We spent about 2 hours in the complex to admire this royal site.

the stupas and throne hall

high pillars supporting the colourful roof pile

one of the many painting on the extensive mural

before getting into the palace...

palace...build by King Rama V

guards marching by

deities and meinfront of the main buildings

the palace complex from outside

2 deities guarding the temple

the grand entrance...not for me :S

who is fierce here?

wah....shinny gold glass

restoration work in progress...very good effort!

love those lotus

Then we headed back to the Tha Chang Pier to catch a ferry to the Wat Arun. We were offered to go on tourist ferry for 300Baht for 2 ways and 200 Baht for 1 way. We decided to follow the local way of 3 Baht ferry ride but we got to walk for another ~2km to Tha Thien Pier to catch the ferry. We got some snacks again...this time sausage wafer, pork wafer and pancake....taste ok.

Finally we arrived at Wat Arun. It was difficult to climb with the narrow but very high steps. However worth the climb to get a good view across the river.

Wat Arun from the river

me going up the Wat

good comparison...my legs at the top platform (*bottom of the photo) while Phaik and Stella at the mid platform (*2 in the middle)...so can you tell how high it is now?

We left Wat Arun for Siam Niramit. First we took a ferry from Wat Arun to Tha Thien Pier across the river. Then got on another ferry to Saphan Thaksin, followed by BTS to Saladeng, another 1km walk of interchnage to MTR Silom. Finally we hopped on MRT from Silom station to Thai Cultural Center Station...*stupidly 3 of us were puzzled to be given 3 coins size token when we were purchasing ticket for the ride...lol...then from the MTR station we boarded the Siam Niramit transit van.

uncle steering the ferry...sending us back to Tha Thien Pier

The buffet dinner in Siam Niramit was rather poor or below our expectation especially when it came to Thai cuisine. Their internal dishes were ok but the Tom Yam Kung failed badly. It was like diluted soup...non spicy non sour non taste! The pad thai was the standard of char kuey teow in Malacaa which came with sweet sauce... :S

very grand...but food soso

one of the best dish...the noodle soup

my main course...average

Tom Yam Kung, the worst of all!

The Siam Niramit show was excellent at a grand scale....excellent cast, excellent choreography with excellent sound system and excellent presentation. It was worth the 950Baht and the time spent to get the ticket :D. I love the Mystical Himapaan Forest and Blissful Heaven scenes. It was almost perfect for there was a short interchange by a clown conducting music class with Thai traditional musical instrument. Perhaps, this was just a filling session while waiting for setup on the back. There was another setback, we were not allowed to take any photos or video by all mean during the performance :S.

after the performance...Phaik and me

Siam Niramit...the best show in Thailand! Not to be missed!

Here is the preview I have got from youtube.

We were back in our room in Urban House at about 10.30pm...It was a long and fulfilling day in Bangkok. The Wat Phra Kaew, Royal Palace and Wat Arun are must visit site in Bangkok and the SIam Nirammit surely deserve a place int he list of 20 things to do in Thailand.