CHINA Bangkok tour day5
Today we are going to another city, a very special place not far inland from Bangkok. We take a taxi, skytrain, and a minibus to get there.
Ayutthaya was the capital city of Siam. Founded in 1350 and located on an island created by 3 rivers, it was well positioned for defence against attack and at the same time, easily accessible for trading ships. Ayutthaya was a successful, booming capital city for over 400 years. Then in 1767 an army from Myanmar (briefly renamed Burma by the British) marched on the city, over-ran it and then sacked it, taking gold that had covered the Buddha images, and other decorations, before burning the whole city, palaces, temples, everything. It never recovered and Bangkok became the new capital.
Ayutthaya is now a bustling city functioning around the ruins of the old capital. Some of the ruined building complexes cover several acres, others are on smaller sites. We are driven around the city in a car that waits for us at each ruin we visit, about 10 in all. This place, as the capital of Siam with all its gold and splendour, must have been incredible. Even the ruins are awe inspiring.
Back in Bangkok for my last evening here, Mint piles us into a taxi which, after a short drive, turns into a derelict piece of land, negotiating a huge puddle of water at the entrance. In the far corner, maybe 100m from the entrance, there are a few cars and lights. A rave, I wonder. In fact, the far corner reveals the entrance to a huge barn-like restaurant. There is a live Thai rock band belting out incomprehensible Thai songs with much audience participation, a great atmosphere. We learn later that there are seven separate birthday parties here this evening. The whole place is rocking with the band, which obviously knows how to get an audience going. A great evening.
Now I have to bid a sad farewell to Mint before I fly to Phuket for a quiet few weeks of relaxation. Might do a few trips there, will report if I do. Otherwise, it's China on 15th. I plan to blog from there, but I have heard that they have heavy censorship of the Internet and blogs might be a target. We will see.
All the Best to everyone,
John
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
CHINA Bangkok tour day4
CHINA Bangkok tour day4
We visit Erawan Museum, not just an ordinary museum, but beautiful gardens dominated by, in the centre, a huge elephant with 3 heads on a pedestal. It is not a real elephant, it is 43.6 metres high from toe to top of head. The pedestal is a large round structure that you can go inside to view an exhibition of Thai/Buddhist philosophy. So the top of the elephant must be 60 metres above ground. It's big and very impressive. 3 headed elephants have major significance in Asian culture.
Now we enter staircase that winds its way up inside one of the elephants legs. part way up you can crouch down to look out of a small window down to the ground, a long way down! The top of the staircase takes us into the belly of the elephant. Here there are, in glass cases along each side, ancient Buddhas, some going back to 13th century. At the end, inside one of the elephant's heads, is a gold Buddha mounted high up and surrounded by flowers and ornaments as they do. This is a beautiful room, all the more striking for being inside the elephant's tummy.
We go back outside and I look back up at the elephant - the whole thing is spectacular.
After lunch, soup in a nearby outside restaurant, we travel across the city to 'Ancient Siam'. This is a large park with reconstructed villages, temples and other structures from the past. We are driven around in a sort of trolley bus which has a handle for steering it - I think cars used to have these, I wonder if some of my older friends remember them? This is an interesting and attractive place, you could spend a whole day walking around here. There is even a floating village. We have an ice cream here. We see Siamese dancing girls and bullocks.
Last day of this tour tomorrow,
All the Best,
John
We visit Erawan Museum, not just an ordinary museum, but beautiful gardens dominated by, in the centre, a huge elephant with 3 heads on a pedestal. It is not a real elephant, it is 43.6 metres high from toe to top of head. The pedestal is a large round structure that you can go inside to view an exhibition of Thai/Buddhist philosophy. So the top of the elephant must be 60 metres above ground. It's big and very impressive. 3 headed elephants have major significance in Asian culture.
Now we enter staircase that winds its way up inside one of the elephants legs. part way up you can crouch down to look out of a small window down to the ground, a long way down! The top of the staircase takes us into the belly of the elephant. Here there are, in glass cases along each side, ancient Buddhas, some going back to 13th century. At the end, inside one of the elephant's heads, is a gold Buddha mounted high up and surrounded by flowers and ornaments as they do. This is a beautiful room, all the more striking for being inside the elephant's tummy.
We go back outside and I look back up at the elephant - the whole thing is spectacular.
After lunch, soup in a nearby outside restaurant, we travel across the city to 'Ancient Siam'. This is a large park with reconstructed villages, temples and other structures from the past. We are driven around in a sort of trolley bus which has a handle for steering it - I think cars used to have these, I wonder if some of my older friends remember them? This is an interesting and attractive place, you could spend a whole day walking around here. There is even a floating village. We have an ice cream here. We see Siamese dancing girls and bullocks.
Last day of this tour tomorrow,
All the Best,
John
Friday, May 29, 2009
CHINA Bangkok tour day3
CHINA Bangkok tour day3
Breakfast starts with help-yourself tea or coffee. I have to stand in a sea of red ants to get it and there is a lizard darting around between the cups and jars but it is worth it for my first cup of english-ish tea since Amersham. The fried egg, bacon and toast also goes down well.
We spend most of the day on the beach in very comfortable chairs under a shade under palm trees, I sleep, eat bananas and lychees, have a swim in warm sea, and watch the world go by, is this heaven?
We visit one more beach, then ferry to mainland, bus and taxi back to hotel in Bangkok.
Back to 'Ments' restaurant this evening, see round up of final premiership matches on their tele, Newcastle never seemed to get their act together after Bobby Robson, very sad but maybe what they need. Another excellent meal including their amazing soup.
That's it, ready for bed after all that,
All the Best,
John
Breakfast starts with help-yourself tea or coffee. I have to stand in a sea of red ants to get it and there is a lizard darting around between the cups and jars but it is worth it for my first cup of english-ish tea since Amersham. The fried egg, bacon and toast also goes down well.
We spend most of the day on the beach in very comfortable chairs under a shade under palm trees, I sleep, eat bananas and lychees, have a swim in warm sea, and watch the world go by, is this heaven?
We visit one more beach, then ferry to mainland, bus and taxi back to hotel in Bangkok.
Back to 'Ments' restaurant this evening, see round up of final premiership matches on their tele, Newcastle never seemed to get their act together after Bobby Robson, very sad but maybe what they need. Another excellent meal including their amazing soup.
That's it, ready for bed after all that,
All the Best,
John
Thursday, May 28, 2009
CHINA Bangkok tour day2
CHINA Bangkok tour day2
Today we go to Samet, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. After 4 hour bus journey, we have lunch on the pier before catching ferry to Samet.
We meet a Belgian girl who is backpacking s.e.asia having sold everything at home. She had already 'done' Thailand but been taken seriously ill in Cambodia and sent back to Bangkok which had the nearest hospital sufficiently equipped to treat her.
On the island, I have to sit on the back of a motor bike to get to chalet accommodation. The 'roads' are not made up, huge potholes, worse than bucks, big puddles, lots of traffic all over the place, bumping up and down, We go slow so I live but have sore bum.
After check in, back on bike to visit 5 beaches in all. This place is close to paradise, beautiful fine sandy beaches with bars and restaurants actually on the beach. We stop at one where I recline in an incredibly comfortable lounger chair and down a (rather strong) screwdriver. The next beach has a man with trolley making pancakes. I have a blueberry one and eat it strolling along the beach.
Evening meal is in a restaurant on the beach, accompanied by a dozen jugglers also on the beach throwing lighted torches in the air, very effective in the night sky. The meal is good but the place is packed so service a bit slow. I have a chicken breast stuffed with bacon and cheese covered in a breadcrumb crust. delicious. Lastly a couple of hours dancing to a very good and loud rock band in a nearby pub. I like this island. We have one more day here.
all the Best,
John
Today we go to Samet, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. After 4 hour bus journey, we have lunch on the pier before catching ferry to Samet.
We meet a Belgian girl who is backpacking s.e.asia having sold everything at home. She had already 'done' Thailand but been taken seriously ill in Cambodia and sent back to Bangkok which had the nearest hospital sufficiently equipped to treat her.
On the island, I have to sit on the back of a motor bike to get to chalet accommodation. The 'roads' are not made up, huge potholes, worse than bucks, big puddles, lots of traffic all over the place, bumping up and down, We go slow so I live but have sore bum.
After check in, back on bike to visit 5 beaches in all. This place is close to paradise, beautiful fine sandy beaches with bars and restaurants actually on the beach. We stop at one where I recline in an incredibly comfortable lounger chair and down a (rather strong) screwdriver. The next beach has a man with trolley making pancakes. I have a blueberry one and eat it strolling along the beach.
Evening meal is in a restaurant on the beach, accompanied by a dozen jugglers also on the beach throwing lighted torches in the air, very effective in the night sky. The meal is good but the place is packed so service a bit slow. I have a chicken breast stuffed with bacon and cheese covered in a breadcrumb crust. delicious. Lastly a couple of hours dancing to a very good and loud rock band in a nearby pub. I like this island. We have one more day here.
all the Best,
John
Monday, May 25, 2009
CHINA
CHINA
Starting this trip with some sightseeing in Bangkok. Gave myself a couple of quiet days to adjust to time zone and plan days ahead with guide Mint. Thailand is normally 7 hours ahead but for some reason they do not have BST here so currently only 6 hours ahead.
First evening I am taken to a Lao restaurant by Mint with 2 friends, Dee and Li. A live band and dancers plus good food make this a very pleasant start to my holiday.
Second evening we go to the Bangkok House of Rock. A brilliant 7 piece band belts out Beatles to Pink while I eat fried chicken and chips (yes chips, sorry). I really like this music but I think Mint finds it a bit loud.
First tour day starts with 5 hours in National Museum. Could have spent considerably more time here there is so much to see. One building charts the history of Thailand with its kings and wars, all very well presented in Thai and English. The main building is an old palace comprising a maze of rooms, each dedicated to a class of exhibits. The ivory room has many beautifully carved tusks, some huge, very sad for the elephants of course but a striking art form nonetheless.
Another building, like a large barn, contains chariots used by kings and royalty for carrying urns containing the ashes of cremated royalty through the city in funeral processions. Two of the chariots are an incredible size, multi-tiered in pyramid shape with big wheels and reaching up to the very high ceiling, they are 15 metres long and over 11 m high. Very impressive structures.
Next on to Wat Pho, a giant Buddha lying down on his side, covered in gold he must be 50 m long and 10 m high at the head. It chucks it down with rain while we are in here creating a moat all around temple, have to wait for rain to stop then take shoes off and roll up trousers to paddle back to street.
A very late lunch is in a roadside establishment, basically a tarp over scaffolding frame with a lady cooking in a sort of trolley. I have rice, chicken and other stuff in a bowl, it is very hot and tasty. It is raining again while we are in here, they are poking the roof to dislodge water collecting in it.
Now we take ferry across the main river through Bangkok to see another temple and take silly photos where you put your face through a hole in the back of a figure with colourful costume painted on the front.
Back on the ferry to visit a Buddhist shrine, buying flowers with candles and incense sticks for offering to Buddha and making wishes.
Now we are walking for a mile or so and get caught in prolonged heavy rain. We are very wet when we reach canal ferry 'bus stop'. The ferry boat is like our canal barges about the same size and dimensions but with a big motor. What a trip this is - pouring with rain in a fast barge packed with about 100 commuters going home, rocking and rolling as we pass others going the opposite way in these narrow canals, around corners and under bridges, stopping at 'stations' where some passengers leap out but ever more squeeze in, it's a miracle no-one falls into the water. I get glimpses of shack-like homes along the edges of the canals with muli-storey blocks towering above them, but can't see much due to canvas side sheets hauled up by the nearest passenger to try to keep the rain out. Incredibly there is a Muslim lady in her pure white robes with Thai men doing their best to keep her and the rest of us moderately dry (although we are already soaked). A memorable experience that I would like to repeat on a dry day when I would see more.
This evening I am taken to a real Thai restaurant. A large scaffolding structure with sheeting keeps most of the rain out (yes it is raining again). Mints cousin Mam works here, she runs up and is obviously delighted to see us. A single performer with a guitar on a very dodgy looking stage is singing Thai songs. The food is superb. I especially enjoy the soup with seaweed and all sorts of stuff in it. Delicious.
Tonight I sleep like a baby.
All the Best to you all,
John
Starting this trip with some sightseeing in Bangkok. Gave myself a couple of quiet days to adjust to time zone and plan days ahead with guide Mint. Thailand is normally 7 hours ahead but for some reason they do not have BST here so currently only 6 hours ahead.
First evening I am taken to a Lao restaurant by Mint with 2 friends, Dee and Li. A live band and dancers plus good food make this a very pleasant start to my holiday.
Second evening we go to the Bangkok House of Rock. A brilliant 7 piece band belts out Beatles to Pink while I eat fried chicken and chips (yes chips, sorry). I really like this music but I think Mint finds it a bit loud.
First tour day starts with 5 hours in National Museum. Could have spent considerably more time here there is so much to see. One building charts the history of Thailand with its kings and wars, all very well presented in Thai and English. The main building is an old palace comprising a maze of rooms, each dedicated to a class of exhibits. The ivory room has many beautifully carved tusks, some huge, very sad for the elephants of course but a striking art form nonetheless.
Another building, like a large barn, contains chariots used by kings and royalty for carrying urns containing the ashes of cremated royalty through the city in funeral processions. Two of the chariots are an incredible size, multi-tiered in pyramid shape with big wheels and reaching up to the very high ceiling, they are 15 metres long and over 11 m high. Very impressive structures.
Next on to Wat Pho, a giant Buddha lying down on his side, covered in gold he must be 50 m long and 10 m high at the head. It chucks it down with rain while we are in here creating a moat all around temple, have to wait for rain to stop then take shoes off and roll up trousers to paddle back to street.
A very late lunch is in a roadside establishment, basically a tarp over scaffolding frame with a lady cooking in a sort of trolley. I have rice, chicken and other stuff in a bowl, it is very hot and tasty. It is raining again while we are in here, they are poking the roof to dislodge water collecting in it.
Now we take ferry across the main river through Bangkok to see another temple and take silly photos where you put your face through a hole in the back of a figure with colourful costume painted on the front.
Back on the ferry to visit a Buddhist shrine, buying flowers with candles and incense sticks for offering to Buddha and making wishes.
Now we are walking for a mile or so and get caught in prolonged heavy rain. We are very wet when we reach canal ferry 'bus stop'. The ferry boat is like our canal barges about the same size and dimensions but with a big motor. What a trip this is - pouring with rain in a fast barge packed with about 100 commuters going home, rocking and rolling as we pass others going the opposite way in these narrow canals, around corners and under bridges, stopping at 'stations' where some passengers leap out but ever more squeeze in, it's a miracle no-one falls into the water. I get glimpses of shack-like homes along the edges of the canals with muli-storey blocks towering above them, but can't see much due to canvas side sheets hauled up by the nearest passenger to try to keep the rain out. Incredibly there is a Muslim lady in her pure white robes with Thai men doing their best to keep her and the rest of us moderately dry (although we are already soaked). A memorable experience that I would like to repeat on a dry day when I would see more.
This evening I am taken to a real Thai restaurant. A large scaffolding structure with sheeting keeps most of the rain out (yes it is raining again). Mints cousin Mam works here, she runs up and is obviously delighted to see us. A single performer with a guitar on a very dodgy looking stage is singing Thai songs. The food is superb. I especially enjoy the soup with seaweed and all sorts of stuff in it. Delicious.
Tonight I sleep like a baby.
All the Best to you all,
John
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