Hello Hiveans! It's been fun reminiscing my Thailand experience through the Travel Memories series with you. For the final part, I hope you will still enjoy and be as ecstatic or much more than my previous posts. I will be sharing more of our city life experience in Bangkok such as our visit to one of the temples in the city and food tripping at China Town and night market. Most of our trips within the city were spent late in the afternoon up to early evening. Since our accommodation was just near famous spots, we can easily roam around and not be delayed in going home.
Perfect angle to see the face of the reclining Buddha image
Here is a glimpse of the previous parts of the Thailand Travel Memories:
Ancient Siam, one of the biggest outdoor museum, showcases the history and beauty of ancient Thailand through its replica of the famous temples and ruins. A day's visit will surely satisfy your eyes and mind with the richness of Thailand's culture.
The historic city of Ayutthaya is a former capital of the Siamese kingdom. It is no wonder that it was protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its preserved architecture that proudly brings us back to ancient Thailand.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market shows that it is possible to have a "drive-thru" using boats. Souvenirs sold along the canal and Thai food served from floating food stalls were the highlights of the trip.
WAT PHO
The home of the sleeping giant
The last temple that we visited in Thailand was the Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. We went there in the afternoon after our morning trip in the floating market. Huge flocks of tourists were already around. You need to wait for your turn if someone was already taking that perfect angle of the reclining Buddha. So it's best to go there early in the morning.
The shining reclining Buddha image
The reclining Buddha image in Wat Pho was really enormous as compared to the one we saw in Ayutthaya. Since it was placed indoors, it added to the effect of how tall it was, as it reached the ceiling.
It was 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height. It was made of shining gold or an alloy of it. Its feet was 5 meters in length which showed 108 small images of Buddha. These represented the 108 auspicious symbols of Buddha.
There were Buddha altars in the different areas of the temple. But the one in the main hall was the most astonishing and grand. The golden Buddha was raised up almost reaching the high ceiling. The ornaments were also shining gold. What added to its beauty were the pink florals displayed in steps.
Main altar of Wat Pho
A less grander altar but still a big statue of Buddha
Altar with smaller Buddha images and with statue of worshippers
Another giant Buddha image
Outside the hall, there were rows of golden Buddha statues. Buddhists may also pray there aside from the altars present inside the hall.
Rows of Buddha images
Surrounding the courts were brightly-colored chedis or pagodas. Those at the inner courts were smaller than those at the outer part. These smaller chedis were called as Phra Chedi Rai. These contained the ashes of the royal family while there were also a bit bigger ones that contained relics of Buddha.
Source: Wikipedia
Chedi containing Buddha relics
Small chedis containing ashes of the royal family
The four main chedis in Wat Pho embodied the first four kings of Chakri dynasty, Kings Rama I, II, III and IV. These 41-meter pagodas were colored differently (yellow, green, blue and white) to represent the kings.
Blue chedi for King Rama IV
Green chedi for King Rama I
Main entrance with warriors standing on their posts
Guarding the entrances were statues (aside from the security at the main gate 😊) of intimidating warriors and dragons. Even these entrances were also designed the Thai way of architecture. It consistently had intricate ornaments with that pointed-top feature. Its gold and vibrant look can really entice you to go inside.
Another entrance with dragon guards
Not sure what this little door lead to
CHINA TOWN
A town within a city
A China Town temple entrance with intricate Chinese design
Like in the Philippines, there is also a China Town in Bangkok. When I saw the design and Chinese characters of a temple entrance, I can tell that we have reached the correct place. As we walked further, I got overwhelmed and confused as Thai and Chinese signs of the establishments greeted us. I just peeped outside to check what these shops were selling.
I can't understand the signs
To roam around China Town, it is best to do it by foot so that you can stop at any stall you want and to avoid the heavy traffic. Just be ready with those comfortable shoes and an empty stomach so that you can try more of Chinese and Thai cuisines.
China Town by night
China Town is really made for all those who want to munch and try different Chinese and Thai specialties. Most of the shops and stalls here were intended for all food enthusiasts. A variety of dishes were present such as fresh seafood, noodles and desserts. There were also dried fruits displayed in stalls where we bought as pasalubongs.
Restaurants and stalls were full of diners and food enthusiasts
Getting curious on the variety of food and method of cooking
What I noticed first among the street foods were the insects displayed in one of the food stalls. At first, I was hesitant to try. There were scorpions, cockroaches, crickets and worms. I just tried the cricket since it was smaller than the scorpion and thinner than the worm. When I bit a part of the cricket, it was crispy and had a familiar taste. It tasted similar to a crispy fried fish. What others tried was the worm. I didn't have the guts to taste it. They said it was chewy and gooey in the inside. The saltiness was more on the coating.
Fried crickets and scorpions
More insects to choose from 😀
The cricket and the worm
After exploring, we stopped by at a nearby restaurant, Nai Ek Roll Noodle, and had our dinner there. Just by looking outside, this restaurant was sought after. It was full of diners and thankfully they still had a vacant table for us. We ordered their best sellers, Roll Noodle Soup, Deep Fried Crispy Pork and Pork Spareribs Stew. Of course, these were paired with steamed fried rice and spinach as side dish.
Food that makes you feel like home
The dishes we ordered were indeed worthy to be called best sellers. All had rich flavors but not too salty. The pork dishes had comparable tastes with our Filipino dishes as well. The fried crispy pork had the similar taste as that of liempo and the pork spareribs stew as that with humba. It's no wonder since some Filipino dishes do have Chinese influence.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle's variety of food to choose from
We haven't fully explored most of the food in China Town since we were too full with our dinner. We also got tired as we spent most of our day exploring the temples in Ayutthaya. Nevertheless, our visit in China Town was still worth it.
Obligatory photo session with the beautifying lights of China Town
NIGHT MARKET
The search for pad thai
During our first day in Bangkok, we went directly to Ancient Siam after leaving our things in the hostel. In the evening, we returned to the main city and had a little food trip at the night market. Bangkok is known for its night markets that are great for shopping and food tripping. We just went to a smaller one near the MBK mall to try an authentic pad thai.
I forgot the name of the place
The night market had lots of Thai food to choose from
Each of us ordered a serving of pad thai. I did not expect that the plate would be too full. Just by looking at it, it was really mouth-watering with all those toppings. I was speechless when I tasted my first pad thai in Bangkok. It was really flavorful! What I love about it is its signature nutty and spicy flavor. The lime also added the sour and sweet taste. If only it would not spoil, I would definitely bring some in the Philippines. It really added to my love for noodles. Hopefully I can make some or find restaurants back home that have the same taste.
Happy children getting to eat an authentic pad thai
The famous durian smell
Trying to find a vacant seat
THEMED CAFES
Food for the eyes
Bangkok has some unique themed cafes around and we have visited a few. We passed by the Sanrio Hello Kitty House and Detective Conan Cafe. Both of which were familiar childhood characters.
Sanrio Hello Kitty House
Detective Conan Cafe
Of course, we visited the Starbucks Reserve, which is the second largest in the world. It was indeed very spacious and had maintained its calm and cozy aura. I wanted to stay longer and didn't even want to go home.
The place had full of room for coffee lovers
Colorful wall decor complemented the subtle aura of the place
More seats available
Another colorful art
Overall beauty of the place
BANGKOK CITY LIFE
A mini joy ride to the land of smiles
A visit to Thailand would never be complete without experiencing a tuktuk ride. We rode a tuktukfor our trip around Ayutthaya. We also tried riding one from the railway station going to China Town. The trip was only a few minutes since we were dropped at the entrance of the China Town. I like how breezy it was during the trip and I could just imagine how happy claustrophobics be riding the tuktuk.
Fresh feeling riding a tuktuk
Tuktuks in busy streets
Tuktuks waiting for passengers
As we wander around the city, it can be seen how developed
Bangkok is through its buildings, infrastructures and vehicles. I was amazed that an expensive car, such as Toyota Fortuner car, was used as a taxi.
High-rise buildings mushrooming everywhere
Old buildings and temples were well-maintained
Not so tall building but a very long one
Everywhere, you can see how great the respect and importance they give to their religion and the monarchy. There were Buddha altars in malls and in busy streets. Images of their king and the royal family were visible also in public places.
A king's image on one of the mall's facade
A friendly reminder of paying respect to Buddha
Visit in Bangkok would never be complete without the shopping experience. There were lots of night markets and massive shopping centers to choose from. We visited the MBK Center, which was very accessible and had a bun
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Perfect angle to see the face of the reclining Buddha image
The shining reclining Buddha image
The 5-meter feet of the reclining Buddha image
Main altar of Wat Pho
Another giant Buddha image
Rows of Buddha images
Main chedis depicting first kings of Chakri Dysn
Main entrance with warriors standing on their posts
Another entrance with dragon guards
Not sure what this little door lead to
A China Town temple entrance with intricate Chinese design
I can't understand the signs
China Town by night
Restaurants and stalls were full of diners and food enthusiasts
Getting curious on the variety of food and method of cooking
The cricket and the worm
Food that makes you feel like home
Nai Ek Roll Noodle's variety of food to choose from
Obligatory photo session with the beautifying lights of China Town
I forgot the name of the place
The night market had lots of Thai food to choose from
Happy children getting to eat an authentic pad thai
Sanrio Hello Kitty House
Detective Conan Cafe
The place had full of room for coffee lovers
Colorful wall decor complemented the subtle aura of the place
Overall beauty of the place
Fresh feeling riding a tuktuk