Today we planned to go to the Grand Palace. We arrived after a FAST taxi cab drive, and went in. There were guards at the main entrance and people were being divided–because of appropriate attire. Good thing I wore pants today (I had done my homework), but the girls got stopped–for their heeless sandals! They had to RENT shoes! So, they weren’t happy about that one. But anyhow, we got in, and right when we were in line at the ticket booth, we met a girl from ICU!! Totally coincidental!! So she walked with us throughout the temple, which was BEAUTIFUL!! It was huge, and so gorgeous–the architecture was amazing. There was then a group of school kids that wanted to interview me and take their pictures with me. So funny. We went through the entire thing, and then found a guard standing in front of some other palace, that wouldn’t move.. like the ones in England. So of course, we took pictures=) We then came home for a rest and some lunch at the hotel. We went to the excercise room in the hotel and played around for a while, then the others got ready for clubbing. I didn’t want to go because I wanted to see some more around the hotel, so they went out, and came back in the next morning.
Category: Thailand (1999)
Origin: Tokyo, Japan Destination: Bangkok, Thailand
Around Bangkok
Now we’ve decided to go do something cultural–so we went to the National Museum which was about 10 minutes from the grand palace. On our way there, we saw several tourists, along with the little ripoff tourist shops selling all sorts of souvenirs. We passed several little streets that looked like typical Bangkok streets–some standing with water, with the people just walking bare foot in it, others, just with food stands throughout the street. We finally arrived at the museum, after asking someone teaching at a University we passed–turning out to be the University that some of the Thai students at ICU are from. So, we saw a lot of interesting architecture, elephant seats, old buddhas and so forth. Really too much to take in in one day, but we tried! After leaving the museum, we took our first ride on the Tuk Tuk, which turned out to be quite an experience! For just 30 bat (90 cents), we got our own Tuk Tuk, with driver, to take us all around Bangkok for how ever long we wanted. These guys were so cool too, and took us first to the huge golden buddha. Something that some of the locals sell is a cage with birds, and Julia bought a cage to set free–that is the reason they are selling them–it gives good luck to the one who sets then free. The buddha was huge, and it was interesting to see the houses that surrounded the beautiful statue. After leaving the buddha, we got back to our TukTuks, where we passed several pictures of the King–his birthday is on the 5th of December, so all of Bangkok was decorated with his pictures–many posed, others not. We then went to a small temple located next to a school, where we met the nicest English teacher wanting to practice his English. He told us a lot of interesting things about the temple we were at, so we all had a good time there. We then returned to the Tuk Tuks ready to eat, so we went to McDonald’s just so curious of how cheap, or how good it was. Exact same! They do have some different sauces available though=) The Tuk Tuk drivers then took us to a stop that they have to give all foreigners…to the handmade suit shoppe. They make handmade suits fit to your body, and keep your measurements for 5 years, so you can have them sent back to your home if you want some more made. Of course, I don’t need a suit, so I didn’t get one, but Maya and Julia both had some made. We then went back to the hotel to find finally a good place to eat some traditional Thai food. The bellboy told us of a really good place to go on the river, and it really turned out to be the greatest meal. I had some satay, and all sorts of food. It was so good. We then went back to the hotel to sleep.
Bangkok, Thailand
We woke up after a great night’s sleep well rested and ready to explore Bangkok! So, we find a great mall to shop at for the girls–it had the Japanese stores Isetan, which was a nice find, because then we could buy some Japanese stuff for cheap! We spend most of the day there, and then walk across the street to Planet Hollywood–you know a real traditional Thai dinner. Actually, it was an awesome dinner, and cheap, so that pleased us all. That night we still just wandered around the place, and we found a shrine that several people were at–with a traditional Thai dance going on. After that, we went back to the mall again and sat down for a drink. After a while of talking and listening to the live bands, we decided to call it a night and go back to the hotel. There we watched tv–finally a place with MTV!! We then went to bed, after planning what we should do the next day.
All around Bangkok
The next morning, we went to a big department store to shop around and did a lot of “American Touristy” things, such as eating dinner at Planet Hollywood of Bangkok. The following morning was doing a city tour, visiting the grand palace, the art museums, and the large golden Buddha. These 3 or 4 hours of touring, we used the transport of a tuk-tuk, at the going rate of $.75. We bought the driver’s McDonald’s after our tours and they were very much excited. Tuk-Tuk is definitely the cheapest way around Bangkok, but also it’s difficult to breathe–Bangkok is very polluted, and tuk-tuks have no guard against the foul air. That night we went out for a nice seafood restaurant, that allowed us to pick what we wanted to eat–as in go to the aquarium, pick which crab you like running around, and they’ll cook it for you! The palace in the center of Bangkok is amazing. The architecture and lines of the temples are gaudy, but with its own unique charm.
Gold is definitely the style, along with green, orange and blue. At the palace, we met a group of English students who were doing an “interview” consisting of what my name was and where I was from. They were very excited to meet us, due to being American, and we all took pictures together. Another incident at the palace was running into one of our friends–who we didn’t even know was going to Thailand!! She was from our university in Tokyo, and we knew her from the Judo club. That was an interesting experience! The world really is a small place!
Off to Thailand
Well, I can’t believe that I am on my way to Thailand now! So, after weeks of long preparation, I am finally on the plane! Maya and I went to school to take care of some business–Post Office, money exchange etc. So, finally we were off at 1:30 to the airport–We took the cheap way which leaves from Nippori, and takes about an hour and a half. So, we went, happened to meet someone we knew on the bus, then happened to meet people who were leaving the same day at the station, and they rode with us to the airport. Talk about coincidences. Then, the funniest episode from Maya happened–she had her orange juice set on top of her luggage while we were riding the train, and the train stopped a little bit, and she went for her juice, but misjudged a bit and threw the entire carton on the girl sitting in front of us! It was funny, but sad at the same time. .. So, then we finally arrived at the airport, shopped around a little bit since we had some time to spare. Through immigrations, we coincidently saw Cindy, she was heading out for Taiwan..talk about Coincidences happening!! Found our gate and then boarded the plane. It was dark by that time, so it was nice to see Tokyo from above. The flight took about 7 hours. Flying into Bangkok, it was interesting to see rows of gold lights, which I still don’t know what it was. Anyhow, we landed and got off the plane to meet a HOT Bangkok! It was like summer!! So I am glad that I didn’t pack a lot of warm clothes! Anyhow, we get out, go through customs and then are off to find a cheap taxi to take us to our hotel. The taxi took us to our hotel in about 40 minutes. It was so interesting to see this place! It really reminded me of Russia–by its development and such. So we finally arrive to the hotel, and go to the desk, and there’s a note from Julia and Mike, who came earlier that day. We get into our rooms, and they’ve got beautiful views of the city–from the 17th floor! It was gorgeous. We saw Mike and Julia, and were glad they had made it safely as well. Then, we pretty much just hit the sack, and got ready to go out the next day.