Exploring Chao Phraya

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To those who are going to visit Bkk, travelling via Chao Phraya, is an excellent way to beat those heavy traffic jams and smoky roads on a busy weekend. Adventure begins with a Song Tael ride (6 baht.. an increase of 1 baht from 1st May) to Saphan Taksin Station. From there, take a boat (18 baht) at Chao Phraya Express to Ta Dien (Da3 Tien1) pier, abt 5 piers away.

Street Soccer under the bridge

B4 u do tt boat ride, if u wanna catch a good glimsp of Shangri La, Hilton, Sheraton hotel (basically the 5 stars hotels along CPY), take a short walk up the bridge. The staircase is located abt 10m away from the pier. At the other end of the bridge, there is a couple of street soccer courts where many young boys are playing. Thais are quite skilful i must say. Tp get back t other end of the shore, there is a regular ferry service. The price was abt 1 baht some yrs ago, recently it rose to 2 baht, and now its 3 baht.

On the boat ride, there is a short english commentary of each pier, describing the tourist attractions around it. There's a pier to go to Hualumphong (train), another to go to Yawarat (Chinatown)

Supposingly a popular seafood place with thais... yet to try. Yok Yor Marina Restaurant.
But i heard of a THB 129 seafood buffet at Lao Prao... gonna try tt some day. =)

Wat Po

I arrived at Ta Dien and followed the crowd to get to the temple. Easy. Getting in is another thing. I walked around the temple as I am not really interested in going in. I realise there were actually 2 entraces. 1 for locals, and at the other end of temple, another 1 for foreigners. I suspect tt foreigners are charged more.

There were many tour groups. But the most obvious are the Chinese. 1 big ching gay gathering and talking loudly. The germans and other europeans usually have a dedicated tour guide to themselves. There was also a good mix of locals.

The most interesting thing tt happened was when i entered the Royal Grand Palace. I was in berms and sandles. So I was directed to a room to rent a pair of trousers. 100 baht, but refundable. There were alot of tourists in there.

2nd thing tt happened was when i was at another entrance. There was 2 paths to choose. 1 reads, "Foreigners this way", the other sign reads, "Free for Thais". both signs were in English. Okies, at least they din try to hide it. I stood there, and the guard started speaking to me. Darn.. i tot i could sneak in. Anyways, i decided to explore the area and came to the "exit". I din notice it until i walked in, realising most people were actually walking in the opposite direction. I walked past some guards. No questions asked... so i just proceed.

Royal Palace
Me!~

Royal Sulpture

Royal Guard. Their No 1 uniform. Many people took photo with him.

A ceremonial open area much like our Padang, where royal celebrations are held

The hot day ended with a stroll in a park. Padang style. People flying kites, having their fortune told by tarot cards, people lazing arnd. Another day inBkk...