Bangkok - wow, an assault on all the senses , but a good one...
Not sure wether we were more disappointed to have lost good exploring time or more importantly the rather spectacular breakfast in the hotel - but in their true to the exemplary standards Thailand does so well, they very kindly whistled us up some delicious eats before we headed out on a trip up the canals.
a little boat was kindly summoned from the pier, powered by what looked like a large lorry engine stuck on the end.. and off we went up the busy hub of the river then off a side 'street' to wend our way round the canals that make up home and life to its many river living community.... the diverse little homes most with stunning hanging gardens and trees, most with birds, lots of river sellers paddling out with their wares and incongruously- satellite dishes on most !
It really struck me how incredibly vulnerable theses whole communities are - with the river just a foot from their level- a tiny rise in sea level will wipe them out ... and there just a tine sample of the millions of such communities world wide in the same position- a truly sobering thought but one we should all have..
so, on to spectacular palaces and temples.. words cannot even begin to descrice the sheer scale ,colour and awesomeness- over whelming beauty and amazing serenity- immaculate and just awe inspiring...
Lowenna loved the colours, the temples and towers and punting around the rivers but was totally not impressed by the world renowned Emerald Buddha who sits in a spectacular temple and sits high on a plinth while buddhists from all over the world come and pay homage - she felt he was rather small, at about a metre high ! and compared to the massive 5.5 t gold buddha we also saw and which stands several metres high and wide- I suppose through an eleven year old eyes he was a bit small but nonetheless totally captivating and mysteriously mesmeric
We could not fail to be totally in awe and somewhat humbled by the whole experience and the absolute peace and serenity surrounding these amazing places ,despite being massive tourist attraction, is a lesson to us all in how to preserve integrity while sharing a huge piece of religious history.
Travelling by Tuk Tuk through the crowded busy streets was an 'experience 'not to be missed .... the speed we travelled, while weaving in and out of the cars , lorries and taxis was a bit hsairy but great fun...
International Buffet- it said-.... well seemed that was a good plan ,with varied willingness on the part of some to try 'new 'things... so we toddled off to what can only be described a feast of cuisine from every corner of the world... a gastronomic haven of delight...
Thai, indian,Chinese,European, Fish form all over the world, salads, sushi... and.... as much as you want !and then there was the chocolatier and dessert area.... wow... well... chocolate heaven on a plate !!
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