My Day as American Tourist in Bangkok

I decided when I first got to Bangkok that I need one day to be a tourist and see all the gimmicky touristy sights and generally orient myself to my surroundings. Benetone was kind enough to organize a one-day tour for us for our day off, so I was pretty excited.  Unfortunately only 3 people of our group wanted to go, and on the morning of the tour one person had to drop out due to a work commitment, so at first it was just me and one other person on the tour.

We started off visiting Wat Trimit, the world' largest Gold Buddha.

 A Buddha made of pure gold!!

 Nice booty, Buddha :-)

 Children ringing bells outside the temple.

 

 

 

Our next stop was Wat Pho, the home of the largest reclining Buddha and one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples.  The room with the reclining Buddha was extremely crowded (picture the Sistine Chapel type of crowd) but the surrounding area was beautiful and serene.

 What lovely feet you have, Buddha!

 Help us Please!!!! Do not throw Coin into the Pond!! Because, we think it's our food, we eat it.  Then....we all dead!! Thanks...(We're the Carp!!)

 

 

 

 

 

After the 2nd temple, my cohort decided to bail. "I'm not a tourist!" he exclaimed! So it was just me and the tour guide. I was bummed at first but I actually  had a really nice time with the tour guide, who is new to Thailand (he is from India) and actually hadn't been to any of the places he was taking me to!

 

Third stop was the Grand Palace. This was the most crowded place of all.  

 

 My friendly tour guide!

 People everywhere at the Grand Palace.

 

 

After a nice lunch break, we took a really wonderful Canal Tour on the Chao Phraya River and the canals. They call these Canals the "Venice of the East".  I don't know if I'd go that far but it was lovely nonetheless.

 From the inside of the longtail motorboat. Just me, my guide and the boat driver. Very serene and nice to be out of the hubbub of the city.

 At one point we had to wait for the wall to the canal to open, which apparently happens every half-hour.

 

  A floating vendor trying to sell me her trinkets.

   Interesting that you'll see beautiful mansions next to wood shacks on the canals.

  Pretty flowers hanging off the front of the boat.

The last stop was Asiatique, which was a huge shopping mall on the outskirts of Bangkok.  I don't really care about seeing shopping malls and since I was the only person on the tour, we only stayed a few minutes. The most interesting part was this pedicure shop which uses live fish to chew away at the calluses on your feet.  These girls were giggling like crazy!

 

 

 

My touristy day was done around 6pm and I was happily asleep by 8:30pm.  A really fun day!!!!