1782, when The Grand Palace in Bangkok was built, people choosed a place high over the river, which was safe from flooding.
Wat Phra Keo is protected from massive demons, Bot - the main building is home of the famous Smaragd-Buddha. It is placed in the centre of different buildings, golden Chedis and sourrounded by some various mythical creatures like Kiranas, half human half bird which protect the bot.
Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, a Ceylonese-style pagoda covered in gold mosaic enshrines relics of Lord Buddha.
The lying Buddha in Wat Pho
The lying Buddha with his huge size of 45m length is a symbol for Buddha transcendation into Nirwana.
Swimming markets
A local trip organized from the tourist office... had finally developed to a big shopping trip, a lot of possibilies to spend my money not only for souvenirs like jewelry, all kind of handicraft, furnitures, buddhas, butterflies, different hats, tiger balm, yinyangballs, dogpuppies, then food and drinks like cocnuts shingabeer, fresh soup, mangofruits.....
State Tower
A drink in the Destil Bar on the 64.floor is just affordable.
Siam Paragon
The new, huge, fancy shopping experience in Bangkok...with world largest insideaquarium ...just unbelievable
Thaiboxevent in Lumpiniboxingdom
Muay Thai
Thai hereditary distinguished art of fighting which succeded for along centuries is Muay Thai. Usually fighters have to use their parts of the body to defend such like hands, feet, elbows and head, which is known as 'Nawa Awut', (Nine weapons)Furthermore to be the most efficient they need to combine with soul, spirit, incarnation, music, literature, virtues and manners.
A great tradition is paying respect to teachers, who give love, kindness and knowledge of science and art of fighting which is called 'Wai Kroo'. It is highly respect like at their parents.
(Introduction in the Lumpinidom)
Moving in Bangkok
taxi episode 1
Transport in Bangkok is a science that I am getting along slowly after 4 days. My first experience: Transport with my bicycle from the southern busstation to the hotel near to the Lumpiniparc, which is situated at the opposite side of the city. 400 Bath was the priceoffer I had from the taxidriver, and there was no choice. Must be a bargain in my opinion. (12 Sfr.). In Switzerland I would have payed 50 or more. Ok...nice guy switched on his taximeter. After 45 min. we stood in front of the hotel and the taximeter showed 150 Baht. I had to pay 250 Bath more, did it of course, no choice.
tuktuk episode 2
I've never driven after a taximetertaxi by bargain.
Different with a tuktuk. You will be much faster, if you dont mind to take a deep breath of fresh airpollution. You have to fix the price in advance...problem you never know how much the real price would be.
I tried to start with 20 Bath...the tuktukdriver smiled and offered me to make the deal. He would stop by a shop and I have to ask for gastokens. Why not?
We stopped in front of the Brionishop: first class suits for people who deserve the best. Let's go and get these gastokens. I am only having a look by sightseeing. 2 min. later I sit in a room with an arab guy who who was insisting friendly and showing me his best Italiancollection, designersuits best work.
A suit for 6000 Bath. Why not? 200 Sfr... Its a bargain.
Let's get out of here. (The suit is on the way by poste to my homeadress)
taxi episode 3
leaving my guesthouse this morning in Bangkok...I have to recognise that I had a great time in this guesthouse: waiters were friendly (maybe sometimes to much insisting by offering a thaimassage), food was fantastic....I asked the waiter to call me a large cab for my lift to the airport. I remarked that I am not willing to pay extracharge for the bikebox and would pay the regular taximeterprice. (Expecting some help from the waiter by bargaining with the driver).
When I left the hotel 20 min. later I recognized that there was already waiting a cab, a regular one, but we were lucky and the byciclebox found place on the backseats.
the taxidriver started the engine and we had driven one minute I recognised that the taximeter was not switched on. ...."It's not working", answered the driver, "my friend is working in guesthouse....".
Just now I felt how I was heating up and a I saw that there was no aircon in the car..."Regular price is 600 bath, you can have for 500 baht."
So I tried to enjoy my ride to the airport, fascinated about the decoration in front of me: some snakes made of rubber, two old postcards showing the floating market and a temple, some buddhas in different sizes, a small TVscreen - (which was working of course, sending daily news - bombattacs in Bangkok (?))...and the singsong of my driver who was happy to make the best job of the world.
Later I was laughing about my own naive behaving and payed 500 baht for 30 min. drive with an old cab.
Notice: never trust taxidrivers! ...(and their friends)
....
Speedboat and Speedtrain are in fact the fastest and cheapest opportunities if you have to go to a place that's near to the line or river.
....
Busses are driving but as a farang not beeing able to speak and read Thai it's impossible to use it. busses are labeled in Thai and maps don't exist.
But don't worry, if you don't mind to walk you will recognise that you can be much faster then the stukking traffic jam. Maybe you will need a short break in a shopping center to cool down and have a fresh airconditioned breath, but smile like Thais do and take it easy.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen