Bangkok including Easy Rider Tour
I woke up early as I was in bed before 6pm last night.
Yesterday Mr Kong had overloaded me with information about places that he could take me but I was really just too tired to deal with it. Usually when I get to a new place I need to first just chill and get my bearings before committing to anything.
The house is very quiet this morning and I am hoping that he does not think I am not interested in what he offered. He did message me last night but I was asleep.
I message him on WhatsApp at 8.30am asking about the tour that he had suggested. He gets back to me at 9am saying he has just woken up and needs to shower. Remembering that Mr Kong is deaf so communication via messaging is best.
We get on the road at 9.45am on his scooter. Mr Kong suggests that he shows me around the local area first and then we go to see some temples … I am happy just to go with the flow … anything is fine with me.
Today is a public holiday in Thailand 24/2/2024 Makha Bucha. This is a day for paying respect to Buddha.
The first place we go to is a temple where they have an opening ceremony for the Makha Bucha festivities.
This temple is in the suburbs and not far from Kong Homestay. They are also setting up for night markets and a concert tonight.
After this we go for breakfast at what I think is Mr Kong’s local. It is chicken with rice and some broth. The broth was too hot to drink initially but it was so yummy and I could not finish it after the rice and chicken which was a shame.
After breakfast we head closer into the city to see some temples. It was quite a long way and at times I regretted being on the back of a scooter. Mr Kong weaves in and out of traffic and when ever he gets the chance he goes as fast as he can. I should add here that my helmet does not fit properly … so if I come off it is not gonna be good. Everything just seems a bit manic. Like a crazy situation.
The next stop was at Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (I am not typing that again). It also used to be called Loha Prasat. Below is a photograph of a story about the history of Loha Prasat and has interesting insight into Buddhist beliefs … just a small amount as I am sure that there is so much more. There is a lot of information inside the temple … it was very interesting.
After Loha Prasat we battle with traffic for a while but then end up getting a ferry to another temple. The traffic in Bangkok is crazy and even worse due to the public holiday today. We walked through some interesting markets to get to the ferry pier … Tha Tian Markets.
Wat Arun is very beautiful and also known as the temple of the dawn. The sign on entry was funny.
With it being a traditional day many people were dressed in their traditional clothing. There was also gift giving and praying to the monks.
The story about Buddha was enlightening … the more I learn the less that I realise that I know.
There was another temple very close which we walked to. I said that I didn’t want to go inside as I was feeling a bit templed out at the time. In hindsight I needed more time and try to do more in the mornings as the middle of the day is too hot. I did take a photo at the entrance though.
I suppose this just gives me more reason to go back and see more.
On the way back on the ferry we pass the Royal Navy Convention Hall.
Back in the bike again we go to see another temple which I again only photographed from the outside. I particularly love the ornate patterns in this temple. Again I do not know the name of this beautiful temple.
After the scooter ride home I rest for a while and then we head out to weekend night markets at Chatuchak. We drive to Sapan Mai Train Station and go on the green MRT line to Kampeng Phet.
I took the second photo when we were back at the train station and over looking the markets. They were huge. Definately worth a visit.
After our train ride back to Sapan Mai we shopped at local markets near the train station for food to take home for dinner.
