February 13, 2016
Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
We spent one whirlwind day in Bangkok, and it clearly was not enough, but seeing as we are travellers who prefer exploring the natural wonders a country has to offer and we choose to spend our time outside of the big cities, we were grateful for the short time we had here and we managed to get a feel for Bangkok and what it has to offer. I would for sure travel back here again to be able to soak in the culture and atmosphere a little more.
First think in the morning we set out to visit the Grand Palace, which is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam(and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Royal Villa in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
The Grand Palace is extremely popular with tourists, to say it was packed is an understatement. It was so crowded when we were there, that we decided to turn around and not even go in. We were afraid of losing the kids, we were not dressed properly (modest dress is required, no shoulders and knees exposed), the line and wait were huge, and it was HOT. This was enough to turn us off. We (or I was) were a little bummed, but we decided we could always visit again in the future, as it’s a short flight from HCMC.
Walking outside the Royal Palace
Guards outside the Royal Palace
Instead of the Royal Palace, we took a river cruise through the canals of Bangkok, and discovered that this city was the Venice of the East.
We saw so many monitor lizards swimming and sunning along the canals of Bangkok. No sure how I would feel with these huge lizards in my backyard.
Vendor on the canal.
We wandered through the city for the rest of the day, shopped in Khao San Road (the backpackers district of Bangkok), and ate some yummy Thai food. By the end of the day were exhausted. Cities can be very tiring.
Treasures?
Pom Phra Sumen is the hexagonal-shape concrete fort built in the reign of King Rama I in 1783. It was built along with 13 other forts to protect Bangkok.
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