♥ Love In Bangkok - Exploring - Worship ♥

The next day morning, we had some brekkie in our hotel before going out. We checked out and headed for the group. “Chao Phraya River will be our first destination”, said the tour guide. Chao Phraya River is a major river in Thailand also known as Mae Nam (Mae is “Mother”, Nam is “Water”), which literally means “Mother’s Water” or “Mother’s Milk”. “It was the mother’s milk that allows Thailand to grow,” according to the locals. As it flows, the river carries with it the history and culture of the country.

On the way to the jetty, there are so many dried seafood and local foods selling on the road side.
Before we go to the jetty, we will pass through this river. Bread crumbs are selling in packet at Thai Bath 100. “Feeding cat fish with bread” in front of the temple at the canal. According to Thai’s believe, those whose bread is eaten by the white cat fish, will be blessed. Who knows?

We took a boat to cross the Chaophraya River and visit Wat Arun Ratchawararam (or 'Temple of Dawn').Wat Arun can be reached very easily by boat from the Eastern side of Bangkok. A very regular service is offered from Tha Tien Express Boat Pier, which is located at Thai Wang Road and behind Wat Pho. The river crossing takes maybe 2 minutes, and is the only time when you will be able to take an overview picture of Wat Arun's prangs. The ferry operates from 6:00am to 10:00pm daily, The ferry take off at about every 10 - 15 minutes with the transfer costs only 2 baht per person per one way.

Chao Phraya River, Mae Nam
Overview of Wat Arun, from the river

Colossal guardians
I really appreciate those who built this iconic structure.

Wat Arun is one of the best-known landmarks in Bangkok, and is basically a large tower (called a prang) surrounded by four smaller prangs. each house a statue of Phra Phai, the wind-god, placed in niches. As such, the four smaller prangs symbolize the four winds. Statues of giants and monkeys surround all structures and aim to support them. The prangs are decorated with pieces of porcelain, in intricate patterns and designs. You can even climb the steps up some of the prang, giving you a nice view over the Chaophraya River.
In the middle of each side of the square formed by the smaller prangs mondops (porches) ae located, that contain Buddha images depicting the four stages of the Buddha's life : birth, meditation, preaching and enlightenment.

The temple grounds also contain many statues carved out of stone, and a whole row of golden Buddha.

Praying

After catching the ferry back across the river, we decided to continue our ‘exploration’ to another famous temple – Wat Phra Kaeo

Wat Phra Kaeo , the temple of Emerald Buddha is the royal temple in Chakri Dynasty, located in the grounds of the Grand Palace, officially name is Wat Phrasri Rattanasasadaram. Along the cloister wall surrounding the temple are mural paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana (Ramakien) story, inside the temple, murals depict of the Buddha.

Doing charity

Charity food in the temple compound is given out to people.

Another charity

Army outside the jetty to make sure this place never attack by 'red shirt'

Lion dance peformance in the temple
This is the jetty where we took our boat to Wat Arun Ratchawararam

What stereotypes do you have of Thailand?

Fuyoo! So IN ler! Monk also using SDLR camera. Don't play play!!

Toy Poodle is everywhere in Bangkok town! OMG!! I can't imagine how Thai people can leave it to be stray dog! You see, they're mad cute!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Ok. Enough for temples today.

We preceded our journey to somewhere can make my eyes ‘refresh’. Haha! This is also a place for many ladies’s love. World Thai Gems Gallery!
World Thai Gems Gallery is the world largest Jewelry Factory & Gems Gallery (ISO 9002 Certified Gems Gallery)

Once we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staffs. There were many tourists are visiting this place. After that we were leaded to a small cinema or TV room for preview a video presentation on Ruby and Sapphires Mining in Thailand. There are few rooms to provide different languages of presentation.

You can watch skilled artists cut, polish and set each precious stone to create a perfect and exquisite unique piece of jewelry in factory and production environment. A showroom displaying thousand of unique designs, specially created by in-house artists can be purchased by those who are interested. Wrap up your visit in the lobby bar and refresh with free refreshment provided by the factory.

Check out their website: http://www.gems-gallery.com/home/default.asp