Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bangkok - Chapter I


One of the many beautiful buildings in the Royal Palace

The residents of Danau Kaseh had a wonderful time in Bangkok with AZ's staffs last weekend. I had such a misconception about Bangkok before - it is not what I imagined it to be. Bangkok is totally beyond my expectation!

Bangkok is surprisingly modern, clean and quite well planned. Impressive buildings and structures are aplenty. Skywalks and bridges are built to connect shopping malls, commercial offices and BTS stations which makes it easy for pedestrians. Walking through the interconnecting malls & walkways is pleasant and safe, above all the traffic. All these cosmopolitan amidst centuries old palaces and temples make Bangkok a modern city rich in culture and tradition. 

The very modern Central World

We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is in the center of the shopping district, right in front of a mall called Central World, an  impressive building by any standard. Bangkok is a shopper's haven. There is something for everyone, whether you are on a string budget or otherwise. You can buy from stalls by the roadside and markets, or from branded boutiques in first class malls. Night markets are open until midnight. What I find most pleasant about shopping in Bangkok is that both the shopping malls and markets are not congested. The malls are huge, with wide corridors & bright lights. They are very well spaced out. This is quite unlike Jakarta which is crowded almost all the time, both outdoors and indoors. You can get good quality leather products at very reasonable price in Bangkok. Bargaining is essential and expected of course, and unlike Hong Kong, you won't be frowned upon for haggling! 

The Golden Temple

The field at the front of the Royal Palace

Our first stop after checking into the hotel was a tour of the Royal Palace. The ground covers an area of about 61 acres and the structures in the compound are all opulent and stunning. The main temple in the Palace compound is covered in 18-carat gold plates. 

Adlina touching the 18-carat gold plates

Another temple houses a Buddha sculpture from the 10th century sitting on a solid gold throne covered with rubies and diamonds. All the buildings are well preserved and beautifully maintained. The whole experience was breathtaking! The kids were enthralled by the myths and legends explained by our guide about Siam, Buddha and Ramayana. The tour was really awesome and cannot be missed if you are ever in Bangkok!

The legend of Ramayana is hand-painted 
in detail on a 100-foot mural

The walls covered in ancient Chinese ceramics

There is so much to tell about our trip, but I will write more in my next posting. Meanwhile, I hope Hasanah, Hajar, Thony, Azim & Azmin had a good time in Bangkok with us as we did with them :-)

Sawadee Kap (^_^)

13 comments:

TELCENTER AYER KEROH said...

Puan,

I really had a goooddddd time in Bangkok. Tidur pon termimpi-mimpi 199.hehe

Waiting for your next posting.. ^__^

kaseh said...

Waa...ni pun best huh bile lah agaknya kita orang ni nak dapat pergi trip mcm ni..since kaseh is so small still maybe next trip boleh tumpang sekali??? As in tumpang kemeriahan lah...Hmmm gurau je.I am happy that u have a good break !!

Adillah A Nordin said...

Hi Hasanah,
Bestkan ber-"riadah" di MBK? Siap dengan cheerleader lagi... "Go! Go! Go! Buy! Buy! Buy!"

:-D

Adillah A Nordin said...

Hello Linda,
Jalan sampai sakit kaki ni ha.. Masa shopping tak pulak rasa sakit kaki :-)

Haha (^_^)

Mrs.A said...

masa shopping adrenaline pumping! ha ha... balik dah kena urut.. best jugak...!

Adillah A Nordin said...

Amy, memang kaki I dah develop extra muscle la :-)

Asmadiana Alias said...

=( i'd text u but u never reply....

*sob *sob


i wanted to pesan a handbag.....


*sob *sob

Adillah A Nordin said...

I didn't receive your text la nana.. But I bought u a buah tangan.. just a small one :-)

Asmadiana Alias said...

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!


nak nak nak....

sangat desperado kot....huhu...


ooopppsss, sorry for my tak betol and TAK MALU behavior sis...

=)

buttercup said...

Tried the spa? when we (dama + ea) were there last june, they tried it all including the thai massage (best!)& the tiger show (er..not so best but i must say "quite an experience") :D

Adillah A Nordin said...

Buttercup, tak sempat ber-spa kat Bangkok la.. Dengan the kids & all, memang takde chan...
But we can spa here together kan? Heehee..

bubbles said...

lets spa village together, and hopefully the tokeh spa will be there again and let us get the treatmt for free.. hahahh! dream on!!

nana, wat type of handbag do u like? small or big? I hv some hbags that I hardly use, I can dig my closet if u don't mind getting second hand one..
cayang nana!!

Adillah A Nordin said...

Bubbles, how about the Turkish spa that Buttercup recommended?? Must go!!!