Adventures of the Wandering Engineer(s): bangkok

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Saturday, August 2, 2008

Day 8 in Thailand: University Life (7/22/2008)

Today is Rene's last day of training. I have already partially packed our things. We did not have anything planned for today so I just called Orfa to ask if we can join them for dinner for our last night. She suggested we go to the nearby Thammasat University with them and just have photo ops around the campus. That was a great idea.

After their office work and meeting with Loren Legarda who visited AIT that afternoon, we all got together at our room where they lent us one of Orfa's bike and we proceeded to bike to Thammasat University.

The bikers

Thammasat stadium and the poles used for the different flags of competing nations

Another side of the stadium and fooling around more poles

Not sure what this is for but it makes me think of Rapunzel's tower =)

The BKK grill (if i'm not mistaken) where we had our affordable steak dinner

The models in flesh and shadow... me kasama pang aso?! =)

More fooling around at the university... mastering the spirit ball shot

The university is huge, which reminds me of my college days at UP. We noticed that buildings were marked as say, Faculty of Engineering instead of College as in the Philippines. Most of the students here also use the bike as their means of transportation (as well as in AIT). That's good for nature and for the health.

We ended the night with an ice cream break by the 108 store in AIT, courtesy of Anne. It feels good to meet fellow Filipinos abroad. Getting to know them in a few days already feels as if you've known each other for a long time. We're very grateful for all the help and companionship that our AIT friends have extended to us during our stay.

Related Entries:

Welcome to Bangkok! (7/15/2008)
Day 2 in Thailand (7/16/2008)
Day 3 in Thailand: Shopping galore! (7/17/2008)
Day 4 in Thailand: Grand Palace (7/18/2008, part 1 of 2)
Day 4 in Thailand: Dinner River Cruise (7/18/2008, part 2 of 2)
Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Bang Pa-In Palace (7/19/2008, part 1 of 2)
Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Wat Mahathat (7/19/2008, part 2 of 2)
Day 6 in Thailand: Inside the Grand Palace (7/20/2008)
Day 7 in Thailand: Future park, Patpong and Suan Lum in one night (7/21/2008)
Day 8 in Thailand: University Life (7/22/2008)

Day 7 in Thailand: Future park, Patpong and Suan Lum in one night (7/21/2008)

It's another weekday and another training day for Rene so we only had time to go out at night. For tonight our plan was to just hang out at the mall and maybe watch a movie.

I read from the net that Future park is one of the largest malls in Asia. But I guess that is because it refers to the network of malls / store within the area. It is not actually just one building like what we have in the Philippines such as the Mall of Asia. So in effect it does not seem to be as big as I expected.

We mostly just had window shopping and did not buy anything as there were not much bargains or sale. We did take some pictures.

Entrance by the fountain... the ball reminds me of the MMDA cement balls on the street

Hanging out inside the mall by the mini-fountains

We chanced by an exit fronting the fountain and found that it has a sort of lights and sound show where the water from the fountain moves with the music (somewhat like the Suntec fountain in Singapore).

Fountain show by the entrance

Since the mall was already about to close (around 9pm), we decided not to watch a movie anymore and just proceed to downtown Bangkok to do our last-minute shopping. We might not go out anymore tomorrow as we will be flying back on Wed morning. We took a taxi and asked to go to the Patpong night market.

As soon as we arrived here, a guy already approached us if we wanted to watch a show. He even had a cardboard list of shows available. I would not mention anymore what kind of show it is. Just google Patpong and you'll get the idea. I am not offended though just quite amused how very open their business is done here. In fact, that is the main reason we went here in the 1st place. I wanted to see what has been talked about here. Although we did not go in anymore as we might get ripped off. You'll already see what's going on inside the bars just walking by the bazaar. We did get to buy some items, mostly shirts and a bag made of silk.

We only spent about an hour in Patpong after which we wanted to go back to Suan Lum Night Bazaar where there are more choices of goods. Here we looked at the other side that we have not been to. We were able to buy a wrap-around skirt for about THB250 (I already bargained this but somehow I feel this is still expensive as I read somewhere that you can buy a wrap-around skirt for around THB100), and a sandal for Rene. I was eyeing also a native sandal for me that would look good with the skirt. But the price was still high and I was already tired and I felt we did not have enough money to spare so I did not buy anymore.

We found that there was also a sort of outdoor bar and live band show here. It would have been nice for hanging out and drinking beer. But of course I am not the type of person who drinks a lot so Rene and I did not stay long. We got home around 1am already.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Day 6 in Thailand: Inside the Grand Palace (7/20/2008)

After another late get-together last night with Rene's colleagues and some friends at AIT, we had difficulty waking up early for a trip to Bangkok to explore the Grand Palace. We were invited by Mae over the phone to eat breakfast at her place and to serve as a sort of "despedida" for Hertz as he is the first one to leave for Manila.

We left AIT around 10am and just took a taxi to get straight to the Grand Palace. Rene and I were already half-asleep when the driver asked us if we are to pass the highway. We got confused with his question because we are already in the highway and we just said yes. It just occurred to us later that what he meant was using the skyway where we had to pay toll fees. That was a big mistake. It cost us THB95 for the toll alone (we passed 2 tollgates and paid 55 and 40 respectively). That is in addition to our taxi fare which cost us THB320.

Democracy Monument on our way to the Grand Palace

We reached the main entrance at Na Phra Lan Road (2 days ago we went to the gate at Ratchadamnoen Ave. in which we were told is closed maybe because it is indeed not for entry) and lined up immediately at the long line we saw. But this was not actually the line for the ticket but for those who need to cover up due to the strict dress code. It's a good thing I asked a staff if the line was for the ticket. At the same time I asked him if my attire is acceptable. They have a red line indicator for your pants/skirts which should be at the red line or lower. Fortunately my pants' length was exactly at the red line. I noticed though that they accept people wearing sandals although I wore closed shoes just to be sure.

The ticket counter was still way inside the gate. Entrance fee is THB300 which includes entry into other museums such as the Vimanmek mansion (valid within 7 days) although we were not able to visit this.

On the way to the ticket counter and main entrance

The palace is indeed Grand. As Mae put it, it is difficult to capture an image of the Grand Palace that will show justice to its beauty. From my pictures alone I am disappointed that I was not able to capture its vibrant colors and intricate design. There is so much to see here but the heat will take its toll on you.

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

... (right) Phra Sri Ratana chedi

Phra Mondop, the library

Entrance to Phra Mondop

Kinnorn, mythological creature, half-bird, half-man and another marble mythological beast

"Yaksa Tavarnbal" or Gate-keeping Giants at each gate of the Balcony, characters taken from the Ramayana epic

A model of the Angkor Wat built under the order of King Rama IV when Cambodia was under Siamese control, later recreated in plaster by King Rama V to celebrate the 1st centenary of the Royal City

Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn, also known as the Royal Pantheon... Main building is the central Ubusot (ordination hall) which houses the Emerald Buddha carved from a single block of jade, the most important icon for the Thai people

Chedi found at each side of the Royal Pantheon... Statues found at its base

I noticed that only a few people took notice of the paintings on the wall surrounding the complex. I also chanced upon it while trying to stay in the shade (to cool off) since this area is covered.

The Balcony with a mural of the entire Ramayana epic and the columns with stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals

Upon exiting the temple complex, we saw the next section of buildings used for Royal functions which are collectively called Maha Monthien (High Residence).

Phra Thinang Boromphiman, which serves as a guest house for visiting royalty and heads of state

Road leading to the Maha Monthien buildings

Phra Thinang Amarin Winichai (Main Audience hall)

Side gate to Phra Thinang Amarin Winichai with stone guards at each side

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, a mix of European style architecture with Siamese stepped roofs and spires. It is used today for official functions such as a reception for foreign ambassadors

Dusit Maha Prasat (center left), an audience hall built by Rama 1 in 1789

Some marching soldier guards by the exit

After spending around 2 hours here, we decided to go home already as it was tiring to walk under the sun.

Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Wat Mahathat (7/19/2008, part 2 of 2)

Our next stop was Wat Mahathat (Temple of the Great Relic). The entrance fee here is THB60 per person. I just learned from the internet that there are actually several Wat Mahathat in Thailand. This one in Ayutthaya is actually the former capital of Thailand before the Burmese destroyed it in 1767.

Some rules to follow to show respect for the temple ruins

This place reminded me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia due to similar architecture although I haven't been there.

The one on the left is somewhat leaning... (right) A buddha face that has become part of a tree's roots

Remains of a Buddhist temple with a Buddha still well preserved in the middle

More temple ruins

Among the headless buddhas

Posing by a colorful tuktuk and cooling off after staying under the scorching sun

It was hard to go around as it was very hot. We did not put sunblock and after some time masakit na sa sa balat.

A lot of elephants for ride (~THB500) are available right outside

We went for lunch at the Ruang Rup Rong floating restaurant. It actually started to rain on our way there.

Some pics along the way, a chedi and a tuktuk, a tram crossing a bridge and a fountain in the middle of a rotonda

A large swing by the entrance and some ship models

A view of the riverboats

More riverboats

Everyone was busy talking while I was busy taking pics

Finally the food!

We were served a lot of Thai food. Their dishes seem to look like Philippine dishes with some minor differences in terms of ingredients. The preparation and taste are somewhat similar although most Thai dishes are spicy. Just when we thought everything was already served, more were coming. It's such a shame that we were not able to finish everything. I think we only consumed about 2/3 of the order. We were so full.

Although there were still some stops supposedly for the afternoon, Rene and my companions decided to skip the rest of the itinerary and just go straight to Chatuchak weekend market. I would have wanted to see the rest of the itinerary but since it was raining I did not anymore resist. Our tour guide agreed to drop us off there instead. We got there around 1:30pm and it was sunny. We gave him a tip before parting.

A lot of people at the Chatuchak weekend market

The Chatuchak Weekend Market is huge. After looking around for some time and one of our companions getting lost, we asked a vendor where we can get a map. Fortunately he had one and gave it to us. We were there for around 3 hrs. The prices here are lower than the ones in Suan Lum. The outright price here is already the discounted price in Suan Lum. Although I still did not end up buying a lot here (which is our mistake). It took me awhile to decide what to buy so I just ended up canvassing here but later on buying things at Suan Lum. Our companions on the other hand were leaving the next day so they already bought a lot of pasalubong here.

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