The Grand Palace and More

The Grand Palace has got to be the Crown Jewel of Bangkok. Its a 61 acre complex of towers, temples, and royal residences all contained within the protective embrace of a 1.2 mile castellated wall. Rama I began construction of the Palace in 1782. Later Rama's added their own buildings and touches.
Changing of the Guard.

The ornate nagack or demon guards.

Engraved soldiers guarding a door.

There are three different styles of chedhi within this area, called Wat Phra Kaeo.

Most of the Rama's were builders, adding their own touch to the grounds.

One of the Rama's traveled to China and brought back this statue.

Some of the buildings glow like jewels.

The complex contains around 100 buildings. This one is a scale model of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

These mythical figures are reaching toward the heavens.
The Emerald Buddha is housed in this building (no photos inside) and its garments are changed seasonally by the King. In recent years the Crown Prince has fulfilled this function.
Stone lions guard this entrance.






The exploits of mythical heroes and demons are depicted in Wat Phra Kaeo's vividly detailed murals.

The mythical Ramakian.







The former home of the King. Now a guest house for very important visitors. The King built a new (I assume simpler) palace north of here in the 1920's.

Back to reality ...sort of. The area where I stay most often in Bangkok is called Banglamphu. It is a decompression zone for backpackers transiting in and out of the country. Since they stay up late its a neighborhood where I can wander around at all hours and there is always something interesting going on. There are also lots of restaurants and shops and it is close to the River.

A tailor sets up shop on the street.

And my hotel is only a block from Swensons, with fabulous ice cream and banana splits.
There is plenty of street food here if that is on your agenda, and in the evening some of the vendors add tables and chairs right in the road and cars just weave around them.










The main street, Khao San Road, is closed to traffic in the afternoon and evening. It is a short alleyway from my hotel.

An interesting alley in the area. You can get your dreadlocks re-done here.
And the trip comes to an end on an interesting note.