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Thailand | Bangkok Summer Adventure 2011: The Grand Palace

Sunday, June 03, 2012  , , , , ,  29 comments

The Grand Palace - Bangkok, Thailand
Being a first-timer in traveling abroad, we went to Bangkok with no plans, certainly no itinerary. But since I searched and read about the city before our flight, I remembered coming across an article that says a visit to Bangkok wouldn't be complete without seeing one of its famous attraction, The Grand Palace. And so, from Chatuchak Market where our tour guide Sam dropped us off after the tour, we decided to explore the city on our own and visit The Grand Palace - this after buying some souvenirs for families and friends (Chatuchak Market is a famous market in Bangkok that offers variety of souvenir items, from handicrafts, fabrics, clothing, etc.)

From the Chatuchak Market, we tried to hail a cab but it took us a lot of time before we got one. (In Bangkok, cab drivers prefer contracting out the fare rather than using their taxi meter.) After more than 30 minutes of hailing a cab and negotiating with the fare, we got lucky one cab took us in. But not without a catch. He agreed to take us in if we would agree to take the highway which means paying toll fees and the driver said we are the ones to pay for it (Bangkok charged toll fees for using their expressways/highways, and they really are "express" ways. If only our country could follow suit, I guess there will be options for commuters for a fast and convenient way to their destination.) Instead of wasting more time hailing and haggling, we took the cab and off we go the palace.

Expressway as it is, we reached our destination fast! And then we saw one of Bangkok's pride, The Grand Palace. See the photo above, that's the view of the palace that will welcome anyone who comes to visit the place (the photo was taken just after the entrance to the palace complex, before paying the entrance fee).

The Grand Palace complex was established in 1872. It consists of the royal residence (The Grand Palace is the former residence of the King of Thailand), throne halls, a number of government offices and of course, the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Many tourists flock the complex to see and admire the beauty of the buildings and structures; they were so artfully and intricately designed, you'll wonder how they were built during those times. I am not good with words and descriptions so just check out the photos below (but am also a noob in photography so please bear with my photos) to see for yourself how beautifully and artfully built the structures inside the complex are. :D

Throng of people going inside The Grand Palace
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand where people convene to pay respect to their Lord Buddha and His teachings. It is enshrined in a traditional Thai-style throne known as busabok (a throne made of gilded-carved wood). The Buddha is carved from a block of green jade and was first discovered in 1434 in a stupa in Chiang Rai. The sacred image is clad with one of the three seasonal costumes which are changed in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty, the King. (source: The Grand Palace flyers given to tourists)

right-most structure is the side of the Temple

a welcoming topiary :D

house of statues of past ruling Chakri dynasty...or boundary stones for phra ubosot?!? ...IDK!!! :))
see the details of this photo? this is how artfully and intricately designed the structures were!


a close-up shot of the photo above
The Grand Palace exit...


Planning to go to Bangkok? Don't forget to include The Grand Palace in your itinerary. With the history and culture attached to the place and the beautiful architectures inside, you wouldn't regret including this place in your itinerary. :)

~oo00oo~

Bangkok Adventure (day 1): Bangkok Summer Adventure 2011
Bangkok Adventure (day 2, AM): The City Tour
Bangkok Adventure (day 2, PM): The Grand Palace
Bangkok Adventure (day 2, night): Chao Phraya River Cruise
Date of Visit: April 30, 2011
Entrance Fee: 350 baht

29 comments:

  1. shereneJune 3, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    Super grand!!!

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 7:35 PM

      Planuhin na ang Bangkok adventure, hehe. Thanks for the visit Sherene! :)

      Delete
  2. Arvin U. de la PeñaJune 3, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    i hope makapunt ako diyan..

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 7:36 PM

      Kaya mo yan Arvin, sipag at konting tipid lang yan. :)

      Delete
  3. joanne June 3, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    Ganda!! Grand na grand!haha.. Curious ako dun sa buddha na gawa sa green jade..

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 5:58 PM

      Hi Joanne! Haven't seen the buddha actually, di kami pumasok kase kailangan magtanggal ng footwear, takot mag-iwan ng shoes sa labas, haha.

      Delete
  4. joyJune 3, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    Wow and wow and wow. It was really worth the trip. Thanks for virtual tour:)

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 6:00 PM

      Ganda ng mga architectures sa loob ng Grand Palace Ms. Joy, mapapa-WOW ka talaga! :))

      Delete
  5. Mar VerdanJune 3, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    Ang galing ng palasyo... yong details, grabeng architecture design naman yan! Sana marating ko yan, mas maganda up close and personal hehe

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 7:38 PM

      Ganda di ba? Planuhin mo na ang Bangkok adventure mo, me nakita kong $99 lang na package, 4d3n, land arrangement nga lang yun, ikaw na bahalang humanap ng promo fare sa airline. :)

      Delete
  6. anneyJune 3, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Naka package kami nung nagpunta dyan kaya yung tour guide bahala samin. Ang nakakainis lang may sideline sila sa city tour kasi nga dinala kami sa jewelry store. Di naman lahat mahilig bumili ng jewelries. May kick back kasi sila dun.

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 3, 2012 at 9:02 PM

      Haha, lahat ata ng city tour ganyan eh, kung alin yun mga lugar na di trip puntahan dun dinadala kase nga may kickback ata sila dun. ;)

      Delete
  7. GracieJune 4, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    Breathtaking pictures of building design and architectures, so wow! Pero una ko napansin NUFFNANGERS kana naks, kumikitang kabuhayan na yan! ;) Good luck dear Glen.

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 4, 2012 at 10:07 AM

      Haha, try lang yan, wish ko lang may mapala ako. ;) Thanks :)

      Delete
  8. Kristeta  (kalokang Pinay)June 4, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    Wow, amazing architecture and fab colours too. Thanks for the tour sis. Hope to visit this place some day =)

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 4, 2012 at 10:10 AM

      Hi Krizzy, salamat sa pagdalaw dito. Amazing architecture talaga, nag-enjoy ako sa pagtingin at pagkuha ng pics. :)

      Delete
  9. mhie @ TravelentzJune 4, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    Galing at nakapasyal kayo dito sa Grand Palace. Pumupasyal kami ng mga friend ko when its free day during December hehehhehe...may mga activities kasi sila dyan.

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 4, 2012 at 10:12 AM

      So, mas maganda pala pumasyal kung December? Sana makabalik ako dun, di kumpleto pasyal naman kase short vacation lang kami eh. :(

      Delete
  10. GuyitoJune 4, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    I wonder, allowed kaya ang tulad kong Pinoy na kalabaw na tumuntong ng Thailand? hihihihi

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 4, 2012 at 2:16 PM

      Hahaha, natawa talaga ko dito, nagko-comment na rin si guyito ha, ang galing-galing! :D Makakatuntong ka sa Thailand guyito, maliit ka naman eh, tago ka muna sa bag ni ms N. lolz!!!

      Delete
    2. GuyitoJune 4, 2012 at 4:20 PM

      Opo, it's me po talaga. May blog na nga ako eh, lumi-level up na po ako hihihihi

      Delete
  11. Axl Powerhouse NetworkJune 4, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    ito naman siya mag iingit na.. hahah
    one of the reason kung bakit gusto pumunta sa thailand eh ang magagandang gusali, sobrang details kasi.
    sana makapunta,,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 4, 2012 at 11:56 PM

      save for the travel Axl, magi-enjoy ka sa kaka-click dun. Ako nga kahit di marunong, click lang ng click eh, hehe.

      Delete
  12. HollyJune 5, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Wow! Such amazing architecture. It almost looks fake. You photos are beautiful. Thanks for posting them for all of us to enjoy!

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    1. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 5, 2012 at 10:36 PM

      Amazing, indeed! :) Thanks for visiting here Holly. :)

      Delete
  13. Tal | ThePinayWandererJune 6, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Me promo sa Bangkok ngayon, check mo girl. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownJune 7, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    I think you’ve made some truly interesting points.Camping In UK

    ReplyDelete
  15. JeannyJune 10, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    I am planning to go there next year. THis series would come in very handy. sana matuloy. :-)

    YOu got lovely photos by the way, lalo tuloy akong naatat pumunta ng BKK. hehehe

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bangkok to PattayaJune 13, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Great! This palace looks really royal would love to visit this place,thanks for sharing this wonderful information.

    ReplyDelete

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