vendredi 20 novembre 2009
In the park ...
By Michael Bauswein, vendredi 20 novembre 2009 à 04:22 :: Trip in Thailand
Night going down on Bangkok
By Michael Bauswein, vendredi 20 novembre 2009 à 03:36 :: Trip in Thailand
Since my first day in the Bangkok and my stop at Wat Po in late after-noon, I had in a corner of my head the idea of coming back a little after 5 PM to listen to the prayer of the monks and see the night coming slowly on the temple. Today is done and frankly, I recommend you to do the same!
Around teatime, I was back at Hua Lampong. I stayed a little in the station, photographed the few monks then rushed into the city. In fact, I did not found a taxi driver or tuk-tuk available so I said to myself "I'll walk and we'll see." Beautiful inspiration. I quickly found myself in Chinatown and in the avenue where I arrived, you'd really have the impression that you changed country by seeing the accumulation of signs in Chinese. I am fascinated by this area more alive at least at this time. Suddenly, to my left, I see a street that seems to be the beginning of a market which is more a bazaar that a market in deed. It is very dense and very common. The items are even more diverse than at the Night Bazaar and it seems larger. I crawl in the aisles with joy, capturing a little of this life and the excitement around me. I love these places where yo can sense the life of the city !
I finally get out the market and catch a tuk-tuk. I negotiate the price. Not long since it is already very reasonable for a trip to Wat Po. For people who do not know these special taxis: I think they're based on a motor of motorcycle but they have 3 wheels, a cockpit for the driver with a handlebar and not a wheel and a small platform covered in the rear with a seat for passengers. Quick, they also weave very well in traffic and you can get from one point to another in a record time. And it shakes. The suspensions are rudimentary. It is the way of transportation the most expensive (and loudest) that you can take in the Thai capital, but also the most typical.
It is already 5:20, I go directly into the temple where the monks make their prayer. There are many more people than the last time. The ceremony ended. I go out and walk in the aisles. There are only very few visitors. The place is almost as intimate as the light gradually decrease. It's peaceful, quiet, relaxing. Away from the heat and fever of tourists during the rest of the day. Really, I think it's the best time to visit this temple. Maybe not to take pictures but to visit. And tuk-tuk again to Hua Lampong station. A Singha, a dish of fried rice, a bath and go to bed! ;)
Tomorrow after-noon I go to Ayutatya.
Around teatime, I was back at Hua Lampong. I stayed a little in the station, photographed the few monks then rushed into the city. In fact, I did not found a taxi driver or tuk-tuk available so I said to myself "I'll walk and we'll see." Beautiful inspiration. I quickly found myself in Chinatown and in the avenue where I arrived, you'd really have the impression that you changed country by seeing the accumulation of signs in Chinese. I am fascinated by this area more alive at least at this time. Suddenly, to my left, I see a street that seems to be the beginning of a market which is more a bazaar that a market in deed. It is very dense and very common. The items are even more diverse than at the Night Bazaar and it seems larger. I crawl in the aisles with joy, capturing a little of this life and the excitement around me. I love these places where yo can sense the life of the city !
I finally get out the market and catch a tuk-tuk. I negotiate the price. Not long since it is already very reasonable for a trip to Wat Po. For people who do not know these special taxis: I think they're based on a motor of motorcycle but they have 3 wheels, a cockpit for the driver with a handlebar and not a wheel and a small platform covered in the rear with a seat for passengers. Quick, they also weave very well in traffic and you can get from one point to another in a record time. And it shakes. The suspensions are rudimentary. It is the way of transportation the most expensive (and loudest) that you can take in the Thai capital, but also the most typical.
It is already 5:20, I go directly into the temple where the monks make their prayer. There are many more people than the last time. The ceremony ended. I go out and walk in the aisles. There are only very few visitors. The place is almost as intimate as the light gradually decrease. It's peaceful, quiet, relaxing. Away from the heat and fever of tourists during the rest of the day. Really, I think it's the best time to visit this temple. Maybe not to take pictures but to visit. And tuk-tuk again to Hua Lampong station. A Singha, a dish of fried rice, a bath and go to bed! ;)
Tomorrow after-noon I go to Ayutatya.
