Thailand: The Grand Palace

At the heart of Bangkok, Grand palace is undoubtedly the most famous landmark. All I can say is that all have beautiful architecture with sophisticated details. These just showed that Thai people have very good craftsmanship. Palace consists of several buildings including Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Others serve as the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government and some halls are used for important ceremonial occasions. I cannot elaborate much but the pictures below were just some of the eye catchers we saw in the Grand Palace. Be ready with comfy shoes and water as you explore. 

The Grand Palace 

Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 - 15:30

Location: Na Phra Lan Road, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Thailand: The Temples and the Reclining Buddha

Monks in prayer in Wat Pho

During out Bangkok trip, we visited Wat Pho or the Temple of Reclining Buddha. It was said that it is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It was also said that it is now more well-known as a centre for traditional massage and medicine. You’ll see more than thousands of Buddha images here but the highlight is the largest which is the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It is plated in gold and you’ll notice that the bottom of the feet is intricate with details. We roam around amazed on what where were seeing. We ended the trip tired and yet fascinated. 

To pay respect, visitors should maintain quiet, wear appropriate clothing and avoid taking pictures with flash. 

Look at the complex details

Every corner catches our attention

Shoes are removed before entering a temple for respect for Buddha.

The head of the Reclining Buddha

You'll find many of these

And also these 

More buddhas here

They said that Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world

Buddhism focus on meditation and mindfulness, It is often considered to be a form of psychology.

Such a huge creation

Just wonderful

Blessed in Wat Pho

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Chetuphon Road

Bangkok, Thailand

Discovering Phuket: Kata Beach

Summer Time Again 

Kata beach is another beach located on the south side of Karon beach, still in the Phuket Island. All of us agreed that it’s better than the Phuket beach. This is where we spent our afternoon. The water is better and much clearer. Again, there’s a lot of tourist in the area. I guess locals where outnumbered. 

We are all in the shade

With the little birdie

Saw this cute dog while walking

Pick one :)

Crowded beach here

We do not what's going on here

Also why they are firing this up

Mandatory couple shot :)

And with the Eskapaderas :)

After having some food trip, we bid farewell to this delightful beach. No more other stories to tell as we just enjoy and relax all day. I hope they also visit the beaches in the Philippines as there are more to see, you already know why.

Kata Beach, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Discovering Phuket: The Famous Phuket Bangla Road

Just one part of the crowd in Bangla Road

Adding Patong Beach in our itinerary, we look for a budget hostel to stay near the area. We do not know that this will also bring us to this famous Bangla Road. With a very little idea on how wild this place could be, I did not expect that it is really that apparent, straightforward, feral, busy and crazy this place could be. Patong beach is famous for its nightlife. The nightlife is centered in two main areas which is the Bangla Road and the “Paradise Complex”. It’s a 360 degrees of bars, nightclub, party, street dance, sexy girls and lady boys dancing (almost stripping) calling attention of every tourist in the area.

Very welcoming!

Photo is a bit dark but doesn't hide the crowd. 

As it stereotypes what you can see in some movies, they say that there’s a lot of drugs, alcohol, scams, prostitutes in the area, well although alcohol and drunk tourists can be found everywhere, I cannot attest the other because we simply ignore those that we feel is a potential risk and just go on our own.

Just a quick tip: Be mindful and read some common scams you may encounter in every country that you’ll visit.

I saw this act already in a TV show

We saw more lady boys than a live Elephant in Thailand. Really. As you walk along the busy street, some will solicit you for a sexy show, showing you the list of different shows you can choose from. It was like “Divisoria” (market) of prostitutes. It was loud and wild. I am in awe and was like, really?! But then it feels good to see the totally different culture here. Yes, our group is a bit conservative and we are not really that wild.

Busy street 

But of course, for us to atleast feel that we are in Bangla road, we did ordered some beers but some of us were okay walking on the street exploring, some stayed in the hostel porch and some explore on a quite less aggressive bar (just very near our hostel) with pure entertainment show only.  (Not the topless girls :p )

After the busy night, we woke up and go outside and it was like nothing happens last night. We actually spotted garbage collectors roaming and some street vendors selling morning street food that we didn’t miss trying.

Amazed :) 

Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu

Chang Wat Phuket 83150

Bars operates mostly around 9PM to 2AM

Discovering Phuket: Patong Beach

Such a wonderful welcome Patong Beach!

I am very excited to see the beach area in the morning. Since we arrived already late noon, we scheduled our next day to walk along the shore of Patong beach in the morning. It was a very quick walk from our hostel. It was the first time we saw the place in a calmer state. That’s the time we’re able to appreciate and see the view of the beach.

Do not forget to get fit!

A view in the morning, calmer than night. 

We saw several tourists jogging in the shoreline. We saw some empty bottles abandoned in the area. Well, it was a good view, but of course, comparing to the beaches in the Philippines, it’s really evident that the Philippines has the best beaches in the world. It was good to see that it was crowded with visitors but I am a bit sad because although I am seeing tourists in our country especially in the well known Boracay, its not like this kind of crowd, it was like as if this is the only and the best White beach in the world.

Just some of the trash and empty bottles we saw that morning

Cyclist getting ready for the tourist rush

Well, maybe because of the image of a non-safe destination, lack of promotion and other more various reasons making us very unpopular tourist destination. Hal and I actually had a chat with a guy from Canada that was also staying in our hostel and he doesn’t really know much about the Philippines. I was like, “Do you know Boracay and El Nido? You must include Philippines in your list and the beaches there are way much prettier.” That guy was actually already found the Patong beach very beautiful already. In my mind, how much more if you visit the beaches of Palawan, Bohol and Cebu.

And the crowd was ready to get sunburn

More of the crowd on the other side

They are all very busy, we are the only group trying to hide from the sun

Patong is much like Boracay because it was surrounded by stores and restaurants. The only difference is that the beach water is very salty and a bit itchy. Anyway, as we return in the beach with the group around late afternoon, there are more and more people everywhere, sunbathing, playing, swimming and just simply relaxing on the shore. 

Sun bathing, relaxing, not a fan of sun burn. 

Such a busy beach

Colorful umbrellas everywhere

And more on this side

Hal and I at Patong Beach

Patong Beach will still be a very popular beach spot for tourist, no doubt because it is accessible and it’s still beautiful on its own way. I’ll still promote Palawan and Cebu though. Of Course.

As the sunset goes, it was the moment that I realized that we are still sharing the same magnificent view of sunset in just other perspective. It was calm, soothing and just let me thank God again for experiencing the beach outside my homeland.

Such a very wonderful view to end your day