Thailand, 2nd-17th December 2006
Bangkok (1) - Chiang Mai (2) - Andaman Coast (3)
We decided it was time for something a bit different. We flew to Bangkok from Edinburgh via Amsterdam, getting there on the afternoon of Sunday 3rd December. In an unusually organised manner we had pre-booked our domestic flights within Thailand and also some of our accommodation, and so had 3 nights in Bangkok, 4 in Chiang Mai, 4 in Railay and 2 on Koh Yao Island. Climbing was not to be the main focus of the trip, but we planned to do a wee bit whilst at Railay
Taxis near Sanam Luang Park
The bustling markets on Khao San Road
Wat Phra Kaew temple complex by the Grand Palace
A terracotta model of a temple in Vietnam
The temple of the Emerald Buddha. The tiny figure can just be made out in the centre!
Still in the Wat Phra Kaew complex
The Royal Palace complex
A temple within the Royal Palace complex
Wat Pho temple complex
A cat in a wheelbarrow
The reclining Buddha
It's surprisingly big
Still in the Wat Pho complex
The Golden Buddha - solid gold, that is - at Wat Traimit
Geckos on a pub ceiling
Phra Pin Klao bridge from the Chao Phraya river
Walking home involved quite a bit of avoiding stepping on these...
The next day we took a cruise of the Thonburi district on a long tailed boat
We were glad we weren't swimming
Ornate temples by the canals
An agricultural area further out of town
We stopped for a break at this orchid farm
Feeding frenzy! The people at the pier had just thrown some bread in for the fish
A residential part of Thonburi
The Thais are famous for their open minded approach to life
It turned out that Tuesday 5th was the 60th anniversary of the King's coronation, and huge celebrations were in place. The Thais associate a colour with each day of the week, with Monday being yellow. As the King was born on a Monday, about 95% of the population of Bangkok were dressed in yellow for the party
The Democracy Monument. Slightly ironic at the moment, I suppose...
The view from the top of the Golden Mount at Wat Saket
Phra Pin Klao bridge towers over the nearby buildings
On top of the temple, on top of the Golden Mount
Local fauna
The Erawan Shrine by the Shangri La in the downtown area
The true spirit of Christmas
We took a tuk-tuk (insane three wheeled motorised taxi) back. The traffic was incredible after the day's celebrations
Farang means foreigner. Whilst they are genuinely enormously friendly people, the Thais aren't shy about wanting your money
Some motorbikes carried entire families, with toddlers and all. Occasionally, a helmet could be seen.
The next morning we headed back to the airport and took a flight North to Chiang Mai
Bangkok (1) - Chiang Mai (2) - Andaman Coast (3)