Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River can be reached by boat from Tha Tien Pier - cost 3 Baht (near Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha). The decor, like all the other Buddhist temple in Bangkok is grandious.

I was greeted by this temple with superbly decorated temple guards. Who am I to say no to a quick pose?

Want a closer look? Lol. I look like a real tourist! Who says I'm here for work?

Inside this temple is of course a series of golden Buddhas. There's one detail which I didn't notice the last time I visited - the pictures of, I suppose, dead people displayed at the bottom part. Is this their cemetery? Really don't know. I'm a bad tourist, you see, lol.

The 79-meter high pagoda is of course the biggest attraction. Tourists are allowed to climb for a 50 Baht fee which I didn't pay. They probably mistaken me for a Thai. The beautifully-decorated-attractive structure is being carried by hundreds of Thai dancers and and is being watched closely by temple guards.

It's a sunny Sunday and the weather is really nice. Not a suffocating journey to visit and pictures come out as I want them to be.

Climbing the pagoda gives a good view of the east bank of Chao Phraya river. On the right is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo view from Wat Arun and below is Wat Pho followed by the colorful roofs of the temples of Wat Arun.

Here's more lovely pictures around Wat Arun:


That last picture made me laugh. That's probably the reason why vendors don't entertain me when I buy baby clothes. I look like a highschool student, lol.

So that's it for my Sunday morning adventure. I still don't know what I'll do this evening tho...

Travel Blahblahs

Departure

Last September, I was still able to travel with my cabin luggage in the plane with me - which means, I had my cabin luggage, my computer bag and my shoulder bag - in economy class. Not today. It seems that cabin luggages shouldn’t exceed 8 kg. Mine weighed 12 kg. I’m just wondering if these cabin luggages around me (from other passengers) weigh 8 kg or below?? Parang mas malaki pa ang mga bagahe nila kesa sa kin. Hmm.

So now, I’m obliged to wait a minimum of 30 minutes at the airport for a 12-kg-luggage. Darn!

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My I-Pass connection isn’t working! Not that I want to blog while waiting for boarding (lol), I just want to check my emails before going to the battlefield (read: work) – kuno!

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I’ll be arriving early in the morning in Bangkok tomorrow – that’s Saturday. A quick shower and I’ll be off for work. .. Hmm, a need to blog is starting to itch my fingertips, really.

Bakit ba ayaw gumana ng i-pass dito?

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I start to believe that my lucky charm doesn’t work when it comes to hotel room designation. The last time I was in the Philippines, my neighbour had this bad habit of clearing his throat very early in the morning - and very loudly at that. Then I had this loud-moaning-Italian-lover in Milan. I wonder what Bangkok reserves for me.

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Uy, boarding na daw. Ciao!

Arrival

Aw, I just love this hot and humid feeling I could only get in Asia (no sexual connotation please). The thought that I'll be meeting my sisters this Saturday just excites me all the more.

The 12-hour flight seemed to be too long. Probably because I didn't sleep a single minute. And probably because the in-flight movies presented were all boring. The residence hotel which would be my 2-weeks getaway is actually a BIG appartment with a king-size bed, 2 TVs and a more-than-necessary living and dining rooms. I just can't complain.

And since I wasn't able to sleep in the plane and the king-size bed was simply inviting.. Saturday work was quickly forgotten. Bad me! I nevertheless called up my colleague and ended the conversation with an I count on you comment. Ang taray ko pang magpasa ng responsibilidad. Really bad me.

At 3pm Bangkok time, I found myself still enjoying the comfort of the king-size bed. With a bit of hesitation and a lot of bad moods, I hauled myself up thinking, I had to move my butt if I want to overcome jetlag.

Since I need to buy some toiletries, I decided to go to MBK Shopping Mall. What I love about Bangkok is that, even if taxi drivers try to drive you around the city before directing you to your destination (and honestly, there are very few of them), the fare still remains cheap. I paid 60 Baht from Soi Suanplu to MBK (it's normally cheaper), not bad.

I love the Siam zone of Bangkok because it's lively. I have never been to this place without crossing to a street show like the one shown.

So from the initial plan of buying only toiletries, I ended up buying some clothes for me and a Winnie watch for Louna. I'm a shopping addict when I'm here.

It's Sunday tomorrow and I still don't know what to do/visit. But jetlag is slowly taking over me.. signing off.

Sunset / Sunrise Tag

Life has been too busy lately, I have a hard time coping up. Blogfriends know that blogging is not in my priority list so when life gets in the way, blogging is set aside. Lately, as a way of getting away from reality, I have been indulging myself with our old pictures - trying to add colors to them thru Photoshop. Photography is a hobby I want myself to get addicted into. I don't have a top of the line camera nor the professionalism that goes with it. I only have eyes attentive to beauty, and that I think, is already a good start.

MegaMom tagged me to share sunset or sunrise pictures to which I am willing to oblige with gusto. Now, if you could allow yourself some constructive criticisms, that would be highly appreciated. Just be careful tho, you have an affair with an un-professional camera mom.

Sunset at the Chambord Castle, France

The inside architecture of the castle is loaded with what seemed to be the works of art of Leonardo da Vinci. One of the favorites is the spectacular double-helix staircase which is very ingenious. The two helixes ascend the three floors without ever meeting, avoiding the possible meetings of the King's wife and his mistresses. Galing no.

Grand Canyon

Taking a sunset picture in this legendary site was quite an event. Professional photographers and tourists alike crowded the place to capture what that particular sunset had to offer. I had loads of pictures but this one became my favorite. Trust me, the Grand Canyon is just at the background, lol.

Baywatching at Venice Beach, LA

I was a fan of David Hasselhoff, what else. It was a lazy afternoon at the beach and this cabin became a model for my sunset picture.

Fishing Cabin, La Vendée

Typical fishing cabin in the west of France, La Vendée area. Love this picture.

Bangka

At my hometown in the Philippines. Here is where I spent most of my childhood. Funny it may seem but I live just a few kilometers from the beach but I don't know how to swim.

Marseille, France

Hmm, mas malaki pala ang araw sa France kesa sa Pinas, what do ya think? lol!

Father and Child

Christmas last year. After a grand feast with the family, the two Frenchies asked for a quick dip at the beach. It was a quiet and relaxing family getaway. There was almost nobody at the beach. Look at how sweet my mag-ama were..