I spent a few enjoyable days in Bangkok and considered going off to see some of the countryside, but I realized that would be starting another phase and I would probably be a month or two in Thailand. Perhaps another trip some day could include Thailand and Burma... or Lao or Cambodia. So, many options. I've had RideAbout 2003, RideAbout 2009 and WanderAbout 2010; I think WanderAbout 2015 should be just about right!
But for now I will take up a normal life. May 30th: back in California.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Geek Heaven
This very cool indoor high tech mall is six floors of many, many computer and high-tech stores. The pictures of the central area where you can see all the individual floors don't represent
Six floors of high-tech shops. Each floor is much, much larger than indicated by the central area where you can see all six floors. Also, there are only a couple large stores; almost the entire space is filled with independent stores and service shops, medium to small to very small. In the states, we tend to have big stores that have a good product line, but their products can be limited to major lines they want to work with. Here, there must be hundreds of independent stores in this mall and while they carry all the major brands, they also a lot of odd little items from non-name brands. Overall, prices seem to be about the same as in the States.
Oh, and there's a couple coffee and juice stands, plenty of ATM's, and even common areas with tables where customers and sales people can work, demo, or just socialize, but no food courts. This is all straight geeking. It was a very fun way to spend a couple hours.
Six floors of high-tech shops. Each floor is much, much larger than indicated by the central area where you can see all six floors. Also, there are only a couple large stores; almost the entire space is filled with independent stores and service shops, medium to small to very small. In the states, we tend to have big stores that have a good product line, but their products can be limited to major lines they want to work with. Here, there must be hundreds of independent stores in this mall and while they carry all the major brands, they also a lot of odd little items from non-name brands. Overall, prices seem to be about the same as in the States.
Oh, and there's a couple coffee and juice stands, plenty of ATM's, and even common areas with tables where customers and sales people can work, demo, or just socialize, but no food courts. This is all straight geeking. It was a very fun way to spend a couple hours.
Bangkok boat ride
Bangkok has significant inland waterways and a nice boat ride through some of them provided some nice views of the city.
Since the waterways are transportation routes, it makes sense that some parts have street lights and telephone lines, but it is still a little curious.
The waterways are also places of business. Here, the boats are the kitchens serving fresh meals to diners at tables on docks which seem to serve no other purpose than being a sprawling dining area.
I really like these trees; in person, the color is really beautiful.
There's not much sign left of the riverbank that was; although you can see it exposed in some places and in others, where the houses are built on stilts, you can see it as a muddy remnant under the houses.
In some areas water hyacinth (I think that's what my guide called it) grows naturally in the rivers.
Since the waterways are transportation routes, it makes sense that some parts have street lights and telephone lines, but it is still a little curious.
The waterways are also places of business. Here, the boats are the kitchens serving fresh meals to diners at tables on docks which seem to serve no other purpose than being a sprawling dining area.
I really like these trees; in person, the color is really beautiful.
There's not much sign left of the riverbank that was; although you can see it exposed in some places and in others, where the houses are built on stilts, you can see it as a muddy remnant under the houses.
In some areas water hyacinth (I think that's what my guide called it) grows naturally in the rivers.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Buddhism in Thailand
Thailand has a population of about 65 million with 95% Theravada Buddhist. There are reportedly some 35,000 monasteries and temples in the country and 400 just in Bangkok. Of course, with a population of 12 million, Bangkok should have a lot of monasteries.
I got to spend half a day touring a few of the temples in Bangkok. Apparently an early architect of Buddhist structures in Thailand made a trip to China and really liked some of their fancy architecture. He brought it back to Thailand and incorporated it in early Buddhist temples and that sort of set the standard and explains the familiar style of Thai Buddhist architecture and the many Chinese statuary at Thai temples.
Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawiharn is quite a mouthful, so it is commonly known simply as Wat Pho.
These large stupas at Wat Pho hold the ashes of important Thai kings. As in Sri Lanka, there is a pretty close relationship between the monarchy and the Buddhist organizations in Thailand. At one monastery I saw a picture of the current king in monks robes when he was young and following the Thai tradition of young men taking temporary ordination - typically for 3 months. From my Thai guide it is clear there is great respect for the King and for his following Buddhist tradition.
Thai statues of the Buddha also tend to be pretty ornate, often making a lot of use of gold and a lot of color in dressing like the pedestal.
Wat-Tri Mit Wit Thayaram has a fine example of using perhaps a bit too much gold. At about 5 tons, this Buddha is the largest solid gold statue of the Buddha in the world. For
A nice feature of Wat Benchamabophit was this central marble courtyard ringed with statues of the Buddha from various periods and areas for lay people to interact with monks, either preparing their daily meal or chanting with them.
I got to spend half a day touring a few of the temples in Bangkok. Apparently an early architect of Buddhist structures in Thailand made a trip to China and really liked some of their fancy architecture. He brought it back to Thailand and incorporated it in early Buddhist temples and that sort of set the standard and explains the familiar style of Thai Buddhist architecture and the many Chinese statuary at Thai temples.
Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawiharn is quite a mouthful, so it is commonly known simply as Wat Pho.
These large stupas at Wat Pho hold the ashes of important Thai kings. As in Sri Lanka, there is a pretty close relationship between the monarchy and the Buddhist organizations in Thailand. At one monastery I saw a picture of the current king in monks robes when he was young and following the Thai tradition of young men taking temporary ordination - typically for 3 months. From my Thai guide it is clear there is great respect for the King and for his following Buddhist tradition.
Thai statues of the Buddha also tend to be pretty ornate, often making a lot of use of gold and a lot of color in dressing like the pedestal.
Wat-Tri Mit Wit Thayaram has a fine example of using perhaps a bit too much gold. At about 5 tons, this Buddha is the largest solid gold statue of the Buddha in the world. For
A nice feature of Wat Benchamabophit was this central marble courtyard ringed with statues of the Buddha from various periods and areas for lay people to interact with monks, either preparing their daily meal or chanting with them.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bangkok
Arrived in Bangkok today and it seems very peaceful and safe; although, it is a pretty large city and I've only seen a tiny bit. As part of rebuilding tourism the Thai government is giving away tours so tomorrow morning I get four free hours with a car, driver and guide to tour a few Buddhist temples. Sort of like wining a door prize, I guess. Anyway, I should get a good status report from the guide. It's a little warm here and I'm real tired. To catch a 7:20 am flight I had to get up at 2:30 for the hour drive and they make you check in three hours before the flight - ugh! Oh, well, I should sleep well tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
