I Love Thailand....

WAT ARUN , BANGKOK.
Across the roiling waters of the Chao Phraya River,the other bank seemed quite distant even though it would probably be a 10 minute ferry ride. The churning river was made more so as boats, cruises, ferries and large cargo vessels sputtered up and down. But none of this registered and my attention was fixed on the elaborate white structure with spires, which seemed to catch the sun's early morning rays and glistened luminously. It is known as the prominent Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn. One of Bangkok's most popular sights.
Go for the Unexpected:
A Buddhist temple set dramatically on the river bank, Wat Arun is not less than the Grand Palace and Wat Pho,the temple of the reclining Buddha. For that reason, it is a little bit crowded and makes a lovely visit. Going back to the 17th century, the temple had a Khmer style tower surrouded by smaller ones,all of which were studded with pieces of beautiful porcelain in various colours arranged in eclectic patterns. It was known to catch the first rays of the sun and hence the name. There were also surprisingly strong refrences to Hindu mythology with the central structure compared to Mount Meru and allusions to Ramayana.
Modern Meets Traditional:
Following the same sentiment is Sampram riverside, located about 35 km to the west of Bangkok on the banks of the Tha Chin River. Sampran is spread over 70 acres of lush greenery with huts, traditional Thai wooden structures as well as water bodies. Alongside are cultural workshops on clay modelling, flower arrangement, vegetable carving, bamboo and traditional dance and more.
Cut The Noise:
Bangkok is known for its many floating markets with boats piled high with tropical fruit and vegetables, fresh- ready to drink coconut juice and local food cooked from floating kitchens located right on the boat. As night fell, the place comes into its own around midnight. Totally atmospheric with a plethora of food stalls and al fresco pubs with rocking music.
Some Interesting Facts:
Garden cafes are big in Bangkok. Water fountains, cherubic statues, glass villas, splendid gardens and ornate flower decor... there are over a dozen garden setting cafes you must explore to beat the monotony of concrete of this bustling metropolis.
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