A Glimpse of Smiles Across the Miles

It was my second time to celebrate and to welcome the New Year 2010 in Nonthaburi and this time, my family and I opted to hold our celebrations at Esplanade Cineplex in Nonthaburi. It was fun. My niece was very excited when she saw her first pair of boots (rented from the cineplex, by the way) and was very happy when she first set foot on the ice skating rink. Weeeeeh! It was nerve wrecking for everybody - seeing our niece for the first time to ever walk and glide on ice. We also watched a dance presentation at the rink as freely offered by the cineples. It was a different way of celebrating new year - quite oddly compared to the Philippine's celebrations of New Years - we had serenely happy celebrations, indeed!

Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater, otherwise known as Sala Chaloem Krung, was opened in 1933.  To get to this theater, you have to be at the corner of Charoen Krung Road and Triphet Road.  If you take Saen Saep Canal Ferry, it will take you just within walking distance of the theater.  Then you can take an air-con bus numbers 73, 48 and 8 which pass through the west of the Charoen Krung.

The theater opens every day at 10:00 in the morning and closes at 6:00 in the evening.  Admission fee is dependent on what show is being presented on stage.  It specializes in performances of 'Khon' or traditional Thai dances for around 2 hours and which carries a storyline based on the aspects of Thai history and ancient Thai myths and legends.

King Prajadhipok Museum, otherwise known as Rama VII Museum, is a museum located in Bangkok, Thailand.  The museum is a very essential tool in giving both visiting locals (especially the new/younger generations) and foreigners have a deeper understanding about the reign of Rama VII or King Prajadhipok who was the last monarch who enjoyed absolute power in Thailand.

The museum's structure was designed by Charles Beguelin who was a French-Swiss Architect with a new-classical style.  In 1995, the museum was declared as a National Heritage Site.  Its renovation project was completed in 1999 and was noted as King Prajadhipok Museum in 2001.

 

The museum displays the biography and lifework Rama VII with His Majesty's essential memorabilia before he came to the throne and even the king's life after his abdication. 

One way of going to this museum is through a boatride via Banglampuu Pier.  Road trip via bus or taxi is also another option in reaching the place.

 Wat Saket or The Golden Mount is also one of the most visited attractions in Bangkok, Thailand because of its notably spectacular views.

Wat Saket dates back to the Ayutthaya Era when it was yet called Wat Sakae.  The temple or wat was restored under the regime of RAMA I (1782-1809).  The said temple was used for cremation ceremonies which were otherwise prohibited inside the walled city.  When there was a plague during the reign of King Rama II (1809-1824), about 30,000 bodies were brought here.

To reach the top of the Golden Mount, you must climb up the very exhausting 318 steps.  When you go there on one fine day, you could view from atop the old Rattanakosin Island and the rooftops of Bangkok.

The temple is notably older than Bangkok City itself as it has been founded in the 17th century.  The name Wat Po originates from Wat Potaram.  RAMA I was the founder of Bangkok who then enlarged the temple and installed several statutes and many memorabilia recovered from Ayutthaya and renamed the temple as Wat Phra Chetuphon in 1801.

In 1832, RAMA III enlarged the temple even further and turned it into a very important source of learning for Thailand's first university.  RAMA III was initiated the construction of the reclining buddha which is up to now housed in the Wiharn which is only big enough to hold the statue and thus, it would be very difficult for visitors to take wide shots of the whole image.

The Royal Grand Palace is a must-see attraction for visiting foreigners of the Kingdom of Thailand.  It is without a doubt one of Bangkok's most famous landmark which was built in 1782 and had been a home of the Thai King, the Royal Court and the Administrative Seat of Government for 150 years.

In visiting the Royal Grand Palace however, it should be noted that a certain dress code applies.  With the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site.  Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed to enter into the temple.  Male visitors are required to be wearing long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tanktops), sandals with socks or flipflops with socks are tolerated.  For female visitors, modest or decent clothing are also expected; no see-throughs nor off-shoulders and sleefless shirts are allowed.  For those visitors who arrive at the vicinity with the prohibited type of dress code, there is a nearby booth at the entrance area which can provide clothing to cover you up, accordingly, although certain deposit fee is required.

My family and I went to Safari World Thailand on the 14th day of September 2009.  We had a great time being out of our very busy schedule in the office.  Upon our arrival at the vicinity, we were really caught in awe for the vast land housing different herds and flocks and groups of animals (crawling and walking), birds and sea creatures.  We brought our niece (8 years old then) and nephew (3 years old then) with us and they really enjoyed the ambience, the child-friendly creatures and the shuttle bus which gave us a tour around the wide fieldspan.

For those who are interested in visiting Safari World, I encourage you to go there very early in the morning so you get to maximize your time, get to tour around all of the attractions in the zoo.

Lumpini Park - a place open for everyone and I mean, everyone, young and old, single and married, student and pensionner, local and foreigner.  Yes, you read it right.  This park is very safe to all foreigners despite it;s being open to the general public; police officers could be seen roaming all throughout the vicinity.  The place has a certain relaxing ambience which entices everybody to get moving without fear or feeling of awkwardness.

When I was at Lumpini Park, I saw people jogging, dancing, playing around and having fun.  There were also families who were having picnic.  Food is never a problem since there were canteens and stores sited near the entrance gate which were selling a variety of finger foods and ready-to-go drinks and shakes.