Day 4 - Thurs, Nov 6 - Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace(Bangkok)

Today is the day that we decide we need to regulate the number of wats we see in a row. I figure that 1 every few days is sufficient. The fact that it's sunny and humid and approximate 40 degrees C today (my estimate) may play a part in this decision. We'll have to see if the ones outside Bangkok are as sprawling as the ones we've seen in the first few days.

I spend a lot of Day 4 acclimatizing and enjoying the view of the grounds from the shade of the halls that line the temple walls and watch Pierre photograph everything. Several times. (By day 6 or 7, I'm doing the same.)

There are two key attractions here - the emerald Buddha (which you can't photograph) and the Grand Palace (which you can't go into, at least not today) so we don't have any pictures of those things. One temple right near the entrance of this particular wat (Wat Phra Kaew, sounds like "watt pra cow") is a really striking gold colour:




Most of our pictures of the wat tend to have no people in them because Pierre patiently waits for them to clear out or works around them. But, really, the place is crawling with tourists and looks like this:

Again, this wat is filled with crazy details on the gables...


...statues and mosaics...

...and the occasional mellow corner with a plant in a pot:

From my view in the shade on the sidelines, I'm enjoying what the guidebook tells me are the "murals of Ramakian" ("they were painted in the late 1700s and are continually restored.") The background and minor details of the paintings are in muted matte colours, and the main action is highlighted in gold, so it's easy for your eye to folow the story line along the wall.

Even if it weren't a million degrees in the sun, I'd probably spend most of my time here because the paintings are gorgeous:

A shot of one of the little paintings (this guy's about 7 inches tall), which is outlined with meticulous care:

On our way out, we pass the Grand Palace, mostly used for cermonial occasions:

photo credits: P, P, P, P, P, P, P, D, P