Bangkok by Boat

October 02, 2019

Bangkok sits on a spider’s web of interconnected canals with the main waterway being the wide Chao Phraya River.  This gave it the nickname, Venice of the East, and just as in Venice, getting around the city is better by boat.

So today we set off to see some of Bangkok’s highlights but avoiding the traffic and congestion of the cities jammed roads.  We met with our guide for the day and headed for the pier.

Avoiding Thai Traffic

We boarded our garishly decorated long-tail boat and settled under the canopy in the shade.  Already the benefit of water travel was obvious.  Sitting atop the river was far cooler and quieter than trying to negotiate the bustling streets.

We exploded from the dock and launched into the heart of the river heading across to the far bank.  Slipping into one of the Klongs (canals) and beginning our water exploration of local life.

Our Captain cut back the throttle and we motored slowly along.  We watched in as the local Thai people went about their daily lives.  Perched above the water, on stilt houses, the front door opened directly onto small decks hovering over the water.  Most had stairs down to the water as this was the equivalent of accessing the “road”.

Chao Praya Cruise

Waterfront Living

Each side of the canal was busy, but we had great respect for the orderliness of the waterways.  Everyone kept “in their lane” as they made their way.  We saw long boats jammed tight with goods and fresh produce to sell.  Going along slowly and stopping if anyone inside wanted to buy something from them.  There was even a boat-stop, the canals equivalent of a bus stop, with locals waiting for the next boat to come along and transport them along the canal.

Children played on the decks, and women chatted with friends or family in their boats on the river in front of the house.  Or over the balconies to their neighbors.  It was its own unique water neighborhood. Bustling and incredibly colorful all the way along.

The River from On High

Pulling alongside one of the boat vendors, we bought some cold drinks from her.  More for the novelty photo opportunity than thirst!  Then we entered back onto the main river. Here the motor was cranked up and we powered downstream to the Temple of Dawn.  This has to be one of Bangkok’s best known and most recognized landmarks.

Standing along the river banks, the central spire of the temple rises majestically almost 250 feet into the air.  Covered in glistening glass and ceramic, the tower shines like a beacon in the sun.  We hopped off the boat and with our guide leading, we began to explore its beauty.

We challenged each other and climbed the very steep stairs, almost ladder-like, up to the middle level of the towering central spire.  Here the views over the river and surrounding areas are just wonderful.  We could easily make out our colorful boat bobbing riverside waiting for us.

The most famous floating market and cultural tourist destination.

The Delicacy of Wat Arun

Once back on solid ground we wandered around the four smaller spires that guard each corner of the temple grounds.  They and the many sculptures of soldiers and animals that also stand towering over.  The intricate patterns embedded into the walls, rooves, and spires that provide the dazzling gleam are even more beautiful seen up close.

Inside the temple, the atmosphere is calm and deeply spiritual.  Buddhist monks sat praying in front of the large statue of Buddha that dominates the interior.  All around, the walls were decorated with murals depicting stories from Thai history.  In each of the smaller spires are depictions of important stages in Buddha’s life, and are decorated just as superbly.

After an hour of soaking up the wonderful atmosphere of the temple complex and spires, we needed to move on.  This time, back in our boat, we crossed directly opposite Wat Arun, to the east bank.

The Wat Arun in Bangkok

The Majesty of The Grand Palace

If it was possible to be more impressed than we had been with Wat Arun, it occurred here, at The Grand Palace complex.  Once home to the Thai monarchy, it now serves as an amazing, dazzling and breathtaking monument to Royal Thai architecture.  Standing, surrounded by gold leaved columns, deep red roof tiles, topiary green bushes, gleaming gold spires, we were dumbfounded.

It was a bit overwhelming.  This is where our guide really came into their own.  Following his lead, we started around the outer ring of the huge complex and methodically wound our way towards the center.  He providing detailed information about everything we were seeing.

As well as the Palace itself, which is a small compound within this larger one, the sprawling walled complex contains so many other attractions.  Including the halls used for the lying in state of the kings, the grand reception hall, the old Thai war ministry, and even the Royal Thai mint.  Along with a myriad of brightly colored tall stone statues such as the Guardian Devils, with their grim and daunting facade.  Without a doubt, however, the most revered building of all is that which contains the statue of the Emerald Buddha.

Temple of The Emerald Buddha

This temple, with its gold spire, contains Thailands most venerated Buddha statue.  Carved from a single piece of jasper it stands 26 inches high and reflects Buddha in a meditating position.  Deep green in color, none but the King of Thailand may go near it, which he does three times during the year.  These occasions mark the changing in the Thai season, from summer to rain to winter.  At that time he ceremonially changes the costume worn by Buddha.

A Stunning Skyline

We got submerged with all the splendor around us and lost track of time.  Shocked, we realized we had been here for over two hours.  We made our way reluctantly back to the river and our waiting boat.  Sailing back up the river we looked at the skyline behind us, with glinting gold spires reaching into the deep blue sky.  It was inspirational.  We would spend many hours later going through all of our many pictures.  Thankful that we had been able to capture such wonderful memories, and happy we had done so from the comfort of our colorful, yet flamboyant, boat!