Tag: grand palace

  • WEIRD BUT WONDERFUL | Take notice

    WEIRD BUT WONDERFUL | Take notice

    It is often in the settings of magnificent historical landmarks that I encounter the most amusing signage. Bangkok’s sacred temples were no exception: Exhibit A, the photo above. The graphics indicating not to sit on the monuments gave me a chuckle.

  • STYLE MOMENT | Grand Palace, Bangkok

    STYLE MOMENT | Grand Palace, Bangkok

    “If you are facing in the right direction, all you need to do is keep on walking.” ― Buddha

  • Who is Buddha anyway?

    Who is Buddha anyway?

    More than 90% of people in Thailand are Buddhists, and if I was going to be in their presence and visit their temples, I needed to learn more about who Buddha was and what Buddhism means.  A small disclaimer: I don’t claim to be a historian or an expert – this is what I learned,…

  • BANGKOK | Lucky charms, a buddha in repose, and monks in training

    BANGKOK | Lucky charms, a buddha in repose, and monks in training

    I had started my first day in Bangkok at the magnificent Grand Palace. Spectacular, yes, but it was also filled to capacity with tourists. Suffice to say, I was not unhappy to be back on the streets and heading for good fortune. The amulet market, that is. What’s not to love about a whole market…

  • BANGKOK | Sa wat dee kah (hello), Thailand!

    BANGKOK | Sa wat dee kah (hello), Thailand!

    Behold Bangkok.  Full ceremonial name: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, aka, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.  Translation: “City of Angels.”  Resident population, 8.5 million.  Tourist population, 24.5 million per year.  This was my first day in the exotic, boisterous, quirky, sweltering, exhilarating city of Bangkok.  I had arrived from Dubai the night before. …