Day 7.
After a not-so-good start in Bangkok and sleeping over it, another day has come to wander around the city. Since we are on a tight budget, we cannot make more mistakes, thus, we exchanged our dollars to baht in these legit banks along Khao San Road.
Exchanging Dollar (or Peso) to Thai Baht
There are many money exchangers (Pinoy term for foreign currency exchange) along Khao San Road and they have roughly almost the same exchange rate for dollars to baht. Also, there are several exchange stalls that turns your Philippine Peso to Thai Baht. During our visit, the exchange rate from dollar to Thai baht is 30, while Peso to Thai Baht is 0.50.
I managed to take some pictures of the exchange stores during our trip and you may look for them along Khao San Road.
Walking Tour starts
From Sawasdee Bangkok Inn, or any hotels along Khao San Road, you may walk towards the major tourist spots in Bangkok - The Royal Palace, The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Though we would like to visit Wat Arun, which you can reach by crossing a river by ferry, we decided to diss it, instead, go to MBK mall to get souvenirs.
We did not enter the Royal Palace since we find it a little less interesting after we see the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and we decided to visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha - Wat Pho.
From Khao San Road, you need to take the Chakkapong Road, near the police station. Turn on your left and walk towards the monument. Cross the street and you will see the park. Walking further along, you will pass by the National Library, Independence Monument, several government building and the Royal Palace. Wat Arun is basically located at the "back" of the Royal Palace, if you would take the road we took. Cross the street and turn on your right and you will see the entrance to Wat Arun.
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| View of the Royal Palace from the Park |
TIP: Do not entertain the tuktuk driver that will offer you a tour. One, its too pricey and two, they will drop you on a jewelry store because they will have commissions on your purchase. Lastly, they will make stories of the tourist spots being closed because its holiday and thus, they will take you on a different trip. (This is based on what we hear while walking along the National Road).
WAT PHO: GIGANTIC RECLINING BUDDHA
Based from the blogs that I have read, proper clothing must be exercised when visiting the Royal Palace and Wat Pho. However, when we arrived there, we saw some people in shorts and slippers. Upon entrance, you need to pay 100 Baht before you can actually roam around the grounds.
Footwear are taken off when you enter Wat Pho temple, just like the many temples we have visited for the past days. No worries, bags will be given to you, where you can put your footwear inside and carry them (for those who are afraid to lose their footwear).
No joke, the reclining buddha is really looooonnnnggggg. I have to find a good spot at its end so I can emphasize its length. The whole room is wall painted - with stories after stories of Thai families, love stories and many other. I believed it described the Thai traditions. At the back of the reclining buddha, you will be metal pots which were believe to be givers of good luck if you are able to finish it and complete each one with the coins. Coins are "bought" for 20 Baht, and if my memory serves me right, it has 150+ of them. You must put coins for each pot and make sure you empty your coin bowl upon reaching the end.
ROAMING AROUND THE WAT PHO GROUNDS
There were a lot to cover in Wat Pho. You may visit the school inside the complex or proceed to the Temple of Buddhas located at the far end of the complex. Do not worry about the sounds you hear, as many of Buddhists come to Wat Pho to pray, meditate and meet.
After few hours, we decided to proceed to our next itinerary which is MBK Mall.
To be continued.. MBK Mall.
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| Ticket Booth |
Footwear are taken off when you enter Wat Pho temple, just like the many temples we have visited for the past days. No worries, bags will be given to you, where you can put your footwear inside and carry them (for those who are afraid to lose their footwear).
No joke, the reclining buddha is really looooonnnnggggg. I have to find a good spot at its end so I can emphasize its length. The whole room is wall painted - with stories after stories of Thai families, love stories and many other. I believed it described the Thai traditions. At the back of the reclining buddha, you will be metal pots which were believe to be givers of good luck if you are able to finish it and complete each one with the coins. Coins are "bought" for 20 Baht, and if my memory serves me right, it has 150+ of them. You must put coins for each pot and make sure you empty your coin bowl upon reaching the end.
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| Focused on the feet, then focus on the Face |
ROAMING AROUND THE WAT PHO GROUNDS
There were a lot to cover in Wat Pho. You may visit the school inside the complex or proceed to the Temple of Buddhas located at the far end of the complex. Do not worry about the sounds you hear, as many of Buddhists come to Wat Pho to pray, meditate and meet.
After few hours, we decided to proceed to our next itinerary which is MBK Mall.
To be continued.. MBK Mall.
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