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Our room at the At Ease Saladaeng Hotel
was a suite with
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A full kitchen
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and living room.
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Entrance to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra
Kaew complex was very crowded on Sunday. Our guide, Joe, holds
an umbrella high so we can follow him.
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There are over 100 buildings in the complex
dating from 1782 and the old Kingdom of Siam. The gold stupa
is in the Sri Lankan style and contains relics of Buddha.
The middle building is in Thai style, the tall grey tower
is in Cambodian style (like in Ankor Wat).
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Small scale replica of Ankor Wat
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Apsonsi - A mythical creature (half woman,
half lion).
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Ramakien figures appear to be holding up the structure.
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The Ramakien
is an allegory of the triumph of good over evil with the
hero, Rama, as the ideal king. Hundreds of characters are
featured in the many episodes of the epic story.
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Wat Phra Kaeo was constructed to house the
most revered image of the Buddha in Thailand: The Emerald
Buddha.
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The Buddha is 26 inches tall and carved
out of a single piece of jade.
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The figure is so beloved that the king himself
changes its robes each season as depicted in the above picture.
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The Ramakien Gallery is decorated with
lavishly painted murals depicting the ancient legend of the
Ramakien
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The 178 panels were originally painted in
the late 18th century but require renovation due to humidity.
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The Grand Palace was the king's official residence
from 1782-1946.
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Dusit Throne Hall - used for annual Coronation
Day celebrations. The yellow bunting is in honor of the current
king's birthday.
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Everyone was taking selfies!
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Joe leads us safely out of the grounds.
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A delicious shrimp pad thai lunch
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Water craft on the Chao Phraya River which
flows through Bangkok.
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Unloading fresh produce for the market
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Flowers for the market
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Taxi
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It's a wonder the electricity works!
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Evening dinner cruise on a traditional wooden
rice barge on the Chao Phraya River.
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We cruised past the high rise luxury hotels
in downtown Bangkok.
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Wat Phra Kaeo at night
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