Bangkok, Thailand
February 12-20, 1977
We took a hot and crowded three hour bus ride to the Burmese Embassy only to find we were an hour late to apply for a visa and must return tomorrow.
We took a long walk along the river warehouses and finally caught a river taxi back to our hotel.
We make another attempt at the Burmese Embassy.
I spend four hours retrieving my passport from the Burmese Embassy and securing a visa from the Nepalese Embassy (3:45 on buses, 0:15 at embassies).
I toured the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo -- an eye-popping compound.
Source: Personal travel notes.
My first couple of days in Bangkok were spent working on visas. My plan was to travel next to Burma, then on to Nepal. Getting visas in Bangkok was a hassle. Big city. Crowded buses. Finally done, we were free to do some sightseeing. The Grand Palace complex, home to Thai kings from 1782 to 1925, is today still used for state occasions, but is mostly a tourist attraction, a theme park of magical architecture and amazing treasures. Disneyland without the rides. I couldn't help thinking of Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, in "The King and I," singing and dancing their way into movie legend.
More photos after the jump.
Wat Pho: Temple of the Reclining Buddha
One of a continuing series.
Start:
Around the World in 800 Days
Previous:
Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market
Next:
Bangkoks' Wat Arun
No comments:
Post a Comment