Day 3 12/4/21
Bangkok, Thailand
Frank's Trip
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OBSERVATIONS:
I went to McDonalds and wanted some milk with my order - hopefully chocolate milk. They only had 1 chocolate milk, so I got 1 Chocolate Milk and 1 white milk. They are small packages - about 6 ounces. Then I discovered it is Soy Milk. It wasn't too bad... but I won't be ordering any more soy milk for the rest of my life...
I haven't seen an ice cube anywhere since I arrived... (next day... I checked with the front desk - no ice machines in hall like in the US - but just ask at the desk and they;ll provide ice. Problem solved!)
EVERYBODY wears a mask EVERYWHERE. Almost any place one walks into has a temperature scanner at the door - show it your palm to pass.
National Museum of Bangkok
The National Museum displays cover everything imaginable. Metal and ceramic arts from dishware to weaponry.
Miniature toys for children with exquisitely detailed cups, saucers, tea kettles, dishes, etc.
The museum starts with the ancient history of the area uncovered by archaeologists and moves right along through the history of Siam.
There are multiple buildings and sections to each building.
TOP LEFT: Stone elephant
TOP RIGHT: Huge mother-of-pearl inlaid doors. Many items were extensively decorated with this medium.
LEFT: Stone wheels - some extremely large - among other artifacts in this room.
RIGHT: Ivory and wood traditional musical instruments
I especially enjoyed the many thrones. I took pictures of only a very few; the Kings had a throne for every occasion :-) They didn't appear very comfortable, though. I guess even being a King can have its ups and downs...
An Ivory throne
Funeral Chariot Hall
Pictured are a few of the multiple chariots used for cremation ceremonies. These are massive.
The Golden Buddha below is solid gold and about 5 1/2 tons worth something in excess of $38,000,000. It's on the 4th floor of a large shrine and the ceilings are tall. I think Buddha helped me make that climb... it took a little while though.
I've just about worn my shoes out from taking them on and off to go in and out of temples. Slip on sandals would be better for that... but not nearly so good for all the rest of the walking around... nothing's simple, is it?
Very long ago the Buddha was covered in plaster to disguise it from an enemy then invading Thailand.
In the 1930s the temple where it was residing was abandoned and Buddha along with it - temporarily. After moving the Buddha to a new home it was later discovered, in 1955, that there was a golden treasure beneath the plaster.
The Buddha image is over 12' in diameter and almost 16' tall.
LEFT: The overhead lighting (and, presumably, alarm system)
RIGHT: There is a nice terrace at the last level before the last flight of stairs into the temple. Great place to rest a bit and catch one's breath. Praise Buddha!
