Posted by Violetology | Filed under Violetology
Forced Silence
10 Monday Jun 2013
Ancient Siam Part 2
01 Saturday Jun 2013
Posted in Trips and Travel
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We came down from the glorious mountain-top ruins and started scouting for our bikes.
“I ride because the second my legs start turning circles I become a happier person. I ride because I love to feel the wind on my face and listen to the birds and bugs. I ride because it… makes me feel wild and free! - Emily Kachorek
Ancient cities, ruins or architecture are historic and constitute the splendors of the past.
Moreover, great harm is derived from ignorance, but more harm is still caused by not knowing truly and yet pretending to know. The result is sure to be ruinous.
Therefore, man must know the events of the past. If we have no knowledge of the past, it is somewhat like a vessel without a compass and a rudder on the high sea.
We, Asians, believe that the scientific approach can bring knowledge to human beings. But it cannot elevate the spirit of man. It has only paved the way for materialists in their search for worldly happiness.
To be continued…
Quoted texts from http://www.ancientsiam.com
Ancient Siam Part 1
01 Saturday Jun 2013
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It was our last day in Bangkok and my husband had office-related work to do (booh him).
I didn’t want to be stuck in a hotel room but I was also a bit wary of going out alone. Not that I was scared, but because no one would take pictures of me, said my narcissistic side.
As if heaven heard my woes, a bright light shone from above and tadaaa my cousin Maribeth, whom I have not seen for years appeared early in the morning to be my friend of the day.
Destination: Ancient Siam
Kindness arrived in a bright green taxi. Anan, our tour driver-guide, presented me with a Nikon digital camera to borrow for the day (because forgetful-me left her camera at home). It was a wonderful start!
Entering the gate of historical wonders…
Admission Fee: 500 Baht – free shuttle ride, golf cart ride, bike ride and boat ride.
I think we sat inside the wrong shuttle. The tour guide was speaking in Thai the entire time, thinking we were Thai as well.
Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres in the shape of Thailand.
The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with each of the monuments lying at their correct places geographically.
The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy
Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down.
Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world’s largest outdoor museum. The 320-hectare city features 116 structures of Thailand’s famous monuments and architectural attractions.
On top of a high mountain was some intriguing ruins.
The shuttle stopped at the foot of the mountain and we all got out to climb the stairway to heaven.
It was like an oven that afternoon but the splendor around me overpowered the heat of the day.
Reaching the top!
The spectacular view from the top…
To be continued…
Quoted texts from Wikipedia
The Chaophraya Cruise Bangkok
25 Saturday May 2013
Posted in Trips and Travel
Embark aboard a luxurious cruise along the Chao Phraya River…
Entertainment was good. Live music was perfect!
Food was mediocre.
This was taken at the bow of the ship.
Gliding down the “River of Kings”…
Shimmering temples and glistening architectures…
What a nice way to end our second day in Bangkok!
River City Bangkok
25 Saturday May 2013
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Hanging out in River City while waiting for our diner cruise…
Find the obviously hidden anomaly.
Can’t get enough of this shark!
Mr. Anan, our remarkable tour guide (more about him soon).
Before riding the boat with our violet corsages and red numbers.
Elephant Village Bangkok
25 Saturday May 2013
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When I was a kid, we used to go to a park where a huge stone elephant was. I remember my father putting me on top and me getting so excited I’d kick and kick wishing the elephant would move.
But today, I’m riding a real walking elephant!
Bright and shiny!
Riding an elephant isn’t elegant at all. Haha. Your body sways with the elephant’s butt, thump right, thump left, thump right, thump left…
We walked round a little village in paved pathways. It’s sad that the area we passed were of cut-down trees, mini dumpsites and portions of burned land. It would have been nice to ride an elephant through untouched forests with me singing (in my head)…
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they’re worth
It’s touching to see the bond between the elephant and the guide. They would talk to each other like best friends. He could make the elephant say “hello” and “thank you”.
I was so eager for the river ride but it was a small canal that looked like a swamp…
I was expecting something like this…
But I think, this will do for now. Or else my husband wouldn’t be too keen for another ride.
I guess growing up in the real mountains, I have high expectations for nature tours. I crave for the authentic experience that could bring me back to the wild joy of my childhood.
But I also understand the need for commercialized tours to meet the growing demands of tourism in this country. And I am still proud of the Thai people for being such hospitable hosts of small tours like this.
Someday, I might live with the locals and have my own elephant and we’d go cruising the forest in Mowgli style!
Tour Package (Floating Market + Temple Stop-over + Elephant ride): 2,000 Baht per person
Bangkok Stopovers
24 Friday May 2013
Posted in Violetology
During our Floating Market tour, we had 2 stopovers before our Elephant Ride.
First is this huge riverside souvenir shop full of Thai handicrafts.
My good ol’ friend Hatem took all these shots of me.
Temple stop-over
Meet my new pretty friend Nan.
I chose not to go inside because I was wearing shorts. Do you see how elaborate the shrine is?
Next stop: the elephant ride!
Yahoo!
The Floating Market Bangkok
24 Friday May 2013
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Second day in Amazing Thailand!
I had these for breakfast and I ate ’till I dropped. I haven’t had pork for months, I intentionally overindulged!
Destination: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
It was a hot humid day, I was all sweaty even before we arrived.
Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Thailand, great for photo opportunities, food, and for giving you an insight into a bygone way of life.
…long-tail boats await to take you to the market. The roar of the engine disturbs the quiet as the boat glides down the narrow canals, small wooden houses on stilts fringe the banks…
The boat driver slows down to let you appreciate the winding waterways and get a brief glimpse of those who live on the river.
Over 30 years ago, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market featured in a classic James Bond chase scene was already a tourist attraction… an aquatic cultural show festooned with abundant colour and souvenirs.
Pretty seller 
I should have bought this coconut lamp.
Days earlier I watched on Discovery Channel how baby crocodiles grow and survive. The documentary was from the eye of young crocodiles. It takes years for them to develop their strength, the might of their jaw and the sharpness of their teeth. While they’re still small, they are harmless to humans. It takes years of patience for them waiting to grow and mature.
When we spotted this young crocodile swimming around while boats passed by, all I could hear is his tiny voice telling me, “I will eat you someday.”
Arriving in the main market. We were there mid afternoon so it wasn’t too busy unlike the mornings.
The Captain loves his mangoes.
I like mine with sticky rice!
The world around me disappears with the taste of yellow and white and milk!
There are at least four to five floating markets in Bangkok.
Even though transactions are more concerned with tourists rather than locals these days, the floating market boats are still piled high with tropical fruit and vegetables, fresh, ready-to-drink coconut juice and local food cooked from floating kitchens located right on the boat.
Our souvenir photo from the tour.
I wish the locals and tourists would work together to keep the river clean. Other than the sight of trash here and there, the boat ride was wonderful!
We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tour Package (Floating Market + Temple Stop-over + Elephant ride): 2,000 Baht per person
Quoted texts from http://www.bangkok.com
Bangrak Spa & Massage Bangkok
22 Wednesday May 2013
Posted in Trips and Travel
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Starting since 2012, Bangrak Spa & Massage is in a 5-story building which makes it possible to serve individual and group customers as much as 100 people at a time.
Ok, thanks for being clear.
Thai massage has always been at the top of my relaxation list. It’s the kind of massage that relaxes and stretches my football-beaten body. Coming to a real Thai spa with real Thai masseurs, I was looking forward to a Thaiwonderful experience.
The place was huge!
My room was a bit stuffy and sad. The shower was old and rusty. The bed sheets were unkempt and a bit dusty.
I was so disappointed with my massage. I felt it was incomplete and mediocre. Though it wasn’t too bad, it wasn’t remarkable as well. Maybe Tonton’s Thai Massage in the Philippines has raised my standards so high.
But it’s still a massage, I felt relaxed after and I was grateful. It was a good ending after that long temple walk.
Here’s Hatem, a happy customer. Maybe his masseur was spectacular.
Do I recommend this?
I could give them one more chance.
Somboondee Seafood Bangkok
22 Wednesday May 2013
Posted in Violetology
We were so famished after the temple tour we could eat a horse… but we went hunting for crabs instead.
The place was empty except for us.
The food took forever to be served so I did my usual toilet “inspection”.
Toilet was very clean. I love that Thai restrooms smell like beauty spas and massage parlors.
Lunch is served!
Shrimps
Fried squid in salted egg
Pineapple rice!
This is so far the best rice-combination I’ve tasted in my life.
I was so impressed with the rice.
The shrine outside the restaurant
Food was good, service was bad and price was a bit high.
Would I recommend this?
