Thursday 31 December 2009

Thailand: Bangkok - A walk along the Chao Phraya River


My latest walk takes me along a section of the Chao Phraya River that has a riverside walkway... it is unfortunate there are only a couple of such walkways in the whole of the city.....

I begin my walk at the Memorial Bridge situated at the southern perimeter of the "Old City":





One of the four bridge supports.


Construction began on December 3, 1929 by the British based engineering firm of
Dorman Long, in Middlesborough. The Company was also responsibe for, amongst others, the Tyne Bridge, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and the Storstrom Bridge in Denmark.....







The bridge was opened on April 6, 1932, coinsiding  with the 150th
anniversary of the Chakri Dynasty. In Thai, the bridge is named
the Phra Phutta Yodfa Bridge, after King Rama I, the first king of the dynasty...

Having crossed the bridge, I am now in Thonburi and continue my walk.
My first stop is the Buddhist temple of Wat Prayura Wongsuwat.
Best known for the large white painted Stupa in the temple's cofines,
I have come to see the 'memorials garden'. The garden contains a small
pond full of turtles, surrouned by memorials, all in the shape of houses hidden within
grottoes and lush foliage....... a peaceful place.









Detail of the entrance gate to the temple









Turtles enjoying the sun.....!



 

A couple examples of the 'house' memorials....

















In this grotto is a panted figure of the Buddha










Continuing along the river, I pass the Italian-style
Church of Santa Cruz, a catholic church built in 1816.





Close-up of the Church Tower





...and gargoyle.








Figure of the 'Virgin Mary' in the church's outer courtyard


A little further on from the church is one of the loveliest Chinese
Temples to be found in Bangkok.







Looking through the entrance to the Cho Sue Kong Shrine.
I particularly like the stone carved murals either side.....









 



as is this above the main door.....



 


...overlooked by this wooden figure of a lion.









Next door to the Shrine is one of my favourite Temples, Wat Kalayanamit.








This beautiful Sino-Thai Temple dates to the reign of King Rama III
at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Over the years, the temple has fallen into a state of disrepair. This,
thankfully, is now being redressed.......





The bell tower contains the  largest brass bell in Thailand








The central Viharn houses a huge statue of The Buddha
which almost fills the entire interior space















The Ubosot, or Ordination Hall is being
sympathetically restored



 

Ceiling detail of the restored Hall










I now leave the Temple and take a local cross-river ferry
back to Bangkok and the "Old City"











 

View down the Chao Phraya River from on board the cross-river ferry

When I disembark on the opposite shore, I am in the middle of
Bangkok Flower Market.....
one of my favourite places in Bangkok.














a porter resting.....







Buying vegetables from a street trader....







and here is a fruit seller.....








A fine balancing act............!!


From the Flower Market, it is only a short walk to my destination, Wat Pho,
home of the Reclining Buddha, which I visited a little while back. Now I
intend to concentrate on the outlying precincts....


On my way in, I see his monk waiting to catch a tuk-tuk....









In the double-ringed temple 'cloisters",
400 Buddha images are housed....




 



Wat Pho is considered the pre-eminent place for the learning
of the ancient Thai medical art and massage.  There are a couple of pavilions
with some delightful paintings, outlining this art....























Where shall I venture next......!




Sunday 27 December 2009

Laos: Vientiane - A stroll thru' the "Sandlewood City"

Having lived for a little over a year now in Bangkok, coming to Vientiane is such a contrast and the more I see of the city, the more comfortable I feel here....... as this is , more than likely, to be my new home within the next couple of months.

I start my walk along the great Mekong River, with view across the waters to Thailand. Few vessels ply thru' her waters, but there is a sense of serenity and beauty about the river, that I really like......





Looking along the Mekong towards the city centre.....






"Fish farm"  nearby....






Old river boat.........






River fisherman ......






Unloading supplies







These ferry passengers across the river to Thailand.....











From here, my path takes me to an area overlooking the Dom Chan,
a huge sandbank  that varies in size  with the changing of the river's height.
Here the earth is rich and fertile & good fo growing.....





Riverside allotments are popular with the locals






often under water during the rainy season.....









 

Yours truly.....



Leaving the River Mekong behind, I now head towards the city centre




Entrance to Pha That Luang.
This 'Stupa' is the most important national monument in Laos,
and is both a symbol for the Buddhist faith and Lao sovereignty.....








 From here, I retrace my steps to visit a large gate....



 

The Patuxai
Vientiane's own "Arch of Triumph" that was built in the 1960's
with US purchased cement that had been ear-marked for the
construction of a new airport.......!






Ceiling detail at the apex of the arch






Souvenir stand on the second level....






Spiral staircase to the top...






View from the top of the arch down
Lan Xang Boulevard








Street vendor.....






Statue of King Sisavang Vong 1904 -1959








Immediately behind the statue is a much revered Buddhist temple:
Wat Si Muang and home to the "Lak Meuang" or city pillar

At the entrance to the temple are several 'shops' selling devotions for the faithful:








 












and these 'captured birds that are "bought' by people and
released in the temple grounds for good luck....






The main Temple Hall housing the city pillar


I particular like the exterior 'furnishings' at this temple....
Here are a few-












 

















 A little foot weary, I head to find some refreshment...........