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......!
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