My Visit to the Grand Palace

#traveltuesday


The Grand Palace definition for me is a stunning array of complex structures that are just too fabulous.  :))

Built in 1782 and has been the home of the Thai King since, I can't help but be stupefied on how it was well-maintained through the years - the manicured garden, the exquisite structures, the immaculate grounds, the character of the mythical creatures..aaahh I'm running out of adjectives.  Everything is just truly awe-inspiring.  

I can only imagine that line in "Crave You" saying "I walked into the room dripping in gold, yeah dripping in gold!"  Haha!!  I've never seen too much gold in my life!!! :))  I arrived at the tourist attraction around 1PM and it was cooking hot!  It was so hard to look at all those "bling blings" shimmering under the sunlight you'll need 'em sunnies and brellies. :P

I got the paper umbrella from a vendor while walking all the way to the palace.  Apparently, the entrance to the palace is quite a walk from the ferry station where I got off, Pier 9 Ta Thien.  I figured it would do good for the photos too. :P  I tried to hire a tuktuk but almost everyone I asked said that the palace was closed for praying.  I suddenly had a flashback and remembered the reason why I wasn't able to visit this place the last time!!  I was scammed!!  I ain't sure why the government isn't doing anything about this noh??  I wish I can report the plate number of this tuktuk driver, haha!

Being alone, it was so hard to ask for photos so I thank the gardeners and janitors who fell victim to my charms. Mwahaha!!  As observed, no sleeveless or legs exposure are allowed inside the palace.  Grateful that intuition got the better of me in throwing off that maxi dress on the last minute and it helped me avoid the long queue of sarong rentals by the entrance.  I was immediately asked by the guard to put on my "jacket" (aka chambray top) prior to buying tickets.  Exag si kuya hindi pa nga ako nakakapasok sa loob.  Majinit kaya!! :P

Some parts of the palace were ongoing renovation when I visited.  Too bad for me but I agree that they should do their utmost to preserve this heritage.  A place steeped in history, it was really good that I visited that museum before going to the Grand Palace.  I didn't wanna leave the place and just bask in the royal presence of it all.  Haha!!  But it's almost closing time in the palace (I stayed maybe for a total of 1 hr only) and I've got other places in my agenda.  Specially that temple which I came across during the cruise, it looks really interesting.  I asked my fellow Thai ferry passenger about it and she didn't know.  She even said she's a Thai but they don't really visit their tourist attractions.  What a shame! :(

And so there's only one place to find out.  That is, to go to that place itself. ;-)