Seeing the Sights...[Entry #7 June 25, 2011]

[Above: An alleyway view of the side of one of the temples just west of the golden mount]

Entry #7 June 25, 2011:

        Today I decided to travel more into the heart of the sightseeing districts of Bangkok. Surprisingly however my primary source of transportation (MBS) or the skytrain which is not too dissimilar from the L back in Chicago does not yet have a transit route into this area. I opted instead to take the 'Saen Saep' express boat which travels a canal right next to my hotel west into the historic center of Bangkok. I have to admit, although it is not as luxurious as some other modes of transportation I enjoyed using it. Also it seems that the fare is extremely cheap around 13 baht which is less then $0.50 for a couple kilometers of travel. The boat gets full quickly and finding a comfortable way to stand when you are over 6 foot tall is nearly impossible but if my destination lay close to this canal way I will certainly take this mode of transport again. I do believe though, that this line is more often frequented by locals going to work and back then visitors or tourists. My trip into the center of Bangkok as I am calling it afforded me the opportunity to see several smaller temples around the area of the Golden Mount. It is interesting to see so many temples but what is even more interesting is the layout of this area. Residences as well as small shops have over the years sprung up in every available space around the sides of the temples and getting from one temple to another you have to navigate through side streets. I haven't yet opted to take any officiated tours, that is to have any sort of guide or service to drive me from one place to another. So such as today I have been taking public transportation as near to my destination and then wandering from place to place. It is likely that I am missing some historical background and very interesting information, however by discovering each place for myself I feel like I am experiencing a more unique adventure rather then the cookie cutter experience. One of the very surprising things I noticed besides the bustling streets crammed in between the temples is that many if not all the temples seemed to be under construction. In some cases it looked like restorative work, in others possibly new additions, but I believe this to be a coincidence of my timing. As far as I understand I am visiting during one of the low tourist seasons, fewer tourists frequent Thailand during this part of the year and this could help to explain why work is being preformed on the temples at this time. Tomorrow I intend on going to see the weekend market and hope to get a fairly early start, sometime next week I will return back to continue the historic sightseeing to include seeing the palace, plus several major temples. One other interesting side note in my trip today, as I walked down the side streets I found many carpentry shops as well as other skilled artisans, I spent some time watching a craftsman make traditional alms bowls that monks use for receiving offerings and was delighted at the experience. Never have I seen so many carpentry shops located in one consolidated area, and it is a curiosity to me how they all maintain work in such close proximity. Perhaps when I go back this direction next week I will inquire about getting some small trinket or souvenir commissioned as it seems the craftsman made everything from doors and trim pieces to custom engraving of door placards and smaller items.