Thailand's historic capital
--A riot of sound, color, smells, flavors! Chaos in motion, with tiny pockets of quiet and cultural and natural wonders--that's Bangkok, Thailand. A metropolis of nearly 11 million souls.
A fierce guardian of a large standing Golden Buddha.
Clint and I stayed at the Rattanakosin District, which means 'Royal'. We were about 1/4 mile from the Grand Palace of Thailand's current reigning king, Maha Vajiralongkorn or Rama X. We toured the grounds of the palace, including the Emerald Buddha temple, earlier this month.
To visit the royal palace, you must wear long pants and a shirt with sleeves out of respect!
We also grabbed a tuk-tuk for a wild ride around the Royal and shopping districts. Our driver was very cool.
Tuk-tuks are kind of like motorcycles but with a cart attached to the back. Very fast and maneuverable. Festively decorated and the pride of their drivers.
Beginnings of a Curry Adventure
My colleague Thanik Lertcharnrit is a Thai archaeologist who specializes in the early Bronze age. I am doing a project with him on archaeological heritage tourism in Thailand. While we travelled around, we ate some memorable meals! One of the dishes, which is considered as a national icon, is Mussaman curry...
Curry in Thailand is not usually served with rice. Fragrant roti slices and lightly pickled vegetables are more common.
The curry is astounding--not hot, but richly flavored. From the first aromatic bite, it infuses all your senses in a sequence of flavors (don't gulp it down or you'll miss it). Almost like what the wine makers brag about...only, curry!!!!
The countryside northwest of Bangkok
We visited a beautiful and haunting temple site, Wat Mahathat Worawihan. Thailand has many cultural and political layers over time: during the Dvaravati period (Khmer and Mon influences) this wat was constructed beginning around AD 291).
These prasat towers remind me of Angkor Wat, in Cambodia.
We also visited a wonderful puppetry museum, and an ancient Bronze Age trading center archaeological site called Prom Thin Thai. After all that rushing around, we enjoyed real Pad Thai in a small village eatery. With coconut ice cream for dessert.
This super local pad thai includes delicate flavors of shrimp and noodles, nuts, limes, lemon grass, small scallions, and tangy fish sauce. The local military guys love this place!
Bright Lights, Big City Cocktails
Our final evening in Bangkok Clint and I did what we do best: got lost. We wandered happily along shiny promenades for enormous temples and palaces, tiny lanes and alleys, and a pitch dark abandoned marketplace.
A 1/4 moon floats above the nighttime glory of Wat Pho.
We happily stumbled across a tiny but fabulous rooftop restaurant and bar called View Arun, right on the mighty Chao Praya river. We enjoyed a cocktail, and the floodlit beauty of Wat Arun across the river.
Sometime I would love your take on how real Thai food compares to what we get in the US. My mom and I visited Thailand many years ago and we found it spicier and less sweet. Wondering how the Thai food in America has been adapted for Western tastes...
ReplyDelete