Thailand – Bangkok; Ride down River Chao Phraya (1)

Hello!! Welcome back to my blog. If you have followed me from my previous series, I am still covering on my trip to Bangkok, Thailand back in 2008 (yes… way back then! A delayed posting. =P )

This was my 3rd day in Thailand and I have covered earlier posting on; Damnoen Saduak Ratchaburi Floating Market, Fruit Orchard in Ratchaburi Province, Wat Nong Hoi Temple in Ratchaburi Province , Tree Temple at Samut Songkhram Province, King Rama II Memorial Park at Amphawa, and my last series was on Amphawa Floating Market

Today I will cover on my trip along Chao Phraya River which passes through Bangkok city.

A brief intro before I start my journey. Chao Phraya is one of the major rivers in Thailand with its low alluvial plains. Along the river, there a lots of settlements such as Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut.  These cities are among the most historically significant and densely populated settlements of Thailand because of their access to the waterway.

In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation gateway for a vast network of river buses, cross-river ferries and water taxis, also known as longtails. There are more than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals of the city, including commuter lines which you can choose from which I will be taking as one of the transport around the river. =)

Ok… let’s get going. Starting off, I hopped on to the Bangkok Skytrain to the Saphan Taksin station (on Shilon Line) in Sathorn District to catch the river bus on Chao Phraya river.

From the Saphan Taksin station, it was a few minutes walk to the Sathorn Pier. Easy walk. =)

A view from the pier to catch the Sathorn Pier or the Central Pier of the 21km Chao Phraya River Express Boat route.

The pier is right under the bridge of Sathon Road.

One of the River buses… shape with roof like an  old Thailand building architecture.

Hotel Shangrila Palace which is next to Chao Phraya  River.

One of the many piers along Chao Phraya river.

Holy Rosary Church built by the Portuguese in Samphanthawong on the bank of Chao Phraya; south of Yaowarat, Chinatown.

Interesting ride. Wanna see more? Come and follow me on my next posting on this series of ride down River Chao Phraya. =)

Thailand; Bangkok – Amphawa Floating Market (6)

This is my last series of the Amphawa Floating Market in Thailand.

As you can see from my earlier 5 parts, Amphawa floating market does offer lots of local food; hot cooked food to cold dishes and dessert to choose from. Be sure to head there with an empty stomach and you will go back with a full stomach and a big smile on your face (if you are daring to try all of them and also depends on the limit of your stomach to handle the amount and varieties available)

As seen below more dessert which I manage to shot along the market.

Not sure what are these though. Anyone?

Tuk tuk also can be seen near the road at the market.

Walking along the shops near from the canal.

It was sunset. We head to the other part of the canal where you can catch boats for a ride along the canal.

At this part, not many stalls but still there were lots of people. Here was more of an area where locals or tourists could catch a ride on the boats.

A shot from the top of the bridge looking down at the canal

A shot in the evening. Locals catching tuk tuk…..

Last a temple near the market.

That’s the end of another day in Thailand. What’s next in Bangkok, Thailand? If you would like to know, then follow me and you will find out in the next series. =)

Thailand; Bangkok – Visit the Wat Nong Hoi Temple, Ratchaburi Province (2)

Thanks for staying with me on the trip to Wat Nong Hoi Temple. Going slightly further from the foot of the hill, we reach went up Nong Hoi hill.

It was a beautiful sight from the top of the hill as seen in the pictures below.

the other side…..

Lord Buddha enshrined outside of the Wat Nong Hoi Temple.

After that, we parted for the next destination. Saw this bus which I believe is a common sight in Thailand.

Where to next you may ask? If you want to know, then follow me. =)

Malaysia – Penang; Visit to Kek Lok Si Temple (8)

Hi!! My last posting on my visit to Kek Lok Si Temple.

At the area near the main pagoda, another area of the temple where you can make your wish again on the wishing tree by putting the wishing ribbon as seen below.

lighted oil lamps on the altar by the worshipers as offering.

Another shot around the temple grounds

This is the 7 storey main pagoda of the temple which house the 10,000 Buddhas.

Buddhas on the walls all the way up to the top…..

Shots from outside the pagoda…..

Another monastery…

A view right from the top of the pagoda….

Hope you enjoy the ‘walk’ with me on this trip to the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang.

So what’s next? Wanna to know? Then follow me and you will find out. =)

Malaysia – Walk up to the Batu Caves (3)

My last post on the walk up to the Batu Caves.

The interior of the caves is beautiful. Guess the pictures says more than words. Enjoy…..

Sunlight shooting through a hole into the cave…..

One of the temple altars..

view from inside of the cave to the blue clear sky.

Heading back down the stairs… slowly. =)

Here’s the short of the monkey if you missed out on the earlier post. =P

Hope you enjoy following me on the walk up to the caves. Keep following me and find out what is coming next. =)

China – Beijing, a walk back in History (6)

Heading to Chengde city , Hebei province after coming from Putuo ZongCheng Temple.

Had the chance to walk around the city in the evening to see how the locals there lived and also the buildings and alleys.

Fruits displayed openly on the side walk.

.. and also food too.

This was the view of one of the alleys in the evening market where locals doing their marketing.

Their local food of which I do not even know what they are.

One of the restaurant along the street in Chengde.

In 1703, Chengde was chosen by the Kangxi Emperor as the location for his summer residence. The Mountain Resort in Chengde was used by both the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. The site is currently an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The resort is a large complex of imperial palaces and gardens situated in the city. Because of its vast and rich collection of Chinese landscapes and architecture, the Resort is a culmination of all the variety of gardens, pagodas, temples and palaces from various regions of China.

This is the table of the Chinese Emperor in China and their family.

Beautiful frozen lake with a gondola at the side.

The big garden but bare during end of winter.

Want more? If yes, then stay tune for more.

Penang – Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple)

Today I went to the oldest temple in Penang; Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple). It is located on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

There were a lot of people there to pray to Kuan Yin and also to Grand Duke of Jupiter (Tai Sui). Lots of giant josticks being burnt at the entrance of the temple. Wasted I could not go in to the temple as they were still in the midst of restoration. Once completed, I will take more photos and share with my readers.

Here are some shots of the temple.

Malaysia – A visit to the city of Ipoh.. and its’ cave temples (2)

The 2nd stop was….  the Ling Sen Tong Temple. It is about 20min drive from the 1st cave temple. This place is more colourful and a lots more people; tourist, locals and worshipers too.

For this, I will not blog much but just enjoy the pictures.

Malaysia – A visit to the city of Ipoh.. and its’ cave temples (1)

Ipoh is a city in the state of Perak in Peninsular Malaysia. It is located on the west side of Peninsular and about 2.5hrs drive from KL or 1.5hrs from Penang.

Architecturally, the Ipoh city center has the characteristic of colonial era Chinese shop houses which is very interesting to see and also several impressive historical buildings from the British Colonial era such as the Railway Station, the Town Hall and the Court House.

I took my family for a day trip there to visit the old city town and also to visit the Chinese Buddhist Cave Temple within a natural limestone hill.

The first was Kek Look Tong Cave…

Lime formation seen from outside

One of the altars in the cave

This  is  one the other side of the cave which you can walk through.

They even have a small park where the local will come here in the morning for their walks or exercise.

….follow me  to the next cave temple in the my next blog.

Taipei – Shilin… A view on an evening.

Usually people will go to the Shilin in the night but I had another opportunity to  arrive there in the evening where there is still some light and to see the place much more clearer instead  of night.

  Entertainment for kids…

Street stalls all up …

The crowds is building up

The temple in the middle of Shilin Market

Crowds are here!!

A stone throw  away from the MRT