9 Jun 2010 – Happy 1st Bday grand-daughter Sophie

Yesterday I rode on a motorbike, tuk-tuk, subway, boat, taxi and car. Heard 3 different birds calling, ah ah ah… wah wah wah… kah kah kah…. ah wah kah, is that a Thai name or what? No kidding, these were the sounds from 3 different birds within 10mins during a walk in the Vimanmek Mansion gardens.

Wat Arun/วัดอรุณ, Temple of the Dawn is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan/วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร

Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan/วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร, or the former name Wat Pho/วัดโพธิ์, also known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Its official full name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn/วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลาราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร. With such long and difficult names, it will not be easy to say them… not to even mention remembering them 🙂 But the melody and these text kept coming to my mind the past few days!

If religion was a thing that money can buy, the rich would live and the poor will die – Bahamian lullaby

The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall/พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace. It is now a museum and inside is a beautiful central dome, under which the Royal Throne sits. Lining it and each of the six other domes’ walls are frescoes painted by Galileo Chini. The hall on the upper floor is embellished with embossed roman and floral patterns showing Renaissance and Baroque arts.

The Vimanmek Mansion/วิมานเมฆ is a former royal palace located on Ratchawithi Road behind the National Assembly. The world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak, removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 and was recently renovated by HM Queen Sirikit and made into a museum paying homage to the late King.

Road side eatery Mouhun HongKong*** for suckling-pig, scallops, fish, veggie and rice dinner.

Sirocco alfresco roof-top bar restaurant is located in BKK’s second tallest building. The Dome at State Tower on 63rd floor offers one of the most memorable hair-raising experience especially after the lightning passed by. The result, interesting static hair-do! Even the best hair dresser is unable to give such a natural punk hair style. And we had complimentary strawberries with our champagne… cheers to Sophie’s bday!