When we made it back to Bangkok, our vacation was drawing to a close. While we had several more days in the city, quite a bit of that time was tied up with some medical issues that I needed to resolve. Those looking for a great hospital is BKK could do no better than BNH. Wow - they were fantastic and so professional!
We did squeeze in more time for delicious Thai food, long walks, and even some formalized sight-seeing. We made it over to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) on a cloudy day and thanks to our modest dress, were able to bypass the long lines of tourists who had to rent sarongs (to cover their legs) and go right in.
The complex of buildings was filled with dazzling colors and beautiful images both of sculpture and gilded onto the walls. While the present King of Thailand no longer resides there, it was the official residence starting in the 1700s.
The Wat, or temple, inside the complex houses the Emerald Buddha. The Thai King is the only person allowed to touch the small jade statue of the virasana Buddha. No pictures of Buddha but we did go inside, careful to observe the Buddhist tradition of not facing your feet to the figure (you sit on them or tuck them behind you).
Near the temple and in other parts of the compound we saw large bowls with white (lotus?) flowers beside them. Buddhist families appeared to be using them for prayer offerings and/or blessings.
When we made it back to Bangkok, our vacation was drawing to a close. While we had several more days in the city, quite a bit of that time was tied up with some medical issues that I needed to resolve. Those looking for a great hospital is BKK could do no better than BNH. Wow - they were fantastic and so professional!
We did squeeze in more time for delicious Thai food, long walks, and even some formalized sight-seeing. We made it over to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) on a cloudy day and thanks to our modest dress, were able to bypass the long lines of tourists who had to rent sarongs (to cover their legs) and go right in.
The complex of buildings was filled with dazzling colors and beautiful images both of sculpture and gilded onto the walls. While the present King of Thailand no longer resides there, it was the official residence starting in the 1700s. 
The Wat, or temple, inside the complex houses the Emerald Buddha. The Thai King is the only person allowed to touch the small jade statue of the virasana Buddha. No pictures of Buddha but we did go inside, careful to observe the Buddhist tradition of not facing your feet to the figure (you sit on them or tuck them behind you). 
Near the temple and in other parts of the compound we saw large bowls with white (lotus?) flowers beside them. Buddhist families appeared to be using them for prayer offerings and/or blessings. 
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