Sunday and Chinese Shrine hunting

Took a trip on Sunday to find a Chinese Shrine which we saw on the side of the road. Using the Google App we found that it was Chao Pho Kuan U Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อกวนอู). So I took the bicycle out and followed the route - until I found that I was not supposed to be on that road - I swiftly got off the bicycle...

Back on another road and I continued my journey. I knew that I was back on the right road because I saw Pet Public...  

Continuing past I saw the Chinese temple poking out ...

Taking I left turn I followed the track and I found it.

It certainly was a wonderful spot...

Thank you.

Then it was time for a Facebook Live - the blog will have the post later....

Back on the road - quite a scenic trip...

The price for the river taxi has dropped

The price for the canal taxi that I take every day to work dropped today - the price of the fuel went down...

Wonderful - how is this managed?

Chicken Feet as a Thai food

Chicken Feet are a popular Thai dish - well they were until this video went viral - article courtesy of Coconuts.

Not something for me still - guess I was right - do you like them?

SOS Souled Out Studios at Bangkok CityCity Gallery

Bangkok CityCity Gallery is an Art Gallery in the heart of Bangkok which embraces beauty and value in contemporary culture and currently there is an exhibition - 

 S.O.S – Souled Out Studios which users contemporary art to express our position today with a number of things.

I was drawn to it initially because there was an Alex Face 3 dimensional display there and after my exploration of Alex Face in Phuket I wanted to find one here in Bangkok. Well the front was very nondescript which meant we missed it - thank fully Google Maps saved me. The displays were certainly interesting.

- The cups of powdered milk in the house, fascinating but not sure what it represented.

- The kites in the sky...

- The 'animal' with the loo, your guess, but was it linked to the film inside?

- Alex Face house - wonderful, inside as well - with a lot of thoughtful drawings inside

- Pile of plastic - with a Nemo on the top, this I did not see until I had left, quite poignant

- Broken skateboards in a bin with a TV inside...

- and more....

Then it was time for a coffee at ES/PE/RO - a very nice little escape.

Au Bon Pain (@ThePaseoTown) Visit 1

 

Au Bon Pain is a popular favourite for my daughter and I - a regular weekend visit for us... 

My daughter always has the American Toasted Sandwich and I have the Breakfast Bagel...The coffee is good as well...

Okay it's not Thai but sometimes you want something like this - we like it so much we got a member's card.We used to visit one in Phuket but it closed...

Au Bon Pain at Paseo

Other Visits 

 1) Feb 2018.           

Phone Number: 02 111 3077

Facebook:

Approximate Price: $$$$$

Address: The Paseo Town, 77 Ramkamhaeng Rd,  

Hours: 7am - 9pm

For more restaurants and cafe please visit this site 

 

Dusit Thani disappearing soon

After reading in Bangkok 101 regarding the forthcoming demolishment of the Dusit Thani I had to make a visit.

The Dusit Thani was a hotel that I remember visiting maybe 30 years ago with my parents and I was daunted by it's opulence...

This year I made a quick visit to see what was going - and it was still majestic - and I popped downstairs to the cafe for a cappuccino.

Go whilst you still can - you will not regret it.

Happy New Year - 新年快乐

Happy Chinese New Year from the heart of China Town in Bangkok.

I took the BTS to Saphan Taskin and then onto the Orange Boat (15 Baht) to the Rajchawongse stop. 

Then the exploration began, walking along Ratchawong Road it got busier and busier - coming to Yaowarat Road there was an explosion of colour - primarily red of course.

The pavements were rapidly packed - wonderful - giving way everywhere, I gave up and walked on the main street instead.

My enjoyment continued as the amount of people also continued to increase. 

Stopping here and there I bought some T.shirts and a dragon on a stick.

Then it was time for a coffee - I found a wonderful cafe - Chata speciality coffee - it was looked like a Sino-Portugese Building and it was an exemplary setting.

And the coffee was nice as well.

Then it was time to visit a Chinese shrine to pay respect - I found Chao Mae Kuan Im Shrine ศาลเจ้ากวนอิม 觀音古廟 - it was down the small road running parallel to the Yaowarat Rd - Phat Sai Road. Then back to the main road - visiting another Chinese Shrine where we were not allowed to take photographs.

Then it was time to walk through the small alleys to reach the port.

  

Arianna Caroli - artist in Residence

Two more days left to see Arianna Caroli at Central...

On the ground floor.

Wildlife dos and don'ts

Please think about this when you visit Thailand - 
visit one of the many elephant protection centers?

Plugs of the World - an APP for your holiday (App)

Which plug do I need when I come to Thailand?

Description

Do you know which AC power plug and wall socket are​ used on your destination when traveling? The official sources on the web are not always up-to-date or reflecting on what's actually used by common people in some countries.

With almost 160 000 downloads Plugs of the World has received a lot of feedback from traveling user's who reported back of what the current status is (thank you all for your reports!).

This app contains information about wall plugs, sockets, and voltage in over 250 countries and regions. Also features an easy to use navigation, free text search and option to save your favorite destinations. Each plug type and the socket are illustrated with clear sharp images that you can share with friends.

This happened again - I was happy that I had this information available when I was visiting because for some people this can be a serious mistake or simply just annoying.

Previous Post: 2014

Cost: $0.99

Ease of use: simple - but it doesn't help if you don't have the adaptor!

Comment: fab for the traveller

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/plugs-of-the-world/id403700532?mt=8

If you need more information about Apps then visit here - 
https://timinphuket-travelapps.blogspot.com 

The Winter Festival

The first thing to notice is that the sides of the road are decorated with things to go and look at - later I did and then then the Royal Barge is raised and decorated all over - really quite special - wow.

There were so many people and the majority were dressed in clothes from the heritage of King Rama V - these were the guards of the same era. These gentlemen were under quite a lot of demand to be photographed with!

Then came the statue of King Rama V on horseback where there were people regularly paying respects.

I liked the yellow marigolds best.

Then more flowers and a fountain - very photogenic spot for people.

But the last (but not least) were a row of smaller fountains leading to the Palace – all really quite special. Walking back to the front I tried a Facebook Live - which was a bit haphazard so I tried editing it a little here it is - 

https://youtu.be/SZuvfPvq5zQ

There are also small places along either side which you can visit to experience the culture change - do you know the car? The bank is still here in Thailand.

There are exhibitions in honour of King Rama V (he is on horseback) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej and money will be donated from this to charitable projects helping troubled citizens in Thailand. The cultural performances and an outdoor cinema but not on when I visited.

Admission is free but please take identity, dress with respect and you are encouraged to wear traditional attire, especially that worn during the reign of Rama V.