We took the drive in the late morning and found a spot to park adjacent to a Pier - ท่าเรือข้ามฟากวัดทองธรรมชาติ.
We thought of taking the trip over to the other side but the stop wasn't exactly where we wanted it.
So we first visited somewhere special - LHON1919.
Lhong was a historic port and warehouse in siheyuan-style (Chinese courtyard architecture). It was built in 1850 as a port for overseas shipping from British Malaya, mainland China, and British Hong Kong by Phraya Pisansuphaphol (Chuen), a wealthy Thai Chinese. He was an ancestor of the Pisolyabutra family, whose descendants include Luang Sathonrachayut or Yom Pisolyabutra, who was the founder of Khlong Sathon and Sathon Road. The port's name is derived from the word Huang Chung Lhong (火船廊; lit: 'steamer port'), an old name.
TEXT from WIKIPEDIA
Now LHON1919 was rather special and certainly very interesting - I tool a plethora of photographs whist we were there. It was very quiet and not everything was open - read TripAdvisor.
We could see Che Chin Khor Temple and Pagoda through the trees. Then we had to see something different so we got back in the car to cross the river.
We found a roundabout with a dragon in the middle - made from discarded metal parts.
Then there was Graffiti Street in Talad Noi.We unexpectedly walked past Rong Kuak Shrine ศาลเจ้าโรงเกือก but we did not go in - there are more here than I had anticipated!!!
Then there was the Chinese Courtyard House (So Heng Tai) which we had read about
- the one with a swimming pool in the middle of it and is now a Cafe!
Impressive as well - but very busy so we kept on walking.
Then it was time for some street food,
waffles and coffee at Li Bing Waffle Parlour - the waffle was good not not the cafe mocha...
Then amongst all the Chinese Shrines was an enormous Roman Catholic Church - The Holy Rosary Church - but it was closed so we could not go in. Apparently the stained glass windows are magnificent! Here's their site (it is in Thai) and here's their Facebook Page (in English).
Then onto Wat Traimitr Withayaram - but we could not go in as it was closed and there was a police operation outside. I have since read that there is an enormous Golden Buddha inside which the people did not know until it fell from a crane into mud.
BUT just along from there was Siang Kong Shrine tucked away - very photogenic - I could have stayed there all day!!
Then I read that it was built out of respect to the junk building all around them.
Then it was time to drive to the next temple - past China Town Gate.
Then it was back to another Buddhist Temple - (วัดปทุมคงคาราชวรวิหาร) Wat Pathum Kongkha. It is quite a peaceful temple and there was very little - but I have since read that it does not have many visitors because of the teaching of monks here and there were members of the Thai Royal Family executed here!!
And we had dinner closer to home - at สะเลเต สาขา4.
Two very good posts about a visit to Talad Noi
2) Culture Trip