The dog's morning wash in Chao Phraya River
Kid on board the river boat
A fisherman clearing his net on the Chao Phraya River
 
Statue of Rama VI and Anandha-Samakhom Mansion
Back side of Wat Benchanabophit
Front of Wat Benchanabophit, the marble temple
Rare Buddha bronze statue
 
Statue in the courtyard of Wat Benchanabophit
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I wake up a bit later than planned to go see Thai dances in a palace in the north of town, so I leave with no further delay from Michel's, who needs to rest from his week. Already accustomed to choosing the means of transport according to my destination and the traffic, I take a boat up the river, which also has more charm. All the tourists get down at the grand palace and I continue until a bridge where I head off by foot, knowing the dance show has already started. I walk far more than planned and don't understand where the palace can be. After a while, I understand that I got off at the new bridge which is not on the map, and that I still have some way to go. I'm a bit upset as I new it was news, and I could have asked as I got off, or have been surprised at the different names. Never mind, I change direction to go to the marble temple, a more recent construction incorporating elements of European architecture, but a beautiful shiny gem all the same. In the courtyard there is a beautiful collection of bronze Buddhas, originals or replicas of many styles, which enables me to recognize the differences better and to understand the various attitudes. Inside the temple, some people are preying in front of a golden statue of Budha and making offerings - the usual lot for these temples. The site is quite pretty with canals and lawns. I then take a taxi rather than walk again, be it for a quarter of an hour. When it goes straight instead of turning into the palace's street I'm surprised, and I feel we're going far away, which is confirmed by a look at the map. The driver swears upon his name that he knows where he's going and didn't have a choice, defendinf himself from my skepticism. In more than half an hour, I have time to get a bit annoyed, helped by painstaking traffic and his constant nervous habits, as well as by some remaining doubt on the itinerary and regret of not having walked. Finally we get there and I feel he did his best but that I should have walked.
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Bangkok 