The Grand Palace

Excess isn't a strong enough word to describe the experience of the Grand Palace in the Centre of Bangkok. There is no denying it is magnificent but there is so much gold and bejewelled decoration it is a wonder there hasn't been a revolution.

It wasn't the only excess experienced there today. There was an excess of heat and an excess of bodies. This is not to say we didn't enjoy the experience but it was a bit of a shock to the system. I could have posted so many pictures, it was hard to choose. I wasn't allowed to photograph the Emerald Budda (it is actually made of Jade) but I could barely see him. He is at the top of a huge stack of gold ornamentation wrapped in a bejewelled cloak. This was a surprise as we had seen photographs of the King 'dressing' the Budda each season and this was his winter attire!

We did all our travelling by boat on the Choa Phraya River which is at the heart of the city.
But we were not without offers from many taxi and Tuc Tuc drivers as we looked around Kho San Road and the pretty Rambutti district, recommended by daughter Grace, where we had some excellent Thai food.

Starting to flag, we got the boat back to the hotel to hit the horizon pool. Bliss.