Soulprints - Amyline Quien Ching

A Taste of Royalty

Bangkok is one city that can make gluttons of everyone.

While it is not popularly known to be an art and architecture capital like the great cities of Europe, its stunning architecture, grand palaces, exotic temples, and scrumptious street fares are opiates to the senses. Every square inch of Bangkok gorges the mind, drawing people in to take a closer look and leaving them wanting more. There are just too many sites to visit, a whole lot of shopping to do, and a great many exotic street foods to forage on that a three-day trip would not even begin to cover half of what Bangkok has to offer, unless you plan to follow a hop-in-hop-off itinerary a la Amazing Race.

By the River of Kings

A perfect solution for the “fly-by-tonight” tourists is a cruise along Chao Phraya, which literally means the "River of Kings.” Sailing through all piers, the river trip is the perfect side sampler to an all-city tour of Bangkok. From the boat, tourists can enjoy the sites and take pictures. One can even sample some of Thailand’s specialty dishes onboard or have a fill of its famed street foods.

Morning trips stop by each pier, giving tourists the chance to explore a number of historical and renowned sites by the river in record time. Most river cruises already have packaged lunch and a fixed itinerary but those wanting to travel to all the piers at their own pace can hire long-tailed boats for the day. Some boatmen can even serve as a personal tourist guide. The trick here is to have a well-planned itinerary. Hotel staff can help you with this as there are free maps available to tourists.

Most Bangkok landmarks are also accessible by taxis or tuktuks if tourists want to go farther into the city. For this, tourists should take the local express boats, which run on a precise schedule like a bus line. This is especially true for those who just want to stop at one or two piers. Fare ranges from 10 to 34 baht. This gives tourists great savings considering the cost of taxi fares in the city, not to mention the traffic. There are also romantic dinner cruises that provide a sumptuous feast juxtaposed with equally sumptuous eye candies.

Sights Sampler

Chao Phraya at night is a must-see with city lights showing off Bangkok’s many landmarks to their detailed glory. Temple of the Dawn is especially stunning at night as it glows against the black velvetine skyline. Its seemingly endless tiers are like golden steps that touch heaven, making it one of Thailand’s greatest cultural heritage.

Another majestic site that can be seen from the river is the Grand Palace. Towering over Chao Phraya, the royal grounds are formerly home to the royal family until King Rama VIII’s mysterious death inside the complex. His successor and the current King, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), moved to Chitralada Palace. The Palace is only used now for ceremonial events.

Fortunately for tourists, the Palace’s yaksha-guarded gate is open to the public. Those thinking to only see its sweeping verdant gardens and plush exteriors are in for a greater treat as the Palace interiors, including the Chakri Throne Hall and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are open for viewing. The Chakri Throne Hall is where the Kings of Thailand receive foreign envoys and hold banquets for foreign monarchs. The hall’s centerpiece is the Coronation Throne, which sits on a marbled dais at the center flanked by white canopies and statues. This marvelous piece of historical art is still being used in royal weddings and coronations.

Though built for function, Bangkok’s bridges are in themselves works of art. The Rama VIII Memorial Bridge, for instance, is like a steel sculpture caught in mid-air tableau. Clean golden lines jut out from a central post, creating an interesting linear pattern that is awe-inspiring.

Thailand temples may number in the thousands, about 30,000, but each holds a different piece of Thai history and culture inside and gives off an old-world charm that is distinctly unique. Wat Kalayanamit, for instance, houses the biggest bronze bell in Thailand. It is here that tourists will find a very old stone pagoda from China. Wat Rakhang, on the other hand, is where tourists will find the former home of King Rama I before he was crowned. Lacquer and gilt cabinets adorn it and the walls have life-like murals of scenes from the country’s national epic, Ramakien. There are also two Catholic Churches built by the Portuguese that can be seen from the river, Santa Cruz Church and Holy Rosary Church.

Tour Degustation

Worth trying out is Shangri-La Bangkok’s Horizon Cruise, which combines a leisurely trip through the river with a lunch/dinner buffet that serves Thailand’s statement dishes. Here, the international chain takes its famed luxurious brand to the river with al fresco dining against the most memorable sights in Bangkok. There is no scrimping or dieting onboard as plates and plates of fresh giant prawns, mussels, oysters, and crabs await guests. Starters consist of slices of salmon, squid, tuna, and a variety of cold cuts. There is also the Spicy Grass Noodle Salad with Seafood and the sushi.

For the entrees, the “Pan-fried Red Snapper on Creamed Leeks with Red Wine Sauce” gets five stars. Fried just right, the fish is tender and juicy, letting off the creamy and intoxicating taste of the wine with every bite. “Gaeng Ka-ree Gai” (yellow curry with chicken) is another definite standout in the buffet line. Creamy-delicious, this traditional Thai dish titillates the taste buds with a barrage of tastes: sweet, peppery, spicy, and milky.

Lovers of spicy dishes would find nirvana in “Gaeng Kiew Waan Jae” (Green curry with vegetable and beancurd). The bitterness of the veggies and blandness of the beancurd blends well with spicy-sweet tang of the curry. Its only letdown is perhaps the lack of meat, although vegetarians in the cruise would have probably rejoiced. Another hit in the buffet lines is the Tom Yum. The classic Thai soup didn’t disappoint with overflowing ingredients and a spicy-sour taste.

Of course, a tour of gluttony would not be complete without sinful chocolate desserts, pastries, and homemade ice creams. The Horizon has a variety laid out but a definite standout is the Khanom Sa-rim (soya bean threads in chilled coconut milk) and their homemade coconut ice cream.

Sights, sounds, food, and fanfare, a cruise along the River of Kings is a tour fit for royalty. And while gluttony may be a mortal sin, surely traveling to an exotic country like Bangkok deserves some exemptions. After all, it is not every day that people can play Kings for a day.

Horizon Cruise is run by Shangri-La Bangkok. For reservations, check with your local tour operator or book online at www.shangri-la.com/Bangkok.

Labels: Bangkok, Chao Phraya, cruise, Grand Palace, King Rama VIII Bridge, Shangri-La Bangkok, Sta Cruz Church, temple of the dawn, Thailand, vacation

posted by Amyline Quien Ching @ 8:37 PM