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December 16, 2007

Bangkok/ Pattaya Trip Day 2

Day 2 27 Nov 2007
Hotel>Ferry>Floating Market>Temple of Dawn> Sriracha Tiger Zoo>Pattaya Caesar Palace Hotel> Ah Gua Show>Walk outside Hotel>Hotel-sweet-Hotel

Woke up around 6:30am, and packed our luggage for checking out. Then, went to the highest level(Level 43) for buffet breakfast. In Baiyoke Suite Hotel, the food provided meets the needs of all tourists from different countries. From Western food..to Eastern.

After breakfast, we took the bus and headed straight to the jetty. As it was a Tuesday morning, the road was jammed with cars, and children are getting ready to go to school. Officials currently stress the need for a revamping of the Thai educational system. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government’s efforts to decentralize the country.

way to school

The temple is located in the Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, so we took the ferry to the Temple of Dawn(Wat Arun). from baiyoke hotel to temple of dawn

On the way to Temple of Dawn, saw this ferry that carries many people.

Big waves. High Tide.

The most expensive condo Sights along Chao Phraya River 7.

After 20 minutes, we reached Wat Arun, and alighted at the Cross River Ferry Pier.

Wat Arun along Chao Phraya River

Photo credit: wikipedia.com

A little history of Wat Arun(Temple of The Dawn)

The full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara. The temple was built in the days of Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya and originally known as Wat Makok (The Olive Temple). In the ensuing era when Thonburi was capital, King Taksin changed the name to Wat Chaeng. The later King Rama II. changed the name to Wat Arunratchatharam. He restored the temple and enlarged the central prang. The work was finished by King Rama III. King Rama IV gave the temple the present name Wat Arunratchawararam.
-extracted from wiki

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower). Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The height is reported by different sources as between 66,80 m and 86 m. I did not get into the temple and climb up the steps, as we will need to pay some money.
Temple of the Dawn

After visiting Temple of Dawn, we took the ferry back to the pier. We were approached by the people from floating market.

Along Chao Phraya River, there are many fishes. Fishermen do not touch these fishes as they believe that they are spiritual fishes from the temple. Half-way, the ferry stopped and let us feed the fishes.

Feeding Fish

About Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River often translated as River of Kings. It flows from North to South for 372 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. It can also be a “bathing station”.

Back to the Jetty, we boarded the bus and headed straight to Sriracha Tiger Zoo to have our lunch. Walked around the zoo, and saw Mother Pig milking baby pigs and cubs.

Then, i managed to feed baby cub and took a photo of it.

Then, Animal show started. Coming first, is Pig Racing.

Next Show: Pig doing Mathematics.
Given a problem sum of answer not more than 6, the pig could get the correct answer.

Mathematics Professor

After the Pig Show, we went to watch Tiger Stunt Show.

Studious Crocodile

Crocodiles having SPA Crocodile having SPA

After that, went to the Crocodile show. I was worrying for the two demostrators especially when they placed their heads to the crocodiles’ mouth. I cant imagine what will happen if the crocodile close its mouth. :gruesome:

After Crocodile show, we went back to our hotel in Pattaya. Checked in at Caesar Palace Hotel, and took a rest before setting off to watch Ah Gua Show.

Pattaya is known for its cabaret revues featuring kathoeys (male-to-female transsexuals), with Alcazar and Tiffany’s being the largest and most elaborate. The ticket of the Ah Gua show costs around 300 Baht(S$15). You will see Transwoman performing-singing and dancing. To me, it’s like an eye opener to see how a man can dress and look like a woman. But, i felt that the whole show was boring. For the 2 hours, i keep seeing people singing, dancing.

After the show, went to the shops near hotel. Bought this mango with sticky rice(glutinous rice). It is very nice. A small packet of coconut juice accompanied with the mango and sticky rice. Mango and sticky rice also known as Khao Niaow Ma Muang. Mango on sticky rice is a traditional summer dessert because mangoes are in season during the summer months of April and May.

Mango Stall

After walking around the night streets, went back hotel. Just as I took the towel from the racks, i saw a small blood stain on the towel. This was the second time seeing the towel with blood stain. I asked for a change of towel in the afternoon when i reached hotel.