We decided to spend a few more weekends in Bangkok getting to know different parts of the city and this weekend made a trip to a an area called The Green Lung or Bang Krachao. I went last year with a couple of friends but it's Vince's first visit. It is not quite an island is pretty much surrounded by the Chao Praya River and looks like a lung from the sky.
Alleyway to Pier
Entrance to Market....and we were super hungry!
We visited the floating market and some friends. Had the first lunch where we actually wondered about the cleanliness...no ill affects. Phew!
We rented bikes of course and had a super time riding around for 3 hours and could easily have done more but the day was coming to a close.
Construction of a boat and house in typical Thai style.
We sat for a few minutes and watched in awe as the huge ships went by.
Buddha with a huge belly button
We get very used to seeing these arches which are entrances to temples (Wats) so thought I'd take a picture of one.
The main park had well signposted trails and parking area. Looks like big improvements from a year ago.
We saw a "Treehouse" on the hand drawn map and decided to go on a wild goose chase for it.
After hopping on the pathways and taking many turns with basic signage we made it. Pretty interesting...it's a hotel and a restaurant.
The hotel rooms have these on top with zero privacy because people like us stare down on you.
Cool concept of an honesty bar. Pay in the box.
View from below.
I am always intrigued when huge statues are being built. Here Ganesha (Phra Phikanet), the God of Obstacles which originated in India and is popular in Thailand and other countries.
The welcoming pier
Bike rentals
This is the size of the boat we took over. I wish I had taken a picture of Vince with one foot in the boat, one on the pier and doing the splits across the water. He saved it well though.
A couple of boats parked at the pier with Bang Krachao in the distance.
View down river.
View from the pier, across the Chao Praya River with Wat Khlong Toei Nok in the background. You can also see the picture of the king on the building.
Happy to see a "big, big" boat for the way back.
Chilling on the boat.
The boat started heading down river instead of across to the other side at which point we looked at each other and laughed. We figured we would make it back somehow and it turns out that the boat then head across to our destination.
Khlong Toei Pier (city side) from the river. Nothing fancy and costs 30 cents.
It's always a treat to stay in a hotel and really didn't feel like sitting down to dinner and a lot of the food stalls were closed. So, a very non nutritious dinner ensued which consisted of wht the kids call Mama Noodles....my first try.
Hey that is a super cool fork!!!! I knew enough not to dump all the spicy although we are definitely eating hotter foods these days.
Fancy hotel....basic dinner on the floor no less.
I'm still amazed that you can fit an adult out of any window.
