A couple of months before I left Bangkok for good, I was still enjoying exploring the city.
One day, I went in search of street art which was part of the Pipit Banglamphu Street Art Festival. It was a lot of fun wandering around the streets following the map.
Banglamphu is home to Bangkok’s infamous Khao San Road, chock-a-block with tourists coming and going, bars and clubs blaring out loud music and the general hustle and bustle, typical of a city like Bangkok. But, Banglamphu is also home to a myriad of leafy alleys and canals, so peaceful and, seemingly, hidden from tourists, but filled with friendly locals going about their day. That’s where I found myself as I went looking for the street art!
Some of the locals said hello and asked me where I was from, but all of them were curious about why I was there – made apparent by their stares. I tried to follow the map as best I could, but I went the wrong way in places, by-passing the same people more than once, which only added to their curiosity.
It was a really pleasant day out, so join me as I retrace my steps following the art..
I hope you enjoyed the street art as much as I did!
I’ll leave you with a little piece of Bangkok 🙂
In Chiang Rai, I took a trip to the White Temple. I wasn’t sure how to get there because I was in the middle of nowhere and I hadn’t seen any people, let alone taxis. But, I needn’t have worried because the lovely Son, the owner of the homestay, called her driver to take me there.
I imagined the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) to be located in a forest setting, far from any towns or cities, so I was surprised to find it was a long way from any forest. After driving for around 20 or 30 minutes, we came to a crossroads with rows of shops on either side and on the opposite side – the White Temple. Not exactly, how I imagined it. Still, it was one of the most beautiful temples I’d ever seen.
Wat Rong Khun was built by Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997 as an offering to Buddha. He says, “Only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop my project. I believe the work will give me immortal life.” The construction work continues and it should be completed by 2070 – a lifetime’s work!
It’s very unique with a white exterior which represents spirituality rather than being focused on material things.
Every inch of the temple is covered in fragments of mirrored glass which make it dazzle in the sunlight.
On either side, there are reaching arms of those who were tempted by desires in life. The idea is that if you can cross the bridge (go through life) and forego these desires, you will achieve happiness.
At the other side of the bridge, you will come to the “Gate of Heaven” guarded by statues of Death and Rahu.
In front of the main temple, there are more interesting statues as well as other intricate architectural features.
You’re not allowed to take photos inside the temple, but the decor changes. Instead of images from Buddhist mythology, you are now faced with demons and images from the current era. Characters from famous films and modern-day idols like Michael Jackson. It’s all very strange and not something you see every day in a Thai temple.
In the temple grounds, there are other buildings.
All of the buildings in the complex are white apart from this golden one which houses the rest rooms. The gold colour symbolises the body.
There are other interesting things that may catch your eye.
It’s also a place for people to make merit and remember lost souls.
To make a wish.
To enjoy the nature.
Or to take a break in the shade.
If you are ever in Chiang Rai, go and experience the White Temple for yourselves. It really is a beauty!
I had a couple of more things on my itinerary. I took a taxi to town and had lunch right next to Chiang Rai’s clock tower – constructed by Chalermchai Kositpipat again!
My final destination was Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong.
As this temple is at the highest point of the city, you’ll get lovely views from up there.
I got back to the homestay and had an another relaxing evening, my only company were the insects who had come out for the night. After my day exploring, it was soothing to listen to their sounds in the dark night. It made such a wonderful change, my usual night time sounds were the beeping horns on the busy Bangkok roads.
As you may have gathered, I am quite the culture vulture and when I lived in Bangkok, I used to go in search of it. My favourite place to go was the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre or BACC.
I used to love the art and photographic exhibitions that were held there and just before I left Bangkok, in 2018, I took one last trip there.
On this particular day, I’d gone to see an art exhibition by Oleg Shuplyak called Imaginarium – check out his amazing paintings in the following posts..
Whatever exhibition was on, I loved wandering around the BACC looking at all the photos and paintings, but I also loved people watching. Lots of people, like me, went there to enjoy all the different types of creations.
There are 9 floors in the BACC, each with something different to see. It could be the main exhibit or other art and photography offerings on display.
There are also resident artists who have a space to work on pottery or painting.
And then there was me, watching, learning and absorbing everything around me.
I have written about my previous visits to the BACC and when I return to Bangkok on holiday, this will be one of the first places I visit.
One of the best places to visit in Bangkok is the Ancient City or Muang Boran Museum.
Muang Boran – The Ancient City
Muang Boran is the brainchild of architect Lek Viriyaphant (1914-2000) who wanted to create a space where people can learn about Thailand’s past as well as keeping the culture of Thailand alive.
The Old Market Town
Lek started his project in 1963 by building replicas of important structures that once existed in different parts of Thailand. There were some places that had been reduced to ruins, so Lek transported these ruins to the site of the Ancient City and used them in the construction process.
Prasat Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear) Sisaket
The park is in the shape of Thailand and it is home to beautiful temples, palaces and statues galore from the Northern Region..
While I was in Valencia last year, I was on my way to meet my friend and I came across the Serranos Gate or Torres dels Serrans (in Valencian). I had some time to kill, so I went to explore.
Torres dels Serrans
The Serranos Gate was 1 of 12 gates that made up the city walls of Valencia. It was built in the 14th century and used to defend the city from attacks.
Source: United States public domain
It is still seen as the main entrance to the city and, today, if you climb up to the top of this Gothic-style monument, you will get some amazing views over the city and beyond.
Main entrance to the city
Even though it was January and not that warm, the climb upwards still made me sweat!
Over the tree tops
But, it was great to see how well-preserved this lovely old gate still is.
Tower ceiling
Finally, one more flight of stairs to climb and you are at the very top.
Up to the highest level
If you go to Valencia, make sure you take the time to climb the Serranos Tower!
When in Valencia, a fabulous place to visit is the City of Arts and Sciences or Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
City of Arts and Sciences
One day, I had arranged to meet my friend, Mark, and as I walked along the dry Turia riverbed, suddenly, I saw these huge buildings looming up in front of me. If you’re into buildings and architecture, like me, these ones definitely have the wow-factor!
This place is so impressive that it is one of the 12 Treasures of Spain alongside the Sagrada Familia and Alhambra, and it’s easy to see why.
There are 7 structures, each has a different purpose.
L’Hemisferic houses a cinema, a planetarium and a laserium. It’s in the shape an eye and with the reflection from the surrounding water you can see the whole eye.
L’Hemisferic
El Museo de les Ciencies Principe Felipe looks like the skeleton of a whale and it’s where the science museum is.
El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe
L’Umbracle is a open walk-way with different species of plants that are found in Spain. It’s also where the local parrots have taken up residence.
L’Umbracle
The locals
L’Oceanographic is the largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe where’s you’ll find over 500 species of aquatic animals including dolphins, sharks and seals. We were going to go there because some say it’s one of the best aquariums in Europe, but we decided against it as we didn’t want to see the animals in that kind of environment.
Source: Wikipedia Commons. Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0
El Palau des les Arts Reina Sofia is an opera house and performing arts centre.
El Palau des les Arts Reina Sofia
El Pont de l’Assut de l’Or is a cable-stayed bridge connecting both sides of the city.
El Pont de l’Assut de l’Or
L’Agora is where concerts and other events take place.
L’Agora
Mark and I wandered around marvelling at the amount of work that had gone into designing and building this stunning complex. It’s definitely a must-see!
