Tag Archives: Bangkok

The Grand (an understatement) Palace

The day we went to the Grand Palace was exceptionally beautiful, complete with a cloudless cerulean sky.  Although I know no different way of seeing them, I would imagine with just how ornate these 100 or so buildings are, and the way the gilded and decorated temples glistened in the sun, this is exactly the type of day one should see them.

The Grand Palace

Loyola at The Grand Palace entrance

Long ago, the palace was the residence of the Thai monarchy. The incredibly fantastical buildings within the palace walls date back 200 years when they were the official residence of the Kings of Siam. The current King, Rama IX, lives at the nearby Chitralada Palace, I imagine to avoid the million or so tourists that come through here every year.

OK, where are we going?

Rama IX is 85 years old, has been the king of Thailand for the last 65 years, and is highly revered by the Thai people.

Artistically surreal

As seen in the pictures, there are many historic buildings within the walls of the palace. The most famous is the Wat Phra Kaeo, otherwise known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This tiny 26-inch seated Buddha is carved from a solid block of semi precious jade and guarded by ancient bronze lions. Sitting atop a golden throne, he presides over a small prayer room, where both Thai worshipers and tourists burn incense and pray. He currently wears his winter outfit, but also has outfits corresponding to the summer, and rainy seasons.

Pictures are only allowed outside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha - this is the best shot I could get

Several of my classmates and I took off our shoes and went in to say a prayer. Sadly, I didn’t get my moment of enlightenment, but I hope to be blessed with good karma!

Protective lions of the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace has a lot going on…beautiful flowers, gardens and koi ponds, Thais dipping lotus buds in water for luck, walls depicting Buddhist mythology and stories similar to those we heard in Cambodia…

Tuk explains some of the mythology told on these walls

The Grand Palace is not only the spiritual heart of the city, but is also an incredibly stunning place I would consider the quintessential stop for any visitor to Bangkok.

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Cabbages…and Condoms

After a short 50 minute flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok, and riding on a really sweet and spacious bus to the Century Park Hotel to drop off our bags, a group of us headed to an optional dinner at a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms.

Driving to the Century Park Hotel in Bangkok

Bangkok ended up being everything I expected and nothing I expected all at the same time. This restaurant is a prime example of what I mean by that.

The Population and Community Development Association (PDA), founded in 1974, works to promote family planning in urban and rural areas of Thailand, where knowledge of and access to such services have been scarce. The founder, Mr.Mechai Viravaidya, worked to attract media coverage to aid in changing his society’s values, particularly with respect to taboo subjects such as sex, contraception, and vasectomies.

Condom Santa

He theorized that cabbages are a common food in Thailand, grown in all villages and eaten by most Thais. If he was successful in making condoms as common and cheap as cabbages, then perhaps he could make some of the health problems facing Thailand disappear!

Safety People!

This unique spot at times requires a sense of humor and respect for the mission it serves. Some of the money paid for our meal goes towards supporting the work of the Population and Community Development Association and an on-site clinic even offers vasectomies! As a thank you, condoms are given with the bill instead of after dinner mints.

Condom Man

I anticipated Thailand to be the culinary delight of this trip, and I wasn’t disappointed – the pad see ew I had at Cabbages and Condoms could very well be the best I’ve ever had. And being half-way through my antibiotics, I had to skip the Thai beer, instead drinking a fresh fruit punch which was absolutely delicious.

Our table

The place may look tacky, but the service was fantastic, the food was fabulous and the mission of PDA is respectable. If you ever go to Bangkok, I HIGHLY recommend checking it out.