Friday , 19 December 2025: Bangkok

 

A bit of an earlier start to go to the Grand Palace. I’d been here a couple of times before but how nice it was to see it through Justin’s eyes as a first time visitor. Residence of the King since Siam, and later Thailand, this would have been the home of the king at the time of Anna and the King of Siam.  Can I see Yul Brenner here, and Anna, scurrying through the palace in her Victorian dresses?  Oh, yes!  

Even though the “Emerald Buddha” is really made of jasper, he is still impressive.  And the grounds just go on forever.  The gardens are impeccably maintain as expected and there are enticing draws at every turn.  I’m confident Justin took 1,000 pictures of plants and trees alone.  I did take a few 

of my own as well.  

Justin needed to bop himself with lotus blooms for good luck. 
He got me too.

And, as many times as I’d been here before, I never took time to go to the Queens Textile Museum. How did I miss this!  

Next, yes, another temple — Bangkok City Pillar Shrine.  Circa 1782 when the capital was moved to what is now Bangkok.  The king established a new city pillar to replace the old, damaged one.  The top is shaped like a crown.  This also created a new horoscope for the city that called for the nation and all the Thai people to have permanent prosperity.  Nice thing for the king to do. 

This setting seemed more about the people.  They said their prayers, bought their trinkets, burned their incense, tied cloth around trees and temple structures seeking protection and prosperity, and prayed some more.  

To end our day, a real Italian restaurant!  Really!  

Ranee’s Velo Restaurant. 

Down a narrow but bustling alley, we found a great little Italian hide-away. Justin enjoyed a truffle (homemade) pasta with scallops while I had a Parma and mushroom pizza that boasted a nice thin crisp crust.  Breakfast tomorrow?  Yes, please.