We had a rough sketch of a plan. We were going to take the express water taxi up to Wat Arun, but as we approached the river, we changed the plan and the boat style. We picked the long boat canal tour that ends up in Wat Arun for roughly $20 each. It was an hour and a half tour of the back of the canal systems. First we headed downriver to the lock system on the downriver side of the canals. We had to wait a bit for the lock to open and let us in. Then it was a go fast, go slow, go fast, go slow ride. We would have to slow down for other boats, narrow sections, sharp turns and the intersection of different canals. Of course at all other time we would be traveling full throttle. There was a splash or three, from the waves we encountered, that made its way into to the boat. It was good that there was a splash guard all along the side of the boat. I saw some new birds and lots of cool temples and shrines. Now we have another river trip to put into the spreadsheet. Wat Arum is the next post.
12 miles of river! We started at the green dot to the right side and traveled downriver to the canal system and then up to the top most part where we got off of the longtail boat. Here is Wat Arum where we explored. We then got on an express ferry back tot he green dot.
This is a HOHO boat
Our chariot awaits
The authorities are everpresent
We zoom downriver
We see progressively larger boats as we travel
As in this huge barge on the right
Ferris!
Massive masts
A fine rose pink ship
Scaffolding, maybe for a good cleaning
A fancy roof at every turn
Now we get to the ocean liners
Waiting for the lock system to let up in
Knock knock knock
We bounced against this wall for 10 minutes or more
Selfie tiem
Rosy
The lock is opening, at last!
Painted Storks up high
A serious engine, I have been told it is a supercharged big block with a straight pipes! Minimum of 600 HP.
We are in the dock
Not the best snorkel spot
But good for some last minute shopping
Or for a beer!
A blue tailed bee eater, lifebird #1 for the day
Bridges are everywhere
Some nice flowers here and there
Indochinese Roller, lifebird #2 for the day
Some small scale shrines
Just tucked away on this small canal
Nicely maintained
Even a little stupa
A large head looming over these Red Collared Doves, lifebird #3
Spanish moss hangers
Alamanda
An odd place to see a stone bunny
It is lush
Street sign for the river
Little Egret with the different colored feet
There were spots of pretty and spots not so pretty
We see lots of little shrines
But then they get bigger
Very detailed
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We happen upon a very large site, Wat Packnam
Buddha gets a haircut
A fine stupa
From the Chao Phraya River
A row of monks proceeding along the base
Elephant rides
It is jam packed with imagery
Lion, tiger, reclining buddha, elephants, standing buddha, dragon headed pillar
The stupa is super
And the big wat is in our wake
These long tail boats put off a big wake
Medium Egret
Baby Buddha
Like ripples in a lake more decorated buildings pop up
Cawwww cawwww
Some resting long boats
We have returned to the amin channel
The Wichai Prasit Fort, not open to the public
The fort sits at a strategic point on the Chaio Phraya River
The largest stupa yet!
A grand statue
Just getting ready to hit the larger river again
Sometimes it gets a bit tight
Showing off!
Our ride comes to a close at the next big temple, Wat Arun!
