Grand is a decent word but it is not spectacular enough of a word to apply to the Grand Palace. This place it over the top magnificent. The lay out and the buildings alone are stupendous. Yet when we entered the buildings more spectacular items were found inside. This was started in 1782 when the King moved the capitol to the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. Ever since then the royal family has maintained a residence here. It was also intended to have all the administrative offices required for the country to be located at this stie. To say that the work was a success is an understatement. Lets take a look
Later in the night the lenses are glowing
You are hypnotized!
Long wait for a ferry
Only one lady in this entire boat from the Peninsula Hotel
Yet this one is full! The Anatara Resort must be popular.
Arghhh the "inequity of boat ridership" cries the dragon
We are at the Grand Palace
A preview of all the large buildings in store for us
One pagoda had a covered area which had detailed paintings
Two giants duking it out
An even bigger giant is about to ger a rude awakening
Even the smallest of buildings is created impeccably
A stupa to the right and a pagoda with a Khmer temple tower
So very delightful
Guarding against all enemies
No entrance so it is a stupa
Here we found a mix of items, a bronze bull, a couple of cauldrons and a lotus pillar. Perhaps this was going to be a yard sale back in the day
Very impressive
The gates of splendor!
Tile work is brilliant in this climate
The heat and humidity would otherwise eat away at bare stone
So much gold, I am getting gold fever
A serene scene
Blending in nicely
See the tiny folks at the base of the picture. The scale of these buildings boggles the mind
Bell tower
Too big to get it all in one picture
At last, the gate
The light makes all of the mirrors sparkle
A deep blue
Lets go inside
First the foyer
With a view
Golden monkeys
Just the base of one pillar on one building
Folks praying and a large set of sacred objects
Even some monks
So much regalia
Icons of old
Icons of many materials
Another little shrine
Golden doors so hot they need a fire extinguisher right there
Sassy pose!
The edges of the buildings had little bells that would ring when the breeze picked up
It ain't easy being green
Massive
Lots of chompers top left
Put your shades on because all this gold is shining bright
A completer replica of Angor Wat in Cambodia!
An unexpected treat
Stupa time
None shall pass!
A serious wepon
We did not see any cleaning teams but they must exist
We did see some birds, a large billed crow
No place for the birds to land here!
Just another door at the Grand Palace
A serious chicken
Multi colored spirits
More incredible doors
Almost without people
A gate in the walls
Serious beak!
And we have reached the end of the religious area
