Bangkok's best sights Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

I had left out the big uns in Bangkok for Evy's arrival, so she could at least see some of the main sights in her one day before we set off for Chiang Mai!
The most popular first stop for tourists is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew temple which houses the Emerald Buddha.
Having wandered around Wat Po - also very impressive with the giant reclining Buddha - a few days earlier I quickly got bored not knowing what exactly I was looking at so suggested we hire a guide this time. We found a charismatic lady for around 400 Baht (200 each).

All the guidebooks warn you to cover your arms and legs - and I in my time-losing daze (see earlier post) had completely forgotten. So had to pull my skirt down to my knees and borrow the following T-shirts at the temple.

Sexy!!!

The tour was wonderful, and we learned about the different kings, styles of architecture and she told us some impressive stories contained in a gorgeous mural running along the entire breadth of some of the walls - an epic Thai fable.

Half-human half-snakes/chickens you name it, 20-armed demon Kings and monkey Kings..... "It is like Harry Potter" said our guide, giggling!

It made the experience much more interesting!

A miniature Angkor Wat

 

The barefoot monkey king with his mouth open (like a woman according to our guide) and a demon king.

Sprinkling water on myself with a lotus flower for good luck outside the temple

The Emerald Buddha - the most revered Buddhist icon in the country!! 

Giant Bonsai outside the Grand Palace - a former royal residence now mainly used for funerals and and coronations.

The whole complex is magnificent, interwoven with glittering cut glass, perfectly manicured gardens and a rich history! Definitely a must-see!