Phanthai Norasing Shrine

After our lunch , we drove back home and along the way, we saw a big sign in English that says Norasing Shrine. I've never been to this place before, so we decided to drop by for a visit. The entrance to the shrine is guarded by a couple of giant cock statue.

A couple of Garuda (bird) statues holding lamps also guard the entrance to the shrine

Here is the left side of the Norasing Shrine. It is surrounded by big and small cock statues placed by visitors whose wishes have been granted.

JM poses for a souvenir photo with the shrine as a background.

A replica of the ancient boat decorated by colored nylons. Placing colored nylons on anything sacred is a sign of reverence for Thai people.

A front view of the replica of the ancient boat.

The authentic hat worn by Norasing is enclosed in a glass case for safekeeping and worship.

Another shrine revered by Thai people. So many are these with different dieties inside, I decided to take a photo of one, not completely knowing what is inside.

Cool Lunch !

We're back, we've booked the hut last week and we ate lunch here today.The environment was perfect! We waited for dolphines to come up near the shore, but the low tide prevented them from doing so.

I went to the bamboo bridge to have the photo of JM and dad taken in the hut that we booked
last Sunday. The place is so cool !

Rocks lined the sea shore.

Father and son.

Patiently waiting for lunch.

Finally, food has arrived. We were all starving.

A view of another hut from a distance.

More huts are visible from where we were.

Sea View

A view of the Gulf of Thailand from the bamboo hut.

There is this place somewhere in Bangkok where you can have a good view of the Gulf of Thailand and eat fresh seafood at the same time. We had a look at the place and we loved the atmosphere. A particular bamboo hut overlooking the gulf was booked for next Sunday's lunch.

This is a photo of the bamboo hut we booked for next Sunday's lunch. The oyster farm was visible from the left side of the hut because of the low tide.

The oyster farm extends way far to the deep part of the gulf.

JM in a souvenir photo outside the bamboo hut.

Father and son in a souvenir photo on the bamboo bridge leading to the hut.

Three Years Ago

This video was taken aboard the HTMS Maeklong.

Three years ago, we took the then 9 year old JM for a tour of the HTMS Maeklong. When I took his photos on the same place last Sunday, and compared it with the ones I took three years ago, I was awed by the difference in his physical appearance then and now. My chubby 9 year old has transformed into a tall pre-teenage boy.

A video taken during a boat ride around the mangrove.

Mangrove Here We Come !

A view of the mangrove forest, trees that survives in mud and saltwater abounds the place.

No mudskipper was in sight.

JM on the wooden bridge which gave a good view of the plant and animal life that lives in the mangrove forest.

Exploring the place some more.

We found this umbrella fashioned shade where we rested for a while.

It's cool in here !

We visited next the park with antique ammunitions, then, the HTMS Maeklong and finally we had lunch in a seafood restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Have a nice week everyone !

The HTMS Maeklong I

Twelve year old JM poses in front of HTMS Maeklong.

Another view of the grand old lady.

JM and dad on board.

The twosome explores the different parts of the ship.

JM on the part of the ship facing the Gulf of Thailand

The H.T.M.S. Maeklong II

Father and son pose for a photo with a statue of a naval officer at the foot of the statue of King Chulalongkorn.

Rubber on concrete poles line the beach overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The background is miles and miles of mud which dried up due to the low tide.

JM had his photo taken with the statue of King Chulalongkorn at the background.

Hanging bridge.

JM rests on an antique cannon.

A huge cannon found inside the air raid shelter.

The English company which manufactured the cannons in the air raid shelter.

Seafood Galore

We went to Bangkhutian, Bangkok to eat fresh seafood. There were so many places to choose from and there was so much competition around that fresh seafood was being sold at rock bottom prices. We chose this place that offered us a 10% discount on our order and a 50 Baht fee for the cooking service. Fresh crabs anyone ?

Here's our order : crab fried rice, JM's favorite, mussels . . . . . . .

and fresh shrimps for only 20 Baht in a giant plate ! We ate as much as we can, but the order was too much for three persons, we took leftovers home for dinner. Burp !

Romaneenart Park

Close to the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat, Romaneenart Park is the only non-ceremonial park in the center of the city. The park is less that five years old, and was built on the site of the old city jail. One wall and some of the old guard towers have been retained and made part of the park. A large number of fountains help keep the park cool in the middle of the big city.The park features some basketball courts, a playground and a sort of "muscle beach" area for weight lifting. Romaneenart Park is on Siriphong Road, which runs from Wat Suthat down to Pahurat Market in Bangkok's Little India section, next to Chinatown.

The building of the old city jail.

JM taking a break during the tour of the park.

The gate of the old city jail.

An old guard tower.

The wall of the old city jail.