Thursday 15 May 2008
Part 4: Scaling the Heights - Golden Mount & The Dome
Day 5
Our cab driver dropped us near Rama III Park where we were approached (for the 2nd time this trip) by con men attempting to lure tourists into various gem, jewelry and tailor scams. We played dumb and scooted off.
Looking across Rama III Park at the Loha Prasat.
The Loha Prasat
Statue of King Rama III. Kings in Thailand are referred to as "Rama" followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. The current ruler is King Rama IX.
We walked through a street lined with carpentry and wood shops, and a fire station to reach the base of Golden Mount. Curiously, there was a myriad of graves and plaques at the base and on the slopes along the spiral stairway. The graves soon gave way to a line of tired bells which had seen better days.
We huffed and puffed, and finally made it to the top where we were treated to cool mountain breezes and a 360 degree view of Bangkok. Frankly though, the view wasn't spectacular; it was in fact, a cheerless sight of slums surrounding the temple.
One of the nicer views. See Loha Prasat in a speck on the right? That was how far we hiked, man.
The large golden chedi which was too huge to fit into the frame of a regular point and shoot camera.
Later the day, we scaled a different building, this time all 63 floors of it at The Dome at State Tower.
That evening, it didn't rain like it did for the past few nights, but it was drizzling, so we were restricted indoors to the Distil bar counter. We passed time by checking out the bartender with a hot bod, and glancing wistfully at the balcony with big comfy sofas. Then the drizzle stopped, and I literally ran out onto the balcony with my drink.
View from Distil, The Dome at State Tower
As we were leaving Distil, Monet discovered Sirocco on the other side of the same floor where apparently, a full course meal cost a couple of hundred dollars. Personally I wasn't into fine dining in semi darkness (it wasn't as bright as it seemed in the pics on the website) but I liked its colorful Sky Bar which jutted into the skyline of the city and offered one of the the best views from The Dome. There was also a live jazz band working their magic as you dine and wine.
We also checked out Breeze, the seafood restaurant on 52nd floor, where diners without reservations at Sirocco were directed (this was the case when I was there, probably not a permanent arrangement).
This latest addition to the dining scene at The Dome came with a balcony front that resembled the canopy of a Star Wars TIE Fighter! At Breeze, the skyline views were comparable to Sirocco but not the ambiance. Because, there above the outdoor diners, were the hotel rooms. How would you like to be watched by hotel guests from their room windows while you dine?
That night we had hiccups with making noodles for supper and I had to go to bed on a growling stomach. I wished I had known to dial 1711 for McDonald's delivery.
Posts in this series:
- Part 1: Arrival in the City of Angels
- Part 2: Sick in Bangkok
- Part 3: Main Activities - Shopping & Eating
- Part 4: Scaling the Heights - Golden Mount & The Dome
- Part 5: Discovering Ayutthaya, the Ancient Capital
Day 5
Our cab driver dropped us near Rama III Park where we were approached (for the 2nd time this trip) by con men attempting to lure tourists into various gem, jewelry and tailor scams. We played dumb and scooted off.
Looking across Rama III Park at the Loha Prasat.
The Loha Prasat
Statue of King Rama III. Kings in Thailand are referred to as "Rama" followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. The current ruler is King Rama IX.
We walked through a street lined with carpentry and wood shops, and a fire station to reach the base of Golden Mount. Curiously, there was a myriad of graves and plaques at the base and on the slopes along the spiral stairway. The graves soon gave way to a line of tired bells which had seen better days.
We huffed and puffed, and finally made it to the top where we were treated to cool mountain breezes and a 360 degree view of Bangkok. Frankly though, the view wasn't spectacular; it was in fact, a cheerless sight of slums surrounding the temple.
One of the nicer views. See Loha Prasat in a speck on the right? That was how far we hiked, man.
The large golden chedi which was too huge to fit into the frame of a regular point and shoot camera.
Later the day, we scaled a different building, this time all 63 floors of it at The Dome at State Tower.
That evening, it didn't rain like it did for the past few nights, but it was drizzling, so we were restricted indoors to the Distil bar counter. We passed time by checking out the bartender with a hot bod, and glancing wistfully at the balcony with big comfy sofas. Then the drizzle stopped, and I literally ran out onto the balcony with my drink.
View from Distil, The Dome at State Tower
As we were leaving Distil, Monet discovered Sirocco on the other side of the same floor where apparently, a full course meal cost a couple of hundred dollars. Personally I wasn't into fine dining in semi darkness (it wasn't as bright as it seemed in the pics on the website) but I liked its colorful Sky Bar which jutted into the skyline of the city and offered one of the the best views from The Dome. There was also a live jazz band working their magic as you dine and wine.
We also checked out Breeze, the seafood restaurant on 52nd floor, where diners without reservations at Sirocco were directed (this was the case when I was there, probably not a permanent arrangement).
This latest addition to the dining scene at The Dome came with a balcony front that resembled the canopy of a Star Wars TIE Fighter! At Breeze, the skyline views were comparable to Sirocco but not the ambiance. Because, there above the outdoor diners, were the hotel rooms. How would you like to be watched by hotel guests from their room windows while you dine?
That night we had hiccups with making noodles for supper and I had to go to bed on a growling stomach. I wished I had known to dial 1711 for McDonald's delivery.
posted by redshot on 15.5.08
1 Comments:
haha. i've also been approached when i got to wat pho.. it was like 1pm, then some stupid guy was like saying, "it only opens at 3pm. how about visiting the lucky temple right in front, i bring you all there."
gees. lucky temple? by the sound of it, you know is fake one!!!!
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