I got up early to be at the Palace for opening, but even at 8:30 in the morning it was bustling, mainly with coach parties of Chinese, and a general throng was gathering. Despite this I highly recommend going early, later on (apart from being hot enough to bake muffins) it’s completely rammed. As it was there was room to be amazed.
After buying a ticket and being scrutinised on appearance (it is only possible to visit if you are wearing long sleeved clothes and lose fitting skirts/trousers) it is seen as a sign of respect and modesty. Unfortunately the only trousers I had that would pass were my jeans (so I was once again dripping in sweat by the time I reached the hotel lobby). After that you are herded through turnstiles then turn the corner and bam! Gold! Every ornate tile, brick, balustrade visually molests you with its unbelievable shiny ness! It’s like Disney we’re asked to make a special gold anniversary Kungfu Panda set. Extravagant, stunning and in the real sense jaw dropping.
In fact despite being a lone wanderer I literally did a ‘Oooh’ and ‘WOW’ out loud. Then continued mumbling things like ‘gosh, well, isn’t it?! Well this is something’ and added a ‘Very fancy!’ out loud with typical English faint praise.
The truth is it is an amazing sight and so beautiful it’s almost overwhelming. I took my shoes off and queued to see the jade Buddha which is small, jade, but uber shiny, sat on a pyramid of other shiny things in a triumphantly gaudy manner. Only Thai were allowed to meditate here and despite the hubbub it was strangely serene.
I loved the palace itself with its clipped lawns and fantasy topiary. A lot of watering was going on to maintain the colonial lawns but again truly magnificent and thankfully lots of places to sit (and watch the coach parties rush by).
Very serious adventures.com 