Bangkok, 'City of Angels, River of Kings'..........

On day two in busy Bangkok, our delightful guide, Ms. Tuk, headed through the narrow streets of Chinatown to the colorful fresh flower market. Paula and I followed with mouths open and cameras clicking as we stopped to watch ladies of all ages creating gorgeous floral gifts for presentation at the Buddhist temples.

 Garlands of Jasmine and roses were strongly perfumed and so pretty.................

......and of course the lotus blossoms, tightly budded until the petals are folded back....... 

..............to make these popular religious offerings.

We first visited Wat Po, a Buddhist temple dating from the 16th Century.  It was an initiation into what was to become an experience like no other.  The amazing craftsmanship discovered in these beautiful buildings was unbelievable, and the perfect sunny day made taking pics a joy......so of course I took hundreds!

Considered Siam's first 'university', the temple's school of traditional massage attracts students from all over the world.

Also found here is the huge Reclining Buddha - 46 meters in length and 15 meters high......... 

.............with beautiful inlaid mother of pearl soles.

Every time I turned a corner, or peeked through a doorway, there was something stunningly beautiful to capture....the work of dedicated artisans over the centuries is continued today because these temples and their contents require constant renovation.

We continued to the Royal Grand Palace compound and Wat Phra Kaew, a royal temple built by King Rama I and dating to the early origins of the capital in 1782.  'Polite dress' was required today to enter Buddhist chapel buildings, and shoes were always removed.

.............soon I'll share more pics of the beautiful palace where English schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, lived and worked, as depicted in the much-loved stage play and movie(s) The King and I.