Entries Tagged 'Bangkok' ↓

Not life forms from an alien planet, not genetic abnormalities- these are simply jack fruit, the world’s largest fruit. Inside the knobbly green shell are pods of dark-yellow flesh. Though the smell is a little strong and the flavor off putting, it can be cooked in delicious curries, and baked into tasty crisps.

With it’s riverside location and dramatically soaring tower, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is likely the most striking temple in all of Bangkok. Yet up close, it’s even more engaging. From a distance, the surface of the temple looks as though it were painted in a delicate set of watercolors. But on close inspection, it’s revealed to be made of a mosaic of broken tiles. Some of the most unusual pieces were taken from cracked dishes: many still bear their floral china designs.

No, it’s not a misplaced meal or a forgotten snack- the food on this plastic tray was very intentionally left on the sidewalk. Stemming from the same animist traditions that gave rise to Thailand’s ubiquitous Spirit Houses, this tray contains some of the local spirits’ favorite snacks: rice, a hard boiled egg, and some tasty Thai desserts.

Many visitors remark with amazement at the degree to which Bangkok seems to combine both the past and the future. This can be seen in the strange mix of revered temples and fashionable shopping malls, ancient spiritual practices and hi-tech transportation. And it can be seen quite literally in this corner of downtown Bangkok, where the friendly Robot building gazes out over the decaying ruins of a century old mansion.

One of the most appealing aspects of life in Thailand is the degree to which religion permeates everyday life. Shrines decked out in offerings are tucked between houses, on shelves in restaurants, and even on the dashboard of commuter buses.

Not content to have a simple market stand or a slow old pushcart, this fruit vendor has gone hi-tech. With a two-tier glass case affixed to the front of a powerful motorbike, he can jet across Bangkok to bring his customers their fruit.

Tourists who have delved into the mysteries of Bangkok a little too fully may wake up unable to remember what day of the week it is. Thankfully, they’ll never have trouble telling if it’s a Monday, thanks to the many yellow polo shirts they’ll encounter throughout the city. It’s not just a mass fashion statement, however. Under Buddhist cosmology, every day of the week is given a color. And Monday, whose color is yellow, was the day on which the King of Thailand was born. So to show their support of the beloved king, many Thais start the work week by donning their brightest yellow shirts.

Even though it might be a festival, you shouldn’t tell these girls waiting to be dunked that they should be having fun.

Durian season is fast approaching its end here in Bangkok. But before you rush out and get some to add to your fruit salad, consider a few things about this strange fruit. Though loved throughout Thailand and most of Southeast Asia, the durian has a flavor that most foreigners compare to turpentine and rotting garbage. And most significantly, it smells- so strongly that you can detect its presence long before you see it. Despite that, many people come to love it- its creamy texture, its complex taste. And hey, it’s great with coconut sticky rice.

One of the most distinctive features about Bangkok’s roads (aside from the congestion) is the multi colored taxis. Cabs come in almost every color, from bright pink to neon green to subdued shades of midnight blue. At the very least, it makes getting stuck in traffic a more colorful affair.