Two weeks passed by so swiftly. :( 

I am now back in my own bed in Marawi City. Alone. 

I'll see you in two months, Bangkok. 

I'll see you in two months, Jabar. We will never part then. In shaa Allah. :) 

Sahassadeja. Chief of Giants. Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok Thailand. 

A Visit to Madame Tussaud's

Last weekend, Jab and I visited Madame Tussaud's at Siam Discovery. It is a wax museum housing real-life wax sculptures of the famous, history figures or celebrities alike. 

                                   

                                       

                           

Who is Madame Tussaud? The one above, no not me, that wax figure above of a woman holding what seems like a decapitated head. That is Anna Maria "Marie" Tussaud, a French-born artist of German descent who became known for her wax sculptures she founded in London. She died in 1850. 

Madame Tussauds was founded in London with branches in a number of major cities. It is a major tourist attraction displaying waxworks of historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars, scientists and artists. Here in Bangkok, even famous Japanese cartoon characters like Doraemon have waxwork too!

Let's see who we partied with at Madame Tussaud's! 

The preeminent leader of Indian independence in British-ruled India, Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. This man inspired civil rights and freedom across the world. 

                   

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was a famous and influential ascetic-philosopher of the 20th century. Jan ko lang siya actually na-meet. Ganda kasi ng upo nya e. Hehe. I later learned that this man played and important role in the spiritual and historical journey of Thailand. 

Their majesties. Too bad, the Duke and Duchess of Wales aren't around. 

His Excellency Russian President Vladimir Putin and future Philippine President Jabar Guro. Haha! Kiddin'. No political plans here but hubby's wearing barong only because he had a previous appointment that necessitates it. He wasn't able to change to a regular shirt due to time constraint. Nag-explain. Bow. 

                                    

May balak palitan si Obama? Lol. 

                                      

Oh no. Who would have thought that here, in Thailand, we would find our true selves and our true love. Haha!

                           

Yao Ming, ambaho!!!

                            

Rubbing elbows and having serious conversations with the stars. Myy deep philosophical convo with Johnny Depp was, um, impressive. 

                           

BUT THIS, I LOVE THE MOST!!!!

DORAEMON!!!! Now I can hear the opening theme playing somewhere in the background.  

                                       

My siblings will love Madame Tussauds! I can't wait to bring them all here! In shaa Allah. :) 

Chillin' after Jab's long tiresome day. We were planning to go to Chatuchak weekend market today until the Administrative Officer called him to fetch the Phil. ambassador to Jakarta at the airport. They call the job as "protocol", wherein all embassy officials and staff would relieve one after the other to run an errand like fetching/sending a Phil. official at the airport. It wasn't Jab's turn yet but the "officer on duty" isn't around. Jab can't say no. We diverted our itinerary to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum instead. We went there immediately right after he came from the airport, he hasn't even changed his short-sleeved barong!!! 

I will post our Madame Taussuds experience tomorrow. For now, we're enjoying our Japanese wagashi. 🍰

 A gorgeous view of the Bangkok sunset. 

 Alhamdulillah.  

Unfortunately, there are some people who dislikes hearing, seeing or even sensing your personal happiness. They always have something negative to say about you or what you do or what you don't do. Well, we cannot do anything about that. We can't be apologetic at all times. What for? For their envy of our own happiness? Why can't they settle with their own and stop minding ours? 

I have only few words for them: 

EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!! 

The Grand Royal Palace

Jabar oftentimes emphasized that he's not here to tour around but to focus on his mountain-piles of work at the office. Apparently, the Bangkok Philippine Embassy is the busiest post, hence truly deserving to be awarded as the Most Outstanding Post. But, I insisted that we go tour around during weekends as I won't be staying long (for now). We decided to visit the Grand Royal Palace and asked among his officemates for directions. To my surprise, most of them haven't visited the tourist spot yet. Alright, they're not here to tour around, right? Ugh. 

Luckily, I have a husband who agrees with my liking to look around and gaze at beautiful architectures. Well I guess, that's one thing we have in common. EXCEPT THAT I take a lot of pictures, while he doesn't. And we argue a lot on that. Haha! 

According to the flyers that were handed to us at the entrance to the palace, The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it consists of not only the royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The photo above shows The Upper Terrace. Four monuments are found on this terrace: a reliquary in the shape of a golden chedi; the Mondop, a repository for Buddhist sacred scriptures inscribed on palm leaves, contained within a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet; a miniature Angkor Wat crafted by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV); and the Royal Pantheon in which statues of past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri dynasty are enshrined. 

Scattered around the terrace are statues of elephants and mythical beings. The models of elephants are a record of the famous white elephants acquired during the reigns of the various kings of Thailand. 

The photo above shows the replica of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I've been forewarning Jabar that we need to maximize our stay here in Bangkok by visiting nearby countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam which can be traveled by land. Let's see how he can insert that in his tight schedule. Hehe. 

                                  

History says that after King Rama I ascended to the throne in 1782, the palace was built. Prior to this, the royal palace and centre of administration had been located in Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. For various reasons, the new king considered the former capital to be unsuitable and decided to establish a new capital on the other side of the river. By his royal command, a new palace was built to serve not only as his residence but also the site of administrative offices. The royal compound has been known since then as the Grand Palace. 

                                   

                                   

Above photo shows the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha. It is prohibited to take photos inside as there are locals who are performing prayer rituals. Tourists are allowed to come and merely observe. The Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand where people convene to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and His Teachings. The Emerald Buddha is enshrined on a golden traditional Thai-style throne made of gilded-carved wood, known as Busabok, in the ordination hall of the Royal Monastery. The sacred image is clad with one of the three seasonal costumes (summer, rainy season and winter). The three costumes are changed three times a year in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty thr King. 

Religious statues are found in the corners of the compound where Buddhists pay respect by offering flowers and burning incense. 

Another famous temple is found near the Grand Palace, that is Wat Po, but Jabar reserved it for another weekend. Maybe when I stay here with him for good. :)