The Venice of the East, Bangkok is gracefully featured with canals and the Menam Chao Phraya which attract tourists through her lifetime. This river is instrumental in the amazing growth of the city and is truly a magnificent waterway which gave birth to economic, cultural and historical chapters of the nation.

So, we cannot leave the city without a cruise along the waterway ; can we?

Dad said we must sail along the Menam and see the landscape along its banks.

Dad was ambitious.

A cruise in the night.

What can you see?

But they say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

So we attempted to cruise in the world of darkness.

 Dad was generous again. My friends tell me you can pay RM25.00 for dinner and river cruise in a public vessel. Dad though thrifty at most times, chose to be otherwise this time. He opted for a fine dining cruise. 

So he paid the hefty sum. But who cares?

 Enjoy the cruise.

The Anantara chain manages this package and we had to travel a distance from China Town to the place.It was a breezy evening with the best of weather and ethos. The vessel is a typical old Chinese-looking junk giving an authentic feel of olden time sailing moments. This was also the first time we dined on such a vessel; but it reminded us of the cruise with our girls along the Pu Tong River in Shanghai in 2010.

 Besides the cruise we were in, we noticed many other less elaborate vessels carrying tourists too; some without dinner I believe.

 The Chatrium we were inforned by Ake has many businesses; hotel, apartments and even ferry services.

We actually saw the hotel and apartment along the waterway.

 The Great Pearl and Sabai Cruises were accompanied by songs, dances and cheers unlike the Manohra Cruise we were in. Ours was a quiet and contemplative crowd with more serious talks and even romance among some. I was telling dad about the couple in the next table; were they married? 

If they were, they surely lived up to the name of love.

 At the far corner, Asiatique stood clear. Later we were told that it is somewhat like Harbour Town of Queensland as part of it borders the water and has a sprawling spread of shopping delights. We only discovered it on the eve of our departure for home. So if you do make a trip to Bangkok, it will be good to include it in your itinerary.

 The Ramada Hotel

 I may be wrong but I may also be right; this is the oldest hospital in Bangkok, the Siriraj Hospital

You have to pardon me if I am wrong but there is a hospital along the way.

 Western and Chines food outlets.

 The Sheraton has its rooms facing the waterway too.

 This is a barge; ferrying goods from one point to another.

 An old Catholic Seminary; the Holy Rosary Church. Christianity found its way to her  doors but Buddhism is the State Religion.

 The majestic Siamese temples are abodes of worship for the many millions of local people.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam on the right and the Grand Palace on the left are significant landmarks along the Menam Chao Phraya and held in great reverence here.

 Tucked along it is also Thailand's famous Thammasat University; a leading education institution.

Of course, we can expect bridges after bridges here, like what we see across River Thames in London. Some of them include Taksin Bridge, Phra Pok Klaw Bridge and this one I think is Rama VIII Bridge, an symmetrical suspension bridge.In the night it is not so easy to recognize. 

 But what is dinner without the typical Thai cuisine?

Everything is hot and coconut flavoured.

The appetizer is a combination of dried shrimp, nuts, ginger, shallot. chilli padi and sambal wrapped in leaves.

 That's grilled chicken, prawns on anchovies , wanton.

  White rice with brown sticky rice.

 Chicken curry; the Thai way.

 Prawns in Tom yam soup.

 That's the famous mango with sticky rice.
All these taken with a bottle of local Champ Beer.

A lovely evening cruise for 2 tired bodies in need of a break.

Dad had no phone calls for 3 days because it was switched off.

Only mama's phone was on; to receive the girls' complaints about one another.

A good trip.