Bangkok – Wat a great place
I had read that Thai hospitality was legendary, but I never expected to be greeted by the King as I landed at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport. Or, more specifically, a giant banner of him, accompanied by the words “Long Live the King.” I took it as a sign of good things to come, and over the next five days, the city did not disappoint.
This is a city of sensory overload. Seven million people and at least five million motorbikes meant the chaotic energy of daily life was inescapable. It was not unusual to see three or four people, some in full high-heeled business attire, with a child or a dog in their lap, squeezed onto one bike as it wove through traffic. Even the peaceful Wats (temples) could make your head spin with all their intricate detailing. Every inch was painted, gold leafed or sculpted to perfection, and just as I took one picture another caught my eye.
My personal favourite, and one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Bangkok in the first place, was Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. I had caught a glimpse of the giant golden deity on TV my freshman year in college and had been fascinated by it ever since, but standing in the narrow building, staring up at a face the size of a Volkswagon, I was wowed. Buddha was so peaceful entering Nirvana. I had no concept of how big 140 feet long and 50 feet tall truly was until I saw regular-sized tourists looking like the Lilliputians from Gulliver’s Travels.
As if the massive gold leafed body was not enough, the soles of the huge feet were painstakingly incrusted with mother-of-pearl, depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. And toe prints! Keeping with the theme, 108 bronze bowls were lined up along the back of the statue, and for a small donation you could buy dishes of 1-satang coins that, when one coin is dropped in each bowl, is said to bring good luck and karma. That was an offer I couldn’t resist, the satisfying “ping!” of each coin hitting the bowl echoing through the building.
All donations went towards the upkeep of the beautiful Wat, and the friendly resident Monks were also selling terracotta tiles that you could write a personalized message on, and which would then be used to re-tile the roof. It cost pennies, but the knowledge that a small piece of me would remain at Wat Po for years to come was priceless. If I had my way, I would have stayed at Wat Po for years to come!
As I exited the Wat there was another banner of the King smiling down at me, as if to say “I told you it was going to be good.” Was he ever right.
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- The incredibly heavy Golden Buddha at Wat Trimit
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- The Reclining Buddha at Wat Po. This picture doesn’t do it’s size justice.
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- But this one does!
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- When I die I want to be buried in a Chedi here, just like this one
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- Ornate and awesome demon guards at the Grand Palace
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- The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
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- Ronald wai’s in greeting!
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- Old v. New, the Erawan Shrine beneath the skytrain
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- Me participating in the 108 coin ritual at Wat Po. It’s awesome, and just like they did on the Amazing Race!
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