My first couple days in Bangkok were spent exploring its most famous temples and the surrounding area on foot. I started by taking a local riverboat canal taxi that was a block from my hostel west towards the temples. The canal boat was just the locals and me, which was quite neat. 9 Baht (about 30 cents) later and I was shuttled close to my destination. After about 15 minutes more of walking, I had entered the Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace.
This place can be a little intimidating, with its massive spires and temples encompassing a wide area. The highlight was the Emerald Buddha, which was placed in a stunning temple house whose interior was decorated with painted scenes across every square inch. The paintings reminded me vaguely of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. The Emerald Buddha cannot be photographed, but it was placed about 40 feet in the air, perched atop other Buddhas and figures in a wedding-cake like formation.
This being Bangkok, it was extremely hot and humid, and it didn’t take long before I was sweating out of all my pores, drenched from head to toe.
Next up was the more classic temple of Wat Phro, only a few blocks away. This temple was less grandiose than Wat Phra Kaew but no less spectacular. Its biggest attraction is the Reclining Buddha, a golden statue no less than 50 yards long. You must remove your shoes to go inside any of these holy temples, and clothing that covers shoulders and legs is a required as well. On the back side of the Reclining Buddha there were steel pots lining the wall. You can pay 20 baht (30 baht is 1 dollar) to get it exchanged in coins, and you can place one coin in each pot for good luck.
Wat Pho contained many other Buddhas in many other temples, and although each one was very impressive, none could match the might of the Reclining Buddha.
Wat Pho was much quieter and less crowded than Wat Phra Kaew, and I think it was better overrall too. Wat Pho also contained many small garden areas that contained many statues of Buddhas in different poses. Most of these reflected different yoga positions. There is also a wall in the complex that has inscriptions and paintings of different yoga and massage techniques .
I next headed to Wat Arun, a quick ferry ride to the other side of the river. Perched on the river, Wat Arun is more in a style that is similar to Angkor Wat. After climbing up this temple, I left and headed back across the river for a few drinks at a bar. Four stories up and overlooking the river, it was quite a site to watch Wat Arun light up as the sun set.
I finished the evening by heading to a wonderful restaurant called Good Story, and eating an incredible dish of Pad Thai. If this doesn’t constitute a fantastic day in Bangkok, then I don’t know what does.
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