Bangkok Temples

Largest reclining Buddha in Thailand - Wat Pho

Lotus, the beginning of one, and the end of another

There are countless temples in Bangkok, but the most famous ones have to be Wat Pho and Wat Prakaew where the Emerald Buddha and the Royal Palace reside.


Between the two, I much prefer Wat Pho where you can actually find some peace and quiet in one of the remote courtyards. More importantly, it is also the place to get the best Traditional Thai massage of your life, or at least I did!


Wat Prakaew is gorgeously adorned, with gold, ceremics, giants and of course the infamous emerald buddha (that is actually made of jade). But you risk being amongst hundreds of tourists, and being in other people's pictures, or having them in yours.

Ayuttaya

Meditating Thai Dog

If you would like to get a glimpse of Thai civilization before what Bangkok is today, Ayuttaya is a good start.  Just about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayuttaya was the former capital city of what was then Siam.  Many Thai-Burmese wars occurred here in the 14th and 15th centuries, on elephants, no less. Temples and palaces were burned and buddhas and other valuables stolen... The remnants of that time reveal the prosperity and importance of Buddhism in this country.

Our friends Case and Maude were visiting for a few days after Christmas, so we had a good excuse to go there for a day excursion. The kids did not quite get what we were up to, but they were happy to get to ride more elephants at the end of the day!  

Saraburi

Sometimes I feel like Bangkok is its own country, and then there is the rest of Thailand. It takes a while to get out of this huge, congested city... But once you do get out, there is still nature, and space, and fresh air...

Tropical Scenes

Rayong is a little over an hour further east from Pattaya, but the peace and beauty there is worth the extra drive. For some reason, our family is not used to vacationing here in the past. After a few days of glorious beach and sun and seafood, we are sure to return!

Tropical Fun

We are not in California anymore

We are warm, dry, and safe in the land of the Smiles (with a new Priminister!).

In a few days...

We will be here...

It's been a while... I will look forward to seeing a peaceful country with peaceful people!

Winter Sunset and Long Live the King

Tomorrow, December 5, is the King of Thailand's birthday. Exactly a year ago, I was lucky to be in the same building where His Majesty was born 81 years ago. Now, I am sending good thoughts to His Majesty who is recovering from an illness.

Long Live the King! And also, Happy Father's Day to my very own father!