A bit of culture to start the day with a visit to the Hua Lamphong temple located in one of the busiest areas of central Bangkok renowned, amongst other things, for being the only temple in Bangkok to have livestock living in the middle of it!
These bovine beasts all seemed quite docile until one nearly bit my sister’s hand off!
The Buddhist religion reveres all large animals and yet Thais are happy to eat them. So it is only natural that prayers should be said as a way of apologising to the cow for ending it’s life on the dinner plate! Quite sweet really
I am constantly amazed and enchanted by the ornate and intricate designs and colours of these beautiful buildings.
So it was interesting to see a new one in its natural state before all the gold leaf and marble has been added.
Dropping into the temple for a quick prayer for guidance, to remember those who have passed away or simply for some quiet meditation or contemplation is a natural way of life for all Thais, including the younger generation. It really is a very relaxed and friendly religion,
full of symbols as well as bells to be rung for good luck.
Close by, I was slightly surprised to stumble across this set of tiles –
the more so as they were located just outside a toilet!!
A quick whizz up the river courtesy of a longtail boat was the quickest way to get to Wat Arun –
the Temple of Dawn which is so often only seen by river tourists from a distance away.
Close up, though, it is a staggering piece of architecture
Originally built in the 17th century and renovated as recently as last year, it’s full of intricate designs and a lot of steep steps which, happily, proved no obstacle to my agile sister
but created a big challenge to this Japanese guy who was nearly in tears by the time he reached the bottom.
Our day’s activity ended with a stroll through Lumpini Park where we tried to figure out the significance of watering the water. Clearly another symbolic Thai ceremony!
Sister is now on her way back home. I have throughly enjoyed introducing her to a few of the sights and sounds of Bangkok but now it’s time for me to pack the suitcase again, head south and continue my peripatetic wanderings. So..
Off we go again!
Phileas
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