Day02 - 21st June 2007

Right after the Grand Tour, we decided to head to the nearest temple. Looking at pictures Loh took months ago before my trip, it has been part of my agenda to visit this gigantic reclining Buddha. How can I miss out such a must visit place.

Everyone keep telling me Wat Pho is just next to the Grand Palace. Yes, even by looking at the map… it is like damn near. But honestly speaking, it is not as near as expected. Okay… it isn’t that far. But after a whole day walk, it just seems far away.

Coming out from the Grand Palace, the guards made us walk one big round around the Grand Palace. And… the norm… being stopped by gazillion tuktuk drivers trying to slaughter us with their pathethic and pricy charges. Not to mention the amount of people who try to stop us by telling us how Wat Pho is closed cause it’s Buddha’s Day and well.. yes, the excuses go on and on and on.

Me and Nicole finally reach the main entrance. Admission fee of 20 baht is required. Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1000 Buddha images, which include the biggest Reclining Buddha.

This 46 meters long and 15 meters height Reclining Buddha is decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and feet. The Reclining Buddha is built during the restoration of King Rama III. Yup… awww, this is the first time I see such a huge bling bling Buddha figure. Seriously, to get a nice and clean picture without anyone’s head inside seems to be a difficult task. There really are many tourist and lots of them just don’t care. They would just push you and some tall people would just simply stand right in front of you and blocking us from taking pictures.

Outside of the main building, one can notice there were around 95 chedis in Wat Pho. Amazingly, Wat Pho also have a massage school. Believe it or not… Wat Pho is known as the birth place of Thai massage. Before the temple was founded, Wat Pho was a traditional Thai medicine education centre.

I still think it is sorta unbelieveable. The statues outside looked quite modern compared to other. Carved in a rather chinese style but each of the guy wears a coat and a hat. Mmmm….. amazing~

After a whole day walking around looking at temples and palaces, we decided to walk back to our hotel and take a good rest. Yup, I need to soak my feet into warm water and just relax. I can’t feel my legs anymore. Finding our way back from Wat Pho to the hotel is bad.

We got a little lost. And did I mention, trying to cross a 6 lane road is like the most challenging thing to do~ Thank god the traffic polices were helpful. I must say, they are really nice to tourist They help us to clear some traffic… and I must really take this opportunity to say… I am really greatful for his help. Or else… I think I am still standing by the side of the busy road.

Address:
Wat Pho
2 Sanamchai Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang
Sub-District Phra Nakhon District
Bangkok 10200
Telephone Number: (662) 222 5910
Fax: (662) 226 9779
Opening Hours:
Daily: 8am - 5pm
Website: http://www.watpho.com/