After our wonderful visit to the Floating Market, we headed back into Bangkok, only this time, our journey was much shorter with no traffic.
We had our driver drop us off at one of my favorite temples, Wat Pho, home to the Reclining Buddha.
If you’ve ever been to Bangkok and seen the Reclining Buddha, then you know how impressive it is, due to its large scale and detail. It is 141 feet in length, covered in gold leaf and inlaid with mother of pearl. When you enter the temple, you work your way along the front side of the Buddha starting at the head and ending at the feet.
Rounding the foot side of the Buddha you can see the intricate mother of pearl inlay underneath the feet displaying 108 different auspicious lák·sà·nà (characteristics of a Buddha). This area was blocked off due to the restoration of the Buddha’s feet. Presently, instead of rounding the end of the Buddha, within the building, you exit the temple, walk across the outside and reenter, so that you may experience the Buddha from the rear perspective.
Inside the temple, which houses the Reclining Buddha, along its backside, there are 108 wish pots which line the wall. You can buy a bowl of coins for 20 baht (about 56 cents), which you drop into each pot, one at a time, making a wish as you go. Last time I was here, I was not sure what these pots were for so I did not participate. This time, however, I bought my bowl, dropped my coins and wished away!
Visiting the Reclining Buddha is not to be missed, however, the rest of the complex is equally as amazing.
The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, and includes four chapels. The Phra Chinnatat and Phra Chinnachai Buddhas, in the west and south chapels are particularly beautiful. The galleries extending between the four chapels feature no less than 394 gilded Buddha images. Next to the Reclining Buddha, this is one of the things I love about Wat Pho…the walls lined with Buddhas.
The remains of Rama I are interred in the base of the presiding Buddha image in the main chapel.
The entire complex is worth the walk as there are many buildings and picture opportunities.
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Wat Pho doesn’t ever seem to be as crowded as some of the other sites, such as the Grand Palace, which is nearby. Entry is 100 baht (almost $3.00). Wat Pho also has good English speaking guides who will provide interesting information for around 200 – 400 baht, depending on how many people there are in your group and how good your negotiating skills are.
After leaving Wat Pho, we walked to the ferry pier and looked across the Chao Phraya river to the Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun, which is presently closed due to construction.
If you are in need of souvenirs, I have found that the shops here have great prices in relation to other places in the city. Don’t pay any attention to the price tags, negotiate…but I have found that it doesn’t take much negotiating to get a fabulous price!
See more pictures on my Facebook page, Snapping the Globe!
