Bangkok must have hundreds of temples and we managed to view quite a few of them today starting with the the famous Wat Pho, home to the fabulous, and world’s largest reclining Buddha at 46 mts.
We learnt here that there is a Buddha with a different stature and hand mudra for each day of the week. The Tuesday Buddha (the day in which I was born) reclines, so Wat Pho showcases the Tuesday Buddha.
It’s also the home of traditional Thai massage and is where the masseuses train and get their certifications.
There was a 40 minute wait to be seen, but well worth the wait, as my injured shoulder gained about 20% more mobility after the treatment.
Next our group jumped onto one of the canal long boats to explore more local Khlongs and see how some of the suburban Thais live in Bangkok.
Many luxury and many dilapidated homes line the waterways here, and it seems like there is a Wat (temple)on each stretch where we caught glimpses of the monks going about their daily business and could hear the occasional waft of their chanting floating over the water.
On occasion our stick boat would have to squeeze past a huge barge or floating sales or others commuting the canals.
Then it was off to Chang Mai via overnight train. What fun!
The two facing seats converted into bunks and 9.00pm an attendant came around to make our beds.
Curtains drawn, silence descended in the cabin…until 5.30am when the well rehearsed pack up commenced.
Thats a big Buddha! Train ride looked fun and cosy as well.
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