It was 110 degrees (110 degrees!!! That’s worthy of three exclamation marks!!!) the day we toured the various Buddhist temples in Thailand. Hot and humid is certainly no weather to wear pants and a modest shirt. But, we did it anyway out of respect and because it’s the rule for visiting wats. Nobody is above the rules of the wat. NOBODY. These rules have been set a long time ago by some very wise monks, so we weren’t about to get the silent treatment from them.
But, even if we didn’t get the silent treatment, guides in the wats are more than likely to point out the rules, as did one guide to a family of tourists. Her request to the only person wearing a spaghetti strap tank top was very simple: “You need to show respect and cover your shoulders.” Of course, her following statement of “Chinese tourists are so rude” and the subsequent backlash from the family of “we’re from Hong Kong, not China,” caused a small firestorm as the family wanted an apology for the alleged “racist” remark.
Yes, I suppose it’s “racist” for the guide to not differentiate between Hong Kong residents and Chinese tourists. But, it’s just as “racist” to show up to a temple with the belief that you’re above the simple rule of Buddhist modesty. The fact still remains, nobody is above the rules of the wat. NOBODY.
Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is considered the most sacred temple in Thailand. It is located inside the Grand Palace and houses the Emerald Buddha, which is an amazingly beautiful statue. The museums at the Grand Palace were incredibly insightful to help me understand Thai culture, like how much they revere their royal family. Also, the wat is beautiful as it’s gold with colored glass embedded in the walls.
Grand Palace
Grand Palace Statues
Grand Palace is so pretty!
Wat Pho
What Pho is home to the giant lounging Buddha. He kind of looks like a peaceful Burt Reynolds. It’s also the birthplace of the Thai massage. There’s also 108 bronze bowls lined up along the interior of the wat. We donated money for coins and I dropped a coin into each bowl and made wishes along the way. I didn’t have enough coins, though, so I guess that means all 108 of my wishes won’t come true. Guess I’ll never get my shmun shmillion shmollars.
Wat Pho
Wat Arun
You know when you’re at the top of the ferris wheel and out of sheer curiosity, you look down? But, then you come to the very real conclusion that should a strong wind come by or the ferris wheel break down, shit will get very real? Yeah, that’s Wat Arun.
Climbing up the steps of Wat Arun is a lot like being at the top of a ferris wheel. Looking down from the top of the wat conjures up those same fear of heights and there’s always some asshole who won’t clear out of the carriage fast enough at the bottom of the wheel (in this case, stairs), thus leaving you stuck at the top.
Wat Arun is rich with Buddhist history. Architecturally, it represents Mount Meru, a mythological area, and a place that can’t physically―but perhaps transcendentally―be reached… and perhaps that is why it’s so steep.
Wat Arun
Wat Suthat
Wat Suthat was one of the most peaceful wats we visited. In fact, no one was there, making the endless Buddha statues and architecture stand out so much more. Outside Wat Suthat, there is the giant red swing openly displayed and it’s used to pay homage to goddess Shiva.
Wat Suthat
Golden Mount
Golden Mount’s seclusion on a hill that rests over Bangkok and the subsequent stairs to the top seem to set it apart from the rest of the city. And, at one time, it wasn’t part of walled-up Bangkok. The design, itself, beckons visitors to be very quiet; which works for a time until you reach the big gong at the top.
Golden Mount
Golden Mount
Have you visited a wat? Wat’s your favorite and why?
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