Bangkok by river ferry.
This city is frenetic and all over the place. Some quick observations: traffic is literally insane and I am much more afraid of the traffic than the food or crime. The pollution is also horribly bad, and being from L.A., that's saying a lot. The thick smoke of diesel exhaust fumes from the tail-pipes of cars, buses, motos, tuk-tuks, etc. Many people wear cloth masks on the faces as protection - not like it's going to help. Then, there are the street vendors of all sorts who sell their food literally right next the the exhaust pipes of passing vehicles... I'm an adventurist, but I didn't avoid getting sick thus far by trying out fruits and food sprinkled with soot. And finally, just a curious side-note - there certainly are a lot of dogs in a metropolitan area! They just lie on the sidewalks and don't seem to mind people just stepping over them.
Now... I spent this morning running around town trying to secure a visa to India. Seems like everything is out-sourced now, including visas - who'd have thunk, Indians out-sourcing to others! :) Anyway, bit of advice for everyone... when you're traveling, obtain all requisite visas at home first! They charge you obscene fees and give you run-arounds if you're trying to get a visa and are not a resident of the country from where you're applying.
In anycase, after an exhaustive morning I finally settled to take the skytrain to the river and then a quick ferry to see Wat Phra Chetuphon (AKA Wat Pho), or Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is one of the largest temple complexes in Thailand and is considered the traditional founding site of Thai massages as well. It was truly stunning to see the sublime and intricate architecture throughout the complex. The 46-meter long reclining Buddha is house in the main temple, posed in a serene posture representing Lord Buddha's transition into Nirvana. Art aficionados will no doubt appreciate the enormous amount of carvings, murals, statues, paints, throughout; most notable to me being the beautiful art work of inlaid mother-of-pearl scenes at the base of the feet of the reclining Buddha, showing the 108 signs buddhahood.
Now... I spent this morning running around town trying to secure a visa to India. Seems like everything is out-sourced now, including visas - who'd have thunk, Indians out-sourcing to others! :) Anyway, bit of advice for everyone... when you're traveling, obtain all requisite visas at home first! They charge you obscene fees and give you run-arounds if you're trying to get a visa and are not a resident of the country from where you're applying.
In anycase, after an exhaustive morning I finally settled to take the skytrain to the river and then a quick ferry to see Wat Phra Chetuphon (AKA Wat Pho), or Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is one of the largest temple complexes in Thailand and is considered the traditional founding site of Thai massages as well. It was truly stunning to see the sublime and intricate architecture throughout the complex. The 46-meter long reclining Buddha is house in the main temple, posed in a serene posture representing Lord Buddha's transition into Nirvana. Art aficionados will no doubt appreciate the enormous amount of carvings, murals, statues, paints, throughout; most notable to me being the beautiful art work of inlaid mother-of-pearl scenes at the base of the feet of the reclining Buddha, showing the 108 signs buddhahood.
This thing is 46 meters long, 15 meters high.
Magnificent!
Stupa-like "Prang", I'm not sure what their significance and symobolism is yet, but they date back to Khmer origins.
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