Three Wonderful Wat in Bangkok

From Chiang Rai, we took plane to Bangkok for 1 hour flight. In the short days in Bangkok, we went to the Chao Phraya River to see the three jewel of Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho.  These place is very close by, and it can be visited once for those three. The Chao Phraya River is connected by river ferry boat. It can be connected by BTS in Saphan Taksin BTS station.

Chao Praya River Express

Wat Phra Kaew: The holiest temple in Thailand

This wonderful temple is the holy sanctuary for little emerald Buddha statue. This statue can't be photographed inside the temple, you really need long lens to take capture this emerald statue. This statue was made by green nephrite, clothed in gold robe and its tall is just 45 cm.

The legend said that this statue was made in India about 2.000 years ago. It already been taken from India to Sri Lanka, and then continue to Burma, Angkor Wat before finally taken into Thailand. The historian has other opinion, that this statue was made in Chiang Saen in Wat Chedi Luang where I've already been there earlier.

This emerald statue is so important, that the power of prayer can sustain good weather for this whole country. No wonder, the King Rama seated this holy statue with beautiful complex. Inside you can see building with porcelain, fine craft statue, and a lot of visitor from all around the world.

In this temple the emerald Buddha was placed

The temple also have many other smaller temple, mural and pagoda. I like the one with porcelain in the pagoda. Build in around 1760 this complex is the complete evolution from Ayutthaya era to Rattanakosin style. One of the most prominent part which I adore is the Thai murals, based on Ramayana epic.

Beside this temple, there is also Grand Palace and other museum. The grand palace was built around 1882 by British architects, he architecture is fusion of western renaissance and traditional Thai architecture. Right now this palace was used for visiting foreign honorary guest to stay.

The Grand Palace

*Remember to use long pant to visit this temple.

Wat Arun: The temple of dawn

Wat Arun has stunning stature, it so slim, beautifully decorated by porcelain and very steep to go to the top. Radix said that if you have wish and keep in your mind while climbing to the top you will achieved it. So even though it is very hard to climb, I come out in the top.

Wat Arun

On the top of Wat Arun, I can see the Chao Praya and the Grand Palace complex across the river. They provide you pen and paper to write your wish. I write my own wish, somehow it give me calm energy. . This temple like the Mahameru mountain, the holiest mountain in Buddha cosmology. Here, is the center of universe where body and mind is become one. How doubtful I was with the future, after saw those beautiful afternoon in Bangkok with smile on my face I feel more hopeful.

View in the top of Wat Arun

The upward part was difficult, but going downward was also difficult. It very steep as you can see how struggling my friend were do. The difficulty of life not only when we want to reach the top, but also when you have to reach your dawn time.

So steep, beware slipping

Wat Pho: The reclining Buddha

The last but not least we went to the Wat Pho. This reclining Buddha statue has calming eyes and relaxing posture. In the end, after reaching the dawn even Buddha have to rest. This Wat Pho is also the university of Thai massage. If you want to do a massage this is the place.

The relax sleeping Buddha

Inside the temple, there is 108 bowl and you can make a trip around by dropping the coin one by one. This act will keep your mind in one direction. You can have a pray and recite the mantra. After all of these trip, we take a little rest in the middle of temple. So for you reader, take a deep breath have a little relax time.

Inside the temple have hidden serene place