Wat Arun and Wat Pho
Buddhas and Temples before Hotel Check-In
27.02.2013
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2013 Round the World Trip
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I must have been the only person on the two legs of my flight from Muscat to Bangkok (via Karachi) not returning or leaving home in Pakistan laden down with extra baggage. My flight arrived in Bangkok 7am so having previously arranged for my hotel to look after my luggage I got on with the sightseeing.
After a short trip on the Bangkok Skytrain to Saphan Taksin and journey up and across the Phraya River, I arrived at Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) a 269 feet (82 metre) high khmer-style `brahnig(spire) constructed in the early 1800s when the Thai capital moved from Ayuthaya to Bangkok.
Wat Arun from the River Phraya

Wat Arun and Gardens

Me outside Wat Arun
Wat Arun is an iconic sight and you are encouraged to climb it. The 1st flight of steps weren't too bad but the 2nd step were scary steep and felt almost vertical; once you were up the challenge was then to sum up the courage to get down again!
Wat Arun

Detail of a scuptured figure on the side of Wat Arun

Looking down the scary 2nd flight of steps at Wat Arun

Me on the top of Wat Arun with Wat Pho in the background

Wat Arun
I then returned across the river and went into Wat Pho, so stunning was the architecture that for a couple of days I was convinced it was the famed Grand Temple Complex itself! The main attraction at Wat Pho is the 150 Foot (46 metre) long by 49 feet (15 metre) high Recling Buddha in the elaborate large hall by the entrance. Beside the Hall of the Recling Buddha there are a number of large Chedi containing the ashes of Buddha and royalty (buddhists cremate rather than bury their dead).
The Hall of the Recling Buddha at Wat Pho

The Recling Buddha

Me by the Recling Buddha

The large Chedi at Wat Pho

Stone Guard by the entrance gate
The Main Hall (Phra Ubosot) at Wat Pho is surrounded by smaller halls to the North, East, West and South each of which is venerated as a shrine by Buddhists and you have to be properly dressed and take your shoes off before entering.
The Main Hall at Wat Pho

Buddha in the Main Hall at Wat Pho

Seated Buddha in one of the halls surrounding Wat Pho

Standing Buddha in one of the surrounding halls at Wat Pho

Buddha in one of the surrounding halls
Posted by FrancisRTW 03:00 Archived in Thailand Tagged temples boat city buddha videos solo Comments (0)