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Author - graham

Late Traveller and facilitator looking forward to sharing my travel journey as I backpack around South East Asia and maybe the world.

Is Wat Pho the No1 place to visit in Bangkok?

December 18, 20183 min read

Its very popular and recently celebrated its 230th anniversary of the monastery with a week-long festival with music.

I was lucky enough to go along during this week and it certainly was worth it!

During the week celebration there were several special shows put on over a few stages in the grounds, above was one of the traditional Thai ladies dancing which attracted a big crowd as well as a group of school children performing a modern style number.

If you only have a day you need to visit this place

I would say it is by far the best place to visit just for the buildings, ornate structures. 

The feeling of being somewhere quite spiritual without the added bonus of the festivities that were going on that week.

In fact, that just made it the more special.

Home to the reclining Buddha  

Impressive, the Reclining Buddha

Many heads of state and celebrity figures have over the years been visitors to this wonderful complex.

They come to pay their respects as it is a very auspicious place and seeing the large 46metres in length reclining Buddha is certainly a feat to witness

 

Here you will only find calm…


If you slow down and take your time to walk around the whole of the grounds you can see why it is popular.

Whilst the Grand Palace is very Grand and palatial.

It is also very busy and even if you spend the time walking around and not rushing with the crowds it still has an atmosphere of a tourist hot spot.

Wat Pho is different it has an air of calm and reflection.

Although it still does get busy, it is large enough and spaced apart for you to wander around and even if only a short time, you do find areas to yourself.

TIP OF THE POST

“When you arrive if you are early it may be worth visiting the Reclining Buddha first if the crowds are not too big, during the mid day time it gets remarkable busy and hard to get a good photo”

November, 2018

All the time you are there, the monks carry on with their daily life, seemingly oblivious to all the fuss and tourists snapping away as if they are really in a world of their own.

The 230th Anniversay was between 1-11th November 2018

Opening Times: Daily 08:00 – 17:00 

Location: Maharat Road. Close to the river (about a half mile south of the Grand Palace), Old City (Rattanakosin)

Price: The current entrance fee for tourists is 100 baht, which will increase to 200 Baht from January 2019

For more information, check www.watpho.com

 

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

December 15, 20181 min read

The city is home to several hidden gems, including a royal palace, a famous temple, and a vibrant night market. Be sure to visit the Silver Pagoda for a stunning photo opportunity, and explore museums that reveal humanity’s darker side. The city also has a unique atmosphere, largely because it was completely emptied during the Khmer Rouge period, when residents were forced to return to rural areas to cultivate rice.

Visit the Silver Pagoda for a lovely photo of something so beautiful or museums showing the darker side of humanity.

It also has a strange presence about it mainly I suspect due to the fact that during the Khmer Rouge period the whole city was emptied of people as they were forced to go back to the rural areas to help grow rice.

4 years of abandonment

The city almost feels disconnected from its residents, as it was nearly empty between 1975 and 1979. It’s difficult to explain, but it definitely has a distinct vibe compared to other Asian capital cities. While it may not have the backpacking tourist atmosphere of Siem Reap, it still offers much to discover if you know where to look.

Loi Krathong

December 12, 20182 min read


Called Loy Krathong it is a picturesque evening festival in Thailand on the 12th lunar month in November. 

Description

Loi Krathong is a Siamese festival celebrated annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and in nearby countries with significant southwestern Tai cultures. 

Loi Krathong – Wikipedia

 

Invited by friends to see Loi Krathong festival

I was invited last night to participate in the yearly festival celebrated in Buddhist countries in Asia.

Reason for the festival?

The celebration is for the people to design, make or buy floating rafts.

Decorated with candles, incense sticks and lotus flowers, they place them in rivers, lakes and canals to give thanks and pay respects to the goddess of water.

People insert the rafts with a few coins and sometimes old clothing or strands of hair, which is said to get rid of  bad luck in your past

I went to the local university, where they have a big lake and an equally big crowd.

A huge stage where Thai dancers were performing, along with some great music.

We found a spot next to the lake and readied ourselves to release the lotus rafts.

I think the culture here in Southeast Asia is what, in part, attracts me to this part of the world.

The whole community gets involved to celebrate these festivals
They meet in huge crowds and enjoy being together.
Friends meet and greet and eat

(I have found that this meeting up then involves going somewhere for food:) another reason I love this part of the world)

The Temple of the Golden Mount

December 11, 20182 min read

Wat Saket, also known as the Temple of the Golden Mount, is in the heart of the old city area of Bangkok

Fancy a climb?

A good workout, with around 300 steps to reach the top.

Best to go in the evening, as you can ring the bells and see the sunset over historical Bangkok with some great views





As you ascend the mountain, you will see a graveyard which used to be where they cremated people who were too poor to be buried, and during a mass plague, thousands were cremated here.

I guess with so many people unknown buried there, it is understandable the place has become overgrown with vines

A Buddha relic sent from Sri lanka was put inside the mount in the early 20th century and placed in the Chedi

The Chedi, or Stupa, is a Buddhist mound-shaped structure that houses relics and is a place of meditation

Its origins go back to the Ayutthaya period (1350- 1767 AD), where it was originally named Wat Sakae and is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok

During King Rama I’s reign (1782-1809) the temple underwent major renovations and was renamed Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan

TIP OF THE POST

Great views for getting panoramic shots of Bangkok skyline and it is only 50 baht to enter so whilst smaller than most it is a must on your visit if you in Bangkok for more than a few days

 

Graham, November 2018

For more information 
Read more at: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-saket.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001

Traditional Thai food served

December 8, 20182 min read

Muang Thong Thani

 Here, traditional Thai dishes are served simply

Located in the province of Nonthaburi, north of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, this area has been my base for a while. It embodies Thai culture, with not many foreigners (farang) around—though there are a few, including me. The variety of food here is abundant, featuring popular dishes such as Pad Thai and Green Thai Chicken Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan Kai). Additionally, there are Isaan (northeastern Thailand) favourites like Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad), along with my personal favourites, Spicy Mango Salad and Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup).

Although originally a Lao dish, Som Tum is a staple dish in Thailand.

Depending on where you get it from, it can be spicy or very spicy.

It also has a smell that is quite strong and potent at first.

This comes from the sauce or juice used to cover the salad, which, after a while, you become used to.

“I wanted to do the dishes service by showing you how good they really look.
Some of the images on this page are supplied courtesy of a friend I have met over here who is a much better photographer than me  

Taken after our visit to the Ancient City “


Katsarin, 2018

Kusu Island Legends

November 22, 20182 min read

Many legends surround this island.

 

All involving turtles, hence why it is called Kusu which means turtle or tortoise in Chinese and why it has a preserve here.

Go visit and enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere along with the Muslim Kramat atop 152 steps.

It is said that couples come to make a wish to start a family, or childless couples pray to be blessed.

Along with a Chinese Temple and beautiful, clean beaches, it is an ideal location to swim, relax and sunbathe away from the metropolis of Singapore

See the Turtles basking in the sun or retreating to the shade of their enclosure

The food area was under construction when I visited in September.

So next year, I imagine there will be better facilities for you to rest and eat, and you can spend time on the beach and catch the boat back later in the day.

TIP OF THE POST
“Aim to catch the early ferry it will give you more time, and if you see everything earlier enough you can hop on the ferry to St. John Island in the afternoon and look around there”

Graham, September 2018

Directions to get here

  • Head to Marina South Pier (next to MRT station)
  • Buy a ticket from the Singapore Island cruise kiosk
  • Boat leaves at 10 am and 2 pm
  • Remember to check the last boat back, which is around 4 pm
  • Cost is approx. S$18 return for adults
  • S$12 for children 1-12 years old