Day 2 – Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Following my first blog which was an introduction to my recent trip in Thailand and how I got there, I believe it’s time to start the journey and give you ideas where to go if you are planning on visiting Thailand one day.  

Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. You will see lots of photos of Thai food, temples, beaches and tuk tuks in this amazing journey we are heading, just sit back and read 😊

Day 2 of my adventurous trip started by visiting the Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok. This temple is known for its reclining Buddha as well as for the most famous Thai massage medical school in the country.

I would say this temple has a particular energy with an intense peace; this is the magic of Wat Pho. This makes us want to stay there for a long while with its impressive and beautiful reclining Buddha.

The highlight for most people visiting Wat Pho is the Reclining Buddha. The figures here are impressive: 15 metres tall, 46 metres long, so large that it feels like it’s been squeezed into the building. The Buddha’s feet are 5 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother of pearl illustrations of auspicious laksanas (characteristics) of the Buddha. During the visit of Reclining Buddha, we had the opportunity to drop coins in bowls for having a good fortune. On the other hand it helps monks to maintain the Wat.

While entering the temple you need to take off our shoes before entering and wear appropriate clothing, no exposed shoulders or skin above the knee, a simple of respect.

This temple must be on your Bucket’s list while you are staying in the capital of Thailand. It’s a peaceful place and the beauty of its architecture must be appreciated such there is a huge work behind it. Did you know that Wat Pho was the first public university in Thailand specialising in religion, science and literature? It is now more well known as a centre for traditional massage and medicine. If you are ever thinking of getting a profession in Thai massage, this is the best place to go.

In the courtyards at Wat Pho Temple are some comical looking Chinese statues that were once used as ballasts on ships decorated in ceramic pottery flowers and colourful tiles. Para Ubosot is the most sacred part of the Wat Pho; this is a hall used for Buddhist rituals with a gilded Buddha from the possible Ayuttaya’s period. An umbrella is over the statue representing the authority of Thailand. Phra Ubosot has been built by King Rama I and enlarged and rebuild by Rama III later.

When you arrive at Wat Pho, you are going to see Chinese Ballast that are gate guardians, which give a certain charm to this temple. They are a mark of naval from China. You will find Chinese Giants with European clothes representing the first European who visited and introduced tradition of this continent in China as well as Chinese figures such as both in human and animals, a workman or still a Chinese monk,

The temple is the most visually striking landmark towering over the Chao Phraya River.

After a good two hours at the temple, we continued with our journey with a longtail boat that took us around the busy Chao Phraya River. We went through the small klongs (canals) to see the skyscrapers, temples and shops in the distance and the densely populated waterfront settlements up close. The life along these canals seemed a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital.

The Chao Phraya river is indeed the ehart of historical Bangkok and the cradle of its prosperity with any historical buildings testify of the river’s importance.

The Chao Phraya is very much a commercial and industrial thoroughfare. Even on a lazy Sunday morning barges can be seen cruising the waters in between the hordes of long tails and the ferries. On a weekday that traffic is even more significant.

During the longtail boat trip we stopped on the way to feed the catfish. We gave them bread which the driver already had purchased for us. The amount of catfish that surrounded us was unbelievable. So many fishes in one place.

Following our riverboat adventure, we headed all the way to Kanchanaburi for the overnight stay in a rafthouse accommodation. Have you ever heard of raft house? Have you ever seen one with your own eyes?

Raft houses in Kanchanaburi is the way to go! It is soooo well know as you get the opportunity to stay on the river, yes on the river that cuts across the province. I had stayed among the abundance of natural areas along the kwai river surrounded by gorgeous scenery of complicated lush green hills. An amazing experience. Of course we didn’t had any wifi or TV!!! A great way to calm, relax and recharge.

It was indeed a unique homestay experience aboard a floating rafthouse in the jungle on the famous River Kwai. We had the afternoon free to relax, swim in the River Kwai and have a lovely Thai dinner on the river. We even played a game called ‘Fankton’, the loser had to drink a special Thai drink – similar to whiskey I would say….i had plenty that’s how I know…It was good day filled with laugh and new experiences.  😊

Stay tuned for Day 3 – Kanchanaburi…..