Wat Saket/ Wat Arun

 Sunday, October 2, 2022

Sunkist Dawn

This was our last day in Thailand. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins. I only slept for an hour but I woke up fresh and happy. I got ready big eyed and bushy tailed. Papu had enrolled in a cooking class and that started only around 8.  She said she will eat breakfast at the hotel and get a taxi to her cooking class.

Joker was waiting for me at the reception at 6 am. We got on a tuktuk and went to Wat Saket first thing in the morning. It was a beautiful place, so serene. Even the ticket booth was not opened.

Once they let us in we climbed up the stairs. There were interesting statues along the way.

Getting to the top of Wat Saket is an experience. You climb this spiral staircase ( 318 steps to be exact) that hugs the hill. Soft Buddhist chants play as you ascend, and the air feel calm. It’s like the world outside pauses for a bit.

Once we got to the top, there was a gate that was still closed. Joker opened the gate and we were the first ones and the only ones to go to the top.

The Golden Mount: The centerpiece is a massive golden stupa housing holy Buddha relics brought from India

They had a huge gong that was fun to ring.

The top provides scenic views of the old city and landmarks like the Grand Palace. 

After walking through Wat Saket, we got on a tuktuk and went to the Giant Swing.

Participants once swung to immense heights—around 75 feet—to snatch a bag of gold coins with their teeth. Due to fatal accidents, the ceremony was permanently banned in 1935.

After the swing, we went over to the ferry port. On the way he got me some street food that tasted lik paniyaram. Because Joker was a local he was able to get us tickets for very low price to cross the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun that was on the other side. I ate my breakfast while we rode the ferry.

When we reached Wat Arun it was still cool and it was nice to walk around. The architecture was stunning. Every inch of that place was ornate and intricate.

THE TEMPLE OF DAWN

WAT ARUN IS ONE OF WORLD'S RENOWN ICONIC LANDMARKS.

THE AYUTTHAYA KINGDOM. 1351–1767 AD.

It's one of the most spectacular and recognizable Thai landmarks idyllically situated amongst picturesque river scenes, capturing the stunning contrast with the surrounding modern cityscape.

The spires are decorated with shells of tropical sea snails and pieces of porcelain, which were previously used as ballast by trading Chinese, visiting local ports, many centuries ago

The 70-meter tall grand pagoda is beautifully decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass and Chinese porcelain placed delicately into intricate patterns. 

We are allowed to get on the steep steps up to the mid level

Each layer is decorated with a different pattern of flowers, dragons, curls and designs like a mandela.

Each building had its own beauty that we could sit and admire for hours. This is my favorite structure in Thailand.

As we walked back to the ferry station, I saw this huge tree with pretty flowers.