Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (6) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After eat lunch, we go to Wat Pho.

Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์), is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan (วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร). The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok (with an area of 50 rai, 80,000 square metres), and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images of 160 ft length:[10] the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas ะพุทธไสยาสน์). The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds bisected by Soi Chetuphon running east–west. The northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha and massage school are found. The southern walled compound, Tukgawee, is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school.

Credit:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho

WatPo Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School
Welcome to the original Thai medical and massage school.Here the place where the heritage of Thais' wisdoms in traditional medicine have been instructed and developed through a long and continually practical implementation.

Conform to the harmony living of human and nature including with a delicate and gentle character of traditional Thainess, Thai traditional massage and medicine is a folk medicine that have been broadly satisfied from time to time. Moreover, WatPoThai massage becomes one of the most world-wide recognized therapeutic and relaxing massage style.

Credit: http://www.watpomassage.com/2014/

The reclining Buddha is so big. We have to put our shoes / sandals inside the bag that they provided before entering the area. The ticket fee is 50 Baht. Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00 with a break on 12:00 to 13:00.

After walk surround, then we drop by Massage Room, to try Thai Massage. We try it for 30 minutes. But many people say, that it's better if you try for 1 hour.
Before you got the massage, you have to queue. First, you registered, then you will got the queue number. That time, I spend 1 hour and half to queue.

Wat Arun " Temple of Dawn" > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (4) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun, "Temple of Dawn" is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

This Wat or Buddhist temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology. In the mythology of Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Meru is a place that simultaneously represents the center of the universe and the single-pointedness of mind sought by adepts. Thousands of miles in height, Meru is located somewhere beyond the physical plane of reality, in a realm of perfection and transcendence. The four-corner prang of Wat Arun, which house images of the guardian gods of the four directions, reinforces this mystical symbolism.

Credit:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Arun
- http://www.watarun.net/

The ticket fee is 50 Baht.
Our Thai friends said, they will wait us at coffee bar right next to Wat Arun. They said, they didn't want to go to the top. Why?
We thought, it must be beautiful from the top.

But....

OMG~ The stair's was steep, and the distance between each step was too high.

Becareful when you climb. But it's worth, because after you arrive at the top, you will see the beautiful scene with view of Grand Palace and Chao Phraya River.

If you bring elder or children, I suggest to ask them to stay at the bottom or wait for you at the nearby cafe.

Don't forget to preparing to go down, because it's more difficult then go up. We have to extra careful. And, once arrive at the bottom, I felt that my leg is stiff. T_T

I think, once is enough to go to the top. Next time, we can enjoy the Wat Arun from the opposite of the river, and enjoy the sunrise. Our Thai friends said, you have to go there at 4 o'clock in the morning to get the sunrise.

And don't forget to enjoy the sunset and the night scene too.
After that, we buy some drink at nearby coffee shop.

cute statue

coffee stan at Wat Arun

Then we ride the public boat which cost only 3 Baht to go back to the opposite of Wat Arun.

Wat Phra Mahathat > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (8) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After lunch, we visit Wat Phra Mahathat. Wat Phra Mahathat (วัดมหาธาตุ) or the “Monastery of the Great Relic” is located on the city island in the central part of Ayutthaya in Tha Wasukri sub-district. The temple is situated on the corner of the present Chikun Road and Naresuan Road.

Wat Phra Mahathat is a Buddhist Temple.

See:
- http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_MahaThat.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Si_Rattana_Mahathat

The ruins is beautiful, and Buddha Head is the highlight of this area. So many people took photo of it. I came here after lunch, and the weather is so hot. But it's fun. Many tourists come to this place, and I think this place is the most popular among other. This place quiet large, so prepare yourself 1 to 2 hours to walk around.

Ticket price : 50 Baht, open from 08:00 to 17:00.

Here are some photos that I took

Buddha Head, the touristical "high light" of Wat Phra Mahathat - caption from http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_MahaThat.html -

Wiharn Mongkol Bophit > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (5) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

This large wiharn is built in typical Thai temple style and contains Phra Mongkhon Bophit, one of the most important Buddha images in Thailand and a highlight for Buddhists visiting Ayutthaya. The massive bronze seated Buddha is 12.45 metres high, not including the base, and sits 9.55 metres across at the lap. It marks what was the official cremation ground for the Thai royal family from 1612 to 1767.

Today, the wiharn is a great place to see Thai Buddhism in practice -- a steady stream of visitors offer incense, candles and flowers to the image while asking the Buddha for guidance and for wishes to be granted. Afterwards, the local custom is to shake out a numbered stick from a jar and read the accompanying fortune to see if those wishes will come true.

Source: http://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/ayutthaya/ayutthaya/88

Wiharn Mongkol Bophit is the 3rd place where I visited in Ayutthaya. This place located right next Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, and it's free.

You have to took of your shoes if you want to enter.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet (วัดพระศรีศรรเพชญ์) > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (5) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Wat Phra Si Sanphet (วัดพระศรีศรรเพชญ์) is situated on the city island in Ayutthaya's World Heritage park in Pratu Chai sub-district. It has been registered as a national historic site by the Fine Arts Department since 5 March 1935. This monastery was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Royal Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.

See:
- http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_PhraSisanphet.html
- http://wikimapia.org/2078226/Wat-Phra-Sri-Sanphet-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%8D%E0%B9%8C
- http://www.ayutthaya.travel/monuments/in-the-external-area/wat-phra-si-sanphet.html
- http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Wat-Phra-Si-Sanphet--2

This is the 2nd place where we visit in Ayutthaya. The ruins is beautiful. The ticket price is 50 THB for tourists, open from 8:30 to 17:00.

Wat Phanan Choeng (วัดพนัญเชิงวรวิหาร) > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (3) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Wat Phanan Choeng (วัดพนัญเชิงวรวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya and a part of Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phanan_Choeng

At first, this place is not included in our itinery. My Thai Friends didn't mention about this place. But Mr Driver told us, that we have to visit here. Just go inside and you will see why Mr Driver wants us to be here.

There's a big gold Buddha sit statue. And when we come there, a lot of people come here to pray. We come to Thailand, at Queen's Birthday holiday, so there's a long weekend in there. And most people spend their holiday by come to temple to pray.

Unfortunately, I can't take picture of the statue, because when I came there, there's a pray ceremony. I only watch them.

Surround the temple