Bangkok 2013-Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

When you visited The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, try not to miss out the next visit to Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) which located within walking distance. When we went out from the main gate of The Grand Palace, the guard inform us to keep left and follow the white wall of The Grand Palace so that we could reach the Wat Pho. Of course, the guard was not misleading us but the 'walking distance' looks like too long, we took almost 15-20 minutes to walk to the temple. Don't know whether keep right would be better? Anyway, if you do not like to walk, just hop on the Tuk Tuk and let them bring you there.

Let's follow the arrow of the signboard above. Then it would bring you to the ticketing counter...haha..

The entrance fee is only 100 Baht, some more free us one small bottle of drinking water. The redeem counter is located after the entrance, but not necessary to redeem it immediately. Like us, after walking around under the hot sun, then only we redeem the cool drinking water, feeling so good ~

Ooo... out of topic already..Let's focus back our visit to the Reclining Buddha. Before we could enter the temple, we need to take off our shoes. But here did not have shoe rack..so how??? No issue, they prepare the shoe bag for each visitor..just put our shoe inside the bag and carry it during the visit. Although carried shoe bag was bit burden when we wanted to take photo, but it was good from the angle to ensure our shoe is secure..But remember to return the shoe bag after use ya.....

When we entered the temple, the sound 'wow' was everywhere...why?? Let see the photo below.

The Reclining Buddha is huge!!! Some more it is in gold color....

The Reclining Buddha is 15 meters high and 46 meters long, while each foot is 3 metered high and 5 meters long. The statue is made by stuccoed bricks that gilded with gold leaves.

The feet of Reclining Buddha is inlaid with mother-of-pearl, indicate 108 auspicious symbols portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences.

The temple is having high ceiling and feeling cool compared to hot sun outside. The wall is with amazed mural painting. Along the path in front of the Reclining Buddha, we saw other small statue of Buddha. We allowed to take photo but please not to sit on the altar.

When we walked to the back of the Reclining Buddha, then we saw a counter with donation box. By donated 20 Baht, we were given a bowl of coins that allow us to place it into the 108 bronze bowls lining along the corridor. The 108 bronze bowls represent 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. Dropping the coins into the bronze bowls is believed to be able in bringing good luck to the visitors. If no conflict with your religion or believe, you may consider to experience it.

We were then left the temple and continue visit other structures within the compound of Wat Pho. We saw a beautiful pond with many carp fish inside. The decoration is very attractive.

Visitors are 'Welcome to Wat Po'.

Do you notice the huge pagodas behind? There are total 4 pagodas in a group and being named as Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn. These four Pagodas were built to represent the reign of King Rama I to King Rama IV of the Chakri Dynasty. Each pagoda is 42 meters high and decorated with colourful mosaics. The green tile mosaic pagoda representing the reign of King Rama I, the white tile mosaic pagoda representing reign of King Rama II, the yellow tile mosaic pagoda representing reign of King Rama III and the dark blue tile mosaic pagoda representing reign of King Rama IV.

The King Rama IV had ordered to enclose all four pagodas and leave no spaces for other pagodas to build around, as these four Kings were alive and met each other in the same period of time, and no more pagodas was required.

Besides the four huge pagodas, there are also four groups of five pagodas that named as Single based Chedi.  The big pagoda in the centre and surrounded by four small pagodas. Each pagoda contains the Holy Relics of Buddha and was constructed during reign of King Rama I.

Single base Chedi

Furthermore there are many individual small pagodas in Wat Pho and there are named as Phra Chedi Rai. According to the information, these small pagodas are in a total of 71 and were built during reign of King Rama III for the function of keeping ashes of royal descendants.

Phra Chedi Rai

Besides, there many Buddha statues along the corridor, not sure whether it is the Phra Rabieng??

During our visit, there was a group of primary school students (I guess) who studied and doing assignment in this Wat Pho.

Last but not least, the Gate Guardian statues are very unique in this Wat Pho. The statues are in different design, from Chinese Warriors to Western Guard. Not to miss it for photographing.

In conclusion.....Remember to include Wat Pho in your visit plan ya!!!

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What to eat in Penang? breakfast - Ah Soon Kor Har Mee (Prawn Mee)

Penang is famous with its Har Mee or Prawn Soup Noodle. If you aware, most of the food stalls who selling the Har Mee out of Penang use to quote their stall name as XXX Penang Har Mee. But how many of them really from Penang are unknown. Anyway, if you are looking for this Penang local food, then don't miss out Ah Soon Kor Har Mee in Georgetown.

In fact, almost every hawker food centre (non-halal) in Penang is selling Har Mee. However, be honest to you, not every stall would give you the tasty one as you expected. For the locals like me, the tasty Penang Har Mee must have soup base that rich with prawn taste. The soup should be bit concentrate and shall not look watery. Among all, Ah Soon Kor Har Mee in Sin Kim San Coffee Centre is one of my favourite.    

Ah Soon Kor Har Mee

This Har Mee stall is starting its business from 7am until 2pm. Hence, it could only serve as either breakfast or lunch, but definitely not dinner. Anyway, I would still recommend you to come in the morning, so that you would have more choices of ingredient to be added into your Har Mee. Of course, the topped up ingredients are chargeable. 

Penang Har Mee (Prawn Soup Noodle)

For those who do not know what is Penang Har Mee, maybe I try to describe it a bit to help you get an idea. In fact, it is a kind of soup noodle. The soup base is cooked with prawn shell to get the 'fresh' prawn taste. The standard noodle served is mixed of yellow noodle and thin rice noodles. If you prefer instant noodle, they do have it. The common ingredients are egg, small prawn, pork slice, bean sprout and some vegetables. The extra ingredients that could top up are pork rib, roasted pork, small mantis shrimp and etc.

Could you see the pork rib and roasted pork?

Due to it is one of the famous Har Mee, the price is bit higher compare to others. The standard bowl is at RM4 or RM5. If you wish to top up some other ingredients, then it would reach RM6. Like my order above, it was RM6. 

Besides Har Mee, we noticed that most of the customers did order a pancake sold by a aunty. So we decided to try it out.

Pancake at RM5

No surprise with the pancake, but it was still tasty. In fact it is quite special due to not many places selling pancake in this way. Since I like banana, the combination of banana and egg still within my preference level. In terms of pricing, I think it is overprice where simple good like this charged us at RM5. But if you never seen this food before, then RM5 is worth, at least this is what I'm thinking. :)

Outlook of Sin Kim San Coffee Centre

Sin Kim San Coffee Centre is located at the corner of Jalan Rangoon to Jalan Macalister (Macalister Road). It is opposite the Esso Petrol Station. Along the Jalan Macalister, this coffee centre is same row with Red Rock Hotel and within walking distance. So, go to Jalan Macalister, look for Red Rock Hotel and Esso Petrol Station, then you will find the Sim Kim San Coffee Centre. Enjoy!

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Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part II

After visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha and Yakshas, we move towards a Sri Lankan style stupa which is in shining golden colour.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi

The stupa is named as Phra Sri Ratana Chedi. According to the information, it was built for enshrining chest bone ashes of Buddha. 

Next to the Phra Sri Ratana Chedi is the Phra Mondop which built in Thai style. It is a repository built by King Rama I for Buddhist sacred scriptures that inscribed on palm leaves, which contained in a cabinet inlaid with mother-of pearl.

Phra Mondop

Statue in front of Phra Mondop

From Phra Mondop, we move to Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn. No idea on name of the building? Me too. When translated into English, it is named as The Royal Pantheon. When have a bird view of this building, then you would found that it is in cross (十) shape. Of course we had no chance to get bird view, just referred to the information in hand..hehe..

Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn

Do you notice the pagoda on top of the Pantheon?

The Royal Pantheon is open to public once a year and we heard that there are enshrined statues of Kings of current Chakri Dynasty.  In front the Pantheon, there are two large golden chedi which built by King Rama I in commemorating His parent.

The Golden Chedi

Each golden chedi is designed to be supported by 20 demon statues that believe to be the guardian of The Grand Palace.

Not far from the golden chedi, there is Angkor Wat. What..Angkor Wat?? Yes, but in mini size. Hehe...Although I had not been to the real Angkor Wat before, but the model was looked like same piece with the real (from photo), just in mini size.

Miniature Angkor Wat

When looked close to the model, we were amazed by the craftsmanship where the tiny parts were also being carved patiently. This mini Angkor Wat was built by the request of King Rama IV as the memorial of Angkor Wat and Cambodia which was ruled by Siam long time ago.

The Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, Phra Mondop, Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn and Miniature Angkor Wat are four main monuments found on the Upper Terrace. When we walked around the Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (The Royal Pantheon), we noticed the chedi below:

Phra Asada Maha Chedi

I did not know what was it during my visit, just noticed there are total eight similar chedi in one row. After search from net, they discovered that this group of chedi was built in reign of King Rama I and each of the chedi is having different color and dedicated to certain concept or specific element of Buddhism.

After visited most of buildings that having legendary or religious background, we then move towards another section of The Grand Palace. On the way, we saw the guards below:

Most of visitors were too excited seeing the guard in smart uniform and took turn to take photo with them. I was also joining in until forgot to snapshot on the building they guarded. In fact, they were guarding the Borom Phiman Mansion but it was closed and tourist not allow to visit it. This western style mansion was built in 1903 by King Rama V. Now it is served as the Royal Guest House for visiting Head of State and guests of Their Majesties.

From there, we entered the Audience Hall of Amarindra Winitchai. The Audience Hall was built in 1785 during the reign of King Rama I. There is a grand throne in the hall, not to miss it. But unfortunately we not allowed to take photo in the hall..so please take a look during your visit. Remember to remove you cap before enter the hall.

Then we took this gate which linked to the section where Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.

And this is the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall....

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall

Chakri Maha Prasat Hall was built by King Rama V and completed in 1882. It is the biggest hall within The Grand Palace. The architectural design of this hall looked like combining the western and traditional Thai style. The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall consists of the Central Throne Hall and the two wings.

After that we proceed to The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall. Same to most of the hall requirement, no cap and no photo/video shooting.

The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall

The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall was built by King Rama I. The principle function of this hall has been and still is a hall for the lying-in-states of kings, queens and honoured members of the royal family. It is also used for the annual Coronation Day Ceremony.

Before we left, I noticed the Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion. Hence took a photo with it.

Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion

This Aphorn Phimok Prasat Pavilion was built by King Rama IV as a robing pavilion for the king to change his regalia when entering the Maha Prasat premises. It is also as the king's royal palaquin mounting platform.

Although there were some other areas where we yet to take a look, but we decided to end our visit here. After that, we went to the Queen Sirikit Museum Shop to buy some souvenir before we step out from the compound of The Grand Palace.

After all, I was enjoying in The Grand Palace, the compound with buildings that full of legend and history.  But I strongly recommend the new visitors to engage a tour guide (those who station within the compound, but not outside the palace) to help you understand the history and unique of the building so that you could appreciate more on the architectures. Besides, the palace is really big and some structures looks similar, you may lost and confused whether there is any other areas that yet to visit. We were so regret we did not hire a guide. Last but not least, we roughly spent two hours for our entire visit. Enjoy!!

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Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part I

As mentioned in previous post, our trip to The Grand Palace was through riding the Blue Flag Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to Tha Chang Pier. When we landing, we followed the way and continue walked until to the road side. At the junction, we noticed that there was white colour wall which slightly far from our right hand side, and it is the outer wall where The Grand Palace located.

We cross the road and got near to the white wall, then move towards the crowds. Due to this is a hotspot, there was lot of tourist groups gathered at the gate, so move toward the crowds should be a wide decision. Of course, our hypothesis was right. 

Before went into the compound, I saw the signboard below. I think it is good for sharing so I snapshot and post it here. The Grand Palace is opened daily include Sunday from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Appropriate cloth is needed. And the tip is DO NOT TRUST WILY STRANGERS. But luckily we were not approached by any of the so-called scammers.

There was a soldier stand beside the gate! Yes, Soldier! Not Security!! But we do not violate any rules so no need to be scared..haha!! After got into the compound, there was lot of tourists from different countries were found gathered here. Initially we thought that Friday is weekday and not much locals visit the palace, hence we could be more relax in visiting it. However we were totally wrong, of course locals might not be many but tourists everywhere. Remember to apply sunblock on each skin area that exposed to the sun, or you might got sunburnt like me. Really hot..hot..hot!

When we entered the gate, there was lot of people queueing at the right, look like went into the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. In fact, they were queueing to rent the clothing. Oh ya..proper attire is required to enter the palace. It is stated on the signboard above, so I won't repeat here again. We do agree that Bangkok is hot so most of tourist prefer to wear in light and short, no problem with it but whenever need to enter the palace or temple, then cloth renting is required. However, I would still advise the visitor to consider in attire that meet the minimum requirement so that could save some time to queue and rent clothing at the counter.

Snapshot while walked to the ticketing counter

We followed the way to the ticketing counter and got our ticket at 500 Baht per person. Not cheap but worth it because the ticket is for three locations. If you have time, lets visit all 3 locations. We have no time for all, only for The Grand Palace.

When got through the entrance, the guard was offering the visitors with the visitor booklet. Get a copy with your preferred language for free. It is useful as a map to guide you on how to visit The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, if you know how to read it. Besides, there is also some background and history of the palace and the buildings within the compound.

Visitor Booklet in Different Language for Free

The first building we saw was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The temple (in fact most of the buildings) is golden in colour, looked grand and stately.

Before enter the temple, remember to take off the shoe and place it in the shoe rack provided.

The Emerald Buddha is in the centre of the temple. But sorry, no photographing allowed. So most of the visitors could only took photo from outside. There were many Buddhist praying during our visit. Could you notice the Emerald Buddha in the photo below?

The Emerald Buddha is carved from a block of green jade and was first discovered in year 1434. The Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand where people convene to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and His Teachings. According to the information, the costumes of Emerald Buddha are changed three times a year in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King.

Where I walked around the temple, I saw the activity below. The visitors were taking the lotus stem (I guessed), and immerse it into the water, then wetted their head with this wet lotus stem. When I got near to it, than only I knew that it is 'holy water' that believe to be could blessed the people whenever apply it on the head. I did followed others to apply it. After my turn, then only I heard from a tour guide that the application should be in 3 times..Oooo..I only applied once!!! Anyway I still felt happy because I truly believe that with our sincerity, we would still being blessed. :)

When we first saw the Yaksha, we were so impressed and would like to take photo with it. But no chance to take the individual image as they were so popular and attracted many visitors to snapshot with it. When we walked around the temple than only we realized there are more than two Yakshas. If not mistaken, there are total 12 Yakshas within the compound. Some areas have less visitors, so still have chance to take individual photo, haha..! In Thailand, Yakshas are common gate guardians in Buddhist temple since 14th century.

The trip was not ended here yet..but would be continue in the Part II..

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