Tropical Punch Tour: Thailand Part 16
Friday, July 30, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand
I heard that the next alley over from my room at Donna Guest House is home to a whole row of vegetarian joints, so I skipped myself over there like a stone. The first one I stumbled upon, May Kaidee’s, whipped up an unassuming-looking bowl of tofu, vegetables and rice that knocked my socks off and turned them into a necktie that I re-gifted to the King of the Universe. No, really, this was the most delicious meal I had eaten since my two weeks of taste bud aerobics in Bali. Not surprisingly, May offers cooking classes at her two restaurants in the area.
Since I got such a late start, I had to see some sights close by. So, I walked a half mile over to Wat Pho, which is merely the oldest temple in Thailand, built in the 17th century, and home of the largest and most beautiful reclining Buddha in the country. Although this gold-coated 140 foot long colossus is indeed grand, it’s a major forehead-slapper that almost all of the tourists completely ignored the rest of the awe-inspiring Wat Pho compound, which is dizzyingly dotted with insanely detailed chedis, halls, pagodas, spires, statues and much more, many of which are completely covered with multiple-colored and even mirrored tile for an over-the-top ornate viewing experience. It’s safe to say that Wat Pho is the first temple I’ve encountered that rivals the most exquisite ones I saw on Bali.
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All words and photos ©2010 Arcane Candy.
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