Wat Pho

Hey everyone! I haven't had access to WiFi for a few days, so I have a lot of posts to share. Last week, my host mom arranged for a friend, Aor, to act as my guide for the day. First stop, Wat Pho!

Wat Pho is definitely a must-see in Bangkok. Not only is it the location of the famous Reclining Buddha, but it's also where traditional Thai medicine and massage was first practiced and is still upheld today. I have a ton of pictures, but I did my best to narrow it down.

A lot of awesome travel destinations in Bangkok are conveniently located along the Chao Phraya River, so we traveled by boat for the day.

                               


Before entering the temple that houses the Reclining Buddha, you must first take off your shoes. I'm not sure if it's due to the amount of foot traffic they receive, but they actually give you a tote bag to carry your shoes in, as opposed to leaving them outside the entrance.

Here are a couple of things you need to know before visiting temples:
1. Shoes aren't allowed, so wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
2. Cover up! I was actually surprised by the amount of people who didn't seem to know this. It only takes two minutes of research to find out that you can't show your shoulders or knees, which is why I'm wearing pants in the incredibly hot weather.


Phra Buddha Saiyas
The Reclining Buddha

      
     




          


Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn
The Great Pagodas of Four Kings

        
        

      

Check out how absolutely gorgeous the sky was that day! I know the Reclining Buddha is the most popular sight for tourist at Wat Pho, but I'm absolutely in love with the pagodas. The colorful mosaics are stunning works of art, and each is more beautiful than the next one. I spent a good portion of my time at Wat Pho just circling the pagodas. The blue sky made a perfect backdrop for pictures. :)

The Contorting Hermit Hill (Khao Mor)

             
        

Buddhas

Wat Pho contains hundreds of Buddhas, but I somehow managed to pick out just three photos.

           
                

That's it for Wat Pho! As I mentioned in the beginning, traditional Thai massages are still taught and practiced here. We concluded our trip by visiting the Medical and Massage School to receive foot massages. It's not a bad way to end a two hour walking tour, especially when it comes out to only $8 for half an hour!

 Our next stop was Wat Arun. Check out my next post for pictures. :)