Phuket

Well. You might have heard about it for Leo’s movie ‘The Beach’. If not, must have heard about it when the deadly Tsunami struck it a few years back. Yaup…Phuket it is on this travelogue of wandering monk (ey)! If I have to name one beach holiday that one can soak up in everything….culture to adventure tourism....shopping to clubbing, eating to lazing around , it will undoubtedly be Phuket .(Of course I have not yet visited Bali…but till then..!).

When I said all, I do not intend to mislead. If you are the “culture crazy” sort, Phuket fantasea, situated on the east of this paradise island, is the one. Quoted as the Thai version of Cirque De Soleil, you get a slice of Thai culture through their ‘Ramayana’ show.Filled with great acrobatic stunts and traditional dance, it lives to its namesake even though there is no English interpretation. Of the many temples around, Wat Chalong is the main and popular one .The weekend markets at the Wat Chalong gives a feel of the Thai village market. You can get good deals here if you are into local stuff.

Phuket is a huge island with lot of good beach stretches, mostly on the west and south side of the island. More Popular is Patong. More peaceful are Kata, Karon and the rest down under. Beaches are for lazing around and do some watersport like parasailing. Tuk-Tuk and Motor Bikes are good to get you out and about. Apart from beaches on the island, day trips to Phi Phi circuit and Phang Nga circuit are a must and ‘not-to-miss-for-anything’!

A Phi Phi day trip consists of stepping on the Maya Bay (to feel like
Leonardo Di Caprio for a short while and take some great shots of the breathtaking nature around), a sortie in the sea lagoon, snorkeling at Loh Samah Bay (emerald green waters steaming with a vibrant aquatic life and corals. lot of fusiliers when I jumped in), feeding our monkey brethren on the monkey island (seriously! We have been neglecting them for a while. Time to Make up with Bananas and Diet Coke for their lunch.), lunch (now for humans!) at the famous Phi Phi Don (Big) island, and a laze-like-lizard session at the Koh Kai (Egg) island. Checkout the breakwater rocks at the egg island.

Phang Nga is not exactly a idyllic beach excursion but it is more to experience the beautiful hill formations in the Phang Nga bay, go sea canoeing under the rock formations in the middle of the sea (ya...crouch and canoe in the sea caves.. it is safe and quite enjoyable traversing the caves),visit Koh Tapu(aka Nail Island aka James Bond Island made famous by the Roger Moore’s 007 Movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'), checkout the thai life on a big floating village .Koh Panyee..(for the record, it is a muslim floating village.)They got a mosque, hospital, shops, and houses all floating on the waters. It is an interesting life to live afloat all the while, I guess. It is a half day trip where you cross Phuket to Phang Nga (Krabi province) by road and then ferry across the waters.

For shopaholics, Phuket has its own Chaatuchak near Patong and a night market on Bangla road too. You find lot of mimic art galleries where you can get a duplicate of famous paintings done. They are worth the buck but do bargain. Nightlife on Phuket is mostly around Patong, a bit crazy. For adrenalin buffs, you can do the bungee (60m jump over a lake from a crane) or hire a bike to go around the island to explore on your own. Try to catch sunset over Promthep (cape of brahma),the southern tip of the island. For gastro maestros, you get all kinds of cuisine everywhere( for the thick stomachs,count fried crickets and bbq roaches too). Needless to say,Thai food rules as best. Last to say, Do pamper yourself with a leg massage whenever you are tired a tiny weenie bit. Remember it is a holiday :)

Phuket for me has been nothing short of a great adventure... where I challenged myself to dare the limits. I did my first bungee..and boy..it was one hell of a jump(though it is 'just' 60m...I fizzled at the top.So I closed my eyes and stood over the edge...the jumpmaster gave me a nudge..and there I was with the wind buzzing in my ears as I felt like a piece of rock heading to water.Katakkkk... I was swirled up and about...I made as much noise as my heart could... in hope they will bring me down. While lowering..I was so frantic to reach the ground, I caught hold of the guy trying to bring me down and drag him up..He panicked too.It was exactly a youtube material drama.

To go about in Phuket, we (me and my travel buddy Shuk) hired a bike. I was so- so with bike and he did not know how to ride. Going from Kata to Wat Chalong, you have to travel over the hill with many tourists edging their way around in bikes. As usual, I was very much 'myself'..on the edge and drove around like on army mission. After the ride,Shuk promised never to ask me to drive.

As it was not enough, We decided to try out amateur scuba session. And you can surely guess I did this with poise. While Shuk was comfy with the equipment, I was ..hmmm..testing it. The dive master decided not to risk his reputation and made me put a glass helmet(like in those 'abyss' movies) and jump overboard. My request for a life jacket was scoffed with humor and scorn and that's how I made my descent to downunder.After all the hullabaloo on the coral island, I finally got to walk around the seabed ,feeding fusiliers and finding nemo's. It was a great experience which made me move closer by six feet to scuba diving.I am still trying to perfect swimming...:)

Phuket as most would agree is the complete island holiday. All yours to enjoy it your way! I did it my way....

Tuk and Tuk equals Tuk Tuk!

Bangkok- the word is enough to present a myriad of thoughts. Spirituality to Kings. Of Wats and Monks. Of Tuk-Tuks and Sleaze.Of Shopping and bargaining.Of MBK and Chaatuchak.One city that I waited for two and half years to explore ,just being an hour-haul from Singapore.This is a city that still adores and reveres its glorious history.A fusion of a Royal kingdom and a Modern city.Crazy,Noisy,Vivacious. Land of Happiness.Land of the White Elephants.Truly an experience to indulge.

The first thing on my cards were the Wats(Temples).Started off with Wat Arun on a hot and humid afternoon. Best way to go is by the river taxi on the Chao Phraya River(Just at the exit of Saphan Taksin BTS).Gives you good feel of Thai life style ..People..And a whiz through the main city. You don't feel like being in Venice but it is definitely worth to check out this way. Fast and Economic.

Wat Arun looks splendid on its own.Separated by the Chao Phraya River from the other Wats and the Grand Palace, it overlooks them gracefully as a testimony to the history of the 'Krung Thep'(as is bangkok known )This was the first temple built to portray the glory of the Rama dynasty.What remains of the temple is grey structure bedecked with Chinese ceramic art over a phallic stupa.Truly a fusion between Chinese and Khmer architecture. The architecture is very similar to what you find around in this region. Temple with Tiers symbolising the concept of King being the incarnation of god or maybe even, the stages of ascension to spirituality.Hailed as the Temple of the Dawn ,an evening under its tutelage is spiritually endearing.We could get up the temple till the second level .The top two levels are closed .You can bet the view would be absolutely stunning.Good to hire the guide(which we did not do as we entered through the "Exit" and exited through the "Entrance").

Right across ,just like a "SIAM"ese twin,is the Wat Po. You need to shuttle between the river on another separate taxi. This one hops between Wat Po and Wat Arun. Wat Po , more known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, houses a majestic Buddha resting with a peaceful smile on his right hand.

The Feet are done intricately with Mother of Pearl, depicting the 108 forms of godly things birds to umbrellas(Royal Insignia of Thailand).

Being the Queens birthday week and a full moon day,we(My Mom and ME!) got lucky.The monks just finished their prayers for the Queens wellbeing in the sanctum sanctorum which houses the Golden Buddha .Pardon me. I can get exhausted with superlatives here. It is truly divine. A smiling Golden Buddha perched upon a high majestic throne lit around with oil wickers.It pulls you to a different dimension of happiness.This part of the temple is only accessible to the monks. This is the most enthralling part of the trip.

As evening set, we hopped back by the river again and set to MBK shopping mall. This is a HUGE flea market given a cosmetic makeover. Shopping here is real fun and exhausting. If you are shopaholic, this is one of the place to just do the binge thing in Bangkok. 8-storeyed and numerous stalls .You bet you cant cover them all in single go.It is one of the places in Bangkok to get all the 'real fake' designer stuff.They are just cool.Moneywise too, if you know your bargaining well.

The next day , we set off early morning to Pattaya for a day trip. The Buses out of Ekamai Bus terminal are comfortable and fast 2 Hours,we are the next-most-famous city of Thailand,Pattaya. Though famous for its nightlife, we just confined ourselves to the day to check out the near by islands Ko Lan.It is not that great but worth paying a visit. Parasailing is popular.


Evening was at Mini Siam, a 1:25 scaled miniature monument park with all the Leaning Towers and Mt.Rushmores done well. It has good replication of Thailand on the other side too.So stroll through to feel "It's a small World!".It is good and must visit if you are a photo enthusiast ,you can cover the world in flat 80 minutes with your camera.We hauled over to Bangkok by the night bus.


Bangkok and Gems are synonymous. As much is the quality of the gems, the chances of getting duped by touts is also good enough.Check out the Gem Factory.It is ISO recognized...So prices are bit high but you can be assured that you are getting at least what you think you are buying!

The afternoon was at the complex of Wat Phra Keo(Temple of Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace of the Royal Thai Kingdom. The Wat Phra Keo is medley of architectures. You find Indian,Chinese,Khmer, Burmese,Thai styles mixed very vividly. Look Left..It is Thai.. Look right..It is Chinese.. Look ahead..It is Khmer.

As most temples in Bangkok, this is stunning too and more well maintained. The Main temple has three huge entrances done in three different styles and the motley is perfect.The mirror filigree work is one to check out on the main temple.The Emerald Buddha is not -very-big and open to public on all days.This temple is specially adored by the King.And the only one in Bangkok(or maybe Thailand) where no monks reside in the temple!

In the temple sits a replica of the Angkor Wat temple. Wow!I almost got the shock. Siam Reap..where Angkor Wat is... literally means 'Thai defeated'. The Thais ruled over Khmer empire for 3 years or so.The Then King Jayavarman-VII defeated the Thais and rebuilt the Angkor Wat. The Thais,on the other hand, built this replica back in their palace grounds as a symbol of their conquest over Khmer empire.What a retribution!They have a replica that inherently points they are defeated.I can cook controversy!!! You begin feeling Thais and Khmer empires had this succession of Hindu Kings. Rama dynasty for the Thais and the Jayavarman (fibonacci) dynasty for the Khmer.The Thais love and revere their King and Queen so much that everywhere I could see people wearing yellow and blue shirts,all in honour of the birthday of King and Queen.

The Grand palace is just adjacent to the temple.The Royal Family does not live here anymore and the interiors are not open to public either.It has Thai and Victorian mix of architecture.
Must to do is to get a snap with the white hat donned soldier who looks like a mannequin .Everyone takes a snap and he does not even twitch or smile!(Of Course! Status Quo is He is in the Army Now!)

The next day was Saturday and the best place to check out is the WORLD'S LARGEST FLEA MARKET,Chaatuchak. It is enormous,32 acres of shopping .Crowdy,Noisy,Dusty and Mad shopping. Bargain like you never did. Shop till you die. This is the experience you will never ever get anywhere in the world. From antiques to household decoratives..To real fake designer clothes . From Pets to what-not in this market .Open only on the weekends,It is no exaggeration that you would find half the populace here on the weekend.Had a binge shopping experience from morning 8 till 6PM.For a shopaholic this is the Mecca of Southeast Asia.

A trip to Thailand , with all the shopping binges and temple hopping, is incomplete without getting an authentic Thai massage. It is the sign off for Thailand.A unique experience to get your body twisted out gently like cake dough. For anything more, I leave that to your senses.

I hope you enjoyed reading my travelogue about Bangkok. Do leave your comments.Pulls me up to post more of my jaunts.

Love To Travel and Explore(L.T.T.E. for short)
Sunny

PS: Of course, Try The "Vehicle of the Nation".Tuk Tuk. I missed out one on bargain.
And More!;)

Angkor All

On the Vesak day(Buddha Purnima),I was at Angkor Wat in Cambodia to witness the exemplary monument, a testimony to the fusion of two great religions,Hinduism and Buddhism.

It stood resplendent in the twilight...stark in contrast to the moon,projecting an aura of the glory and the loss that withstood the upheaval of times.Its reflection in the moat carried the reminiscences of the times that passed .Of the times it survived.

Be it Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, there is a pervasive symmetry conspicuous in its architecture.One which signifies a conscious attempt for the attainment of supreme spirituality.. Nirvana in short!


The four faces of Avalokiteshwara (or Jayavarman-VII--He built it all!) symbolize sympathy, compassion,beauty and equanimity as the four directions of the Mahayana Buddhism.


Bayon looks awesome with 54 of these four-faceted structures in a mystical three-tier grey temple.As you step up each tier, it feels like ascending to a level closer to God.Needless to say,it was built to project the concept that King is deemed as incarnation of God .

If you thought Khmer culture is all to Angkor Wat, think again.The Banteay Srei is undoubtedly more beautiful than the rest.Set in pink sandstone and intricate carvings, each pillar..Each wall..Each cornice carries high the Hindu mythology .Alike to how the religion spread from India and transformed into Mahayana Buddhism.

The Angkor is famous for the expeditions that threw light on this fabulous heritage, which got raided up by the jungle and the Khmer rouges. One Pristine ,the later a mayhem. A must visit to the exotic Ta Prohm confirms the state in which the modern world came to know of the glory of Angkor.The Ta Prohm is equally famous for Angelina Jolie's(Lara Croft:The Tomb Raider) slide down the tree in the movie as is for the temple under the power and fecundity of the jungle, which grows over it now.They say.. The roots of history are deep ...you can see it here!

Last but not the least,the feel of the Khmer culture can best be enjoyed with the reticent traditional Apsara dance.

I had a great time there.An interesting thing to notice.You would be really bowled over by the immaculate English that the street kids speak.A contrast to the economical conditions.They come up and ask you which country are you from. They then ask you to buy a photograph from them in very polite manner. If you seem to ignore them, they would put forth a deal.."If I name the capital of your country, Would you buy a photograph from me ,Sir?" You would just be swept off with their accent.I bet!

It is a bit expensive place to visit ,mainly b'cos you need to spend everything in US dollars.Their local currency is just for petty change.A 1 litre mineral water bottle would cost you 1USD.Guess the Americans would also find it hard to ignore.

Do post your comments as I am back to blogging from a hiatus.I wish not to be in it .

An Angkoriomaniac.
Sunny