Reclining Buddha

  Housed in the oldest temple of Bangkok, the gold plated Reclining Buddha about 46 meters long and 15 meters high illustrates the passing of Buddha into the state of nirvana.

Here's a closer look of the head of the Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple) in Bangkok. My ADMU professor, Dr. Carol, wanted to be just the background, LOL.

Another angle. Taking a picture there needs much time as a lot of tourists all want to capture this image.

 Considered the oldest temple in Bangkok being built 200 years before this city of angels became the capital of the kingdom, Wat Pho is one of the most visited temples in Thailand. It's conveniently located close to a boat pier and Sanam Luang, the government center of Thailand, so it's very convenient to get here by river cruises or tourist/ passenger boats traversing the scenic Chao Phraya River if you want to go temple hopping. It's just across Temple of the Dawn or Wat Arun and a walking distance to Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Temple), both frequently visited temples in Thailand as well.

It's really amazing to see how the ancient people built a very high temple with such an impressive artistry.

Look how ornate the designs are. This made us all sigh in awe, "Truly Amazing Thailand!" Posing with the old temple guard is my former professor Dr. O, then English Chairperson of the Ateneo de Manila University.

More posts with yellows here  and reds here.

Ayutthaya Ruins

 A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya (or Ayudhya) Historical Park is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Thailand. Ayutthaya used to be the old capital of the Kingdom of Thailand or Siam. The city was destroyed by the Burmese Army in 1767, sacking the kingdom's treasures including its golds. So these are its remains.

According to Wikipedia, Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana or Ramakien in Thai.

Our Thai friend who brought us to this spectacular place, two-hour ride from Bangkok, told us that many treasures of the kingdom like gold were kept  in this part of the palace. Some of them were not found by the attackers so they are now kept in different museums of Thailand. Some of them we also visited. Thanks to our very nice friend, Adisak, a university professor who was such a gracious and expert tour guide.

Our two kids who were then 9 and 7 years old three years ago alternately took some of these photos. It was such a hot summer when we went there so I got a migraine spell. We plan to go there again not during the hot season to take more quality pictures.

This is the Golden Buddha statue that is left intact now kept at a wat (temple) in the heritage site. Most of the Buddha images were beheaded by the Burmese. 

 Here's one of the wats or temples inside the historical park.

For more posts with reds, visit Work of the Poet by Mary here.

Rachapruk: National Tree of Thailand

Rachapruk or Golden Shower is the National Tree of Thailand. The tree with showers of blooming flowers makes the surrounding so bright.

Rachapruk flowers fully bloom in March until April so they can be seen everywhere on the roadsides or in the parks in Thailand these days.

Check out more Scenic Sunday here

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and Mellow Yellow Monday here.

Red Shirts' Blood Donation to Curse?

What's going on in Thailand? Guess everyone has read it on the net or newspapers and seen it on TV. Here's BBC news with a Youtube video fresh from Bangkok.
The red shirts showing support for the ousted PM Thaksin are donating 1 million cc of blood if Prime Minister Abhisit will step down from his post. If not, they will spill it over the Parliament House to curse him.
For us here, we just wish for peace to reign. If the red side takes over the house, the yellow side might protest again to topple down the leader and vice versa. When will all this vicious cycle of political chaos end?
Let's all pray for lasting peace in Thailand.

More Ruby Tuesday posts here. 

Exotic Thai Crispies

Have you ever tasted any of these crispies? If you visit Thailand, you may try some. They can be found on streets. On the top left is golden brown silkworm. On top right is yellow silkworm larvae. Yes, silkworm that feeds on mulberry leaves. All these are fried crisply and sprinkled with salt and spices. Below (right) is mole cricket caught from rice fields when farmers harrow the soil. Such yummy creepers! (Sorry for the quality of this photo.)

Closer view of fried silkworm. Wanna try? Said to be a good source of protein. I'll dare to try it if I'm ready.

No, these are not large cockroaches! These are water bugs. Dare to try it? I haven't yet.

Here are pests turned into food. Fried grasshoppers for dinner, anyone? Also eaten in the Philippines.

Crickets are known edible even in Bible times. Yummy!

See what kind of bug it is.

Check out more interesting Mellow Yellow Monday goodies here.

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Sunshine Award

 Thanks to Cafeby for this sunshine award.
Now, I am passing on this award to the following bloggers:
dhemz of My Life's Perception & Inspiration
scribbler of Life in the UK.
gleen of A Peek into my Life
jinky of Small Steps by Jinky
kero of Kero's Celebration
faye of Me in the Dutch Society
nuts of  More Than Just a SAHM

Here are the rules for nominating this award:
* Put the logo on your blog or within your post
* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers
* Link the nominees within your post
* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Suvarnabhumi Airport: The New Pride of Thailand

 

 Do you recognize this architecture? It's Thailand's new symbol - one of the world's busiest and best airports - the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Also in the photo is a Thai Airways plane, the country's flag carrier. Have you heard of its slogan? "Smooth as silk!"

Here's an island of beautiful orchids and ornamental plants that breaks the monotony of people rushing for their departures. Many people take photos here as the gorgeous orchid blooms are so captivating.

   

I love this purple vanda.  

And this. A wonder to me as these leaves are filled with holes designed by nature.

To be close with nature amidst the deafening noise of engines and swarming people...

  

 Here's a shot of the three levels of this gigantic airport.

  

 Here's something "Thai" at the airport.

 

In case you haven't taken a picture at one of the symbols of Thailand- magnificent temples- you can take photos in these murals close to the Passport Control area. With it, it may appear that you have really been to Thailand, LOL!

Thanks to Khun Mo of the School of Architecture of KMUTT for taking the first photo for me on our flight from Bangkok to Chiangmai.

Check out more Scenic Sunday posts here.

Varieties of Waterlilies and Lotus in Thailand

 White waterlilies are so rare.

 Here's a different variety - purple pink.

And the most common - deep pink.

  

Pink waterlily blossom amidst azollas

  

Yellow is also rare.

Insects are attracted to these beautiful flowers.

And this one is unique, too - purple.

 

I love this variety of multi-layer pink lotus.

  

Multi-layer white lotus with green accent

  

It's a single layer white lotus with blossom about to open. This variety has pink color as well.

  

Here's a lotus blossom used as offering for Buddhist religious ceremonies.

  

Here's a digital macro shot of white lotus with yellow seed head. This seed head becomes green when mature like the one at the back of this lovely flower. It is also used for flower arrangements and for offering. Its seeds are edible. The stalk or rhizome of lotus is also eaten in Thailand and different parts of the world.

I took these photos on different days and places around Bangkok while enjoying outdoors. I'm joining another Wednesday meme- Outdoor Wednesday- for the first time as it's a good way to set off stress on midweeks especially when the tough gets going. The famous saying goes:

"Go out and smell the roses".

For more Watery and Outdoor Wednesday posts, click the badge below and here for Outdoor Wednesday.