Tag: elephant

temple visit

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My flight to Thailand few years back was a bit “dramatic” because the “red versus yellow shirt” riot was unfolding. Jaa, my Thai friend called me and suggested that I should rebook my trip and just go there during the Chinese New Year. I followed her advise.

Jaa was kind enough to help me find a place to stay and treat me to a trip to the floating market and elephant village.  Since it was Chinese New Year, my eagerness to swing by to temples increased! Ha!

with Jaa

The boat ride onward the Temple of Dawn was invigorating. I also got to see small temples on the way.  I did manage to look around and meditate a bit in the Temple of Dawn. The structures were overwhelming! I had a hard time taking photos because I was scared of heights ! Arghhhh!

boat ride

temple of dawn

The next stop was the Wat Pho temple (a.k.a. Temple of the Reclining Buddha)… This time, I rode a tuktuk to get there.  It’s nerve-wracking to see the Reclining Buddha, it’s too huge! I felt like it will wake up any moment and will turn the place upside down. Ignore me. I have a very weird imagination (sometimes!). :p

reclining buddha

wat pho

Checking out the temples served as an eye-opener for me. The devotees’ and temple caretakers’ passion and discipline can be felt within the temple. I find the atmosphere strange at the same time, commendable.

Until the next adventure! Aja!

 

elephant ride

I can’t stop grinning whenever I remember my first elephant ride in Thailand. I never imagine that in my lifetime I would experience riding an elephant. It’s pretty scary at first because you have to climb a tree house and then “jump” to the elephant. “Jump” meaning from the tree house, you need to cautiously go to the elephant’s back with the help of the elephant “driver”.

At the tree house, there’s a long queue of tourists eagerly waiting for their turn. I was so excited that I did not mind the queue at all. I waited patiently for my turn while doing some snapshots.

I managed to make my way on the elephant’s back without mishap. Good thing my elephant is not rowdy… I was able to have a great time during the elephant ride while enjoying the scenery under the scorching heat of the sun.

elephant ride in Thailand

The elephant “driver” was very pleasant and offered to take my photos. He was also selling well-crafted jewelry. The jewelry is beautiful but I politely declined because I can’t afford it.

A cold drink and a wet tissue were provided after the ride.

If you happen to visit Thailand or any place in the world wherein there is an elephant ride, I suggest you go for it! It’s one of the greatest lifetime experiences.