Wat Arun วัดอรุณฯ, Bangkok

The majestic Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan
I'm not kidding you, that's the actual name of this temple, so to kill less brain cells it's also known as Wat Arun in short.

Built in the 17th century, dedicated to the Hindu God of Aruna, it is the first monument/building that reflects the first light of the morning. Hence the name - Temple of Dawn.


There are so many Yaksa guarding this temple, with them holding all the prangs. The Prangs here are built Khmer style with the main one measuring at the height of 86m / 282 feet.

JS: "Move over Monkey...u r are not a Yaksa but a notti monkey."
-_-"


These precious Yaksas were adorned in beautiful porcelains and colored glass. Though their faces looked scary, they are actually caretakers, guarding whatever secret treasure that's hidden here.


Hello Yaksa....or Raksasa...can u tell me wat u guys are guarding here? I promised I won't tell the rest. Tell me tell me tell mee???

Whatever they are guarding has to be inside the main Prang, standing tall and we had to tilt our neck in pain to have a better look at it. Wow!!!! it's really huge!!!

JS said it's time to climb this temple!!!!
I just noticed he's wearing a shirt that says Tokyo.....when he's in Bangkok...hahaha.

Okie I must say the first tier wasn't that bad, though it's steep it was still climb-able. Huu Haa Hee Haaa up and up and up.

and then the second tier was a killer......
GAH!!!!!
it's like climbing a wall, Each step was high and narrow. I can't even position my one foot onto each step, it has to be put sideways. Seriously it's really like climbing a wall with some steps built onto it.

I couldn't do it, my legs turned jelly for my extreme fear of heights. And like a kid who just dropped his ice cream into the floor, I was so disappointed that I've failed meself.

Oh Lord Wat Arun!!!! what have you done to me??? my hands and legs were shaking, trembling like a cartoon. -_-"


Muahahahahahahahahahahaha u will not conquer our treasure, says Yaksa

I like the intricate porcelain and mosaic works on the surface. There were some beautifully decorated plates out there.


JS then calmed me down at level 1 for just a few nano seconds before he decided he's gonna be a hero and scaled up the steep steps without holding onto anything.

JS: "Look Ma, no hands!!!"
Monkey >.< 

JS had to waved and looked at Monkey then said the top has got the best view in the entire of Old Bangkok. I'm sure it is!!!!

Monkey and her sad face....I wanna climb up too~~~~~


so our dear Hero Stupa climber was bz enjoying the view up there. From here you could see the beautiful Temple of Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

Read bout our visit to Wat Pra Khaew aka the Temple of Emerald Buddha *here*


As both of us were enjoying the view separately, him at the top and me on the 1st tier, more tourists were pouring in from the ferry pier.

these 2 Japanese guys were huffing and puffing their way up...it was so steep it took them quite a while. Once almost at the top, the white shirt guy fell backwards to the horror of his friend *who's at the back of him*. JS's instant reaction was to pull his shirt, and pulled he did.

White shirt Jap Man: "WAAAAAA ARIGATO Gozaimasu...fuuuuuyoohhh kliiii kluuuuu kliiiii kluuuuu."

he sweated a few beads of cold sweat for almost hurting himself and causing a chain-reaction accident all the way down. This is just too farnie not to be shared with my dear readers. We were glad that everyone was OK at the end.

Wow u were a hero!!! u saved many many ppl today!!!
hahahahahaha

the main golden Buddha facing the Chao Praya River
You can try your luck by throwing a coin into the golden bowl held by the Buddha.

Then it's time to say goodbye
and this time we took the 30 cents boat ride back to the other side..
yes me no kidding you....30 cents.


Nope, this wasn't the boat. These are long tail boat, u'll see these cruising around everywhere from the canals to the rivers, emitting such strong diesel smell.



It was a much bigger boat and so goodbye for now Wat Arun. Finally I've climbed it......errr only the first tier...wahahahahaha.

the boat ride was only 5 minutes...just to get across...and we briskly inched our way among the throngs of tourists to more temples around this area.

Earlier that day, when JS drew the blinds...his eyes popped open.

JS: "There's a golf course in the city centre right opposite our hotel!!!!!"
Monkey -_-" Ok bring ur golf bag next time then but this is like a mini 9 hole mickey mouse course.

Men and golf....

Kofuku-ji Temple, Nagasaki

Built at the hilly district of Teramachi, Kofuku-ji is Japan's very first Obaku Zen Buddhist temple. During the Ming Dynasty, merchants came to Nagasaki to trade. Soon they built this temple to worship and to pray for the safety of their journey from China - Japan - China.

The ticketing booth was also painted in red to blend in with this temple. The genial old men then handed us some brochures with information in chinese.....then we had to inform no chinese...then he gave us in korean....no we are not korean....before we could elaborate, he gave us brochures in german then spanish....then we gave up.

"ENGLISH kudasai!!!!"

the temple is also known as Nanking Temple and is now the cultural asset of Nagasaki. There are many other chinese temples along this road. But since this is the first one, we had to visit it hehehehehehe.

It looked so chinese!!!! everything was constructed chinese style including the carvings, statues and landscaping!!!! u no longer see any japanese zen garden.

worshipping with bamboos, pomelos and fruits from the lemon family. The weird looking lemon is called Buddha's hand. Very citrusy and less acid compared to normal lemon. I had my first taste of it in Vienna. *read about it here*

the grave yard was at the back of the temple. 
I think the chinese were great explorers and merchants, to have presence everywhere around the world. Think of Zheng He :))))

Prollie he and his fleets were the one who charted the first world map. U think so? It's still a mystery. But one thing for sure, u can find Chinatown anywhere everywhere around planet Earth. And after this serene visit to Kofuku-ji temple, we headed to Chinatown of Nagasaki for the famous Champon. Which oh well, is a must eat whenever u are in the city of Nagasaki.

Till the next post folks :))))

Senso-ji, Tokyo

Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Founded in 628....yes 6-2-8, that's almost like 1400 years ago. Dedicated to Kannon. The chinese refers Kannon as "Guan Yin" or most famously known as Goddess of Mercy.

Off topic:
oh by the way the camera brand Canon, its name was derived from this beautiful goddess of mercy.

Legend has it that 2 brothers found the statue of Kannon in the nearby Sumida River, thus this temple was built. Over the years of earthquakes and world wars, it has been destroyed and rebuilt. Today Senso-ji is one of the most visited destination in Tokyo.


Kaminarimon Gate, currently all wrapped up with a printed poster of the huge red lantern. It's under restoration. Afterall this lantern is made from paper. On left and right of the lantern stood 2 statues of Gods....also under restoration.


Soon after the first gate is the 250m walkway leading to the main entrance of the temple is filled with little shops selling religious and non-religious merchandises. Including food, nyek nyek nyek. These shops have been here since the 18th century. All 89 of them.

with nothing to buy we scurried our way past these little shops. JS said we had done enuff contributing to the economy of Japan with our expenditures. Bahahahaha

The famous Hozomon Gate with its own pavilion


Believe me, this paper lantern is really HUGE

everything on this gate is huge including this slipper made from dried straws. Touch its base for good luck!!!! :)))) There's a pair, one on each side of Hozomon Gate.

yes yes yes I must TOUCH it but I couldn't reach it!!!!
GAH!!!!!




after the Hozomon Gate is the main courtyard, from here you have a good view of Senso-ji's sloping roof . The other attraction that drew our attention was the main incense burner at the center of the courtyard





visitors and worshipers will try to catch a sniff and fan its smoke onto their body for longevity and good health. The incense here is of a more earthy and spicy notes compared to the chinese incense. It has a soothing nose.


Before you enter to any temples and shrines in Japan, clean urself at the water fountain found near its entrance. It's really easy to find, just follow the sound of water trickling away. Wash both of your hands, then your mouth. Just spit out the water from ur mouth onto the gutter below and place the ladle inverted back to where u took it from.



the main hall was re-built the modern way with 2 sections. The inner section which house the Kannon statue is made with tatami mat floor with restricted access. While the concrete floor section is open to public. This is one of the very few shrines/temples that we don't have to remove our shoes.


the 3rd red lantern at the Main Hall

My face was as big and as round as the main lantern after weeks of eating non-stop multiple meals a day. Bahahahahaha.



Once we were done at the Main Hall, there were still so many people at the incense burner.



The famous 634m SkyTree can be seen from anywhere in Tokyo :)))))

the 5 storied Pagoda was built in 942 and again this was a reconstruction after the numerous fire, earthquakes and war.

it can be seen at almost halls and courtyard that you go to :))))

There is also a beautiful garden inside the temple area....if you prefer to stay away from the crowd, this is it :)))

Hello fishie fishie sekalian, it's raining but I guess u fishes are not affected huh? Afterall u lived with water all your life :P

on the east side of the temple are white lanterns with the name of sponsors and main donors. There are free yummy green tea served here. So take some time, enjoy a cuppa tea and watch the time passes by :))))

Yogodo Hall sits on the North West of Senso-ji. It is much quieter here bcoz most of the tourists are at the Main Hall.

and finally Awashimado Hall which is next to the West exit of Senso-ji

From the West exit u can admire the works of Main Hall's roof.

One cannot leave Tokyo without visiting Senso-ji Temple :))))
for access, take the Ginza line to Asakusa Station. Senso-ji is just a mere 5 minutes walk. With so many shops around this are, you won't even realised the distance spent walking. Afterall it's only 5 minutes, not 50 minutes hahahaha,

for more information, visit:

www.senso-ji.jp