Bangkok Pilgrimage

Bangkok may be a shopping haven to most of the tourists visiting the country. Little do a few know that this country is a home as well for pilgrimage. Predominantly Buddhist, Bangkok has more than 30,000+ temples, seen and distributed throughout the city.

Our second day itinerary was dedicated in frequenting the best, not to mention the most visited temples and religious sites not only for tourists but for locals as well. It was a must to engage ourselves in this cultural immersion. We had to partake and involve ourselves in experiencing this one of a kind trip, this adventure.



So in preparation for this so-called pilgrimage, we had to stuff a lot of carbs so we could walk, trek, run, climb or do whatever physical activity needed to keep up with our itinerary.

The first thing in my mind was stuffing up. In a more formal term - gluttony. Please do not be mistaken, the food on my plate was just a primer on what they offered. I went for breakfast themes. This my friends was what American breakfast was all about. I did a couple of trips back to the buffet table to try some other food offerings there. My photo was just the first of my 3 rounds, hihi.

Breakfast was just plain yummy. A lot of choices from breads to cereals to porridges to rice to main courses. You name it. They got it. They had a lot to choose from, except for ice cream. Who would want ice cream in the morning? Who in the world would ask for an ice cream early in the morning? Even children know better. Chris and Chars, can you even imagine? Haha.

After the sumptuous meal and four bulging stomachs, we still managed to have a good photo taken. The oh-so-good-food needs a perfect complement - a photo for keepsake. So after eating, we could not resist the Bangkok charm. There was nothing better than the Bangkok breeze touching your face after a sinful breakfast. Pure Bangkok air from a 43rd floor balcony of what once considered the tallest building in Thailand - Baiyoke Suites. It was almost orgasmic. But then again, I can only imagine.

After a few snapshots and a heavy breakfast, we started our trip for the day. The trip to the Chao Phraya River. The river that keeps Thailand on the map for trade. Our Tour Guide - Mr. Bank was saying that the river was very clean though the water was murky. The reason behind it was that water comes straight from the mountains down to Thailand. So there was no time for the water to clear.

We had the chance to get in a boat and journey the long stretch of the river. We had seen variety of temples on our way to Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn. The temples were really lavish structures. Very well built and the details were just unbelievable. Bangkok is indeed one darn place to visit. Those temple structures I only saw in books were in front of me. Real ones. My eyes were feasting and twinkling. I was just gazing at them, in plain awe.



The trip was reinforced with so much eureka moments when we got to Temple of Dawn - Wat Arun. This is a photo of me doing the traditional Thai pose. Can you see the designs of the temple? I did mimic the pose. And boy I was so awkward. But who cares. I still look fierce. Period. No objections.


After each of our solo photos taken, we of course would not dare to leave the place without our group photo. Sharing this experience with friends just doubled the "unforgetfulness" of this experience. It maybe hot climbing the stairs and moving around the premises. But no matter how scorching hot the sun was, for some reason, it became tolerable. Getting a tan from going around Wat Arun was something anybody could NOT do everyday, except if you were working there.




After the sunbathing at the temple task at Wat Arun, we needed to stuff ourselves again. We took our lunch at a local restaurant and ate our stomachs out. We still had to go to the famous "Four-Face Buddha" destination to conclude our Bangkok Pilgrimage. We heard from our Tour Guide that it was the place to go for well-wishers and people who needed some divine help from Buddha.

We all offered flowers and incenses to the Four Face Buddha. We all had our open mind to try and respect their faith. We all did what we were instructed to do. We did what we were told. We followed the instructions in praying and asking for our wishes to be granted.

It was a solemn experience. It gave me the added kick I needed to assure myself and prove to myself that I needed it. It gave me that other aura for respect for other religion and the knack in blending with others without prejudice.

After visiting the place, we all felt revitalized. We left the place with so much respect and tranquility.



Bangkok is just simply amazing.