Thailand 2004 travelogue BKK & USM

We visited only two temples whilst in Thailand Big Buddha on Samui and Wat Pho in Bangkok.

The big Buddha is on a hill in the north of Samui. Standing nearly 20m high is dominates the area.

We wandered around in the heat on an extremly hot day. The reflection from the stone is incredible. It was built in the 1960's and is a popular religious and of course tourist attraction.

The have an ingenious plan to raise money for the temple. You donate 20 baht to buy a brick. This you can sign and it will eventually be part of the temple. Howver for a buddhist temple some of the inscriptions are a little suspect

Then of course other people miss the point completely and write anything. The bucket & Spade brigade are definitely on their way to Samui

We also visited Wat Pho in Bangkok. A truly magnificient place. The sense of calm falls over all who enter. We splashed out 200 baht (£3.00) on a guide. He was truly worth it and told us much more than we would ever have known.

There are serval large buddha in the temple, with the most famous being the lying Buddha. A truly world class treasure.

Whilst in the temple grounds we visited Mr K Kasem a fortune teller who told us our past present and future. I was absolutely stunned by his revelations. He told me that Music is an important part of my life. Yow! my DJ career is written in the stars. He also told me I have 3 children 2 girls and a boy. True.... well legally true... with me having 1 daughter of my own and 2 step children and all by reading my palm, I was impressed. He also told Ang & I that we have met our match in each other.But I knew that already. He also told me of my long life and good fortune who could ask for more apart from the home truths.

this was the first time I have really looked at Buddhism and it was fasinating as it gave you an insight to the true meaning of Thai life - their beliefs and their culture.