Friday, March 23, 2018 Koh Samui, Thailand 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

**********************************************************************************************************************************************
I saw the large statue of Kuan Yin.   The Goddess of Mercy, housed outside the shrine within the temple compound.  Kuan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and Compassion who has 18 arms. Guanyin is revered in much of East Asia, in Thailand she is also known as Phra Mae Kuan Im.  Protector of women and children, sick and poor. See her in the picture below.   

Koh Samui is a paradise of long sand beaches, spectacular coral reefs and coconut trees.  Samui means “safe haven”.  It is Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket.  This “safe haven” attracts beachcombers from Thailand and beyond.  Koh Samui retains the slower pace of simpler times.  Tiny fishing boats  bob in the water and retain the traditons of old Siamese fishing villages.  Except that our Viking Sun ship parked on the nets of one group of fishermen.

Introduction of Koh Samui   9:30- 1:00 3.5 hrs.   Visited this island’s revered temples.  As we drove inland, we passed  tropical vegetation, unspoiled villages, and white beaches.   Visited Wat Phra Yai, the Big Buddha Temple, to see a 39 foot-foot golden painted statue of Buddha sitting atop a wide staircase decorated with sculpted dragons and carved naga, deities in the forms of snakes.  The Buddha statue depicts Buddha in a state of calm and purity and resolve, having overcome temptation and fear sent to him by Mara, Lord of Illusion. Known as the Mara posture, the left hand rests palm open and up in the statue's lap, the right hand facing down over the right knee, almost to the ground. Wat Phra Yai is located on Ko Phan, a small island offshore and connected to the mainland by a short causeway.  Since being built in 1972, it has become one of Koh Samui's main tourist attractions and a major landmark.  

Beautiful views from there.  

Then a ten minute drive to Wat Plai Laem, where styles of temple art date back centuries.  The ubosot building is set in the center of a man made lake. The ubosot is the main prayer room and is also the place where ordinations take place.  In the ubosot was a seated Buddha image and beautiful mural paintings telling scenes from the life on the Buddha.

Next I saw the large statue of Kuan Yin.   The Goddess of Mercy, housed outside the shrine within the temple compound.  The first is the huge image of Kuan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and Compassion who has 18 arms. Guanyin is revered in much of East Asia, in Thailand she is also known as Phra Mae Kuan Im.  Protector of women and children, sick and poor.  

Saw a well-trained monkey in the trees collecting coconuts.  

Laughing Buddha at Wat Plai Laem.

Carved panel at Wat Plai Laem.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Wat Plai Laem

Beautiful panels in the ubosot or the main prayer room

This monkey is climbing the tree as he is trained to pick coconuts.  

Wat Phra Yai

If you carefully at this picture, you can see a monkey picking a coconut.  Sorry, you need to look for his butt.  He twists the coconut until it falls.    

Apparently, the Viking Sun parked on the net of these fisherman.  They had two larger boats ready to pick up their catch, but there was no catch.  This picture shows them hauling the net up from under our ship.  The man in the red shirt and the man in the black shirt pulled net for a long time.  

Guard at the bottom of the stairs at Wat Phra Yai.

In a shrine at Wat Phra Yai.

This Reclining Buddha was life-size at the base of Wat Phra Yai.

View from the top of Wat Phra Yai.

Morelife-size Buddhas at the base of Wat Phra Yai.

The fishermen continued hauling up their empty nets as they passed in front of the Viking Sun.

Another Buddha, Avalokiteśvara or Padmapani. Compassion of all Buddhas.  Located at the base of Wat Phra Yai.

Steps leading up to Wat Phra Yai.

2nd day in Bangkok, Thailand 3/22/18

Took hundreds of pictures this day, when I get caught up I will add another Bangkok post.  

Soaring Temples, Rich Culture, Delicious Cuisine  Saw the highlights of  Bangkok during a tour.  Straddling the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok blends Thailand’s traditions with advances of the modern world.  Pass Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), rising above the Chao Phraya’s banks.  Visit Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang, an important landmark which housed the kings of the Chakri Dynasty since 1782.    Lunch was served at a local retaurant.  

Wat Po and Tuk-Tuk Ride  9 hour  7:30-4:30  2.5 hr drive one way.   Wat Fow - Temple of Reclining Buddha.  .  Oldest and largest Buddha.  150 ft long and 50 ft wide.  Gold leafed.  Mother of Pearl eyes. There are 1000 Buddha images spread throughout the Temple area.  Took a short Tuk-Tuk ride in Old Town.    Ended with a one hour buffet lunch at a Ramada. 

Beautiful stupas at the Reclining Buddha's Temple.  

Throughout the garden area there were many Buddhas in various yoga poses.  

I have seen many beautiful Buddha's.  In this temple alone, there were more than I could count.  Over 500.

Back of Reclining Buddha, head to the right.

Back of Reclining Buddha

Feet to the left, Reclining Buddha.  

These beautiful stupas are where families bury their dead.  A few ashes are placed in a box that is placed in the base with a name plague.   The rest of the ashes are spread in a river or ocean.

 I need to do research to understand what the hand positions mean.

I am amazed by the wiring in most of the countries we are visiting.  

This Reclining Buddha is 150 ft long and 50 ft high.

FACEBOOK summary  Bangkok, Thailand - One thing that I learned in this port is that when planning a cruise, notice where are you docking (Laem Chabang) and where are the excursions (Bangkok). This was an overnight port so I rode a minimum of five hours on the bus two days in a row. 

The first day, we left the ship in the afternoon to travel the 83 miles to Bangkok. Our first stop was Wat Trimitr to see the Golden Buddha which you see in the picture. This is the world’s largest solid gold statue with a weight of 5.5 tons. We then walked around Chinatown’s streets and visited Old Market where we saw a lot of interesting food. Be sure to check out the roasted pig head’s picture in the comments. We also went to Dragon Temple. A highlight for me was a trip to a massage school where I had an hour-long foot reflexology that was excellent. We enjoyed Thai herbal whisky and Pad Thai at a tep bar in an area with many colonial buildings. While we were at the bar, we were entertained by young musicians playing classical Thai music. Our last stop was the Patpong Night Market which had clothing, jewelry, etc. in a collection of little stands. I bought some inexpensive, comfy pants and my friends that have seen them liked them so much I wish I had bought more to give away. The Night Market was surrounded by a lot of Men’s Clubs, I definitely felt the area was a little sleazy. We spent one hour in the market and then spent our last hour in the lobby of a hotel waiting for the bus to take us back to the ship. Back on board the ship at 2:00 AM.

The second day, we left at 7:00 AM. I must have been insane. We rode around the streets of Bangkok in Tuk-tuks and visited two more temples. The Reclining Buddha is 150 ft long and 50 feet wide. This is the oldest and largest Buddha in Thailand. I was unable to get a picture due to the size of this Buddha. She is gold-leafed and has Mother of Pearl eyes. There are at least 1000 Buddha images throughout this temple. I noticed many different hand positions and know that they all have different meanings. We saw many beautiful stupas which are where families bury their dead. It was an interesting stop and included much beauty.

Bangkok, Thailand., Day 1 March 21, 2018

Hope all is well.  Very busy touring everyday.  I am in Singapore today 3/25 and way behind on my posts...

Bangkok offered vibrant night life.  Markets.  Rivers and canals crisscross each other.    Temples.     The real name of Bangkok has 162 letters.  30,000 wats in Thailand with the  Emerald Buddha, Reclining Buddha, many more Buddhas.  Buddhists pray for good health, good fortune and seek advice from monks.  All males become monks for 15 days before marriage, some 3 months, some forever???   Bangkok has had several uprisings.  Bangkok is spiritual, economic etc center.  

Bangkok by Night  Walking Through Chinatown and Patpong.   Leave 1:00 PM  13 hours. Return  2:00AM   Took a guided stroll, 1 hour, through Chinatown and the infamous Patpong district.  Walked through Bangkok’s colorful Chinatown, seeing the Old Market and Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat. Passed by Chinese curio chops, goldsmiths, and Wat Trimitr.  Saw the Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, the world’s largest solid gold statue, weighing 5.5 tons.   Went to massage school to enjoy an hour-long foot massage with aromatic balms.  It was a great Thai massage.  Walked through small alleys to Tep Bar, a bar amid old Chinese and colonial buildings.  Tried a shot of Thai herbal whiskey that is supposed to have medicinal benefits.  Also, Pad Thai was served.   Heard Thai classical music. Took a 30 min. drive to the Patpong Night Market and nearby bars and restaurants.   Clothing, jewelry, junky stuff, but mostly clubs with dancing girls that were scantily clad.  2  hours there.  Back on the bus at midnight.  2 hr return drive to the ship. 

Saw the Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, the world’s largest solid gold statue, weighing 5.5 tons.  Yes, I felt hot and sweaty.  Forget glamour on this trip...

Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

Dragon Temple

Yeah!  Fish heads in the Chinese market.  

Let's have some cooked pig's head when I return...  

Dragon Temple, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat

The new king and the past king have their pictures hung all over the city.

Walked through small alleys to Tep Bar, a bar amid old Chinese and colonial buildings.  Tried a shot of Thai herbal whiskey that is supposed to have medicinal benefits.  Also, Pad Thai was served.   Heard Thai classical music, the musicians are on the right side of the picture.  

Sihanoukville , Cambodia 3/20/2018

Sihanoukville Discovery  Included tour  8:30  3 hours  Glimpsed Khmer life in a seaside town and visited a

Buddhist Temple.  Enjoyed an overview of Cambodia’s beachside communities as we visited a temple with murals and sculptures depicting Buddha and a market.  Visited (30 min.) and explored on our own the tiny fishing village of Tumnop Rolok. High level of poverty.  Hovels along the road for people to live in.  Visited (30 min.) the local market with fruits,vegetables meats, fish, snails, larvae, insects and items for daily life, etc.  Walked along Independence Beach which Jackie Kennedy strolled during a visit in 1967.   The drive back to the ship took about 15 minutes from the market.

The countryside and Sihanoukville were covered with debris and people lived in hovels.  Driving down a street, you might see a hovel, next to a beautiful, but small three story house, and then a business which might have scrap metal strewn all over the property.  The biggest and nicest buildings were government buildings.  The fishing village was dirty and depressing demonstrating the level of poverty in Cambodia.  The temple area was beautiful, but amputees and mothers with children were begging in the courtyard.  We were advised to give money to the monks and not these people.  The market was similar to those we have been seeing elsewhere with just about everything you could imagine for sale, but the food tended to be covered with flies.  I did not eat at the market.  Actually, I was very happy to return to the ship and did not extend my time in the marketplace which was an option as there was a shuttle from the ship to the marketplace.  

This country continues to haunt me.  So much poverty.

Sihanoukville Provincial Hall -Sihanoukville is the capital of the province of Sihanoukville.  Named for mid 20th-century king Norodom Sihanouk.  Sihanoukville is a coastal town located on the end of a scenic elevated peninsula.  This picturesque setting offers sandy shores and turquoise waters.  Sihanoukville was developed after the French departed.  Architecture includes less fanciful examples of New Khmer.  Khmer people are very resilient and try to maintain their culture.  

Family mausoleums at the cemetery adjacent to the Wat Krom Buddhist Temple

Golden sculptures tell stories in the courtyard of the Wat Krom Buddhist Temple.

Wat Krom Courtyard

Reclining Buddha at Wat Krom Buddhist Temple

Wat Krom Courtyard

Wat Krom Courtyard

This plant was a pretty thing amidst all the squalor in the fishing village.  

Wat Krom

Wat Krom Buddhist Temple "Khmer people are a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to Cambodia, accounting for 97.6% of the country's 15.9 million people until the Chinese development started.^[ They speak the Khmer language.  The majority of the Khmer are followers of the Khmer style of Buddhism. "

Wat Krom

Murals tell the story of Buddha's life in the Wat Krom Temple.

Buddhist monk who offered three of us a blessing.  

Sihanoukville Provincial Hall/Government Center for the province

Hovel along the road where people live.

Fishing boats

Fish ready to be shipped out.

Fishing Boats

Fishing boats

The said the children came to the pier area to see all the people from the ship.  

Processing the catch

Fishing Village

Fishing Village - processing the catch

Ice delivery to the fishing boats

Engine shop in the fishing village

Travel includes modern-day tuk-tuks and carriages pulled by motorcycles.  Sihanoukville is one of the leading seaside resort destinations for locals and visitors.  Negotiating with these tuk-tuk drivers was supposed to be quite a challenge and resulted in overcharging frequently.  We were lucky enough to have a bus transporting us.

Sihanoukville Provincial Hall/Government Center -Sihanoukville is the capital of the Sihanoukville Province.

Sihanoukville Provincial Hall - online photo

Family mausoleums at the Wat Krom Buddhist Temple.  

More mausoleums at the Wat Krom Buddhist Temple.

Wat Krom Buddhist Temple Mausoleums.

Sihanoukville Market

Sihanoukville Market 

Independence Beach, one of many beautiful beaches in Cambodia.  It is about one mile long and is named after the Independence Hotel which is located on the northern end of the beach. 

Independence Beach

Fishing Boat

Independence Beach

Independence Beach

Independence Beach Hotel -Jackie Kennedy stayed in the hotel and strolled on the beach during a visit in 1967.

Independence Beach 

Independence Beach   Cambodia has  64? islands that are administered by four coastal provinces.  There are sixteen islands that are part of Sihanoukville Province.  The area near the beach is being developed by the Chinese.  They are building casino hotels.  

Independence Beach, you can just see the top of the Independence Hotel in the trees on the right.

Independence Beach I read that the city's ethnic make up has changed with thousands of Mainland Chinese workers, developers and investors settling in the city,  There is resentment from the locals. Mandarin signage is increasingly replacing Khmer and English signage in the city and crime in the form of drunken violence and organized crime are increasing.  The big building in the distance is a Chinese casino that is under construction.

Wat Krom Buddhist Temple

Wat Krom Temple

Sleeping Buddha at Wat Krom Temple

Sleeping Buddha at Wat Krom Temple

Wat Krom Courtyard

Wat Krom

Wat Krom Buddhist Temple entrance

Wall surrounding Wat Krom Buddhist Temple.  

Wat Krom Buddhist Temple

FACEBOOK A haunting experience in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. It has the most poverty of all the countries I’ve visited. It is a country with many problems. Environmental issues include flooding, deforestation, soil erosion, declining fish stocks, clean water and habitat loss. Economic growth is slow. One of two areas showing progress is the garment industry. The other area is tourism. There is a lot of international investment. The Chinese are building casinos, but sadly along with that comes organized crime. Some of this development has caused slum dwellers and squatters to be relocated to areas without electricity or sewers and often in remote locations far from jobs. I hope some good comes to this country. Due to their Civil Wars in the past, 70% of the population is under age 35 and only four percent is over age 65. 

This picture has fishing boats from Tumnop Rolok, the tiny fishing village we visited. The second stop was Wat Krom, a temple with beautiful murals and sculptures. Next, we went to Independence Beach, which Jackie Kennedy visited in 1967. The last stop was the Sihanoukville marketplace.