Day 105 Phuket, Thailand 3/29/2018

Day 105  Thursday, 3/29/18  Phuket (Patong Beach), Thailand Anchor Port  with three local tenders.  7:00-1:00 

Often called the “Pearl of the Andman Sea.”  Phuket offered picturesque beaches, beautiful ocean views, and  green hillsides.  In the past, this was a major stop of the trade routes between India and China.  The French, Dutch and English have competed for the island’s tin trade.  The French East India Company won, but were expelled in 1688.  Old Sino-Portuguese shop-houses and monuments to Buddha are found throughout the island.

Included Panoramic Phuket - 7:00- 10:30 AM  (3 hours) Sea Tour Company.  Saw Phuket’s views, beaches, and colorful temples.   Stopped by the Promthep Cape, the southern-most tip of the island, to enjoy views of the Andaman Sea and picturesque Nai Ham Bay for 30 minutes.   Visited Promthep's shrine depicting the god Brahma (god of creation) as a “Four-Face Buddha”.  The circular shrine is surrounded by many colorful elephant statues, each draped with garlands of flower, both are brought by the visitors. These are offerings to Brahma as the elephants symbolize thanksgiving and longevity.   There was also a lighthouse.  

Visited Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple.  This temple is two hundred years old.  In the main temple, there are three gold-leafed encrusted statues of former abbots/monks.  I’ve read some interesting stories as to why these monks are honored. The newest addition to the complex is Chedi with a tall tower and painted walls with scenes from Buddha’s life.  There are numerous Buddha statues throughout.   I enjoyed beautiful views from the top including Big Buddha. This forty-six meter, marble statue on one of the highest points of the island was funded completely by charitable donations.  At the top of Chedi Temple, there is a splintered bone  believed to be from Buddha enclosed in a glass bowl inside a glass room.  I took so many pictures on site, it was the only time I was late getting back to the bus by five minutes.   Beautiful views, temple  artwork, statues, etc.  Knees and shoulders covered.   

Had an hour of free town in town. I walked for 10 minutes to find a salon and got a haircut.  It is shorter than I wanted, but for $10. + $3. tip, it’s better than paying $89. on board.  Many people that have gotten their hair cut on board and have been dissatisfied.  Finding the time and a place on land has proven to be a good decision twice.     

Promthep

Center of shrine has a Four-Faced Buddha, Brahma, god of creation.

The outside row of elephants at Promthep.  Elephants are offerings to brahma and symbolize thanksgiving and longevity.  

Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. 

Inside Chedi were many lovely Buddhas.

Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. 

These are family shrines against the compound's exterior fence.

Lighthouse at Promthep

Lifesize Reclining Buddha at Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. 

Perhaps the elephant is offering bamboo with a firecracker inside, which is lit to scare off evil?

View of the compound from top level of Chedi at Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. 

Beautiful artwork.   

Inside lower level of Chedi.

Chedi

Chalong

There are three circles of elephants.  The smallest elephants are at the base of the Brahma Shrine.

Smallest elephants and some other statues at the base of the shrine

Young King's picture is everywhere...

People add gold leaf to honor the former abbots.  

Inside Chedi.

Local fishing boats

Chedi with Buddha's bone splinter, artwork and statues inside.  

This huge Buddha statue is on top of the mountain at the center of the island.   It is a 46  meter, marble statue of Big Buddha sitting on a lotus pad.  Funded completely by charitable donations. 

Firecrackers were set off in this large clay oven shaped like a beehive.  Firecracker tradition was brought to Thailand by Chinese workers.  It is a fact that Asians love loud noise.  There are two theories about setting off firecrackers.  One is to scare off evil and the other is to bring prosperity.  

Leaving Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand This picture is Promthep Cape, the southern-most tip of Thailand. It offers views of the Andaman Sea and picturesque Nai Ham Bay. Visited Promthep's Shrine depicting the god Brahma (god of creation) as a “Four-Face Buddha”. The shrine is surrounded by three circles of numerous, colorful, elephant statues. There are many sizes, from tiny to large and some are draped with garlands of flower. These are offerings to Brahma brought by visitors as the elephants symbolize thanksgiving and longevity. There was also a lighthouse. 

Visited Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most sacred temple. This temple is two hundred years old. In the main temple, there are three gold-leafed encrusted statues of former abbots/monks. I’ve read some interesting stories as to why these monks are honored. The newest addition to the complex is Chedi Temple with a tall tower. It has scenes from Buddha's life painted on the walls and there are numerous Buddha statues throughout. I enjoyed beautiful views from the top including the Big Buddha on one of the highest points of the island. This forty-six meter, marble statue was funded completely by charitable donations. At the top of Chedi Temple, there is a splintered bone believed to be from Buddha enclosed in a glass ball inside a glass room. I took so many pictures on this site. Beautiful views, temple artwork, statues, etc.