Thank God for Google maps. Usually we are good to go with a proper map before we even leave the UK but for some reason we completely forgot to order a Ko Samui or Chiang Rai/Mai map before we left so on arrival at Sea Dance we picked up a map in reception. A pirate map….. to be fair it did show the major sights one might want to see, but the routes to reach them were overlaid with “oo ah me hearties” lots of treasure chests and a goodly amount of parrots and one legged men. No I have no idea either, but either way it was up there with the chocolate fireguard.
Naively I let the Boss drive off without checking where he was heading. He has many talents and gifts, a sense of direction is not one of them. Seriously, how many people have to ask their wife where the kids’ school is? So as we approached Chaeweng I knew we were in trouble, we wanted to go north, Chaeweng was south. Also the main drag in Chaeweng is one way so when the Boss tried to turn around…. well you get the picture. At this point it was also clear that any comment about in which direction we should be heading and how to get there may have led to an expensive and messy divorce case.
So back to Google Maps. It may not be appropriate for the wife to correct the husband, but Google Maps is allowed to. As a result we did make it to the Big Buddha still married.
The Big Buddha is big. Very big and quite impressive. Although in the mid morning heat, walking up the steps to get up close and personal to the Big Buddha is also quite impressive. Not least because I had forgotten my scarf and was wearing a strappy dress so had to cover my shoulder with a thick woollen number borrowed from the temple. I was very hot and bothered. Note to self. Leave scarf in car at all times.
I was surprised how many people went into the temple in short shorts. It’s not hard to borrow a gown, they had plenty to borrow for free (in Bangkok you had to hire them). It’s common courtesy and it’s not as if there were not plenty of signs asking people not to enter inappropriately dressed.
Once you have visited the temple there is little else to detain you. There are plenty of little shops selling clothes, ice-cream and knick-knacks, not over-priced but nothing you couldn’t buy anywhere else if the desire for a tie die dress overwhelms you.
So we headed on to Wat Khunarum. This temple is particularly famous for its mummified monk. Somehow I couldn’t bring myself to take a photograph of him so if you would like to see him, have a look and read his story here. If you are interested in the possibilities of deep meditation, particularly the concept of meditation at death and beyond then google “tukdam” .
Before you leave go to the gong to the left of the monk. If you can make it sing it is supposed to bring you good luck. It is a little like making a singing bowl sing, it is all in the angle and the pressure. There is a bucket of water. I found a wet hand and a little earth on your palm hit the spot.
Should you wish, there is, as in almost all temples, a monk who will bless you. It is a rather lovely and peaceful place. Not a lot to see, but a lot to feel.
Love Gillie
one pair of shoes at a time 