THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM SUMMARY
summary 1 • summary 2
Days 1 & 2 - My first day in Bangkok was spent adjusting to the time difference and taking a leisurely cruise up and down the Chao Phraya River. The next day we toured the Suan Pakkad museum and palace. We then hopped on a night train to Chiang Mai.
Day 3 - From the train station, we hopped on a songthaew (general taxi) into town. We then set out exploring some of the many MANY wats (temples)... Wat Chedi Luang (which offered Monk Chat, an opportunity to ask monks questions), Wat Phra Singh, Wat Hua Kuang, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Mahawan and Wat Jetawan. The architecture, sculptures and intricate decorations were beyond description! We learned about stupas, chedis, prangs, nagas and all the meaningful positions of the Buddha.
Day 4 - We headed up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple on top of a hill. This was a fabulous complex filled with temples, shrines, bells, gongs, statues, nagas, Buddhas and beautiful, glittery decoration. After that, we headed to the Chiang Mai zoo where we fed the elephants. After a brief stop at Huai Kaeo waterfall, we headed back down into the city to catch the large evening market. We also took in a 'lady boy' dance show.
Day 5 - Today was an organized day tour. It started with a visit to the Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm. We then headed north to Chiang Dao cave. We journeyed deeper into the mountains to Thaton temple with its massive white Buddha. Our ultimate destination was the Hill Tribe Village. Here, three different tribes (Akha from Tibet, Palong from Myanmar and the Paduang or Long-necked Karen) sold their weavings and crafts.
Day 6 - We did another day tour, starting with meeting elephants at the Maetaeng Elephant park. We fed them, watched them take a bath in the river, and were then entertained by a show. Elephants hauled wood, kicked soccer balls, tossed basket balls and even painted. We climbed aboard for an elephant ride through the jungle and were returned to camp on an ox cart. Then came a gentle trip on the river on a bamboo raft. The tour continued to an elephant dung workshop where it was made into paper, and then a show at the Mae Sa Snake Farm, where I got to kiss a snake for good luck.
Day 7 - In the morning, I toured more temples... Wat Mahawan, Wat Bupharam, Wat Saen Fang and Wat U-Pakut. In the afternoon, Gerald and I visted a market at the Pung Tao Gong ancestral temple before hopping on a night train back down to Bangkok.
Day 8 - In the afternoon, we went to the Dusit Zoo and took the tram around. Late that night, we picked our friend Ron up from the airport.
Day 9 - We bought a day pass for the boat so we could explore the sites along the Chao Phraya River. Our first stop was Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). This was a massive complex, filled with many spectacular temples, chedis and a 118 foot-long Buddha. Our next stop was Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). Again, the whole place was spectacular!
Day 10 - We started the day with a visit to Wat Traimit to see the Golden Buddha (which weighs over 12,000 pounds). We then made our way to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The place was AMAZING! In the same complex was the beautiful Grand Palace. Nearby was the City Pillar Shrine, filled with many folks praying. Our final site of the day was Wat Saket ((Temple of the Golden Mount). A long set of spiral stairs led to the top.
Day 11 - We caught a train to Ayutthaya (to old capital of Siam). We started off with the ruins of Wat Maha That (with a statue head overgrown with roots) and Wat Ratcha Burana (where we climbed up inside the main prang). We then visited Wat Suwandawas, Rama Public Park, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet (known for its row of chedis) and Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit (an active temple). We hired a boat to take us to the temples along the river... Wat Phanan Choeng (where a 62-foot gold Buddha was having his sash changed), Wat Phutthaisawan (with rows and rows of Buddhas) and Wat Chai Wattanaram (where again we climbed the main prang). Eventually we returned to Bangkok.
Day 12 - We caught a short flight to Patong on Phuket Island. We had gotten a promotional deal for a super fancy hotel, Deevara Patong. We wandered a bit around the town and nearby beach.
Day 13 - We had booked a day tour which began with a rubber tree farm. We then drove to Wat Suwan Khuha or Buddha Cave, with a 50-foot long Buddha and a zillion macaques. We transferred to a boat and set off to explore Phang Nga Bay with its numerous limestone karsts. We walked about Khao Phing-Kan Island, with its caverns and view of Ko Ta Pu (James Bond Island) and then visited Koh Panyee (a Muslim fishing village built on the water). We returned to shore and were driven to Pung Chang cave (Belly of the Elephant) for an adventure tour that involved floating on a raft and walking through the cold water of the cave.
Day 14 - We departed by speedboat from Chalong Bay, eventually arriving at Banana Beach on Koh Hae (Coral Island). We then did some parasailing above the spectacular emerald water. After plenty of lounging on the beach, we headed back. In the evening, we flew back to Bangkok.
Day 15 - We took a 6-hour train ride to the Cambodian border. We took a taxi to Siem Reap, passing all sorts of interesting sights on the dusty roads.
Day 16 - We hired a taxi with driver to spend three days exploring the Angkor temple region (dating back to the days of the Khmer Empire). Since the area is so large, we had to divide it up into sections. Most of the structures were the ruins of old cities, temples or monasteries. Some were Hindu while others were Buddhist. We began with the great walled city of Angkor Thom, which included many gates, a massive wall covered with bas-reliefs, the royal terraces, and the spectacular Bayon temple (covered with stone faces). After lunch we visited a few nearby temples including Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and the famous Ta Prohm (overgrown with massive banyon trees). Next was the equally famous Angkor Wat, with its inner and outer complexes. Again there were walls entirely covered with incredible bas-reliefs. We lingered into sunset and enjoyed a full moon rise above the iconic temple.
