Sai Yok Noi Falls

My latest visit to Kanchanburi was my third in thirteen years. Of the three visits, I enjoyed this most recent the most. Everything went as planned. We went with Good Times Travel. Their tours are well-organized and their mini-buses not crowded with tourists. They conducted the tour with just six of us: 3 Italians, 1 Thai, 1 British and 1 Filipino. Our first stop was the Sai Yok Noi Falls.

My World Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus and the My World Team Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Sylvia

Watch out for the urchin

Friends and I went island-hopping last year. My phone was changing indications of where we were several times. Names are difficult to read, much less remember. The main island where we hopped from is called Koh Chang or Elephant island.

We went to five islets each taking about 15 minutes to reach. In a stop one of my friends encountered a sea urchin. They say a pee would cure the sting. I don't know if it's true.

Another thing I heard about urchins is they could sense and would crawl towards human presence. Probably for more prickly attention?

Although sometimes paradise has a price, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, the weather perfect and the breeze was just what our city-dwelling lungs needed. All is well.

***

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Enlightenment tree

That lady saw me tinkering with my curiosity and walked towards me. "You like it?" she asked. "It's pretty," I answered.

She then became animated in explaining that 'this is the tree where the Buddha was born under.' Wikipedia explains that under this tree the Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment or Bodhi. Also known as the Sacred Fig, it takes 100-3,000 years to fully grow.

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Bangkokian on the rocks

Sunday morning, Elephant Island. The sun had a hard time coming out which was perfect for the skin of this visiting Bangkokian. It was her last day on the island. Very soon it was back to reality. Back to work, skyscrapers, crazy traffic. These quiet rocks and the general calm would help her recharge and face the capital again.

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Fascination

"Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as the water from a fountain. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass the fountain"

So says ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-Tze. I wonder what could he have thought about musical fountains.

This one is.
Right below the skytrain terminal station in Mochit is Suan Sirikit. This fountain entrances people in the park. The water dances while the music, which is understandably Thai, plays. It does not stop the fascination I know though. And it might have ended right then at the start....

* Thanks to Gray for tagging and lending me this photo.

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Christmas in Buddhist Land

December is when Thailand almost does not look like a Buddhist country especially in commercial areas. You just have to go out and see how business works with a Christian tradition.

This is a tree inside Central Mall, Bangna

Sky rail tracks on the right and Siam Paragon on the left. Christmas arches in the middle are abuzz with picture-taking.

Inside Siam Paragon. That star rubs shoulders with Emporio Armani.


All ready for the Countdown. Merry Christmas from Bangkok!

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Chili commerce

Mai sai prik na ka, (no chili, please) is what I always say when I buy a short-order meal. Sometimes the instruction is followed; sometimes I just have to sip ice cold Coke all the way. Chili is major in Thailand. Where fruit chunks are what you normally see on your blender, it is chili here. You have to watch what you sniff or look at if you pass by street food cooking or you sneeze and tear up as some aroma finds its way to your eyes and nostrils.

Biting red and dry, these quiet chilis are practically harmless... until they are stir frying in the wok. What could be next...

Ingredients beyond what makes up ketchup or mustard are on display too.
It is early Sunday market in Saraburi. This tent finally sets me in the mood for commerce.

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Sunflower Field Thailand

Saraburi, a province near Bangkok, is abloom with sunflowers this month. The place continues to be a panorama of gold until January. Night was falling fast when we arrived on the field, but we were squealing with delight when silhouette of the flowers came into view.
A yellow beauty turns in. We had to see her at a brighter time of day...

So came back we did in the morning, and a sea of bright constancy swept before our eyes.
A Facebook friend mused, "... and I think to myself what a wonderful world!"

This had me bursting to life more than any other sight in my world.

My World Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus and the My World Team Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Sylvia

Spirit House

As a Buddhist country, Thailand has plenty of beliefs and practices arising from Animism or Spirit Worship. A major feature of animistic practice is the spirit house. Its purpose is to provide dwelling for spirits or celestial beings on land. Thais believe that spirits are either good or evil and most expect respect from humans, like being informed if humans would want to start a business in a certain spot. If these spirits aren't, they can cause disastrous interference to any venture. (Reference: Chiangmai and Chiangrai)

A Thai spirit house can be seen in front of homes, hospitals, company buildings, everywhere. You can see it "on a pedestal in front of every hotel. It dresses the corner garden area of a restaurant ... at outdoor food markets. They are built on the grounds of Buddhist temples, outside caves in the mountains, near fishing ponds in the valleys, and occasionally in the middle of an otherwise uninhabited forest." (Source: Uniquely Thai)

This is a spirit house in front of a university on a rainy day. Everyday employees pass by it as they scan their finger in computers beside the gate to report for work. Buddhist/Thai employees wai at it. The international staff, some after having been around for many years, tend to duck their heads as they make their way in and out the campus.

The same spirit house at night.

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They're just breasts

What is it about men and nudity?

Particularly breasts... How can you be so interested in them?
I mean seriously: they're just breasts. Every second person has them. They're odd looking, they're for milk from your mother. What's all the fuss about?

In case you were wondering... that was Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) talking to William (Hugh Grant) the morning after they slept together. Notting Hill has been awhile. So have breasts. But not these features of the Woman and Child gallery at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre. They are fairly recent.

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Prommas masked drama, BACC 2

An episode of the ancient sanskrit epic, The Ramayana, called Khon Prommas or Prommas Masked Drama was on exhibit at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center last year. Khon masks represent aspects of crown, headdresses and other elements of royal costume. Throne halls occupied by various gods and demons are depicted in a khon drama episode.

Semi-precious materials like silk, metallic threads, bettle wings and glass beads are used to embroider a khon costume.

One objective of the exhibit is to preserve forms of craftmanship related to the performing arts such as Khon itself. It is also for the general public to learn more about the production of a khon drama. The exhibit was part of a year-long 80th birthday celebrations for His Majesty King Bhumibol.

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Antique gold ornaments, BACC 1

The Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre is right at the heart of the city. It can be reached easily by skytrain (National Stadium station). An exhibit was on when I visited the center last year.

A craftsman working

Some of the antique gold ornaments on display

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Bananas and concubines

What did Thailand's King Narai and Israel's King Solomon have in common?

After exploring King Narai's throne hall, I made my way to the living quarters of his women. My mind was prepared for large, cavernous remains; half-expecting a dusty, out-of-tune grand in the midst. I was both surprised and disappointed. The place looked like a row of classrooms. Ah well, they were minor wives. A Hanging Gardens of Babylon replica, no matter how skeletal it's imagined to be, was too much digression. The renovation at some parts nudged me all the more back to the present.

But not for long. Towards the end of and opposite the quarters I found something I have never seen before:

Could King Narai's concubines be as numerous as these?

My outdated camera went bananas...

The entire bunch looks bent on lengthening down. Stretch, blossom, wither to the ground. Take my kiss back to Mother Earth, will you?

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Of short heights and thrones

The few visitors in the throne hall of King Narai's palace were leaving when I got there. Pleased with the solitude, I lingered. The quiet seemed to usher in an opportunity to commune with the spirit of the ruins, however fleeting it was. As with usual thrones, this one is elevated. One suggested attribution is the king's short height. Over at his palace King Narai had ambassadors of France's King Louise XIV whose practice of wearing high heels was hypothetically due to his being not very tall. There might have been some influence or connection there.

Whether these kings were short or tall, records show they certainly occupied thrones. This is the Dusit Sawan hall. Imagine King Narai going up the steps to sit on his throne. I tried climbing. It was uncomfortable, but then I'm no king.

This is (a closer look of) the memorial plaque portraying King Narai granting an audience with french ambassadors

I ambled behind the throne which was like playing hide n' seek with whatever friendly ghost was left in there. The ruins still exuded so much character. Numerous climbs must have happened on this flight of stairs before the roof went off to reveal that sole flier in the vast blue above.

Then I proceeded to the living quarters of the king's many wives....

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Beach Paraders

Several hours after Countdown 2010, friends and I saw this group of people carrying instruments that sound along with some kind of chant. They also hand out pieces of dessert to people. As they go around parade-style they seem to be doing some ethnic dance moves.

And this is Hua Hin beach where we hang out on new year's day last week. The photo is not mine (courtesy to source on link). There was much chatting, eating and relaxing to take a shot of the beachfront.

photosource

Here's how Hua Hin Pages introduces Hua hin to visitors:

"If you enjoy walks through the quiet winding streets of a friendly coastal village, sampling delicious seafood in restaurants overlooking the brightly lit fishing boats on the Gulf of Thailand or a round of golf, Hua Hin could very well be what you're looking for. It has a special character all its own."

MyWorld Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus and the MyWorld team Wren, Sandy, Syliva, Louis, Fishing Guy and Klaus