Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Slow Internet






Sorry about the blog this year everyone. The Internet is working VERY slowly over here this month and it's often impossible to access web sites...so I hope the signal stays on long enough to put something on today.






Most of you will know that Bangkok is famous for its amazing temples. I've just returned to Phuket from a five day session in Bangkok showing our guests around Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) and Wat Po (a temple full of Thai art and literature as well as Buddhist regalia).








It is too difficult for an unprofessional cameraman like me to capture the true opulance of these incredible temples. If you come to Thailand, it is worth ignoring any negative comments you have heard regarding Bangkok and try to have a few days in the capital to visit the temples.








They are Amazing. If you'd like to have a bit of understanding about what all the artistic details are within the temples, use Google to look up JAKATA TALES and try to read the ten main stories plus the Life of the Buddha and the RAMAGIAN. If you could do a bit of research/reading before you come, then your visit to the temples will be massively enriched as will your understanding of Thai Culture. It's too complex and confusing to approach with no understanding at all.








If there is anything I can do to help you...please ask. I can book you hotels; give you an itinary...etc etc. Anything to try and help....IF you like !








Wat Arun. Many of the temples have four high structures surrounding a higher one placed in the middle. The highest structure represents Mount Meru, home of the Gods.


















These Gods are the three main Hindu gods Vishnu,
Brahma and Siva.








Thai culture is a complex interrelationship of Hindu influences, stories of the Buddha (including his 550 previous lives as detailed in the Jataka Tales) and the Ramagian, the Thai version of the Indian classic Ramayana.








The middle structure is by far the highest and features very steep stairs to the top. These are the sort of buildings you will find at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Northern Cambodia. Again, IF you have time, a visit to ANGKOR WAT is utterly mind blowing. A return flight on Air Asia Bangkok to Siem Reap (where Angkor Wat is) is about £100 return.















If you visit Angkor Wat, I guarantee you'll be talking about it for the rest of your life....the Temples are where much of Angelina Jolie's Tomb Raiders was filmed.
OK...the internet is making everything jump all over the place. Sorry this is all looking so disjointed.....I'll try again tomorrow with a bit more.





















































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