Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong), SOUTH THAILAND

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong)

The most famous temple in Phuket...during the day lots of tourists...try to visit this beautiful place late in the evening at around 9pm...then you are probably alone except some harmless temple dogs and a few caretakers....if you are lucky like us its full moon night (see below).

Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Tiger Cave

And it goes up and up and up ... 1,376 steps to be exactly ... take your time and bring drinking water, lots of both if you are an untrained hiker (restrooms are provided on the way) ... on top, 600meters higher, you have 360 degrees surround views over Krabi province and Phang Nga bay ... try to hike up in the morning or during rain otherwise the humidity will seriously make your heart go wild :-)

For us definitely one of the most impressive places in Southern Thailand.

Little Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Little Tiger Cave

The trick with the gong is not to hit it but to rub it ... yep, no joke: gently rub it like you would give a massage, in the middle circle from the bottom to the top, repeating it about 10 times ... by now you should hear already the hummin sound of the gong .. continue to rub stronger and stronger until the hummin becomes one of the most impressive natural sounds I have ever come across ... if you have problems figuring it out then simply ask one of the monks who will gladly assist you...

Inside the cave you will find an old burial chamber and several meditation chambers ... lots of stray dogs and cats taking care by the monks ...

The famous gong ...

Lin and Valentine

Meditation chamber with moskito nets deep inside the caves

Riang Temple, SOUTH THAILAND

Riang Temple

Best time to visit is the early evening from 5pm onwards ... most of the people will be gone and the sunset light makes the enormous Buddha statue glow beautifully ... you can drive up with the car and walk the last meters ... remember to come in long pants and (for women) covered shoulders if you like to see the inside of the temple (entrance fee: 20 baht).

Koh Sireh Temple, SOUTH THAILAND

Koh Sireh Temple

Located close to Phuket Town on the east side this place is a little unique getaway ... apart from the big lying buddha inside the temple you also can enjoy great views over the town and the Phang Nga bay.

Buddha Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Buddha Cave

A short but heavy hike up the stairs pretty much in the middle of nowhere ... great views ... one big chamber with huge dripstones ... strong spiritual touch ... very secluded ...

Dragon Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Dragon Cave

Located in Phang Nga province this cave has welcomed several visitors seeking help for fighting cancer and HIV. According to the caretaker we talked to people come and meditate inside the caves (meditation chambers with moskito nets) are provided as well as drink the home made hot tree bark tea. If required the monks will show you the buddhist way of meditation including mantra singing.

This may all sound pretty peculiar but I believe that simply the fact that you spend a lot of time with yourself without any distraction, absolute stillness within the caves and the tea as a cleansing tool is enough for many to find back to themselves and by the side loose the physical illness (that theory works of course only if you are convinced that all illness starts because of an unbalanced state of mind).

All help provided is for free, including sleeping in the caves (bring your sleeping bag, a mat and the tiger balm cream for the moskitos)... well, but donations are of course welcomed and put in a small box outside the caves.

Erawan Cave, THAILAND

Erawan Cave

A nice stop during a road trip is the Erawan Cave. "Erawan" meaning a elephant with several heads as seen in the picture below. Feel free to give a small donation into the box on the stairs. Arriving at the entrance to the cave you have a nice view. The cool air of the cave is refreshing after the walk!

A big Buddha statue at the entrance of the cave.

A beautiful moment inside the cave as the sunlight breaks through the darkness.

Nakhon Pathom Pagoda - Tallest Buddhist Monument in the World

Nakhon Pathom Pagoda - Tallest Buddhist Monument in the World

Although it is one of the oldest city in Thailand and may have been inhabited as early as 300 BC, Nakhon Pathom offers only one visual connection with its past: Pra Pathorm Chedi, the talles Buddhist monument in the world. The 127 metre spire waSs given its present from in 1860 by King Mongkut who restored and significantly modified a structure that had lay in ruins since 1057. The initial monument at the site was erested in the eraly 6th century, the city was conquered by Suriyavarman I, a Khmer king from Angkor who built a Brahman-style prang over the existing structure. A short time later the city was sacked by the Burmese and the prang lay in ruins until King Mongkut recreated it when he built a chedi over the remains of the prang. Nakhon Pathom can easily be reached by both bus and train.

Lin a one of the big gongs (used for praying).

Wild Tiger Temple

Wild Tiger Temple

Is it mental power or total stillness of the Buddhist monks which makes them feel comfortable playing around with wild tigers. Some would say, well they are tamed but the question is: "How tame can a tiger be?".

I had to sign a waiver that in case I was attacked I won't sue the temple for any damages. The tigers are let out of the cages every afternoon for about half an hour. Small children as well as red clothes are not allowed. Try to keep your voice and movements down to a minimum. Also they won't let you in with anything bigger then a normal video/photo camera.

Scenes like this where the monkey is looking for food on the back of the deer are everywhere in this compound. You really need to come and experience this by yourself. The government tries to shut this place down but the monchs won't allow it as the temple is also used as a tiger conservation camp.

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), BANGKOK

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)

The "Temple of Dawn" is a Bangkok landmark. Dramatically jutting into the air from its location on the Thonburi banks of the Chao Phraya, the central Khmer-style prang has been elongated to give it an appearance that is unmistakably Thai. Four smaller prangs of similar design surround the main spire. All five of the spires have been covered with broken pieces of porcelain that were used as ballast by Chinese ships that formerly came to Thailand.

Steep steps lead halfway up one side of the main prang to a point where there are dramatic views of the river and surrounding areas, including Wat Pra Kaeo and The Grand Palace. The interior of the temple's bot is also worth exploring. The murals picturing Prince Siddharta encountering examples of birth, old age, sickness and death are particular impressive.

A rather quiet place it's great for a moment of rest and stillness.

Pho Temple (Wat Po), BANGKOK

Pho Temple (Wat Po)

The second largest Buddha image in Thailand is housed in this, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. Although the temple was built in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, it has been rebuilt and modified several times. The 46 metre long Buddha image was created in the 19th century during the reign of Rama III. Built around a brick core and covered with plaster that is finished with gold leaf, the eyes and feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Wat Pho is also the resting place for numerous gilded Buddha images that were brought from temples destroyed during conflicts with the Burmese. The wat has always concerned itself with traditional medicine, including Thai massage.

Its most known in Thailand for its traditional Thai massage school. If you are receiving a traditional Thai massage in your hotel or on the beach try asking the masseuse where she learned this profession and most of them will answer "...in Wat Pho" (Pho Temple). If you are tired simply get a Thai massage or foot massage right there for a mere 200-300 baht.

The main attraction is the huge buddha statue inside the building....the pictures can't reallly show how big this statue is. Because the room is so small in width you walk in and another meter in front of you the statue rises up to the ceiling. Great murals to see on the walls showing Thai life style many centuries ago. Still many tourists but worthwhile to experience.