Enlightenment

I like the bustle of Asian cities. Perhaps it is an indictment on the western world that for some reason there has been a boom in business selling cheap beer and  tattoos. I like the idea that most of the Chinese characters in the tattoos say "27: chicken in black bean sauce".

The reclining Buddha - all that gold leaf....!

We catch the ferry down the river to the Wat Pho temples build in 1660s by King Ramas 1 as a form of mausoleum. Within are three main temples. The most impressive contains the 45-metre long reclining Buddha. I notice his toes are all the same length. The standing Buddha and sitting Buddha temples are equally impressive. Our guide explains the symbols of the Buddha and the detailed art depicting journeys to enlightenment. At Wat Arun temple Rory and I climb the very steep steps to the high point which affords panoramic views across the river. Perhaps, here, I'm closer to enlightenment. Certainly, I can see more than Susan from where's she's standing way below.   

Wat Arun - Seriously steep, but seriously spectacular

I could be a Buddhist, not too many rules and after a number of reincarnations, nirvana. I suspect, I'm a lot closer than Susan and Rory. Perhaps I'm a part of their time in hell?

Could Dermot take his place in here?

Off the tourist streets there are lots of nice little eateries, there’s no menu, it’s simply pot luck. We sit next to some locals and enjoy a simple (and very tasty) lunch of rice and pork.

In the evening Paula arranged a catch up with Henrik Friis from the mineralogy Department of the National Museum in Oslo who happens to be on holiday in Thailand.  I felt my life was descending into a joke....three mineralogist walk into a Thai bar.... Perhaps I am getting closer to enlightenment.

 

Three museum mineralogists, an oil geologist, and a psychology student walk into a restaurant....