Day 3 Part 2
Wat Bang Kung a.k.a. The Temple in a Tree
After 2 failed visits already today, this had to be 3rd time lucky. We were running out of things to see and do. It was an amazing drive to this temple, crossing bridges that seemed to be every half mile or so. Some of the bridges were so severe, I’m sure they’d have ripped the bottom out of/grounded a normal car.
My satnav told me that I’d arrived a bit after the event, and I swung my car in through the exit – having missed the proper entrance by about 400 yards. Fortunately, there was nothing coming in the other direction. I was in a one-way system going in the opposite direction – whoops. This is Thailand, so I suppose I was the only one to notice. I parked up and we went wandering.
The first thing I encountered were dozens of battling statues in various martial arts stances. These statues pay homage to the legendary warriors known as “Naresuan’s Warriors” or “Chao Kae.” Each statue exuded a powerful presence, depicting warriors in dynamic poses, armed with weapons and adorned in armor. These statues represent the courageous fighters who stood by King Naresuan’s side during battles, defending the kingdom with unwavering valor.
The warrior statues of Wat Bang Kung hold deep historical and cultural significance. They serve as a testament to Thailand’s martial heritage and the indomitable spirit of its people. These statues symbolize the bravery, loyalty, and patriotism that define the nation’s history.
How do you find a temple inside a tree? I was snapping away at statues, but couldn’t see any temple inside a tree. There were plenty of temple buildings, but not inside a tree.
Eventually, a police officer came up to us, and asked why we were walking (wandering aimlessly) with the wheelchair, and hadn’t parked in the Temple in a Tree car park. The answer to that was simple, “We didn’t know where the Temple in a Tree car park was.” He showed us the way. I parked my wife under a shady tree, and went to get my car. Realising my earlier error, I drove out through the exit, turned right down the road for 400 yards and then in through the proper entrance. When I arrived, the nice officer directed me to a parking place.
I had been warned by a friend that this place was not wheelchair friendly. Update……. It most certainly is, and I was able to wheel my wife straight in to the temple to do her thing. There was also a wheelchair outside for people to borrow if needed. So WELL DONE Wat Bang Kung. My only complaint was there were no shoes allowed into the temple (quite normal), but the path from where I had to drop my shoes to the temple entrance was very rough – it hurt (a lot, and definitely not recommended for a diabetic).
For the first time in many months I was chastised for not wearing a mask. They were still mandatory at Wat Bang Kung. Fortunately, they were supplied free of charge (although I still carry a box of masks in my car).
What a fantastic concept that a tree has fully encapsulated an entire temple. It did look good as well, and was natural – no Disney effects here. There was no photography allowed inside the temple, but there was a designated photo point outside where you could photograph the Buddha image inside (unfortunately there were people regularly entering and departing through the entrance photo bombing photo after photo).
It was very peaceful inside, with everybody filing in, saying their little prayer, and moving out again. Nice.
Lunch at Don Hoi Lot
This was a strong recommendation, especially for the Razor Clams. I don’t eat seafood, so it wasn’t of much interest to me, and my wife kept telling me she had never had them before, and wasn’t prepared to try.
With the 2 aborted visits, we were well ahead of today’s schedule, so I made an executive decision, we were going to Don Hoi Lot for lunch, like it or not. What a fantastic drive – bridge after bridge, all on very quiet country roads.
We arrived just after midday, the sun was shining, and there was sand as far as we could see, and I spotted what looked like a seafront pier/restaurant over the sand.
Unlike the previous day when I wanted to see the tide in at the Red Bridge, the tide being out here was perfect. In the distance we could see the people out on the sand collecting razor clams. Not the best photos, but I did manage to zoom in on a few with my little point and shoot (I was using a Coca Cola bottle as a tripod to steady my hand).
Those guys were a long way away. Many had arrived by boat, and had left their boats high and dry when the tide went out. I guess when the tide comes in, they simply jump in their little boats, and take their catch home.
I was right, it was a nice restaurant on a pier over the sand.
My wife ordered, and as well as Tom Yum Goong, she had decided to try the razor clams – she absolutely loved them, and thanked me for taking her. She had ordered so much food for herself, the waitress came up to her afterwards and offered to put what was left in to a doggy bag for later. She was amazed when told there was nothing left. Me, I had a latte choc chip ice-cream. As I said, I don’t do sea food.
While we were sat there, I heard a boat engine on the sand. I looked behind me, and was amazed to see a boat full of people appearing to be travelling along the sand. After lunch, I went to investigate. There was a makeshift pier across the sand, and a very narrow channel (not sure if dredged or natural) in the sand out to the river mouth.
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We’ve had great weather all of the time we’ve been here, until now. It is 5:03 on Thursday afternoon, and we have torrential rain, thunder and lightning. That’s fine, we’re in the room, but there is a problem – rainwater was somehow getting into the room, and a corner was flooded (probably the only room in the resort with its own indoor swimming pool).
We’ve been promised a Farang breakfast for the morning – that should be interesting.
After the success of the previous night’s evening meal, we went out during a break in the rain. I’d already promised myself a mixed grill, and was looking forward to it. The place was in darkness – obviously closes on a Thursday. We found another restaurant selling similar food about 100 yards further up the road, it was OK, but it wasn’t a patch on the previous night’s food. I really knew I was in Thailand because I was eating my evening meal with my sandals partially under water where the restaurant had flooded.
……………………………/to be continued.
