Temples in Bangkok

Today was an almost perfect day.  The weather is unseasonably cool, which means very pleasant (low 80's), the four Kansas City students arrived safely at noon.  However, Blaire's luggage didn't arrive, but was promised to be delivered at around midnight.  Mai pen rai (it doesn't matter).  

I accompanied the 14 students and Ajarn Wayne on the skytrain and to the river taxi to get them pointed in the right direction for their day of Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the Snake Farm.  At that point, I left the group in AW's hands and went to the airport to pick up our four Kansas City students who's arrival was delayed.  There was time to take the KC group to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, so the Snake Farm was the only thing they missed (which pleased Blaire).

This view down the street as our students are beginning to come up the stairway to the Skytrain near the hotel.

On the Skytrain platform, Anna, Rebecca, Franny, Emily, and Kyle (L-R) are preparing to board the skytrain as it approaches.

Here are Jaime, Rebecca, and Alex on the Skytrain.  Jaime is ready for the tropical sun...  the others not so much...

On the Chao Praya River, we took the river taxi from the Saphan Thaksin skytrain station north to the Grand Palace.

Meanwhile, I went back across the city to the airport to pick up our four wayward travelers: Moose, Gabby, Savannah, and Blaire.  True to the spirit of our program, they lived up to the pervasive concept of our program that when something doesn't go according to plan, you roll with the punches and say "Mai pen rai."  Unfortunately, Blaire's luggage didn't arrive with her, but will come tonight. ...  Mai pen rai.

This group photo has become an obligatory shot for our programs.  Here are the first 14...

and the final 4.

Inside the Grand Palace was just an amazing array of spectacular buildings and statues.  'the students had an hour to wander around and enjoy the Thai's crown jewel of cultural tourist attractions.

Jaime and Rebecca.

Changing of the guard in the Grand Palace.

Gabby, Moose, Blaire, and Savannah in front of a gold stupa.

Savannah, Blaire, Moose, and Gabby enjoying the Grand Palace.

Typical Chinese tourists.  Read the brown sign (that says "Please do not touch") ...

Moose taking photos of the scenery.

Gabby in the background blessing herself with  Buddhist holy water using a lotus flower.

To go in the building to see the famous emerald Buddha, you must remove your shoes.  This is the most sacred of all the Buddha images in Thailand.

Lightning struck a chedi in a temple in northern Thailand in 1434 A.D. and a Buddha statue made of stucco was found inside. The abbot of the temple noticed that the stucco on the nose had flaked off and the image inside was a green color. He then removed the stucco covering and found the Emerald Buddha, which is in reality made of one solid piece of jade.  This is the most revered Buddha image in all of Thailand.  Only the King is allowed to touch the Emerald Buddha. Photography is prohibited in the building with the emerald Buddha.  You have to shoot it from outside the building through an opening in the wall.  Hli didn't realize the restriction and had her photos of it deleted by the authorities.

Another group photo of the 14 students (pre-KC student arrival).

Annie and Emily

Following the Grand Palace, around the block to the south is Wat Pho, famous for the reclining Buddha.

The 150 foot long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the most visited Buddha images in Thailand.

Katie, Luke, Abby, Alyssa, Franny, and Jaime.

Annie, Alyssa (again), Katie (again).

The Final Four at Wat Pho: Savannah, Moose, Gabby, and Blaire.

There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha. Visitors can drop coins in these bowls as it is believed to bring good fortune.  Here is Moose improving her luck...

Abby and Rebecca.

Alyssa.