Wat Po

The oldest and largest Temple in Bangkok.   The first temple on the site was built in the 16th century.  The temple compound is very large and crammed with pavilions,  walled gardens, statues and over 90 chedis

The temple, some would say Thailand's first university, was primarily regarded as a source of public education.  The modern school of traditional herbal medicine a language college and library are located here

The Southern walled compound is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school  

The largest in Thailand at 46 meters long and 15 meters high, covered entirely in gold leaf.  The soles of the feet are 15 1/2 meters high and  covered with intricate inlaid  mother of pearl designs showing the 108 ancient signs of the Buddha

In a tiny temple like structure is housed the foundation stone pillar of Bangkok.  Distances within the city are marked from this stone.  Rama 1 had it placed here and it is believed to have the power to grant wishes, especially fertility and a winning ticket in the National Lottery

The performers are hired by those whose wishes have been granted by the spirit of Lakmuang

 We were the only foreigners present this day and had a marvellous time watching the performance and enjoying the audiences reaction to it.  Totally incomprehensible to us, the antics of the comedy duo had the Thai audience rolling in the aisles, their mood was infectious

Aboard the Oriental Hotel barge headed to an evening of fine dining and entertainment at La Sala, the hotels Thai cooking School.  A string quartet greets you in the lobby   Dating back over a hundred years the hotel was a haunt of Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad.  Take tea in the Authors Lounge or have dinner as we did

Menu

Deep -fried Dumplings

Spiced Salad with Grilled Beef and Grape

Spiced Soup of Blue Prawn

Thick Curry with Pineapple and Prawn

Deep- fried Honey Chicken in Pandanus Leaf

Sautéed Vegetables

Steamed Rice

Carved Fruit & Thai Sweets

"Dishes are not courses but served all at the same time.  Take a mouthful of this and that in whatever order one prefers"