Around Phuket: BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha, a 45 meter tall white statue, 

is visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket.

Reachable by car or motorbike from Chalong, 

it takes a nice trip thru the tropical forest to arrive to the top of the hill where you

definitely have a breathtaking view.

Mostly built on people's donation in 2004 (but not finished yet), Big Buddha is made of white marble. 

Next to it is a smaller golden Buddha actually made of brass. 

In the large meditation hall on one afternoon, a small group of Thais and foreign tourists are seen receiving blessings from two monks, a peaceful scene familiar to anyone living in Thailand, but for visitors it reveals the contemplative side of Thai culture not always evident in the brash tourist areas.

If you come to Phuket... don't miss a Big Buddha bless. :)

cultural discovery: PHUKET OLD TOWN

The bustling centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do (and spend your money on!) in Phuket Town. Recently upgraded to "city" status, Phuket Town features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.

Phuket Town is where a part of the real Thailand can be found. 

You could walk around these streets taking photos every day, 

...during day and night time.

Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. 

In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.

There are some new buildings too, but the old early 20th century shophouse architecture predominates. 

The heart of Old Phuket Town is Thalang Road, 

in particular the block between Thepkassatri road and Yaowarat road.

 Thalang Road is the core of Phuket's Old Town 

and the commercial centre of the past. 

A lot of renovation has been done in recent years, 

and the ugly electric and telephone cables have disappeared, 

so the beautiful Sino-Portuguese shophouses 

and grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, 

in this area are great photo motifs now.

LOS: do you know why?

Thailand is commonly called LOS in the slang language...

do you know why?

 

LOS actually means: "Land of Smiles" 

Thailand has been called LOS by many people who live here and many who visit this charming land. The “Smiles” seem to come from a combination of the beautiful countryside, the laid-back, pleasant Thai people, the lower cost of living, a more relaxing pace, many opportunities for fun and entertainment at affordable prices, and the many other advantages of living in the exciting Orient.

The people of Thailand are gentle, fun-loving and easy to get to know. 

If you try to learn the language, you will endear yourself to them as they love to hear foreigners try to say their words.

You can smile at any Thai you pass by, while walking on the street, and that person will most likely smile back at you.

:)

(Pic from Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK)

BANGKOK: the City of Angels

Do you know that Los Angeles is not the only "City of Angels" of the world?

The full ceremonial name of Bangkok enters Thailand in the Guinness Book of World Records as the place with longest name in the world:

-Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.-

  The original name was given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke that relocated the city on the eastern side of the river and gave the city its ceremonial name.

Luckily for the Thai people, their language allows many words to be shortened 

and the city picked up the official name of Krung Thep Maha Nakorn 

 – meaning "the City of Angles".

***

Wanna know the other "City of Angels" of the world?

WIKIPEDIA!