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. :)
