A pilgrimage - differently

 

After the long cave-trip, we decided to go on short trips every day! Already on the next day - Thursday, we visited Wat Huay Mongkol. Mongkol was a famous monk, who lived for many years and this is his biggest statue of him in the country! It was beautiful! It was about a 30-minute drive from Hua Hin.It was not only about this statue though - which is the biggest pilgrim-place in the country, but it had different activities to do. First, if you are with a little child, you can buy a fish for 100B and set it free (like a good luck fish). I, on the other hand, went wandering around the floating floor. I found a small sanctuary of the monk. I bought some flowers and lit some incense: I meditated for a bright future. Then left. When I saw a big ole' Buddha just out in the nowhere! :-O It was really unexpected and beautiful! :-) 

On Friday (our last day), we visited the Royal Summer Palace. If you're from Europe and you got used to the residences like Schönbrunn, Vienna, don't expect that. This palace was built in 1923-24, but in a very 19th century style. Remember, that time, air condition didn't exist (poor Rama VI!), so they had to build huge glassless windows for the sea breeze to come through the walls and rooms! Here it is: 

A botanical garden right next to the palace, of course :-) 

Of course, a private beach. We were not allowed to go there!

Palace with a view. 

On Saturday, we headed back home. Remember that in South America, next to the highway there are statues of Virgin Mary or Christ the Redeemer? Well, here the same, only with Buddhas! So we were driving long hours, and 20-30 minute a huge (big-ass) Buddha just popped up next to us!!!! Here's the proof: 

Sometimes - because of my obsession - my friend even stopped the car so that I could sneak a picture of two of the Wat. 

Okay, not all the statues were Buddhas. :-) 

A temple

Another one. 

Another thing I'm really fond of is the richly decorated city gates. :-) So beautiful!