Wat Bang Phra
I've wanted another tattoo for a while now. About a year ago one of my friends went to Thailand and got one that he liked and told me an interesting story behind it. At the time I hadn't planned my trip, but I told myself that if I did make it to Thailand I would get one as well. So thanks to my buddy Luke I have a legit Sak Yant, done by a real monk.
Amazingly the actual tattooing took only 5 minutes, it was getting there that was the hard part. Wat Bang Phra is about 30 miles from Bangkok. Everything that I had read, advised that we get there early, so Zoe and I woke up at 4:30 and took a taxi to Victory Monument. From there we caught a minibus, which drove us about 40 minutes outside the city, and dropped us off on the highway. From there we hired a motorbike to take us to the temple.
Bus we took back to Bangkok
Once at the temple, I had to pay 70 Baht ($2) for an offering of flowers of cigarettes to present the monk who would do my tattoo. I was surprised at how few people were there. Even though we did get there quite early, there were only 6 or 7 people ahead of me, and I was the only foreigner. I guess not many people know about this place.
It was finally my turn, and I presented my offering to the monk, and prepared myself for my tattoo. I had no idea what I was getting, the monk chooses it for you. Some people would be turned off by that, but it was half the fun for me. I sat with my back to the monk clutching a pillow, while two men held both of my shoulders. The tattoo didn't really hurt too much, but I have three others, and everyone's threshold for pain is different. It was over quickly, and I ended up receiving the same design as my friend.
Zoe and I inside the temple
Sak Yants are believed to give mystical powers, as well as provide protection and good luck. Once finished the monk blessed my tattoo, and I was done! Including transportation, the whole process cost me $12, while giving me an experience and souvenir that I'll never forget!
The finished product!
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