Wat Bang Phra and my Sak Yant!

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!

Bangkok!!!

We left Sihanoukville and made the 20 hour bus journey to Bangkok. Another trip which involved multiple vehicles, and a slow (on Cambodia's part) immigration process.

The line to exit Cambodia

We finally made it though. I have been looking forward to Thailand throughout our trip, which is why I saved it for last. Bangkok is an amazing city. One of the few places during our travels where I feel like I could actually live, the other being Ho Chi Minh. We made our way to the infamous Khao San Road, found a guesthouse, and walked around. Bangkok has plenty to do, but it felt a bit like Shanghai in the sense that unless you love shopping and drinking, (and have the funds for it) there isn't a lot culturally to see, but Khao San is an attraction all its own. After being in relatively quiet and low key places for the past 1.5 months, it took a bit of readjusting seeing so many other foreigners jam packed into such a small area. Because of the recent coup, things have become a bit more chill on Khao San. The roadside bars close at 2, and sure there were people who were drunk and whatever else, but I didn't witness the debauchery that I saw on The Beach.

    

 Khao San Road during daylight

Even though we were a bit templed out we felt obligated to visit The Grand Palace. It was nice, and definitely the nicest temple/palace we've seen, but after a while they all start to run together. We spent the rest of our time exploring different areas of the city. Siam Square is a cool place full of name brand as well as boutique stores, and a good place for people watching. We also strolled along Sukhummit, which is supposedly where the more affluent tourists stay. That may be true, but vendors were hawking the same stuff there.

   

The Royal Grand Palace

I'm sure you are wondering, and no we did not visit any ladyboy bars or see any "ping pong shows." Both are massive tourist traps, and while the latter does sound intriguing, I'm not sure I'm even interested in seeing a woman shoot a ball out of her lady parts. I did do one other interesting thing while there, which I'll talk about in my next entry.

  
                Grafitti near Khao San                                 Zoe and I trying to meanmug at Wat Pho