Wat Kanlayanamit

Wat Kanlayanamit is a temple complex downriver from Wat Arun. We saw it from across the river and decided to try and find it after visiting Wat Arun. It was a bit further than I thought, but after a bit of walking, crossing a canal (klong) on the drawbridge and going to a couple of smaller wats, we found it! They had a huge bell that Ms. A was so excited to ring and put the donation in the box.

After seeing the Buddha, Reed and Ms. A were blessed by a monk. Ms. A saw a group of people being blessed and she wanted to do it also. She wasn't too sure after he sprayed water on her. It was cute to see her do a wai to the monk. I felt a bit uncomfortable taking a picture, I've read that you should ask permission to take their pictures, but it is inappropriate for women to talk to monks. I also thought it was a bit sacred for the Thai people, so I took a picture after the blessing.

We fed the fish with the pigeons catching the crumbs. As we walked to the dock, we were surrounded by children asking for 5 or 10 Bahts (form of currency). An old lady offered her bowl to Ms A hoping for a donation, but Ms. A thought she was giving her the bowl, so she took it. We gave the bowl back and left.

Wat Arun

On April 26th we visited the west side of the Chao Phraya River. Our first stop was Wat Arun or the Temple of the Dawn. When we entered, I was amazed at the porcelain and ceramic on the buildings. Rama III expanded the wat during his reign. He requested that the local people donate ceramic shards to use in the expansion. There are also little porcelain plates on the exterior. The wat is 282 feet tall. The central prang. has three sets of stairs that get progressively thinner and higher. We walked up two sets of stairs, Reed and Ms A went up the third one, I was a bit unsure about being up so high!

The grounds also have a chapel where the Buddha resides and a set of bells are to the right of the chapel. Ms. A had a wonderful time ringing the different bells and hearing the different tones.