Wat Pho (also spelled Wat Po) is next door to the Grand Palace and complements a palace visit nicely.  It is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok, and is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (its official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan).  It is also known as the home of the traditional Thai massage.  There is a bodhi tree in the Temple’s gardens that is supposed to be propagated from the original bodhi tree the Buddha sat beneath while awaiting enlightenment.

The image of the reclining Buddha is 15 m (49 ft) high and 43 m (150 ft) long.  It is the largest Buddha image in Thailand and was made to celebrate King Rama III’s restoration (1824 – 51 AD).  The image is decorated with gold leaf, and his eyes and feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The famous (and enormous!) Reclining Buddha

A few of the 108 bronze bowls lining the walls of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.  People drop coins into the bowls for good luck (and to help the monks maintain the wat)

The reclining Buddha is definitely not the only Buddha image to see in Wat Pho.  There are over 1000 Buddha images in the massive grounds.   Mom, Terry and I followed the crowds out, missing nearly half the grounds.  Since our tickets were single-entry, we couldn’t get back in without paying the entrance again.  Mike, who was lagging behind to take photos, wandered through the rest of the grounds while we waited outside.

If you’re planning to visit Wat Pho, please remember to wear respectful clothing.  No exposed shoulders, knees, or cleavage.  Entrance fee:  100 baht (~$3.30 CAD).

And because you can never share enough photos….