Hello, hello how are we all going?
I feel like in my neck of the woods we are all holding our breath about this second wave of COVID-19. Here in Thailand, things are still going well but I am looking across at friends and family in Melbourne, Florida, California, and Spain with everything crossed and sending lots of love.
This weekend we've had a holiday weekend here in Thailand, it is the King's Birthday. Long Live the King! We are very fortunate to be able to freely travel within Thailand and are venturing further and further afield. For this week's wanderings, we took a road trip.
Won’t you take a wander with me and I’ll show you around!
I’ve found my new favourite temple in Thailand. The only trouble is that we’ve had to drive over 5 hours to find it! This week's staycation has taken us to Sukhothai the first ancient capital of ancient Siam - it is worth the trip!
Let me introduce you to Wat Chang Lom, outside the city walls to the East. This temple is a large group of ancient monuments, with a main bell-shaped chedi with 32 elephant sculptures at its base.
The temple was having a festival and on hearing the becking music, we felt attracted to have a look. Without really knowing what we were doing, we bought two candles and as the sun was setting we left them with one of the elephants.
If we thought this was magical just wait and see what happened the next day. I’m not religious but I am drawn on occasion, to some divine presence.
Let’s go back for more elephant prayers, I suggested!
Well, when we got there the whole world and his Soi dog had had that idea! The temple festival had really ramped up!
The chedi looked amazing bathed in different coloured lights and with candles twinkling the whole way up its giant bell. It would have been quite an effort scaling these heights to place these delicate candles.
Under the moonlight, we joined a parade of Thai’s carrying lights circling the chedi with contemplative, silent walks. At a certain point, they left their candles with a prayer.
It didn’t really matter to us, that we had no idea what we had joined. The Thai people are always accepting, so calm and I feel so appreciative of Farang “foreigners” who want to be part of their culture.
We weren’t quite sure whether it was appropriate to leave our candle with our elephant but I felt we had a bond! So we did a treble loop and quietly left our candles not with the group lights but with our Elly. We asked her to stay strong, and look out for us all!
If you have enjoyed this post you might enjoy Wandering the Floral Fun at RakDok Art Week
Hope to see you there! Have a great week everyone.
Linking with thanks to all the hosts at Our World Tuesday
Comments
Wow, the temple is amazing. I love all the elephants. It looks beautiful at night with all the pretty lights. Looks like a great getaway for the weekend. Take care! Have a great day!
Do like elephants, and it's good that you can travel within the country.
Take care, stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Covid is terrible here in the States. Chicago (Illinois) is steady. We need true leadership and we will know in November if that will happen.
Jane
Happy Wednesday!
I hope you´re well.. Stay safe my friend..
Unfortunately we also have a little second Corona wave and had to go one step back in our "freedom" ! I feel as if I am in the wrong movie !
Things get worse and worse here and we venture out only to pick up food we have ordered in the pick-up area in the parking lot of the store. I’m so grateful for your blog and others like it that give me a window on the world, some vicarious travel, a little dose of hope.
Wander on, Wren!
Love the night photos with the temple bathed in the pink light and the burning candles :)
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