Khao San Road

---

I'm in the Khao San Road area--tourist hell, but close to the train station and some cool temples.

Early this morning before the sun and humidity set in, I walked just a mile or so to "The Golden Mount" and Wat Saket. It's a temple built on a man-made "mountain" (King Rama III in the mid-19th c. to be exact) with commanding views of the city. After a long climb up the stairs, a glorious view and a 10 baht charge await you (about .$25). Not one tourist in sight, they were all apparently hanging out together down the street. After burning incense to pay respect, I descended the stairs and walked across the road to The Wat Saket School, where Buddhist monks study. Very cool. It was just me and the monks, not even any Thais in the area.

I walked down the street to "Monk Village", where the old craft of forging "Monk Bowls" still exists. The bowls are used for alms. The craft is a dying art apparently, as the man there lamented most monks these days use mass produced Chinese versions. After buying one, the guy showed me how he and his family had been making them for 12 generations. Pretty neat.

I had some great pork curry and pad thai for lunch. Just me and the locals!

Tonight I finally leave Bangkok and head North by way of overnight train. Can't say I'll miss the city, but it has been a great experience.

More later!

---

Photos

Khao San Road
There must be a Starbucks around here somewhere!

Wat Saket prayer bells
For whom do these bells toll?

Wat Saket Grand Hall
Buddhist Monks at lecture time.

Wat Saket Buddha statue
The different hand positions, or mudra, symbolize different steps of enlightment.

Off the Beaten Path
"Monk Village": This man and his family have been making Monk Bowls for generations. He showed me step by step how it's done.

Hello Kitty Ice Cream girls
We all scream for ice cream!