April 11th 2023 Cambodia breaks the Guinness World record for largest display of origami hearts. The UNESCO World Heritage site grounds of Angkor Wat were covered with millions of origami hearts.
Guinness World Record official Tomomi Sekioka confirmed on April 11th 2023 that Cambodia has secured the Guinness world record title with it’s Angkor Wat display of nearly 4 million origami hearts.
During WWII Thailand remained neutral and soon found themselves occupied by Japanese forces intent on using Thailand’s centralized location to further their control of South East Asia. In October 1942 the Japanese Military began construction on a railway line from Ban Pong, Thailand to Thanbyuzayat Myanmar (Burma). The train was to help transport goods from Thailand into Myanmar (Burma) to facilitate their intended expansion of the war to India. The construction of the meter-gauge railway is now known as the Death Railway due to the incredibly inhumane conditions enforced on those who were compelled to build the 415km long railroad.
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan is more commonly known as Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Wat Pho is located in central Bangkok and is thought to be built in or about 1688. It is one of the largest temple complexes in Bangkok at 80,000 square meters (861,000 square feet) and has over 1,000 Buddha images as well as one of the largest Golden Reclining Buddhas in the world at 46 meters (151 ft) in length. The soles of the feet of the Buddha are 3 meters (9.8 feet) high and 4.5 meters (14.7 feet) long, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are each divided into 108 panels with the center of each foot containing a circle representing a chakra or ‘energy point’. There are other buildings housing beautiful relics and some amazing garden areas to see. Wat Pho is also an education center that focuses on traditional medicine and massage therapy. It is definitely an amazing place to visit and it has easy access from the MRT. Be sure to bring water.
This was a very long day with so much included. We started very early in Bangkok by Van to the Samut Sakhon Brine Salt Fields. The Salt Fields. This is also where we began our train ride on the Mae Klong Railway that runs to the Train Market also known as the Life Risking Market. We then enjoyed the Market and experienced the oddity of the train running through the middle of it. After that excitement we were back into the Van heading to the Damnoen Saduak Canal and Ladplee Floating Market. We took an hour plus ride in a flat bottom longtail boat through the canals and floating market as people floated by selling goods and food. Then a 2 hour Van ride back to Bangkok. This was an amazing day full of adventure and new experiences. Below you will find descriptions of each stop and Video Links as well as pictures.
The Grand Palace complex in Bangkok Thailand is located in central Bangkok was established in 1782 by King Rama I. The 218,000 square meter (2,346,532 square feet) complex is completely walled and includes the palace, temples and administrative offices.
Welcome to the largest Mall in Thailand. The Icon Siam located in Bangkok Thailand along the river is huge and Fancy. There are 5,651,052 square feet…and yes that 5 million plus square feet of shopping, entertainment and food. One area is even dedicated to cars….like Massarotti, Porsche etc.
Here is proof that a utilitarian elevated intersection can be amazing when you include design and Art. This is an elevated walk above the street but below the BTS skytrain. It connects all 4 corners with building access. It is beautiful and very cool. Art covered seating, green tiles, and awesome views
Now, for a quick rant. Jeffrey Cleland decided we did not need transport from the airport to our hotel. He was pretty sure you could take the train. Well technically he was right …but
Ta Prohm Temple originally called Rajavihara was built in the 12 Century under the reign of the Khmer King, Jayavarman VII. Ta Prohm was built as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and is located inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom in the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archeological Park just outside of Siem Reap Cambodia.
Bayon Temple also known as Prasat Bayon is located inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Archeological Park of Siem Reap Cambodia.
Bayon was built in the 12th Century and is most well known for the 173 massive stone faces still standing on the many towers. They are huge. It is believed there were as many as 216 originally. The entire structure is covered in reliefs, decoration and carvings. The temple itself is very large and full of hallways, stairs and courtyards.