Laguna and the Big Cock

I started my Sunday off with the amusing expat crew weekly brunch. They always entertain me with all their stories and adventures. I feel extremely “midwest” around this worldly group. After brunch I usually take the opportunity to hit a nearby beach. James and Jeanette recommended Paul’s, in their British accents, sounded like Pool’s. I googled mapped my way to this part of Laguna and was not disappointed. So quiet.

Spent a lot of time admiring the clouds.

Water was beautifully calm and clouds heavy and low.

This is one of the longest beaches and is connected with Bang Tao and Layan Beach.

As I was swimming I noticed a storm quickly approaching, so I had to take off earlier than I wanted. But so happy I did as I was able to avoid all the rain and even took the scenic route home. (Virlane showed me the other day so I wanted to test my memory)

Every temple is always uniquely detailed.

Going through a local village this was a surprise to find.

I decided to check out the Mining Museum on the drive home. It was closed. Not sure I would have been that entertained by it anyways with my limited interest in mining.

No clue what I am looking at. I was more interested in the locals that were digging through, or dumping in the dumpster on the property. I was wondering what bodies may be discovered there 🙂

At Thanksgiving dinner, I was teased that I never saw the Big Cock in Kathu and have lived there now for months. I said maybe compared to the cocks I have seen, it just may not have caught my eye 🙂 But I was determined to find it…..so I decided to google it on my way home. Was quite a day and quite a large cock!

He sits outside a restaurant called the Big Chicken.

Wat Monkol Waram

In true scooter travelling style, I glimpsed a hint of the beauty inside this Buddhist Temple as I rounded a corner and decided to stop by for a visit. This temple was unique with it’s beautifully landscaped garden area. There was plant life I haven’t seen elsewhere and as always unique statues throughout.

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”

It’s weird because the pink reminds me of Miami, but then it’s surrounded by Thai gold sculpture.

Wat Karon Temple

When I was trying to find parking for Tia in Karon yesterday, I turned a corner to see this gorgeous temple. I know there are temples everywhere on this island, but they always present to me a reason to pause. Each one is unique. None more beautiful than the next. This one in particular eased me in with the Buddhist chanting prayer. It is very rhythmically calming.

I’m taken back a bit by the contrast of the barefoot simplicity of the Buddhist monks wrapped in all orange togas vs their completely detailed, brightly colored, ornate temples. The temples in Phuket are the most decorative structures on the island. The best way I guess I can compare it is to the Catholic churches vs the priests garment. Why is it that in religion those that sacrifice all wealth to a higher power must dwell within the most elaborate display of it?

Big Buddha Blog

Last day with Traci. So sad. Thank goodness I saved the Big Buddha for last, because climbing those mountainous curves with Traci on the scooter would have sent her over the edge had I ventured any sooner. We even did a pit stop at a half way point to visit the Wat Chaithararam Temple for a moment. I know I’ve blogged about that before so I’ll spare you repeat photos.

The landscaping at Wat Chaithararam is so well kept.

Traci got the balls to take photos while on the back! Dare devil!

Some of the road side cafes on the way up.

I feel so badly for these elephants. They are chained up and you can tell are unhappy.

Baby chained up. I wish this could be unlawful. Heartbreaking.

The Big Buddha. Giving it perspective with the people climbing the stairs up.

The backside. You can actually walk through the Buddha. A lot of construction going on around this big guy but they don’t even put up any ropes to keep you out. All at your own risk here. Monks were singing in unison inside. Their voices echoed and it could’ve put me into a trance.

Not quite sure what this was. One of many gold figurines. One of these days I’ll get a tour guide to better understand this religion. They were putting coins into 32 bowls for good health of their 32 organs. Lots of cool observations here.

Exploring Roads Unknown

Yesterday for Taco Tuesday, Virlane and her son David picked me up and we made it for the 1/2 price timing! I ate four tacos which won me a free shot of tequila. Yes please!

Such a great colorful capture! The dude in the hat is the owner of the joint and a past neighbor of Virlane’s. He’s obviously a hoot!

On our drive back from the taco stand, Virlane was telling me about a road that is a back way to my place and goes through more jungle areas. I was intrigued. She gave me the British International School as a landmark to Google map my way there. In true Tonya style, I of course wandered off that path and followed a local scooter that went into what I thought was a golf course area. I passed a gated un-guarded entry and discovered a dam that led to a work- out area. I may go back this weekend with my sneakers and see where it all leads.

I saw a ton of people in work out gear running their way into this wooded area. So I decided to start walking in but then got distracted by a staircase.

Nobody was going up them, but it looked like a good leg work out to me. So I decided to adventure up to see where it led.

It was going quite high up and between the trees was a clear view of the scooters and people that arrived for their evening jog after work.

I turned a corner and now I was a bit worried. Was I headed to some personal property of some kind? Being farang I felt I had a legitimate excuse for being lost so I continued up.

This shrine was at the top. Complete with fu dogs guarding the entry. The most intriguing part to me was the soccer balls in the alter area below the statue. ( Mimi later explained to me that the soccer balls are an offering to the tiger statue that is there)

Guard for the temple. And that’s a baton so get your minds out of the gutter!

I started following a path to the right but then decided against it since mosquitoes were starting to discover me.

You know I love the view through the trees!

This was out front of the temple. Clean dishes. I am mystified as to why they are there, and who does them?

On the way back to my condo I stopped at this street market to see if there was anything I could eat for dinner. As much as I love exploring, when it comes to food I am not so daring.

Any idea what the green things are? Look like giant pee pods to me 🙂

For some reason this stand intrigued me. The colors just do not look edible. Almost like a take on pepto, or is it just me? I ended up landing myself at a very classy road side Italian restaurant. I will definitely be going back there. Homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter sauce….6$ dinner. Not bad!

Wat Sri Sunthon Temple

As I was driving Tia yesterday to Layan Beach, I pulled over to put on my rain poncho as there were storms chasing behind me. But after about 15 minutes I was on a different side of the island and the skies cleared up. I was sweating now in the humidity and decided that I should pull over to strip that damn plastic off. Perfectly timed, I pulled into this Temple and was quite surprised to find the golden sleeping buddha! Love my luck and intuition.

Unfortunately I was wearing a very short skirt since I was heading to the beach and I didn’t want to offend the modesty requirements of this religion. I snapped a few photos and happily moved on my merry way. I may go back to check out the interior and other areas once I am more properly covered.

This sleeping position means “realizing nirvana”. I think he looks quite gazingly stoned with his expression.
You can get the magnitude of his scale when looking at the car image captured here as well.

This was the entrance I pulled into. These past two days have been Buddhist holidays, so no alcohol is allowed to be served or sold. Good thing I purchased my white wine on my way home yesterday!

They had a lot of unique animal sculptures around which I am still unsure of the meaning behind.

The rabbit looks a bit evil. Or possibly just horrified by the sculptures behind him.

The rain has been relentless. I finally am understanding low season. Supposed to be like this all week. Excellent weather for wine drinking and napping 🙂 The perks of working from home!

Spirit Houses and Trees

I finally googled what the meaning is with all the small temples and colorful ties on trees I see everywhere. Maybe you already understand the cultural meaning, but since I didn’t I figure some people reading may also not. I thought it had something to do with Buddhism. But it does not.

Spirit worship was culturally in Thailand way before Buddhism. They believe in spirits living within their worlds. And whenever a business or house is built on land, the owner builds a spirit house to entice the spirits to go and live there instead of inside their new development. They buy trinkets and decorate the houses to keep the spirits happy. Food is also given as well as drinks to the spirits. Red Fanta is popular.

You may even see spirit houses at dangerous road sites asking for the spirits to protect and not mess with people driving on that section. It is very important also to not just get rid of a spirit house once its breaking a bit, you have to gradually entice the spirits into a new home you are providing and then discard the old house on what is called “Ghost Roads”. Would love to see one of these roads!

The multi colored ribbons tied on trees is a way to protect the tree from being cut down letting it be known that spirits live there. You will see offerings of food and trinkets near these trees also. The goal is for the Thai people to keep the spirits happy so they will not interfere badly in their lives.

Thai people also place fresh flower garlands on their spirit houses and statues.

Notice the red pop drinks. I usually also see water out.

There is such a variety to the spirit house designs.

The colorful fabric ties on the post are always brightly colored.

Food offering. The dogs around here don’t mess with it.

This statue is outside of Karon Beach. Notice all the trinkets and offerings around it. People also come and light incense and worship at the spirit houses/statues.

This spirit house was outside of the Kathu Falls.

The colorful ribbons are also tied onto boats to ward off the spirits from their journeys on the water.

This photo is from one of the very first days Tiff and I explored Phuket Town.
Now I understand what I was looking at better.

Wat Chaithararam

I read about this Buddhist temple as a suggested thing to do on a rainy day. I decided since I was trying to avoid the sun exposure this was a good thing to check out today. It was beautiful, peaceful, inspiring, artistic, and colorful. I need to learn more about this religion to truly appreciate all I am taking in.