January 25, 2014 Saturday

Jo had told me that there was a smaller viharn at Wat Suan Dok that she just loved. I have been to Wat Suan Dok many, many times, and I am familiar with the property, but do not know of this smaller viharn. The main viharn at Wat Suan Dok is very large.

Wat Suan Dok

After breakfast with Linda, we got a tuk-tuk to Wat Suan Dok to find and investigate the smaller viharn. There are always tuk-tuks outside Wat Chedi Luang, and for some reason, today there were many more than normal.

A tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled, three-person vehicle powered by a motorcycle engine that in Thailand, uses natural gas as fuel. Tuk-tuks evolved from rickshaws, and are used in many countries for various types of transportation. In Thailand, they are used heavily for short-ride taxis in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pukket (the major tourist cities). There are no meters, the fare is negotiated in advance for the destination. Unfortunately, many of the tuk-tuk drivers are aggressive drivers, and tend to charge tourists too much, so I avoid them. Sometimes they are the best option available, as the shared ride Red Trucks do not go everywhere.

The older, smaller viharn at Wat Suan Dok was interesting, and the carved thewada beautiful. I like it, I appreciate it, but it did not grab me the same way Jo expressed.

A view of the smaller viharn at Wat Suan Dok. Based on the roof, this is a traditional Lanna style. One of the artistic touches I like, the naga/dragon banister on the staircase, does not exist here.

Inside the viharn. Like Wat Lok Molee, it is all teak. Many of the old temples are all teak inside, and quite striking.

The carved thewada (equivalent to an angel in Christianity) on the window coverings are beautiful and very artistic.

And then around the corner and up the lane is the main chedi at Wat Suan Dok. Every time I am there, I am compelled to take more pictures; I find it so reverent and dignified.

After being at Wat Suan Dok, we headed to Wat Lok Molee, another of my favorite temples. We also explored another temple, Wat Mon Tien approximately across the moat from Wat Lok Molee.

Dinner at the Coffee Club

After a long day of exploring temples, we were hungry, we considered Blue Diamond for dinner, but opted for dinner at the Coffee Club, a familiar and comfortable place close to our hotels.

Linda was craving french fries, so she ordered a chicken wrap with a side of french fries.

I ordered the tamarind chicken with rice. It was a chicken breast stuffed with a spinach and something else mixture, covered in a sauce or gravy that was made with tamarind. Not particularly spicy, and a very nice flavor.

For desert I had the carrot cake. Very good.

Next: The Last Sunday