We have to admit it. We can't really remember where this picture was taken. We think it's leaving Snooky. In any event, what the heck are they trying to tell us by putting an airplane on top of a half-finished building???
While the itinerary called it Bangkok, we were docked at Laem Chabang Port. It's a very busy working port, going 24/7 loading and unloading containerized freight. Watching this procedure is actually mesmerizing...many people were sitting in the Observation Lounge just watching the ballet. And drinking champagne.
There's a little civil unrest in Bangkok these days, so we hopped onto the tour bus and drove through Pattaya, the famous beach town full of hotels of all types, including some really nice resorts. Also in Pattaya: serious nightlife. No one's up in the morning because everyone parties late in the many bars and nightclubs. The tour guide warns one to "keep your sweetie close in Pattaya". There are lots of beautiful women in Pattaya who turn out to be "lady boys": crossdressers. This, apparently, can become very interesting in bars in the red light district.
"On the seashore of Rachvate Cape, Pattaya, lies a construction called The Sanctuary of Truth, exposing its top up in the sky, amid many modern buildings. It proudly shows the ancient knowledge of Thai artists at present". We thought we were going to see a temple and some people doing the native wood-carving the the area's known for. It was quite a surpirse...the temple is huge and is entirely made of hand-carved hardwoods, mostly teak.
We did see native wood-carving. It's the people who are carving the wood for the sanctuary, which was begun in 1981 and won't be completely finished for another 20 years.
It's on land that was inherited by the temple's creator who could have built another hotel but opted to preserve the heritage by building the sanctuary. Here are a few samples of the amazing carvings.
All done by hand. Check out their website at www.sanctuaryoftruth.com
