Spirituality and Sparkle - The Ultimate Combination

Last week Jen and I went on an amazing tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Po, and the Emerald Buddha. We had the greatest tour guide and learned so much. Starting off with the Grand Palace, WOW! The grounds were stunning. I had no idea that the royal family of Thailand is the wealthiest royal family in the world. It was not hard to believe once I saw this place, which hasn't even actually housed the royal family for over 60 years, yet there is more gold, jade, artwork and temples on the grounds than I've ever seen in one place.

The murals on the walls were so intricate and beautiful, I can't even imagine how long it must have taken to paint. And they extend across several meters worth of buildings, it's truly impressive.

More amazing than the Grand Palace though was Wat Po, home of the famed Reclining Buddha. While there are hundreds of smaller Reclining Buddhas in Wats across the country, this one is 151 feet long and 48 feet high and covered in gold leaf.

It was nearly impossible to get a shot of it in one frame but I did the best I could.

The soles of the Buddha's feet are made from mother of pearl. The entire Wat is decorated beautifully, with mural on the walls and drawings intricately carved into door and window panels.

Unfortunately you are not allowed to photograph the Emerald Buddha (which is actually jade), or even inside the Wat Phra Kaeo that it is kept in. The picture I took through the front door is so distorted it's not even worth posting here. It's no matter though, the outside of the Wat is what I loved the best, everything is gold and VERY sparkly!

Here are some other shots that I love just from the grounds and terraces around the Wats.

Wish you were here!