Maha Viharn Temple and one fine, busy Sunday

One thing that you will never run out of when you’re in Thailand is the myriad of temples. There are at least 430 temples in this country, in Bangkok area alone there are less than 50. Now if you enjoy “wat trips” like me, visiting Thailand should be a breeze. Not only does it make me slobber gloating over these shimmering architecture, admiring wat (temple) also provides me with some photographic moments.

On our way to Bangkok from Nakhon Ratchasima Province we passed by this new temple, Maha Viharn which one of our Thai companions suggested that we visit before going back to our hotel. The area is huge and some portions are still under construction (but relatively, the area is nearly finish). This is more of a sanctuary that offers both the luxury of a park while admiring the wat amidst its beautiful, vast landscape. There are restaurants and souvenirs stores too.

This is the recieving area where visitors can get the information about the place (mostly in Thai). Inside are little versions of Buddha (reclining, sitting, praying) in gold, silver and wood.

The east side temple which was on top of a hill. Before getting there, you'll pass by a series of wishing bells.

This is the main pagoda or temple with the moat in front. Inside the main hall is a huge statue of Maha Viharn, a highly revered monk.

View from the main temple.

A variety of flowers which I spotted as I was making my exit going to the west side to visit another temple.

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[Postscript]

Friend: What's one of your guilty pleasures aside from listening to Air Supply?

(An embarrased) Rayts: Watching Manny Pacquiao fights! (*smirk with rolling eyes*)

Last Sunday, as early as 6 am, I met my friend Crim in LB to watch the most anticipated Paquiao-de la Hoya fight at SM Megamall. Thirty minutes before 8AM, we made our way into the mall without a hassle. I don’t usually patronize going to the malls just to watch a Pacquiao bout but realizing it was with dela Hoya and chances are I will be getting what I paid for and that I will be watching a history in the making, I insisted of going. I asked Crim to come along (even though she could have just watch the live feed at the comfort of their television set). She's the nicest. Always there to lend a hand for a low-life like me. :-D

Overall, the experience of watching a boxing bout on a big screen was fun. It was fun watching a fight with fellow boxing enthusiasts. But it was never a breeze. Aside from the fact that we weren’t able to purchase the best seats , there was this old man beside us who could not contain himself from his seat that he had to belt his hearts out screaming while watching the game: “Wala pang 12 rounds bagsak na yan si dela Hoya. Bugbog sarado yan kay Manny! Wala, wala yang sinabi!” (Manny will knock out dela Hoya in less than 12 rounds. He’s nothing!) He kept saying it like, there’s no one beside him. I pity the guys who were beside and in front of him. Their ears probably got busted because of his megaphone-like voice. Another thing, since Megamall subscribed to Solar Sports live, the feed was ironically delayed and the picture was not clear (as I have expected it). But I guess it’s a lot better than watching it on Channel 7.

Horde of people coming out of the cinema after the Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight.

After watching the fight, we decided to see Catherine Hardwicke's movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. We headed for the bookstores for some new titles. Afterwhich, we went to our final destination at a nearest coffeeshop for another swig of coffee (that's after having two cups already, before and during the Pacquiao fight). Now that's one hell of a Sunday!