Soi Rambutri Roads

When there's a wound in your heart, keep it open until it heals. 
Air it out. 
Understand it. 
Dive into it. 
Be fierce enough to become it. 
If you ignore it, it won't be able to breathe. 
If you ignore it, it will merely deepen, spread and resurface later, wanting to release. 
And when later happens, it will hurt even more,  
Because when later happens, you won't know what you're bleeding for. 
Remain with it until it clears, and watch the beauty pour into your openness. 
Remain open to feel lightness. Remain open to feel free. 

(Soi Rambutri Roads , May 2016)

Ps : This dog is okay at all, he just fall sleep so deeply 

4 April 'WORLD ANIMAL STRAY DAY'

“If having a soul means being able to feel love , loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.......”

Happy world animal stray day ,

adopt - rescue - foster - donate - volunteer - educate - care

Don't walk away.......

Afternoon time @ Care for Dogs Foundation Chiang Mai Thailand

@ Ganesha Shrine - Bangkok

My last destination before i fly back to my country. Ganesha , offering some marigold flower, yellow candle and a wish.

GANESHA SHRINE BANGKOK
Address : Ratchadamri Road, in front of Isetan Department Store - CentralWorld Plaza.
Opening hour : 24 hour, it's open air shrine, you can visit anytime, but the best time is in the night.
The easiest way to reach here : Take the BTS Skytrain. The Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line converge at Thanon Rama 1 (Rama 1 Road) in front of CentralWorld. If you take the taxi, just say or write "Phra Pikanet Shrine". As my experience , I'm sure nobody know who is Ganesha :)

Pak Klong Talad - Bangkok Flower Market

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into..."

Opening Hours: 24 hours, more popular during nighttime
Location: Chak Phet Road-the Memorial Bridge /Saphan Phut Chao Phraya pier,just south of Wat Pho.

Fluttering Prayer - Wat Pho - Bangkok

"If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough...."

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok, where the Sleeping Buddha lay, home to more than one thousand Buddha images and 91 chedi (stupa).

But I don't know why when im enter the door, im not interest to walking around the wat. My eyes just stuck with the huge tree behind the temple.

This is the Bodhi Tree, the sacred tree which has a special place in the hearts of the followers of buddha. I sit for some time while my memories brought me to Bodhgaya India, a place when the first time the story of Bodhi Tree start.

I saw some of people stand , closed eyes , start to pray, burn the stick and left under the tree.

I can feel it, many prayers and hope surround , waiting for the wind to bring it, with the dry leaves, fluttering and fly into the sky...

Wat Pho
Addres : Chetuphon Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Entrance fee : 50 BHT
Opening hours : 08.00 AM to 5.00 PM, with a break from 12.00 PM to 1.00 PM
The dirrection : Short river crossing away from Wat Arun stop at Tha Thien Pier. It's within walking distance of Wat Phra Kaew / Grand Palace.

Sleeping Buddha - Bangkok

Don't miss to visit a big sleeping buddha statue inside the Wat Po if you are roam around Bangkok. The location is near Wat Arun, you just need cross the river and walk for some minute.

The statue of Sleeping Buddha here is realy huge. 15 m high and 43 m long with his right arm supporting the head with tight curls on two box-pillows of blue, richly encrusted with glass mosaics.The 3 m high and 4.5 m long foot of Buddha displays are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

As im not a buddhist, i ask my self, why Buddha have sleeping position statue...?.

Here the story behind. The Sleeping Buddha is represent Sakyamuni on his death bed entering nirvana. Before the Buddha's death, he became severely sick. He walked northwest with his disciples and had the food offered by a blacksmith.

His illness was getting worse. In the end, he came to a river and took a bath. Then he made a rope bed among eight sal trees, with each direction has two. He lied on his side, right hand supporting his head, the other resting on his body. All later reclining Buddhas (called Buddha's Nirvana) are in the same posture.

The Buddha's disciples kept watch on him after they were told the Buddha was going to nirvana. At night, a scholar of Brahman went to see the Buddha, but was stopped by Ananda, a disciple of the Buddha. Hearing this, the Buddha called the scholar to his bed and worded for him.

Sakyamuni died at the age of eighty years old. People excavated the vestige of the cremation of his remains and the reclining Buddha carved in stone at where he died in Kushinagar - India , hope i can visit someday :)

What make controversy right now is what the buddha eat so make him die and enter Nirvana. Manys say's Buddha eat non vegetarian food - Pork - sukara maddava (sukara = "pig," maddava = "mild, gentle, soft," also "withered"). It could therefore mean either "the tender parts of a pig" or "what pigs enjoy" like mushroom, favored truffles (which pig's love and are obtained by having pigs root for them)

Buddha die suddenly after eat the food. Was food poisoning the cause of the illness? It seems unlikely. The symptoms described do not indicate food poisoning, which can be very acute, but would hardly cause diarrhoea with blood. Usually, food poisoning caused by bacteria does not manifest itself immediately, but takes an incubation period of two to 12 hours to manifest itself, normally with acute diarrhoea and vomiting, but not the passage of blood. If we talk from the medical side.

For me, because the food or because another reason, Buddha die is destiny that written. His job to teach kindness to the human is already finished. That's why Nirvana call. To give place to him for rest in peace after spend whole of his life to serve around suffering.

What we can do now is to continued all the good teachings of the Buddha taught. Bring happiness to all creatures. Without conflict , differences and violance.

Because Kindness is One Language.

Rest In Peace Buddha...

Sikh Temple - Little India - Bangkok

Sikh temple is build inside the little india area in Bangkok. This place famous with the name of "Pahurat street". Here is well known are for wide range of textiles, silk, cotton, wool and cashmere.Besides textiles, these shops sell a wide collection of statues and pictures of Indian deities, Indian CDs, VCDs, bracelets, trinkets , sandals and also cheap india food.

Open for public from 07.00 AM till 09.00 PM , you can easily enter without any restriction. Just do not be noisy, wear closed cloth and cover your head.

The temple have sixht floor, look modern and clean. I go directly to the main prayer area at four floor. There is pathway in the middle of this hall, leading to the Guru Granth Sahib. The floor is carpeted with a beautiful design and is used as a sitting place for all the Sikh devotees.

Ladies sit on the left hand side of the hall, while the men sit on the right hand side, facing the platform, on which the Guru Granth Sahib is installed. The reason for sitting separately is to maintain order and to maintain concentration in listening to the religious prayers.

In the middle of the hall is a raised platform, about one meter above the floor, with carved gold-plated pillars on all fours sides. Above the platform is gold-plated dome, in the shape of a lotus, with petals around it. The top most is covered with a piece of cloth having a gold lace at the edge around it, giving a royal symbol. Placed on the platform, is the Guru Granth Sahib.

When i reached there, one of sikh man recite the holy book, I sit for nearly an hour to listen. Even i don't understand the meaning but from his tone bring peace in my heart and mind.

Wat Arun - Bangkok - Thailand

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan is the important place for Buddhist follower in Thailand. This place famous with sun dawn attraction, where you can see and enjoy how beatiful the temple mix with the light of sunset.

The name of Arun come from the India God name. In Hindu mythology and scriptures, Arun (अरुण) is a personification of the reddish glow of the rising Sun,which is believed to have spiritual powers. The presence of Aruṇá, the coming of day, is invoked in Brahmin prayers to Surya.

To reached this place we need to across chaopraya river. There is a boat every 10 minute that take you to the wat arun dock and you need pay around 3 THB. For the foreigners, the temple charges an entrance fee is 50 THB. Again you should wear decent clothes to go inside.

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower) which are encrusted with colourful porcelain.This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda incrusted with coloured faience. The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m (219 ft) and 86 m (282 ft). The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prangs. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.

What make me interesting is, the story of wat arun myth is very closed with hindusm. The central prang symbolizes Mount Meru of the Indian cosmology.The satellite prangs are devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien. The white figure is named Sahassa Deja and the green one is known as Thotsakan, the Demon Rāvana from Ramayana.

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva". Around the base of the prangs are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.

In the Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels - base for Traiphum indicating all realms of existence, middle for Tavatimsa where all desires are gratified and top denoting Devaphum indicating six heavens within seven realms of happiness. At the riverside are six pavilions (sala) in Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.

Walked around this place in the 37 celsius degrees make my skin totaly burn :(.

Vegetarian Restaurant Bangkok - Ethos

It's around 11.00 AM when my plane landed back in Bangkok. The weather was so hot, make my empty belly getting more hungry. Yes, that's was my reason why i visit this city, to start vegetarian culinary walking.

The first destination is the famous traveller area "Khao San Road". From Suvarnabhumi Airport i take the Cityline train to Phaya Thai (BTS) station, runs every 15 mins and costs around 50 Baht. From Phaya Thai i take taxi to Khao San Road, and the cost around 100 Baht.

Many Vegetarian and Vegan food around. I try ethos restaurant, a hidden place on the corner. They have many kind of menu. Thailand , india and also western taste. Why i choose this place, because here i can eat my favourite food "tempeh" / "tempe". Yes almost everyday i eat this food. So away for 7 day from Indonesia, make me miss this food. And im surprised because in Ethos i can find it.

Big lunch meal, because i order morning glory with garlic, fried tempeh with coconut sauce, mushrooms soup, red rice, lassi and ice lemon tea.

Not so tasty, for indonesia tongue like me as usual, need more spice and chili i think. But recomended one if you want the healthy food , they use organics product and free from MSG

Here more :

http://www.ethosnet.biz/

Hmong Village

The north of thailand is the famous place where you can found all of the various tribal peoples who migrated from Yunnan, Tibet, or elsewhere in China over the past few centuries. They now inhabit the remote border areas between Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar).

These areas are known for their thick forests and mountainous terrain. Here you can found six tribal etnicity : Akha, Lahu, Karen, Hmong/Miao, Mien/Yao and Lisu, each with a distinct language and culture.

In this time i just have chance to visit The Hmong Tribe Village. Based on history The Hmong are believed to have been the original inhabitants of the Yellow River valley in ancient China. nThe expansion of the neighboring Chinese from the north, caused a disruption in the Hmong culture and forced them to migrate southwards to escape oppression and persecution. Over the centuries, many wars have been waged against the Chinese in which the Hmong would suffer heavy casualties from, being that they were outnumbered.

They live in a hill with a simple home. Working in the agricultural sector and also make a handicraft. That surprised me was to see what plant they have in the field. I saw for the first time in my life "Canabis Sativa" and also "Opium" plant.

Yes, it's still be world controversy about illegal opium and also drug trafficking in the area of Golden Triangle (Thailand, Myamar and Lao). But my guide Nikky say's, not all plant go for illegal drug, some of use it for textile and also craft media. I just curious, how it will be look. We will try buy it later in the traditional market beside.

After looking around, my guide have an idea, to try Hmong cloth. It's very heavy , hot and exhausting. I can't imagine how the people here wear it everyday :)

Tribal place is always be my fav destination. You know why...?. Because I love the colour. And just in tribal comunity i can found how the colour of everything is mix without a limitation of match like in mode rule.

If i have chance, someday.. i want to visit all tribal people in the Golden Triangle. Just to try the cloth they have.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai

The first plan was to go to Lao-Myanmar border, but because we all wake up late than we change the plan, go to a very famous temple on the mountain, Doi Suthep.

The temple is located 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai and is a sacred site to many Thai people.

To reached there, we pick a day tour package from my hotel. For 2 destination, tribal hill and Doi Sutep you need to pay around 900 BHT, and the journey start from 9 AM till 5 PM. They will give you comfort mercedes van and 1 guide.

The weather was so bad when we reached this temple. Dark clouds, thunder and rain. Because this build up in the hill, so you will feel how closed the light of thunder and it's make me scared.

I try to hide from rain and thunder beside a huge statue of Buddha inside, but I saw the people there do not care about the rain and still sit , quiet praying in the rain and lightning.

It's so beautiful, how they can trust the power of nature to immerse themselves in, without fear of hurting.

Strong winds blowing make all the temple bells rang, create a sacred atmosphere around. I saw a buddhist monk sale a completely prayer offering. A pink lotus , 3 incense stick and small candle. Than i buy one for 20 BHT.

When praying and requesting a favor to Buddha, Thai people take three incense sticks one pour the Buddha, one for the Sangha (สังฆ - Buddhist community), one for the Dharma (ธรรม - teachings of the Buddha), a flower (ดอกไม้ - orchid or lotus, which symbolizes the Buddhist teachings purity) and a small candle (เทียน - it symbolizes comprehension enlightenment).

They lit the incense sticks and kneel three times and put the incense sticks in front of the statue.

Once inside the temple grounds, visitors must take off their shoes and must be appropriately dressed. For foreigner you will get charge 50 BHT to enter the temple.

Because the temple build in a hills there are about 300 steps to climb to reached the temple, but don't wory if you don't like take 300 stair you can go directly throught elevator.

I choose to climb the 300 step , you know why...? they build this stair with the deeply meaning . Let me try make a conclusion..

Usualy in life human will choose the easy way to reached the destination and get nothing. But when you reached the destination with hard work and difficult process, then you will always remember and be grateful with what you have done.

Does it make sense...? :)

Chiang Mai Vegetarian Food : Taste from Heaven

Chiang Mai is one of the city in South East Asian that love Vegetarian. As my experience, many Vegetarian resto around, with lot's of menu, fresh, free MSG and good price. Over 40 vegetarian-only restaurants plus many more vegetarian-friendly options.

Okay , I put "Chiang Mai" after India, the place that must be visited by vegetarian traveller.

I know, it's very frustrating, if you are traveller and vegetarian. When you are hungry and want to eat, you must explain what you want to eat to the locals people, who are not familiar with the word vegetarian, sometime with sign language if they not speak english.

But if you are in Thailand you just have to remember one word , "Jay", mean you are Vegetarian and need Vegetarian food :)

The first place i tried was "Taste from Heaven" just 100 meter away from my hotel. I pick curry soup, fried morning glory, fried tofu and cold lemon grass tea. The taste is good.Enough to make my stomach happy.

This place also offers cooking classes and some of social projects to save the elephants. Interesting!

Here more : http://www.taste4heaven.com/

Okay, im finish with my lunch. Now... many other restaurant waiting to be tried.

Note : Here some of vegetarian Resto that recomended to try : Pun Pun, Cafe Compassion, Free Bird Cafe, Khun Churn, Tianzi Tea House, May Kaidee's, Gap's House and Giva Raw Food.

Chiang Mai - City of Temple

After finishing my “sweet” breakfast today, with a small map from my hotel in hand, sun cream , and a bottle of water. I’m ready to explore this city.

80% destination inside the city is temple / “Wat”. Over 300 temple "Wat" build here.That’s why you'll easily find a statue of Buddha stand everywhere. I decide just to visit some of Wat that big and old. Because to visit all need more time and I'm too old to walk through the city.

My advice is start early morning, when the sun not too bright ( sun here is a little bit deadly ). You can walk and enjoy the tranquility and hospitality of this city. No traffic jam and enough clean air.

First I found the Thapae Gate. Tapae Gate is Chiangmai's main entrance to the old walled city. You can sit and enjoy local people do activity around.

The interesting one is , I saw a poor man who was feeding hundreds of pigeons there. He look happy with those activity, than I went to him and asked if I can join and help him to feed the pigeons. He just smile and give me a slice of bread.

One lesson for me , sometimes someone just have a little more willing to share than someone who have more. You know why..?, because the poor know how the feels of starve and have nothing , so he is not stingy to share.

If you cross by The Tapae Gate don’t forget bring some bread for the Piegon.

After finish with the Pigeon, I continued walk cross the gate to visit some of Wat in my list. Wat Pra Singh, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chedi Luang, What Pan Tao and Wat Pra Sat

All is free entry, and you can take a picture inside or outside. You just have to respect people who pray inside. Do not make noise and keep quiet. There are some of donation box in each Wat, if you are interested to give some of your coin.

What i feel after walking around the city is a peacefulness, westernization did not seem much influence here. It's very different with the other city like Bangkok, Pataya or Phuket.

Chiang Mai still keep the local taste of culture, religion and wisdom. This makes all the outsiders like me have to follow how the local custom there.

Note : The rules are very strick. I saw many tourists were expelled and do not allow to enter inside . So please wear the decent cloth.

You are going to met Buddha right ...? , so leave your beach costume.. because im sure no pool inside the temple :)