Thailand & Vietnam Odyssey: On our way to Thailand & Arrival in Koh Samui

After 27 hours in airplanes and airports, we arrived in Thailand on the Island of Koh Samui. This wasn’t the original plan for the beginning of our trip to SE Asia, but Alaska Airlines had other plans for us.

Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. It's known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas. (We are living semi bougie, not at the Waldorf, but we love our little Paradise Beach)

Our first destination was to the landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple, located on a tiny island connected to Ko Samui by a causeway. (Pictures below). The Big Buddha statue depicts Buddha in a state of calm and purity and resolve, having overcome temptation and fear sent at him by Mara, Lord of Illusion. Known as the Mara posture, the left-hand rests palm open and up in the statue's lap, the right hand facing down over the right knee, almost to the ground. We were amazed at the ornateness of Big Buddha and the many smaller Buddha’s at the Wat Phra Yai Temple.

After paying our respects we managed to make our way (via a longer walk thanks to yours truly thinking, “I’m sure it’s this way”) to Wat Plai Laem, a Buddhist temple compound on Samui's north-east coast of Samui. Here we saw a giant 18-arm statue of Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Wat Plai Laem offers visitors a view into Chinese-Thai beliefs as well as some elaborate Buddhist-themed art and architecture. Wat Plai Laem is a living and active temple, where devotees come daily to pay homage to Guanyin and the Buddha, who is also depicted in a number of statues and murals around the temple. There is also a neighboring elementary school (I’m guessing by the children’s ages.) This is a relatively new temple but the art techniques used in its creation are centuries-old and based on ancient beliefs. Adding to its feel of tranquility, the temple is surrounded by a lake, which is teeming with huge koi and some turtles.

Exhausted from our flight halfway around the world, we relaxed on the beach, swam in the warm Pacific Ocean, ate amazing Thai food, and crashed. Next post, the Elephants.