These next two photos were taken on a subsequent visit many years later. On this occasion the Buddha was swathed in a saffron sash.
In the covered area at the Buddha's feet are more images, themselves larger than life, where votive offerings are made. I bought (I think for 10 baht) two incense sticks, two flowers (like unopened water lilies) and a square of gold leaf. You arrange the flowers, light the incense sticks and apply the gold leaf to the Buddha image and then offer prayers. The length of time it takes for the incense sticks to burn out is a good indicator as to how long to spend in doing this.
Our next stop was Wat Pho. I guess we took the Chao Phraya Express to the Tha Thien Pier. I can't exactly recall. To tell the truth I've been back there a few times since and that is the way to get there. My notes say nothing about any problems that we might have encountered but I am really surprised we got in unaccosted. When you have disembarked the Chao Phraya River taxi you walk up a short street from the Pier to the main road. On the left is Wat Pho and on the right Wat Phra Keow. It is really easy but just as you get to the top of the short street you are invariably stopped by a friendly local who tells you that Wat Pho is closed for an official ceremony just at present but will open again in a couple of hours. Luckily this guy can take you to somewhere to see gemstones at a factory/showroom and will take you there for free.
I have been back to Wat Pho on numerous occasions since this first one and on one of them I was whisked off in a Tuk Tuk to a gem factory/showroom. Very boring and a real waste of time. There was no way I would be buying any stones. The angle often worked is that if you can afford the time you shouod go because the Tuk Tuk driver will get a commission payment just for bringing you. I don't buy that as a good reason to agree to go either.
Anyway, don't get suckered in by the Tuk Tuk hucksters. Politely turn them down, cross over the road and walk to the left. You will soon find the entrance. The entrance fee was very cheap. 10 Baht, I think. It is free for Thais. It is a temple, after all and so they can come and go as they please for free. 10 Baht was 20p and therefore quite affordable. The main attraction at Wat Pho is the reclining Buddha. 10 Baht is frankly much too cheap to be able to see such a thing. Ten or twenty times as much would still be very reasonable. The reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is a place that I never tire of visiting. I have been back on numerous occasions since and each time its beauty and serenity surprises me.
