Holiday (Day 4) — FREE Bangkok Canal Shuttle
Overcoming challenges big and small, trivial and overwhelming are reasons why I love traveling. Each time I step around, climb over or push through one of these obstacles; I gain a sense of accomplishment and celebrate a new found ability that I never knew existed. For me, Bangkok has provided numerous opportunities to test my problem solving skills. I had no problem riding the BTS/MRT train system, walking miles around town exploring back alleyways or riding on the back of a motorbike, bartering with a Tuk Tuk driver or taking the easy route and hailing a taxi cab. But for me, the canal ferry system was my ultimate daunting challenge. I decided this was the day to overcome this fake fear.
I started in my comfort zone and rode the BTS train to Saphan Thaksin station which drops you off near the canal. I walked to the pier and was immediately assaulted by a multitude of ferry options and salesperson hawking tourist rides. I felt the pressure mounting internally taking the form of anxiety and decided to walk around before fully engaging. I turned around and walked past the Ghost Condo (we will talk about the Ghost Condo in a later post) and found Wat Yannawa. This is a can’t miss temple for several reasons. First, there is a massive boat in the middle of the temple grounds where you can find small niches to sit quietly and contemplate your existence.
Wat Yannawa
Second, there are several worship areas inside and around the main complex that lead you through statues of monks, intricate Buddha displays, opportunities to interact with monks, and places you can buy Buddhist related baubles and trinkets.
Every time I find a new Wat (temple) or interact with people in a spiritual manner, I feel connected to a higher power and gain what I have termed: “right perspective”. While at the temple, I checked my online map and found an open air night market (Asiatique) that was about two miles away. Walking felt the best option for me and the decision didn’t disappoint. After exiting Wat Yannawa, I headed in the direction of Asiatique which opened at 4:00PM and I found a second temple (Wat Sutthi Wararam) approximately one mile down the street. The temple was a mix of Thai/Chinese Buddhist influence and the main worship hall was filled with artwork as opposed to wall murals that I had not seen in prior temples. The art embodied Buddhist interpretations of the universe interacting with the human form. The photographs below depict a small portion of the artwork inside the main hall. It took me hours to fully comprehend, synthesize, appreciate, and meditate on what I was witnessing.
Wat Sutthi Wararam
What do you think? Did it move you, like it did me, in a different way than the murals that adorn most temples? Don’t get me wrong, I can sit or stand all day and follow the detailed temple murals that tell various stories, but to have the story told in a unique way through individual interpretations made me (at times forced me) contemplate my path, my journey and my place within the physical and spiritual realm.
I felt like I left and gained a piece of me after leaving Wat Sutthi Wararam. I glided towards Asiatique peacefully wrestling with the images I had seen, imagining my life back in the States, focusing on the present moment, and overwhelmingly grateful for being part of a global community.
I arrived at Asiatique right around 4:00PM and sat down in the food court where I gorged myself on a wok fried crab omelette, shrimp fried rice, and curry. The market was quite large and I was tired so I gravitated towards the canal which bordered the market. The slight breeze tempered the harsh humidity giving me a slight respite from my weary feet. I observed open stalls selling grilled whole crocodile, fresh seafood was in abundance, and scorpions the size of my hand were impaled on sticks for the intrepid foody to try.
Earlier I mentioned that I wanted to figure out the canal ferry. Well it happened but not how I planned (it was better). Being open to life brought me a new experience that I never thought was possible and I now have the pleasure of sharing it with you. I happened upon a FREE boat shuttle ride from Asiatique to Saphan Thaksin pier that begins at 4:00PM and continually runs throughout the night! Here is the sign at Asiatique that leads you to the ferry.
The Bangkok skyline was one of those moments that you cherish while cruising past large ships, long tailed boats, and cost inflated tourist trap boats. Ekhart Tolle, spiritual teacher and author of “The Power of Now”, wrote, “Surrender is perfectly compatible with taking action, initiating change, or achieving goals. But in the surrendered state a totally different energy, a different quality, flows into your doing. Surrender reconnects you with the source-energy of Being, and if your doing is infused with Being, it becomes a joyful celebration of life energy that takes you more deeply into the Now” (p. 208).
We disembarked at the Saphan Thaksin pier and I noted that the Asiatique FREE boat shuttle entrance was located through all the tourist trap areas so beware and move with confidence towards an experience you will never forget. I included some photo’s that might help you navigate the Saphan Thaksin pier area.
Notice the different options available. Don’t worry…walk through this gate and look to your left at which point you will see this sign.
Enjoy!