Reclining Budda

The first of two days in Bangkok. Our guide Patrick who we first met last night in the airport arranged to meet us at the hotel at 8.00 am this morning.

Up about 6.00, breakfast and ready for 8.00 start. All modes of transport today starting on tuk tuk, up many stairs to the sky train and onto a river boat or 2 and a walk to the Grand Palace. The buildings are over whelming, the workmanship incredible.
I felt sad that it was all to much to take in, the tour on Tuesday would have been of more benefit but having said that Patrick was a very good. His knowledge as a guide was excellent, he explained the train system, how to buy tickets for the ferry and about the queues into the palaces and temples where there are two lines: one for foreigners the other for Thai people. We visited a number of temples where shoes are removed, as are hats and sunglasses and only to talk in a quiet voice. Patrick was very serious about this and tapped a person if talking too loud or wearing a hat.

Later on told us he had a massage booked, he walks most days for the tours which aggravates his leg, I questioned the massage, looking for further information. He explained he goes to a spa when the masseurs are trained in Bangkok, it is a very good place. He asked if we were interested and even John agreed that he was. After the tour of 4 hours we all headed for the spa and J and I enjoyed 2 hour Thai massage, it was wonderful.
Just added this from the Internet

Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple complex in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Rattanakosin district directly to the south of the Grand Palace.
The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including this 46m long Reclining Buddha. The temple is also the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and still houses a school of Thai medicine. It is known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.