Golden Buddha, Chinatown, and the Weekend Market

Another major tourist site in Bangkok is the Golden Buddha. This was my least favorite touristy thing we did in Bangkok because by this point I had seen about five billion golden Buddhas and this was just another one, albeit sitting on a pedestal on the top level of a big temple, but still....a golden Buddha. 

Having been sufficiently templed-out, we made our way to Chinatown for the market. Little did we know, one does not simply walk into Chinatown. One must physically push her way and wade through oceans of people to enter Chinatown. Before we even reached the area, we were accosted by street vendors hawking wares and tourists buying all kinds of cheap goods. We shopped for a while, and then utterly exhausted, tried our best to find food, finally settling on dim sum. 

Dim sum in Chinatown !

In the afternoon we went north to the weekend market, which was hugely packed with people but not as overwhelming as Chinatown. We did some shopping, and then chilled out with a beer before heading back.

Wat Pho - The Reclining Buddha

Following our adventures at the Grand Palace, we got slightly turned around looking for Wat Pho and ended up practically starving to death in our quest for the temple. Thankfully we were saved by a conveniently located McDonald's, and so I enjoyed a number 2 with a smoothie and side of corn pie. 

Finally, we reached Wat Pho, donned our modesty robes, and examined the large, golden reclining Buddha. It was very cool. As we walked around the front of the Buddha we could hear this curious sound, like small hollow popping sounds.

When we rounded the feet of the Buddha, we discovered the source of the noise. People were making their way down a line of metal receptacles, dropping in one bhat coins as they went.

Once again outfitted in modesty clothes -- fluorescent green robes!

Besides the Buddha, there was a lot to see, and we spent some time wandering around the complex. I have never seen so many golden Buddhas in my life. Wat Pho was gaudy, but not as decorated as the Grand Palace. Despite being a touristy place, there were relatively few people around.

Following Wat Pho, we spent some time relaxing on the front deck of the water taxi, just cruising down the river, watching the sun set. Eventually we made our way back to the hostel and ate out at a local restaurant called Jok. The owner was a fun and friendly man in his 50s who kept trying to get us to drink a lot of beer. We obliged and followed this up with more drinks and hookah.

Tom Yum Seafood

The Grand Palace

Our first day in Bangkok we perused a couple of the major tourist sights in the center of the city including the Grand Palace. Our hostel was within walking distance of the river and we were able to take a water taxi down to the palace stop. 

On the ferry ride over

Once we arrived, I discovered that I was dressed too inappropriately in a tank top and shorts. The palace provided a free loan of modesty clothing, so I suited up and we explored the complex: 

Very fashionable attire provided by the palace. 

"Grand" is the right word to describe the place. Other adjectives could include "gaudy," "extravagant," and "eye-piercingly bright." Everything was covered in gold, paint, and tourists.

Love this lady!

Too Much Food.

Over the past few days I've been spending a relaxing time on campus reveling in my temporary access to a full kitchen by baking a ton, eating a massive ton, and socializing with friends. 

On Saturday night we threw a dinner party. It was simple enough - we just made pasta. But the addition of good friends and booze made it a fun night. 

Also over the weekend I tried my hand at making Japanese wagashi using this recipe. It was really simple to make and they taste great warmed up with tea.

I also made some banana bread using this simple but extremely delicious recipe. And due to the lack of canned pumpkin in Korea, I adapted my favorite pumpkin bread recipe for sweet potatoes. My British friends told me the concept of eating something savory like pumpkin or sweet potato in a dessert disgusts them, but after trying the bread they had to rethink their views on gourd-based sweets.

Sweet potato bread

And FINALLY, a chance to be extremely fashionable in our fleece Korean pajamas. HOTTAYZ -

Manjanggul Lava Cave and Jeju Hedge Maze

Lava Caves - CHECK. One more thing knocked off my Jeju Island bucket list. On Saturday we started our winter holidays and for the next three weeks I am FREE. On Thursday I leave for Thailand, but before that I have a few days to bum around school, explore the island, and cook/ bake/ drink wine with friends. 

On Sunday we got up relatively early, bused up to Jeju City, and then took the 700 bus east for about 40 minutes to the Manjanggul stop. After walking a few kilometers, we made it to the lava tube entrance. For a mere $2 ($1 for those under 25 years old), you can enter the cold, damp tubes and walk in for about a kilometer. 

We made our way down many stairs into the tubes and I could feel the temperature drop slightly the farther we went. At least during the winter, the temperature difference between the surface and the cave wasn't that different. Mostly it was just moist and cavernous down there...

The footing was a bit sketchy, and the floor was moist and puddle-y. There were dim lights lining the path, but still it was quite dark.

Entrance to the tube

Reading the sign about "Lava Toes."

End of the tube

We walked about a kilometer in, which is as far as the path goes. According to some signs we read, the tube stretches much farther in either direction, and only that one kilometer is open to the public. I know there are other lava tubes on the island, but I've read that the geographical features they house are so delicate they are not open to public viewing.

After the caves we stopped at a Korean restaurant for lunch and then walked to another nearby tourist trap - a hedge maze. It cost less than $2 each to enter the maze, which kept us occupied for longer than expected.

At first we were all gung-ho that we weren't going to use the map they'd given us to find the exit. I had a theory that I'd seen somewhere: As long as we only took right- or left-hand turns we'd make our way out of the maze. This was sort of true in that we made our way back to the entrance, which I guess is technically an exit... but it was also not where we were trying to go. The goal was to reach the middle of the maze and ring the bell. We must've wandered the hedges for an hour before finally giving up and mapping our way out.

We followed the mapped route and within ten minutes we made it to the middle, climbed the stairs, rung the bell, and went home.

SUCCESS after cheating our way out of the maze !!

Mt. Halla

Today I walked to O'sulloc with Anna. The weather was so warm and clear. The view of snow-capped Halla was incredible:

Jeju Loveland

**Disclaimer** There are dirty pictures in this post. Grandma, avert your eyes :0

On our day off Anna and I planned a trip to Jeju Loveland, an erotic statue park. To be honest, I've been wanting to go to Loveland since I learned that I'd be living on Jeju Island. Where else in the world would I be able to go to a place like that? 

We took the bus into town and then taxied down to Loveland. For a mere 9,000 won we were granted access to the site for an extended photo session with various pieces of suggestive statue art. 

ON OUR WAY !! Bus fare from the GEC

Arrived !!

Wonderful sidewalk art guided us around the park

Inspired statuary 

Some may be confused why a park like this exists. What's the point of two acres of land covered in sexy statue art? Two reasons. First, Jeju is home to an almost infinite number of random attractions including and not limited to teddy bear, chocolate, glass, dinosaur, mini landmarks, and elephant museums/ theme parks. Next, Jeju is a hugely popular honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds. Apparently this park may provide some helpful advice and encouragement, or even just a few awkward laughs, for couples visiting the island. EWWWW. 

Anna and I didn't encounter too many couples. Mostly we just saw women walking around together in small groups and then the odd group of older salarymen poking their heads around that statuary ....UGH bad phrasing.... Thing is, I guess I can imagine going here on a date but it would have to be with someone I could have a really good laugh with. I'd prefer to go with friends.

Moving on. After viewing Loveland, Anna and I went back into the city for Indian food at Raj Mahal near Halla Hospital. This was my second time at this place and it's extremely delicious. I overate.