Big Buddha

We had a day that was technically only a half day of class, and although there are about a million things I could have worked on, I decided that since the weather was good, I should go out on an adventure of sorts.  I had been wanting to go see the 'Big Buddha' since I got here since it's a famous spot on the island so Kelsey, Dan from England, Adam from Boston and I decided to all go.  Dan rented a motorbike for the day and drove Adam (this is way cheaper but you have actually drive a motorbike) while Kelsey and I took a motorbike taxi.  Getting to the Big Buddha was an adventure in itself.  First, our taxi had no idea what we were talking about and spoke no English so he had to stop along the street and ask someone to get a translation (but really, how confusing can two words be?  Big. Buddha.  There's only one giant one on the tallest mountain on this island....good thing we were able to just laugh about it).  Dan was following our taxi and realized that the motorbike he had rented needed gas and so we had to somehow tell our non-English speaking driver this while driving around as if we were in the game MarioKart.  We managed to explain it at a stoplight though and got Dan some gas.  Then up the giant hill we went. Kelsey and I were a little afraid our driver's motorbike might not make it.... it almost didn't but it pulled through.  At last, at the top of the mountain for some quality time with the biggest Buddah I've ever seen.

elephants along the way

view from the top

Kelsey and I at Big Buddah- he was under construction but still very cool!

view of Phuket.... I live somewhere down there

Big Buddha Big Buddha Big Buddha

inside the temple

I'm not sure if you can read the signs, but the gold tree says "you may make a wish to your father" and the silver "you may make a wish to your mother"

The Big Buddha is entirely funded by donations, so to support that, and of course to wish for my mom and dad, I added some baht to the trees and wished for good health for my dad and happiness for my mom.

inside the temple

workers on the bamboo scaffolding- so dangerous!

interesting details of a shrine

prayer/wish bells on the way up to Big Buddha

the view

statues around the bottom of Big Buddha:

building Buddha

this is one of the knobby things that go on the head- such a big statue!

this gold Buddha is right next to the Big Buddha.... looks tiny in comparison but it's not small by any means

lookout point

our crew

from left to right: me, Dan, Adam, Kelsey

elephants

Dan rubbing the gong for good luck

coolest bathroom everrrrrrr

After an eventful day, we headed to Kata beach to go for a swim, grab dinner and watch the sun set.

soccer game on the beach

Kata 

Kelsey and I found crabs in the water..... like little spiders

Our Big Buddha day was definitely a good break from the monotony of class and was a good reminder to me as to why I am here.  Stay tuned for more travel adventures..... :)