MADisON_veloCITY: Bangkok Dangerous

Alright, after seeing the title of this post, your reaction might be "Wat Arun? Wat the @#*%! Not again" . I totally agree that after reading so many "wat" post and me coming up with another, I can understand the "Wat the @#*%!" reaction.

But of all the the wats, I would rate this Wat Arun second after Wat Phra Kaew. You have to take a ferry to cross the Chao Phraya river at just 3 baht one way. It should be cheap considering the toilet at Wat Arun even costs 2 baht?

Wat Arun was named "Temple of the Dawn" because the first light of morning reflects off the surface of the temple. Steep steps lead to the two terraces. Wat Arun is very small if compare to Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew in terms of area. But it sure conquers the skyline in Bangkok. Wat Arun is the icon of the city. Looking from far, you might think Wat Arun is the Eiffel Tower of Bangkok.

Climbing up the very very really really steep steps can be very very really really scary. For the ladies who plan to come here. Please don't wear skirt! It can be quiet disadvantage when people is trying to take bottom top shot and it happens you are at the top. Please don't distract the attention of the photographer.

All you can climb is until the second level of the Wat. And I can assure you that those with acrophobia (scared of height) should never attempt to climb up. All this while, I dislike my mom for saying that I had acrophobia. Reason is:

Because she is scared of height.

All her sons will scared of height.

I am one of her sons.
Therefore, I am scared of height.

It's a moment of truth trying to make my mother's theory looks dumb. I took the giant step to prove the theory is totally unacceptable as well.

It's not the ascending that freaks you out but it is the descending part is the one killing you. After reaching the top, I noticed even descending is not frightening part, it was the first step of descending that is the defining moment of truth.

Just like bungee jumping. Making the step to the platform and jump is the toughest decision for one to make. After you jump it's all about Newton's grandmother story. You put your life in the hand of Newton's law of gravity and hope it really what it claims to be. Most of the tourists face towards the steps while descending. I tried the extreme (prove my mom wrong). I face outward with my back against the steps. I can guarantee you that you wish there's Pampers for adults.

But having done that, I guess the handrails are the one that gave me some courage to complete that feat. Grasping strongly on both rails, I took each steps carefully so that I won't step on the head of others. If you have tried Batu Caves before, this is 5 times Batu Caves in terms of steepness. After the feat, one will feel like King Kong has captured the World Trade Center .. Grhhhh...

Paying another 3 baht to cross the river back to Tha Tien Pier and then the unlimieted public boat ride back to Sathorn Pier, I think this boat tour along Chao Phraya is worth one day trip with all the wat tours. Less than 600 baht for all, I guess is worth it.