Temple of a Thousand Faces

Dec 7th - Our first full day in our new place - lots of unpacking, cleaning, putting away.  I've found that we have an overabundance of linens, and nowhere to store them.  I brought lots of towels and some sheets, and the owners left lots of the same.  They were very thoughtful - leaving new linens for us along with their own stock.  They used the closet in the second bedroom as a linen closet, but we needed to use it for clothes, as the closets are quite small and can accommodate only one person's stuff. We have already filled both closets, then traded closets once the logistics were examined.  There is the matter of doors opening into other doors (where one door must be closed before another one can be opened), an issue one doesn't have to deal with in a larger house, but one we are managing in our little condo.  It's like those games where you have to slide the tiles in just the right order to get them arranged correctly.  We shall adapt.

After some morning meetings, we were able to slip out for a little sightseeing - a close-up look at the beautiful edifice that adorns our view to the north, the Sanctuary of Truth.  This was difficult to convey to the driver - the place has a Thai name (Prasat Satchatham) of which we were unaware.  But we managed, as we often do, to convey just enough direction that we finally understood one another. Tim and I were a short way into the gate when Tim wondered if we shouldn't bring our driver along. The driver usually stays with the car, and I assumed he wouldn't want to come, but Tim went back for him, and I'm glad he did.  Our driver had never been inside to see this amazing place, having lived here his whole life, and seemed to enjoy the opportunity.

You can't see the place from the entrance, as it is hidden back away from the road.  The approach itself is quite amazing, with fascinating twists of wood and a long, beautiful wooden staircase leading down to the structure itself.  A couple of elephants and some horses await for those looking for an alternate means of travel.

"Big Boss" and our driver, Mick

The brochure describes the Sanctuary of Truth as a "towering castle, intricately carved in teak, rising to the supreme heights of Far Eastern heritage.  The magnificence of heaven recreated on Earth."  The ground breaking was just in 1981, a modern-day Taj Majal.  "From the ground-breaking in 1981, the objective was to build a wooden structure, in order to preserve and revive Ancient Knowledge.  Owing to our history's evidences from the 17th century, Thai artists could build a wooden structure of more than one hundred metres high ...From various forms of art, no matter what nationality or religion they are, to reflect the thoughts and spirits of eastern cultures...the relationship between human beings and the universe, which are the father, the mother, the earth, the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars."

You have to wear hardhats, as there
are still artists at work

If you look closely, you can see drawings on the flat pieces,
plans for additional carving

Artists still carving

The ceiling above some relics from Buddha

It is truly admirable in its effort to respectfully represent different religions and the universal values espoused by all.  The main representations are Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism and the mythologies of Cambodia, China, India and Thailand, but others are honored as well.  It really is an architectural marvel - completely made of wood, no metal or glue.  Because the entire structure is made from wood, it appears that sections are continually being replaced and enhanced.  Everything is open to the elements - the wind, the salty sea air.  The structure is the brainchild of the millionaire Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant.  He deliberately used wood to demonstrate the Buddhist belief that nothing in life is permanent.

After our sightseeing, we opted for one more dinner out - a cute little cafe called "Tree Tales" that has an awesome 70s and 80s pop music soundtrack playing, fresh food and delicious fruit drinks.