The Temple of the Tooth Relic

We had a late start this morning so had some time around the pool after breakfast. Our plan was somewhat foiled by the arrival of a large class of young schoolchildren who use the pool for their swimming lessons!
Once they’d gone, we managed a quick dip before getting ready to set of for The Temple of The Tooth Relic. Here we were guided by a chap who said he had guided the Queen around the temple in 1954 and various other members of the Royal family over the years. He told us about the special festivals where a golden casket holding a wisdom tooth from Buddha is kept in a shrine and is opened on rare special days, according to the lunar calendar. The last time it was opened was 2009. As per all Buddhist temples, it is customary to ensure your clothing covers your knees and shoulders and you remove your shoes as you enter. Andrew tried to lower his long shorts slightly to meet the required length but was scuppered by a check under his t-shirt to see where the top of his shorts sat and told he had to wear a sarong I’d taken with me 😂
The stone floors outside were so hot underfoot! Anyone following behind Andrew and I might have thought we were doing an impression of Morcombe and Wise skipping into the sunset as we tried to cross quickly from building to building 🙈
We had a late lunch at a local restaurant before going to see a traditional cultural show with some impressive and energetic dancing in traditional costume.
The show ended with some fire eating and walking across flaming coals! Luckily there was no requirement for audience participation 😉Read more