Smile
In Sukhothai I planned to wake up at sunrise to enjoy a crowd-free visit of the site. And indeed I was the only one riding there on a rented bike, while still dark.
Once inside the park, I soon realised that I was not alone, but the feeling of being watched was easily explained. Smiling Buddha statues are everywhere: standing in front ancient stupas, peeking out behind wild bushes or towering from brick walls, like the giant face in this picture.
Apparently, the Buddha smiles because he has made peace not only with himself, but with the rest of the world too. Even so, it still looks as if he's laughing at a sweaty tourist trying to push a heavy and rusty bike in front of him.
Smile
In Sukhothai I planned to wake up at sunrise to enjoy a crowd-free visit of the site. And indeed I was the only one riding there on a rented bike, while still dark.
Once inside the park, I soon realised that I was not alone, but the feeling of being watched was easily explained. Smiling Buddha statues are everywhere: standing in front ancient stupas, peeking out behind wild bushes or towering from brick walls, like the giant face in this picture.
Apparently, the Buddha smiles because he has made peace not only with himself, but with the rest of the world too. Even so, it still looks as if he's laughing at a sweaty tourist trying to push a heavy and rusty bike in front of him.