Polaroid of the Week: Majestic Golden Buddhas in Bangkok's Serene Temples
Amid the chaotic symphony of blaring horns, speeding scooters, and whizzing tuk-tuks on Bangkok's bustling streets, the city's hundreds of Buddhist temples offer tranquil sanctuaries for respite.
After six months exploring North America and Europe, arriving in Thailand's vibrant capital brought a wave of culture shock. We quickly embraced it by hopping into open-air tuk-tuks for tours of Bangkok's stunning wats. Zipping through main roads and back alleys, we'd arrive at hushed temples adorned with spectacular golden Buddha statues, known as Buddharūpa—the Form of the Awakened One. Some feature towering figures up to 32 meters tall, standing or reclining, while others showcase rows of Buddhas in the iconic cross-legged lotus position, as captured in this photo.
Observing devotees offering respects throughout the day and monks gathering alms at dawn provided an immersive introduction to Thai culture—a perfect start to our Asian adventures.




