High on a hilltop as soon as you make your way from the airport into the town of Krabi in Thailand, this glistening white structure beckons you to visit as soon as possible, and that is exactly what I did. As soon as I had deposited my bags at the hotel I arranged a taxi to take me around on my first morning on this magical island.
If the Wat Sai Thai is where the Budhha sleeps, this is certainly where he awakens, and goes to work disseminating his words of wisdom for humankind.
Several people were already praying and meditating at various sections of this exquisitely carved temple as I made my way around capturing the peaceful vibes of this clear morning. Blooms of pink lotus spring from pots serenely arrayed along the perimeter, while information boards describing the history of how this important spiritual center was constructed flank the open borders where stone meets foliage. The staircases come alive with colorful dragons that seem to slither up and down the steps, and this year being dedicated to the same creature in the Chinese calendar somehow made it even more of a memorable experience for me.
Tourists being few and far between at this time of the day meant that I could truly immerse myself in the tranquility I so badly needed during an otherwise touristic trip. Even though the souvenir shop nearby was just opening for the day, I was left alone in my meanderings across the premises and made the most of it.
