Wat Arun and the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand 

My day in Bangkok continues as I leave Wat Pho and head across the Chao Phraya river to Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn. I am mesmerized by the extraordinary structures that adorn these wats, the attention to detail, the symbolism, and the sheer majesty of it all. The central prang of Arun was a glorious riot of carvings and ceramic motifs. It was breathtaking. I went back across the river and walked 1.5 miles down to the entrance of the Grand Palace which also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha complex. Once again, I found myself at a loss for words to describe the beauty of this place, the stunning architecture, and the serene pockets I discovered.