July 14, 2026
We covered a lot of the Island on this tour. Spot #3 was a scenic overlook of the coastline looking out at some of their pristine beaches and #4 was further along the coastline, at a rock outcropping known for it's phallic formations.
They fondly call them grandfather and grandmother rocks or Hin Ta & Hin Yai. Is this the images you think of when you think of your grandparents?
Next stop #5 was
Chedi Phra That Sila Ngu
or the
Snake Stone Pagoda
(or
Red Pagoda).
There was also a burial ground, built into the side of the hill, at this location. The staircase was also guarded by Snakes!
Stop #6 had one of the more interesting stories. I took this research right from
@SherrieCornett's Facebook post
- no point in duplicating efforts! Thanks buddy!
The mummified monk at Wat Khunaram is Luang Pho Daeng (Luang Por Daeng), a highly respected Buddhist monk whose preserved body remains on display, in a glass case. According to temple records, he died in 1973 at the age of 79 while sitting in a meditative position. Before his death, he reportedly told his followers that if his body decayed normally, they should cremate it, but if it remained preserved, it could serve as a reminder of Buddhist teachings about impermanence and the results of a virtuous life.
Remarkably, his body did not decompose in the usual way. Today, it is displayed in a glass case, still seated upright in a meditation posture. The most striking feature is that the monk wears sunglasses, which were added because his eye sockets had deteriorated over time and the sun glasses make the display less unsettling for visitors. While some Western visitors initially find the display surprising, most Thai Buddhists view Luang Pho Daeng with deep respect. The display is intended to encourage reflection on one of Buddhism’s central teachings: that life is impermanent and that spiritual practice is what endures.
I embraced the Buddhist custom here of having a monk tie a colored thread on my wrist. You pick the color that appeals to you. I choose yellow and he told me it means prosperity.
Our final stop was on the tour was Na Muang Waterfall which was anti-climatic as it is the dry season. However, the fresh coconut ice cream was delightful!
