The world is so Kalandrakas…

Two years ago, I had an amazing experience traveling to Thailand. I had a great time exploring the capital city, Bangkok. The first thing that really caught my attention were the monks wearing orange robes and just walking every where in the street. What amazed me more was that some of them had mobile phones and MP3s. Cool huh!

Secondly, it was Monday when I saw the majority of the Thai people wearing yellow shirts. They were all over the place. Then I learned that they wear yellow shirts in honor of the country’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 60th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. Yellow is the king’s birth color, traditionally corresponding to the day he was born, a Monday.

I also was able to visit other places outside Bangkok. I went to Ratchaburi to see the famous floating markets. They are among the most-photographed destinations in the country.

The floating markets are where the sellers, their boats laden with a wide variety of tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and fresh produce, come to meet and barter their products with other traders.

I spent my last day in Ayutthaya where the ruins of the once great city remain.

This trip was two years ago, but I can still remember every bit of it.

I will definitely come back to this country again.

Enoshima is a small island that sits at the mouth of the Katase River, and is just south of Fujisawa City. This island is the center of Shonan, a resort area along the coast of Sagami Bay known for its scenic beauty. From the island, you can see a very nice view of Mt. Fuji.

Enoshima is also the favorite place for lovers. There is an interesting story behind this.

Once upon a time, a bad dragon with five heads settled in the bottomless swamp among the mountains of Fukasawa, Kamakura and tormented the people. They called the place “Koshigoe”, and feared the dragon, because he would steal their children.

For many days, dense clouds enveloped on the sea in front of “Koshigoe”. For a short time, heaven and earth quaked violently. After that, a heavenly maiden appeared sudenly, the clouds cleared and an island appeared. This island is known today as Enoshima.

Today, the heavenly maiden is worshiped as Benzaiten in Enoshima. The dragon with five heads is worshiped as Ryukomyojin in Koshigoe Kamakura City.

A bell has been placed here in memory of this legend by Fujisawa Tourist Association. To keep the legend alive, couples who wish to express their undying love for each other can have their names printed onto a plate which will be permanently attached to the bell’s structure.

(Story from the Fujisawa Tourist Association)

You can visit Enoshima – Wikitravel to know how to get there.