KNEELING BEFORE BIG BUDDHA

VISITING PHUKET'S NEXT GREAT PILGRIMAGE SITE Set on a hilltop just northwest of Chalong circle and visible from almost half of the island, Big Buddha (p74 and boxed text,p76) enjoys Phuket's best view. To get here ,follow the red signs from the main highway and wind up a country road past terraced banana groves. At the top, pay your respects at the tented golden shrine, then step up to Big Buddha's glorious plateau where you can peer into Kata's perfect bay, qlimpse the shimmering Karon strand and, on the other side, survey the serene Chalong harbour, where the channel islands look like pebbles.thailand accommodation phuket,hotel in phuket thailand

     Of course, you'll be forgiven if you disregard the view for a few minutes to watch local craftsmen put the finishing touches on their  60-million baht Buddha, dressed in Burmese alabaster. When the sun hits him, he shines with enlightenment.
     Over the past 20 years construction in Phuket hasn't stopped, so it means something when we call the Big Buddha Phuket's most important development project since the Sino-Portuguese buildings first went up over 100 years ago. Overseen by a local developer-turned-devout Buddhist, more than 60 labourers and craftsmen have erected one of the largest Buddha statues on earth. Initially, the 45m statue was poured into a concrete mould laid horizon-tally. the figure was then cut into sections and a bamboo scaffold erected, so it could be reassembled vertically, like a spiritual jigsaw puzzle. Throughout construction, fundraising efforts continued and thousands have contributed over 60 millon baht. They need another 20 million to build the handicap accessible ramps and pathways that will enable visitors to rise all the way to his lotus-petal bed.
     The big guy definitely has an energetic pulse. As soon as you glimpse him from afar, he'll begin to pull you in, and once you have finally managed to get here, you'll want to linger for a while and enjoy the view, the silence, the wind chimes, and the rituals of the resident monks who stream around the property in saffron robes. And if you're really amtitious, you don't have to leave at all. Just check into the free retreat centre, live with the monks and meditate in the big guy's holy shadow for as long as you like.thailand accommodation phuket,hotel in phuket thailand