Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), Bangkok Thailand

Let us get back on track of my Bangkok (April 26 - May 4, 2025) trip blog posts series. 

From the Grand Palace, we were driven to the river boat station to board a river taxi to cross the Chao Praya River to reach the Wat Arun Temple which is one of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks. Just a short boat ride but quite scenic as you can already see the towering prang of the majestic temple with its intricately encrusted millions of colorful pieces of Chinese porcelain and seashells. 

It was a really hot and warm day so I changed my top because I was soaking wet from buckets of sweat. Even my hair strands were dripping wet. Goodness!

The Temple of Dawn has existed since the Ayutthaya Kingdom period (1351 - 1767), its original name was "Wat Makok". It is said that King Thasin the Great wanted to establish a new capital of Thonburi.  He travelled along the Chao Praya River and arrived in front of Wat Makok just as dawn was breaking, hence it was named "Wat Chaeng" which means "Temple of Dawn".

A major restoration of the prang (spire) was made in the 19th century during the reign of King Rama II and the name was changed to Wat Arun Ratchatharam and served as the temple of his reign.

During the reign of King Rama IV, the temple was renamed Wat Arun Ratchawararam after further restoration and construction works were done. The primary prang shaped chedi symbolizes Mount Meru or the center of the universe.

You can hire/rent tradtional Thai costumes (complete with head gears and umbrellas) both for males and females then have your picture taken with  these majestic prangs as your background. 

Inside the Ordination Hall is the Niramitr Buddha statue designed by King Rama II. The sitting Buddha was crafted out of wood, cast in bronze then covered with gold leaf.  The base of the main Buddha image is believed to house the ashes of King Rama II.

Museo ng Katipunan

I decided to make a separate post devoted to the Katipunan museum. The Katipunan was a secret revolutionary society headed by Andres Bonifacio aka Supremo and founded on July 4, 1892. Some of its illustrious members included Emilio Jacinto, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Gregoria de Jesus among others. Its primary purpose was to overthrow the colonial rule of the Spanish government and for us, Filipinos to gain our independence.

History was one of my favorite subjects in high school. But we all know that we learnt in school is just a portion or a tiny fragment of actual events. Lucky for me, I married a history professor so our dinner table conversations are mostly about historical facts and tidbits. Curiosity reigns.

The Museo ng Katipunan is just a few steps away from the Museo del Deposito, and both museums are located on the grounds of the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan.

My former high school, St. John's Academy was just a stone's throw away from the Pinaglabanan Church.

I am familiar with this area in San Juan yet I had no idea there was a two storey, small museum showcasing the Katipunan in all its glory.

The Katipunan, a secret society was instrumental in shaping the path towards our liberty and autonomy.

These fearless men and women risked their livelihood, and their lives so we can now enjoy our freedom, sovereignity and independence from foreign powers.

Kindly excuse the poor quality and angle of my pictures. It certainly doesn't do it justice.

The intricately designed  and fully air conditioned museum was quite a revelation with its diorama exhibit of the battle of San Juan del Monte, its informative and well researched historical data, replicas of some documents as well as its vivid displays of various artifacts.

Highly recommended as it is entirely free!

May 15, 2026: XVIII

First of all, apologies for running off again from blogging.

Life happens.

Let me interrupt the Bangkok series, by inserting our 18th wedding anniversary ganap (happening). 

He took two days off work so we could spend quality time together. 

Yes, it has been 18 years of married life. 

Despite the betrayal, the lies and the deception, I still chose to stay.

Not a day passes by without me questioning my decision.

My strong faith reaffirms and sustains my commitment. 

It hasn't been easy but with God's mercy, I get by (for now!)

We went to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo for our annual May pilgrimage for the 12 noon mass. 

Next day Friday on our actual anniversary, we heard mass at the Edsa Shrine where we got married 18 years ago. 

Then we visited two museums in San Juan area, Museum el Deposito and the Katipunan Museum.

The Museo El Deposito is a history museum that showcases the Manila waterworks system in the 19th century as well as the underground water reservoir. Both museums are located within the grounds of the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan. 

The underground water reservoir is made of volcanic tuff. The cavernous repository held water pumped from Santolan to the various fountains and hydrants in Manila. It was part of the Carriedo waterworks designed by Spanish engineer Genaro

Palacios and built from 1878 to 1882. 

The infrastructure project was named after Francisco Carriedo, a Spanish official/philanthropist who donated 10,000 pesos as stated in his will in 1773. It was to fund the first, free public water system in Manila.

Even though it was completed 139 years after his death, the Carriedo waterworks system is a very vital part of Manila's rich history.

From the museum, you step outside to make your way to the undeground water reservoir. You have to wear a hard hat to protect your head. Just a few stairs down and you are in the deep annals of the reservoir. There is a distinct smell of sewage but the steel walkway is well lighted up. 

El Deposito was used as an armory during the Japanese and American rule, a hospital for tuberculosis patients as well as a firing range.

It is a small museum and you can explore everything in less than 30 minutes. But it is a good source of information to make us value water as a natural resource and pay homage to the people who created and built this waterworks system which we, Filipinos enjoy until now.