tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177265082024-02-08T10:18:16.112+07:00JSV's PlaceJust a Place for Observations and Ramblings
(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-42011017998022443532014-01-13T09:44:00.002+07:002014-01-13T09:44:07.211+07:00Luang Prabang Day 4- Kuang Si Waterfalls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On my last day I took a minivan with 8 others to Kuang Si Falls about an hour drive from Luang Prabang. It is a spectacular series of at least a dozen waterfalls of various sizes. It is a nice jungle setting as you walk up to he top revealing each waterfall. Above is the largest waterfall. There is also a Bear Rescue Refuge there. Some cafes at the top and usual kiosks of food and clothing items at the bottom. <br />
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First the Bear Rescue area:<br />
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The pathway up to the falls thru the rainforest:<br />
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The falls start with shallow drops thru wide and narrow areas giving a variety of visions:<br />
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Gradually the drops become greater until the big ones near the top:<br />
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The play of light on these falls was interesting:<br />
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After lunch at a small restaurant over looking the big falls I walked backed down to the bottom and had a couple of nice views:</div>
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Then back down to the bottom where vendors and kiosks awaited with their children:<br />
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One child tried to present me with a menu so I could buy from her mother:</div>
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One of the small restaurants that has a nice view of the forest:<br />
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A very nice way to spend the day!JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-65741925158577856602014-01-12T17:15:00.000+07:002014-01-14T08:13:19.817+07:00Luang Prabang, Day 3, Around Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the 3rd day a local friend and I got on his motorbike and visited several places in and just out of town. We climbed Phou Si a large hill/mountain in the center of town and visited the National Museum grounds. As well, we visited a couple of temples and village outside of the city.<br />
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A view of the Khan River from the top of Phou Si:<br />
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And me on top too: <br />
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The stairs that lead to the top...good work out:<br />
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On the way down the other side there were several gardens of Buddhas:</div>
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My friend had a nice Canon DSLR camera and because of that I have several photos of me! </div>
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On the National Museum grounds is a temple that is the home of the Phra Bang... a small, buddha that has been stolen fought over many times. No photos of it allowed but the building housing it was beautiful:</div>
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Outside the Museum entrance were some typical vendors selling local oranges:</div>
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And one of their children:</div>
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After the Museum, we got on the motobike for about 15 minutes to visit a temple that we could see from a distance from the top of Phou Si. The interior was decorated beautifully:</div>
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And the exterior with me looking out a window on the 2nd of 4 floors:</div>
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From there we motobiked to a nearby village on the Khan River where various crafts were made:<br />
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And my friend and guide in another shop:<br />
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On the way back to town we stopped for a tranquil view of the Khan River flowing into the Mekong River:</div>
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-68025807124823070242014-01-11T09:31:00.002+07:002014-01-11T09:31:35.416+07:00Luang Prabang, Day 2......on the River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the second day in Luang Prabang I took a 1+ hour boat ride up the Mekong to visit the Pak Ou caves. The 2 caves have thousands of little Buddhas in them and you have to do some serious climbing to get to them. But the real highlight of the trip is the actual cruise up and then back down the Mekong.<br />
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In the mornings there is a mist over the river that usually breaks up into a sunny day around 1030am and it is sorta spooky. You can't see the opposite shore of the river and boats on the river early disappear in the mist.<br />
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A few river scenes from the trip:<br />
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We stopped at a small riverside village on the way to the caves that is "famous" for the whiskey that they make here. Called "Whiskey Village" in the guide books, of course. Here are some photos of some village residents:<br />
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Then central plaza was decorated nicely:<br />
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And here is a view of the river from the village:<br />
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After about an hour and 15 minutes of going upstream we reached the cave area and the sun was out:</div>
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The caves, just your typical cave strewn with religious objects:<br />
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The entrance/exit:<br />
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One of the children of a worker at the entrance of the cave:<br />
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After the climb up, cave visit and return down the steps our boat awaited for the return trip downstream which took about 45 minutes:<br />
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A scene from the trip back down the river:<br />
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-51419397223997879642014-01-10T18:15:00.002+07:002014-01-10T18:21:19.702+07:004 Days in Luang Prabang, Laos, Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had heard very good things about the former royal capital of Laos. It is rare that a place lives up to its praise, but Luang Prabang did. It's a small (population around 30,000) city in northern Laos on the shore of the great Mekong River. It is beautiful, calm, laidback and very tourist friendly with lovely welcoming people.<br />
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On the first day, I arrived from Bangkok around noon. I ate lunch at one of the many restaurants along the cliffs above the Mekong and then went for a walk to get oriented.<br />
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My walk took me down the riverfront to the tip of the peninsula where
the Khan River runs into the Mekong River. There is a monastery
complex...Wat Xieng Thong... there that is very beautiful...the top
photo is of the outside of the main building. Here are some photos of
the decoration on the window shutters, a mosaic on the walls:<br />
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A stunning depiction of Nagas mythical half lion half serpent object:<br />
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The front of another building with the interior containing a Buddha representation:<br />
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Further on during my walk, I just kept stumbling on gorgeous buildings decorated beautifully:<br />
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And near the end of the walk I found the typical child in the back of a pickup among cases of empty beer bottles: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHowK5pzx2XakvLlIIpiMPLgFWK9yyw_yiDEestGfI1nnrPkb5XDmY1J-teiezCatPuAgvGVgdVrWTKKQpfzaKO6S53OH0GcvTOrsyDT3qJ-m676vg_alCgatZowI6JPhHFhHP/s1600/sized_IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHowK5pzx2XakvLlIIpiMPLgFWK9yyw_yiDEestGfI1nnrPkb5XDmY1J-teiezCatPuAgvGVgdVrWTKKQpfzaKO6S53OH0GcvTOrsyDT3qJ-m676vg_alCgatZowI6JPhHFhHP/s1600/sized_IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHowK5pzx2XakvLlIIpiMPLgFWK9yyw_yiDEestGfI1nnrPkb5XDmY1J-teiezCatPuAgvGVgdVrWTKKQpfzaKO6S53OH0GcvTOrsyDT3qJ-m676vg_alCgatZowI6JPhHFhHP/s1600/sized_IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHowK5pzx2XakvLlIIpiMPLgFWK9yyw_yiDEestGfI1nnrPkb5XDmY1J-teiezCatPuAgvGVgdVrWTKKQpfzaKO6S53OH0GcvTOrsyDT3qJ-m676vg_alCgatZowI6JPhHFhHP/s1600/sized_IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHowK5pzx2XakvLlIIpiMPLgFWK9yyw_yiDEestGfI1nnrPkb5XDmY1J-teiezCatPuAgvGVgdVrWTKKQpfzaKO6S53OH0GcvTOrsyDT3qJ-m676vg_alCgatZowI6JPhHFhHP/s1600/sized_IMG_0880.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-73472871321179116452014-01-09T15:51:00.000+07:002014-01-09T15:51:42.962+07:00Luang Prabang, LaosLuang Prabang was so interesting and terrific that I took a shitload of photos that is taking me forever to photoshop and resize for posting and writing on the blog. I'm in Pattaya now which will give me plenty of time to do this and post over the next few days.<br />
I have posted a lot of these photos on my Facebook page... https://Facebook.com/jvangrov JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-74222417857485674802014-01-04T10:47:00.002+07:002014-01-04T11:22:23.599+07:00Protestors announce shutdown of Bangkok on 13 JanI have had no notice of any effect of the anti-government protestors during my trip so far. The demonstrations have been very localized to a University and around government ministry offices. Areas nowhere near my hotels or places I visit.<br />
But they have announced plans to "paralyze" Bangkok starting 13 January to shutdown the city by staging protest encampments at 20 different intersections including several that I regularly frequent.<br />
Although 99% non-violent there have been some random gunshots with 5 innocents killed over the past month in the demonstration areas. So until I leave on 16 Jan, I am getting out of town.<br />
Tomorrow, Sunday, I will go to visit Luang Phrabang, Laos for 4 days. When I return to Thailand I will go to Pattaya (2 hours southeast of BKK) for the last 7 days of my trip.<br />
Laos is supposed to be lovely and hope to have some nice photos.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-7702554571509508422013-12-30T16:31:00.000+07:002013-12-30T21:09:15.636+07:00Chatuchak ("JJ") Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday we went to one of the largest markets in Asia... Chatuchak or JJ as it is called locally. It is held every Saturday and Sunday in a large space near a park in the suburbs. We went rather early around 9:30am before the big crowds hit. And yet you can see above the crowds on the street leading to the market. You can find almost anything there and it is fascinating to stroll thru the large and small roads and alleys. Watching the people is most intriguing aspect of the experience. I bought a sunhat and a long sleeved shirt for my upcoming 4 days in northern Laos. T-shirts of all kinds are available:<br />
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This is a lady who was selling mangoes...the Mango Lady:<br />
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Even found a San Diego Chargers fan:<br />
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Some sales people at different kiosks: </div>
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Yes that last guy is selling cooked varieties of insects!</div>
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At one restaurant a large pan of rice, peppers, pork, chiken and chilli paste was being served up:</div>
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There were various crafts availble some quite beautiful like these Buddha artifacts:</div>
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Or this needle point demonstration for young and old:<br />
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As is common the Thai people bring their kids with them while they sell their wares:<br />
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Other items that were available: </div>
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All in all, this is a fascinating place to spend a day.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-57308815715701170562013-12-23T08:35:00.000+07:002013-12-24T00:01:53.504+07:00Nongnooch Gardens near Pattaya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been in Pattaya ( about 2 hour ride southeast of Bangkok) for 4 days now. So I avoided the big anti-government demonstrations there yesterday. I am due to go back to BKK on Friday, but if things get crazy then I will stay away from there.<br />
The routine is similar with some beach days...it is unusually cold and windy hear but temperature in low 80s F and the sun is warming. It does get to below 70F in the nite. Brrrrrrr!<br />
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The beach:<br />
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Yesterday a friend and I went to a place about 30 minutes south of Pattaya called Nongnooch Gardens. It is a mixture of European formal gardens, zoo and elephant camp in a carnival, circus-like setting. It was interesting but unsettling because everything was very unnatural to entertain the tourists.<br />
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The gardens were beautiful:<br />
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They had a beautiful tiger with which you could have your picture taken (for 100 Baht):<br />
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And an elephant show that had every trick in the book: painting, soccer, basketball, dancing,
lifting visitors by the trunks, feeding them bananas, with the animals
(elephants dressed in silly costumes:<br />
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There was a mock war scene at he Thai cultural show:<br />
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And for an extra fee you could take an 20min elephant ride on the paved grounds:<br />
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Among the most interesting items were the children visiting:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think visit to the Elephant Camps around Chiangmai are a better, more natural experience.</span>JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-8589292683133748882013-12-15T08:01:00.002+07:002013-12-15T08:01:47.244+07:00Dinner Cruise on the Chao Praya River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Thursday evening I went on a dinner cruise on the big river that runs thru Bangkok.<br />
There were lots of lights. Above is one of the newest bridges across the river...Rama 8 Bridge.<br />
It is named after the last King...the present King is Rama 9. They had a nice light show that was very spectacular. The food was mediocre as with most dinner cruises.<br />
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The bridge from the front deck of the boat:<br />
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Other sights along the river:<br />
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The Temple of Dawn...Wat Arun:<br />
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The Grand Palace was illuminated as well:<br />
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All in all, a very pleasant evening on the river. It's a bit cooler on the river and the sites were lovely.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-13322904973127954562013-12-12T16:28:00.003+07:002013-12-12T16:31:32.381+07:00Back in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I arrived yesterday afternoon in Bangkok after a long day of traveling. Started in San Diego then to Los Angeles then to Taipei, Taiwan then finished up with a 3 1/2 hour hop to Bangkok arriving at noon. About 28hrs of travel from the time I left my house to arrival at hotel!<br />
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I got my Thai SIM card for my iPhone at the shopping mall so I could communicate cheaply. Then I took a nap, went out to dinner about 920pm. Slept okay when I got back around midnite. Woke up at normal morning time for Bangkok. And I think my system is on the Thai time zone.<br />
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On the way to lunch today, I ran across this little girl just sitting on the sidewalk with no adult around her:<br />
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But I did get her to look at me:</div>
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The photo at the top is me posing with a mysterious animal that I have seen displayed every Christmas season. A rabbit? A Panda bear? Any ideas?<br />
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Now for another nap.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-73450836933485337302012-12-24T07:58:00.000+07:002012-12-24T07:59:49.695+07:00Visit to Bang Pa-In and Ayutthaya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of days ago we took a tour to a place about 50 miles north of BKK that I had visited in my first trip to Thailand in 2005. A van ride up there and a boat ride returning. Bang Pa-In is the site of king' palaces from the period when Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam in the 14th-18th centuries. It was extensively restored in the 19th century my Kings Rama IV and V as a summer place.<br />
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Ayutthaya was sacked and burned by the Burmese armies in the late 1700's so the capital was moved south to it's present site, Bangkok. It left behind haunting ruins of Ayutthaya and the beautiful grounds of Bang Pa-In which has multiple architectural influences as Rama V traveled extensively.<br />
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Above is a Thai style pagoda containing a statue of King Rama V set in the middle of a lake.<br />
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An example of the horticultural humor used to decorate the grounds.<br />
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This is a chinese style pavilion that served as a guesthouse:<br />
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A couple of exquisitely decorated items in the Chinese style building:<br />
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From there we went up the road a few miles to Ayutthaya where there are extensive ruins from the 400 years it served as the capital of Siam ... from 1350 to 1767.<br />
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When the Burmese sacked the place, one of their distinctive actions was to knock the heads off most of the decorative Buddha images:<br />
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And one was found later engulfed in a tree:<br />
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Among the Buddha images now in Ayyutthaya:<br />
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A few other photos of the Ayutthaya grounds:<br />
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It was a warm day and we went to the river, boarded our boat and had a nice buffet lunch and sailed 2 hours down the Chao Praya river to BKK.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-81663792229846418042012-12-19T08:22:00.000+07:002012-12-20T17:26:55.296+07:00My usual stay in Pattaya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have spent 5 days in Pattaya, the beach and sleaze community about 2 hours southeast of of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand. This is a place where the beach and the lovely pool at the Marriott are the prime daytime activities with naughty shows and bars the nitetime fare.<br />
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This the beach. It is great because you can rent a chair with umbrellas blocking out the harsh sun and a sea breeze trying to cool you down:<br />
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There are services available such as the massage being given below. I also get my annual Manicure-Pedicure here byt one of the skilled ladies circulating...actually the same lady the past 4 years. And the masseur is a regular for the past few years too.<br />
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On the way back to the hotel, I had to photograph this sign. It is to the point but has the innocence that Thai people have about sex. <br />
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-91450328816142936642012-12-12T15:41:00.000+07:002012-12-13T14:26:14.453+07:00Chiang Mai..the old city and its Temples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2 days ago I took a 4 hour tour of the central old city of Chiang Mai. It was established as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom by King Mengrai in 1296. Ironicall in Thai "Chiang Mai" means new city.<br />
It is surrounded by a moat the is 2 km on each side of the square. Inside is a wonderful Arts and Cultural Centre which has many exhibits and videas about the history and life style.<br />
Early on, because the Lanna Kingdom was in the north it was influenced by the Burmese, Laos and Southwestern China. It really didn't gain ties with the Siam Kingdom until the 18th and early 19th century beause the King og of Siam did not want it incorporated into the British or French colonial expansions in the are in the mid 19th century. Thailand has never been a colony of another power. A railway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was completed in only 1921.<br />
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There are several temple complexes containing interesting pagoda. One Wat Phra Singh contains a stone Buddha image that looks similar to the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. But this one is not emerald...but is still held to be the most sacred Buddha in the North.<br />
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Golden Buddha images in other pagoda are gorgeous with beautifully decorated halls:<br />
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Several exterior are lovely. In the photo below the original giant pagoda in the back was destroyed by an earthquake about 200 years ago- it has been partially restored. but a new one was built 100 years ago to replace it is in the foreground:<br />
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An unusual white pagoda stands out in the beautiful weather we had while I was there: </div>
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There were some other beautiful and odd scenes<br />
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A side door in one of the pagoda halls: <br />
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A beautiful and fragrant flower on the grounds:<br />
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A particular scary Naga...a mythological serpent creature that protects entries to pagodas:<br />
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Some interesting signs- please dress politely is a wonderful phrase:<br />
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Having a chat with an actual Monk was available:<br />
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And a shaded lane to walk on the grounds of a temple complexJSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-89905766237273840092012-12-09T07:55:00.001+07:002012-12-10T10:44:09.211+07:00Elephant Camp near Chiang Mai, Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I flew from BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai...about an hour 15 minutes. Above is a view of a court yard and the exterior of one of the 5 terminal sections<br />
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My first full day in Chiang Mai was very busy with a 6 hour visit to one of the elephant camps about 35 miles north. Since the elephants no longer work since logging teak has been outlawed, they are kept and exhibited for the tourists' experience at these camps. One can't help feel sorry for the elephants exploitation this way but it does make for an interesting and entertaining day. I took a lot of photos and videos and it will take time to edit and then post these over the next couple of days.<br />
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The day started with an elephant show- washing and performances of tricks, then an elephant ride, followed by an ox-cart ride. Then lunch in the afternoon followed by a float down the river on a flat bamboo raft.<br />
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I can't edit the videos so I will upload a couple of short ones and the long video tomorrow which is now uploading to Facebook. And some photos over the next few days.<br />
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Elephant riding in the river:</div>
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Playing soccer:<br />
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Washing in the river:<br />
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A mother with her 6 month old baby. They are very protective of their progeny for several years after birth. Pregnancy gestation is 20-22 month and each female can have up to 4 or 5 children during their 50 year life span.<br />
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They elephants can be very playful such as placing and removing hats if you stand nearby <br />
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Washing the elephants is a fun part of the show as they play in the river and their handlers (Mahouts) scrub them. A long video is above<br />
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After the washing the elephants kicked soccer balls (video above); made amazingly intricate paintings:</div>
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After the elephant "show" we went on a 45 minute ride thru the river and jungle:</div>
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This is a photo from the back of the elephant with the mahout sitting on the neck and "driving": <br />
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After this there was an uncomfortable, bumpy ox cart ride :<br />
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A scene of the fields from the ox cart :<br />
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Then we got on a flat bamboo raft for a lovely float trip down the river:<br />
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A dwelling on the shore: <br />
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A couple from France shared the raft:<br />
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Dense, green foliage on the shoreline: <br />
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Our raft "captain":<br />
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A video of tranquil float down the river on flat bamboo raft:<br />
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-67018012857835814672012-12-04T15:34:00.003+07:002012-12-04T15:36:36.531+07:003rd day in Bangkok, I think...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My flghts lasted a total of 29 hours from my house in San Diego to my Hotel in Bangkok. Arrived at hotel at 2am. The first 2 days I was jet-lagged but today seems normal. Managed to go out each nite but got back late only 1 nite. Fell asleep during a movie the first afternoon after I arrived. A friend from Bali visited with me for 3 days and he left this morning for Pattaya.<br />
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Yesterday we got on the Chao Praya River Tourist boat and spent 5-6 hours cruising up and down the river and making several stops...one of which is the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun pictured above.<br />
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There are many street vendors lining the sidewalks at every stop. Many of the vendors bting their kids to work with them.<br />
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We stopped and explored one temple complex which was a typical mid-sized Wat:<br />
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The courtyard was lined with Buddhas on all 4 sides:<br />
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A variety of statues were in the courtyard, one of which I found quite amusing: <br />
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On the outside was this array of columns: <br />
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The river traffic was varied with speeding long-tailed boats, decorated long-tailed boats for tourists<br />
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One interesting thing was on the Skytrain on the way back from the River. School was letting out and this school boy got on and took a place standing in a corner and continued his reading</div>
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-23661883147508717902012-11-29T08:07:00.001+07:002012-11-29T08:07:15.260+07:00Back to Thailand<br />
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Tomorrow I will leave from San Diego to visit Thailand again for 3 1/2 weeks. I will be in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai in the north. I managed to find a Business Class frequent flyer award ticket on the United site using only 120k miles. And I will use some of my Marriott Reward points to take care of 2/3 of my hotel nites. So the basics will require little expenditure.<br />
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My flights tomorrow should get me from my house to the hotel in BKK in about 29-30 hours! San Diego to San Francisco; 2 hrs in SFO before boarding a 12hr flight to Beijing; then 3 hours in PEK before I take an Air China flight to BKK. Get thru immigration, get my bag, take a taxi to the hotel.<br />
Should arrive about 130-200am Saturday (15hr time difference). I will be tired but have already scheduled a massage for 2pm that day so I should be ready to go out that evening.<br />
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Stay tuned for photos on here and my Facebook page.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-68917008100665896592012-05-17T12:06:00.000+07:002012-05-17T12:06:58.268+07:00Google Translator Widget AddedAt the top of the Left hand column is a drop down menu that will allow almost instant translation of the Blog into many languages. Try it.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-7117739978000846162012-04-26T00:23:00.002+07:002012-04-29T03:51:50.280+07:00Lazy at Ko Olina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beach panorama in front of Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club<br />
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A couple days of interesting skies:<br />
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Golf at the 12th hole at Ko Olina:<br />
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Drive your cart under the waterfall to get to the 12th tee....cool: <br />
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The 8th hole:<br />
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-66356400147622075512012-04-22T03:15:00.001+07:002012-04-22T03:15:51.025+07:00Back at Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have returned to my Marriott Vacation Club timeshare at Ko Olina. Above is a photo from my room balcony looking down at one of the pool areas.<br />
As usual the temperature is in the low 80's with perfect humidity....not too dry and not to wet. Since this is the sunny side of the island there there are rare short sprinkles of rain.<br />
There is a LPGA Tour tournament here so I won't play golf here until Monday. Thursday I went out and watched the ladies play for a couple of hours...they are pretty good and hit the ball a long way.<br />
Yesterday I played at a course about 10 miles down the freeway... Waikele Country Club.<br />
Here's a photo of one of the holes there:<br />
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A few more shots from my balcony:<br />
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<br />JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-50246235317954591802012-01-25T01:02:00.000+07:002012-01-25T01:02:49.001+07:00Chatuchak Weekend Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVDgpAHyb6q76CfQ_6QvOho9PEJ58FGCfKlbJ-klDsk8vy1nMPTqHl18T3dxQFsU7WHMWHCxPnpOCDzUelF7HEGw19pP2xugcp3cYDxr9wx9BcfrwI_NwY7dfOYdroSgQaZIt/s1600/IMG_3269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVDgpAHyb6q76CfQ_6QvOho9PEJ58FGCfKlbJ-klDsk8vy1nMPTqHl18T3dxQFsU7WHMWHCxPnpOCDzUelF7HEGw19pP2xugcp3cYDxr9wx9BcfrwI_NwY7dfOYdroSgQaZIt/s640/IMG_3269.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
During my last week in Bangkok after Myanmar, my friend Aong took me to the famous Chatuchak Market in the north side of the city. I had never been there before and we went on Sunday morning.<br />
This place has everything for sale. Food, clothes, souvenirs at great prices. Some stuff is just junk and some stuff is quality.<br />
But people watching was probably the most interesting thing.<br />
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A little guy playing a bamboo flute hoping to get donations:<br />
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Hats:<br />
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Signs: <br />
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Fruit: <br />
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Restaurants: <br />
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Drinks: <br />
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Clothes: <br />
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More hats: <br />
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Tasteful, high fashion clothes: <br />
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And a rabbit in a skirt:<br />
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Our next 2 days were spent literally ON Inle Lake which at 3200ft of altitude on the Shan plataeau east of the central plain. It is 13.5 miles long and 7 miles wide and the weather was delightful at that altiude with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Had to wear a light jacket in the morning.<br />
Above is a view from my hotel bungalow porch which was built on stilts over the lake. The Shan are one of the several ethnic groups that live on the periphery of the Burmese central plain. These groups have been in conflict with the majority Burmar central government for centuries. The Shan are very clean and there was no trash that I saw anywhere in the area.<br />
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The people exist on fishing, agriculture and handicraft manufacturing. And now tourism is expanding. The shoreline is dotted with stilt-house villages and mountains are nearby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEA14lkMlGkZnpb_hEoiuDUJzR6AzoMvMPVoBpyI6US4gT0JQuDeqOtJI0ZiW2nlhyphenhyphenEv0S08W3Z-QrJsLT_NViGlaoBqC0YOh49b-fVZGySB8JZF3Kj4Q-2AuXOn6QWVGgxw7/s1600/IMG_3092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEA14lkMlGkZnpb_hEoiuDUJzR6AzoMvMPVoBpyI6US4gT0JQuDeqOtJI0ZiW2nlhyphenhyphenEv0S08W3Z-QrJsLT_NViGlaoBqC0YOh49b-fVZGySB8JZF3Kj4Q-2AuXOn6QWVGgxw7/s640/IMG_3092.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My hotel on the lake:<br />
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One of the renowned leg rowers of Inle Lake:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAemHMlxgEb8o19T9FCjvvI1Q_hZtlnk8xzJiGXCbu3QW8XE6ubAjXbIGasTvpv9iDb0vRzBzS25BAbuk4Sox0kl6EhPc-C1zQ-J6JVLFdR9ULlk3NShrtFBhXHAehdAOQljg_/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAemHMlxgEb8o19T9FCjvvI1Q_hZtlnk8xzJiGXCbu3QW8XE6ubAjXbIGasTvpv9iDb0vRzBzS25BAbuk4Sox0kl6EhPc-C1zQ-J6JVLFdR9ULlk3NShrtFBhXHAehdAOQljg_/s640/IMG_3071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> They do this so they can row and move the boat and also have an arm free for fishing.<br />
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Some examples of houses on the Lake:<br />
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They create floating gardens for cultivation of tomatoes, peanuts, and beans. They do this by taking blocks of mud in 4-5ft depths place them together to form a floating length of fertile soil on which they plant the crops. They secure the garden to a spot by using long bamboo sticks to stick thru the garden into the lake bottom so they don't float away.<br />
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Sunset the first nite from my hotel bungalow balcony:<br />
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The second day at the lake we motored across to the western shore and visited the village of Indaing.<br />
To get there our boat had to wind it's way thru narrow channels between the floating gardens.<br />
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The village had a field of old stupas and temples:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>An assortment of people and characters:<br />
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And many handicraft artists:<br />
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The next morning I flew back to Yangon for half a day looking at the Royal Barge which doubles as a restaurant and showplace; the main market (where my guide lost me in the maze of stuff); and a street market in Indian town.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That evening I had dinner at a wonderful French restaurant in Yangon and flew back to Bangkok the next morning.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-39955497618606548392012-01-20T02:00:00.001+07:002012-01-20T02:12:29.323+07:00Mandalay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipF7t6UrlL3m0-iXvs924KrCE6nr-_Gvb8ZT_qNfpvT_4o8Cy_hvh8Qo9aeQl3RfQwNfMm3v29baj0VmPWzmJoeYKpyg0vOQjwBlIQJwaAWe302hyphenhypheniH9OBj8Dq0fMnvZ9hlXuJ/s1600/U-Bein+Bridge_Panorama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipF7t6UrlL3m0-iXvs924KrCE6nr-_Gvb8ZT_qNfpvT_4o8Cy_hvh8Qo9aeQl3RfQwNfMm3v29baj0VmPWzmJoeYKpyg0vOQjwBlIQJwaAWe302hyphenhypheniH9OBj8Dq0fMnvZ9hlXuJ/s640/U-Bein+Bridge_Panorama2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After Bagan we made the short flight to Mandalay on our Airline, Air KBZ, or Air Kanbawza. This is a local airline started by a banking company about 18 months ago and they have a "fleet" of 2 airplanes.<br />
They were on time or early on all 4 flights, delivered luggage without a hitch and had only one bouncy landing.<br />
Mandalay is the area of several former capitals of The Burmar people and the home of the last capital before the British annexed Burma to India in 1886 and moved the capital to Rangoon.<br />
The area around the city is very nice with several beautiful sites, but the city itself is noisy, dirty and has only one traffic light and intermittent electrical service. It is at the terminus of the road to China and is slowly converting to a Chinese city as businessmen from China have moved in. Because of the Western economic sanctions China has wide open opportunities there.<br />
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The photo above is that of U-Bein's Bridge at sunset. It is the longest teak wood bridge at 1300 yards in length as it crosses Taungthaman Lake southwest of the city. It is a popular tourist photo op but is a critical path for locals to use on their way around the area.<br />
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We also visited the site of a former capital- Ava- that sat on an island between the great Ayerwaddy river and a smaller river. There are only pieces of the city wall still intact, and a few remnants of the palace including a watchtower that is leaning precariously.<br />
We were taken by horse cart around the island to see the scenes...stupas and rice paddies <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJdEiz4v6ESGp1HtLw7aa-IQQeH8hrQgqyzDJPmLsaL7YN4vFCTLMhK2OixBx0ma_RuB-GkhUJ-9DPVE5g69nUKE0M0LFCJCjjq7OM0C97zyIBKJSK1NyGTDYhab2iy3sq3dZ/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJdEiz4v6ESGp1HtLw7aa-IQQeH8hrQgqyzDJPmLsaL7YN4vFCTLMhK2OixBx0ma_RuB-GkhUJ-9DPVE5g69nUKE0M0LFCJCjjq7OM0C97zyIBKJSK1NyGTDYhab2iy3sq3dZ/s640/IMG_2838.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkZxEPEtwSeCfTk6mISWI-hUdj3QwcPaKvj8myfngk0QvegU982ho5V96Ang5QYjeZgPZWomxPZIPDLnBxq57tsslPb_0_adwR_kUNF3dkifmyrDQCJ3DJzTzPYvyBC12a_k/s1600/IMG_2824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihkZxEPEtwSeCfTk6mISWI-hUdj3QwcPaKvj8myfngk0QvegU982ho5V96Ang5QYjeZgPZWomxPZIPDLnBxq57tsslPb_0_adwR_kUNF3dkifmyrDQCJ3DJzTzPYvyBC12a_k/s640/IMG_2824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There were monasteries such as this brick and stucco example:<br />
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and this magnificent wooden monastery:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And another Pagoda complex we visited:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1SYySInsa_rulT28bwfqxW8hM3QKQLocH02KHuUU1dwlj1wRVs7tiDmI5ZC9DaT1hakLgp6JhsfSYcyov2_xXBGzR6gWCES4hsGxcEplngqQycYmeUYz0cvKAmkthEw9JlyW/s1600/IMG_2858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1SYySInsa_rulT28bwfqxW8hM3QKQLocH02KHuUU1dwlj1wRVs7tiDmI5ZC9DaT1hakLgp6JhsfSYcyov2_xXBGzR6gWCES4hsGxcEplngqQycYmeUYz0cvKAmkthEw9JlyW/s640/IMG_2858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This is where we had lunch the first day; a classy place set out in the middle of the fields next to the river:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Our next stop after lunch was the religious center of Sagaing Hill which has numerous monasteries, stupas and shrines. As well as meditation centers and even a Hospital for only monks and nuns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"> A shrine with 42 Buddhas lined up: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCCoFRrbnFmonl8UmoPIr9qixZKkPw5tLWK-Twsi3p1c37WLSm6OAN4QSnIxMftgc5_mkB1wHKEmOjOUVHt4cgbEhI48g1_TAn8Z7ewGWdNTd6f6MxO6v09H4PgYsXwSMlTSh/s1600/IMG_2877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCCoFRrbnFmonl8UmoPIr9qixZKkPw5tLWK-Twsi3p1c37WLSm6OAN4QSnIxMftgc5_mkB1wHKEmOjOUVHt4cgbEhI48g1_TAn8Z7ewGWdNTd6f6MxO6v09H4PgYsXwSMlTSh/s640/IMG_2877.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A nun studying Buddhist scriptures: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc35DtbYlqi-HU0NBmRFA29d1SvlD6LDxke_DeIUNpO8blRyoMfzsFwBGpER4J3JialEFP2ZkD_k1NxDTJIQHGx4mnpuxRM_3XGsU4KfFL69DX-EbIpq5kWvfY8Ur3hSk9w08/s1600/IMG_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc35DtbYlqi-HU0NBmRFA29d1SvlD6LDxke_DeIUNpO8blRyoMfzsFwBGpER4J3JialEFP2ZkD_k1NxDTJIQHGx4mnpuxRM_3XGsU4KfFL69DX-EbIpq5kWvfY8Ur3hSk9w08/s640/IMG_2873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The second day we took an early morning boat about 1 hour up the Ayerwaddy River to Mingun. Where there is the world's second largest intact and working bronze bell. An unfinished and partially collapsed pagoda that was intended to be the world's largest pagoda and then an unusually designed white pagoda.<br />
The boatman pushes away from shore to start the journey:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Bell:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfM5mdf0XHQ-DoCfMI5eHy4uryUaLPUMbMpiKDCPCsRgwVadSYOu3Lv_5GdSsnH6TBOOJKQRtiCCY7n-w8eVCPpUgIExWcG6FNg2PoyMDOy6zbEFVg6gXOA9MiUIMHNS5QxrR/s1600/IMG_2953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfM5mdf0XHQ-DoCfMI5eHy4uryUaLPUMbMpiKDCPCsRgwVadSYOu3Lv_5GdSsnH6TBOOJKQRtiCCY7n-w8eVCPpUgIExWcG6FNg2PoyMDOy6zbEFVg6gXOA9MiUIMHNS5QxrR/s640/IMG_2953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The white pagoda, Hsinbyume:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZANS7lHPZfSVYDPK5pClsl_omsr28TRTKhd95BvxtFVybvmWY1wczffcu8F-yKmDvJH0-h6wm_KBJ27uprgMtRu-UH2ar3K8dtvaOXcsc9ewpXwXMOqGkTProPSznbsOSlZH/s1600/IMG_2956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZANS7lHPZfSVYDPK5pClsl_omsr28TRTKhd95BvxtFVybvmWY1wczffcu8F-yKmDvJH0-h6wm_KBJ27uprgMtRu-UH2ar3K8dtvaOXcsc9ewpXwXMOqGkTProPSznbsOSlZH/s640/IMG_2956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The unfinished and crumbling Mingun Pagoda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjw9aeAtHDgPwbkgJtZVkW-iJNHAhQ7DPLxDd3dLc2cIuANgRDxxHLKY0IsP_ChwhzR2x2dFl_T2_rhIxZZHRLvDHh-TQ0p7wc10BWK485WWavOxcsQAKh_0fh5RorD2OFFuE/s1600/IMG_2934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjw9aeAtHDgPwbkgJtZVkW-iJNHAhQ7DPLxDd3dLc2cIuANgRDxxHLKY0IsP_ChwhzR2x2dFl_T2_rhIxZZHRLvDHh-TQ0p7wc10BWK485WWavOxcsQAKh_0fh5RorD2OFFuE/s640/IMG_2934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> More proof I was on the trip...after climbing up to the top of the Mingun Pagoda:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ieNm5mj47d4KLtxEpTrjBXpviAvytuAgwEA5K8LdwRvNAkYwzic8OlJELGMwmZ1ecm2i6u9MUJnPCGH5LhGAPYf0Xw3AVM-surCV4sZVizgEof5NbfoPrqSIIr2srG94s5x/s1600/IMG_2940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ieNm5mj47d4KLtxEpTrjBXpviAvytuAgwEA5K8LdwRvNAkYwzic8OlJELGMwmZ1ecm2i6u9MUJnPCGH5LhGAPYf0Xw3AVM-surCV4sZVizgEof5NbfoPrqSIIr2srG94s5x/s640/IMG_2940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
View of the Ayerwaddy River from the top of the Pagoda <br />
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A monk sitting on top....I think he was posing for tourists to snap a photo:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended the 2nd day on Mandalay Hill to watch another sunset.</div>JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-2942332764815227552012-01-17T16:40:00.001+07:002012-01-17T17:11:22.877+07:00Bagan..Stupas, Temples and Pagadas Galore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwU0T3Bf_joI26O3f9Bkd6xE5QlLrwgKWAlzILvrihIofZjpcCnx7CWqy1xEisYlbbhyphenhyphenfw6dnxoWLVkA36dZ57gGLcJzo9VC4TylwHlYRuKCesk0-59MbQbDTdTx_De5ZQDnx/s1600/IMG_2613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwU0T3Bf_joI26O3f9Bkd6xE5QlLrwgKWAlzILvrihIofZjpcCnx7CWqy1xEisYlbbhyphenhyphenfw6dnxoWLVkA36dZ57gGLcJzo9VC4TylwHlYRuKCesk0-59MbQbDTdTx_De5ZQDnx/s640/IMG_2613.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
On the Bagan plain in central Myanmar there are around 4,000 temples in a 26 square mile area from the 11th and 12th centuries. Everywhere one looks there is some structure..some in good shape, others crumbling. We spent the next 2 days there.<br />
This area was the center of a great civilization based on the adoption of the Theravada type of Buddhism which created a religious fervor that resulted in this proliferation of monuments. This lasted for 2 1/2 centuries until the Mongols stormed out of the north in the mid 13th century and eliminated the dynasty.<br />
The size of the stupas and temples is quite varied from very grand to small. Many have interiors decorated with Buddhas and mural paintings many which have stayed in very good shape over the last 900 to 1,000 years. A great earthquake in 1975 caused damage to some of these structures.<br />
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A video will help give you an idea of the scope of this site:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dziD6USoB6usHa6R79Pyaqpx2v-zb4WLZcbL8NQzFUi8ec9XFMZNdWM4YfAROeDXHaDv-8Fg5k9OxI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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Some pictures of well preserved interiors:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We happened to be in Bagan on the last weekend of the annual Pagoda Festival so there were folks there from many of the region's villages including Monks for a special offering event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE07QOWfYfRkE4IaroKFXbuNJsCady9wgzaMbfl7ZUIHrcMLdZoRiewEy3tt2fAGM_lIedz9QCkNW776QewGl2cIsdfStXHVQPM0IAZcHDmCwRFaYpXftpAHzPCtFTBmVYqBMP/s1600/IMG_2617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE07QOWfYfRkE4IaroKFXbuNJsCady9wgzaMbfl7ZUIHrcMLdZoRiewEy3tt2fAGM_lIedz9QCkNW776QewGl2cIsdfStXHVQPM0IAZcHDmCwRFaYpXftpAHzPCtFTBmVYqBMP/s640/IMG_2617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiDPWDloQtk1He6MAniYkL3nUPfsvg4uTolhm6NLqq89OKF2AIs8FtEDFpgnLqNgnW-sRBLijGy7QjIsirWJZ3Uy04ghVLGE32YOAw9L11NYo5khmbFsLtQ9edY5iOXfV5zh3/s1600/IMG_2684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiDPWDloQtk1He6MAniYkL3nUPfsvg4uTolhm6NLqq89OKF2AIs8FtEDFpgnLqNgnW-sRBLijGy7QjIsirWJZ3Uy04ghVLGE32YOAw9L11NYo5khmbFsLtQ9edY5iOXfV5zh3/s400/IMG_2684.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQB5Z8D-AMVi01ZqePptNiAgyxPWI3jnMyLoNaRHOJlkPJQ27aOz9MGvXwJvq190gf98iWVUuvwg8W_2-Y6AIU3pXHWRS5F7RyJvD6nxEUxckUAkdXn69HN_SxdKmtAZLUFo7/s1600/IMG_2691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQB5Z8D-AMVi01ZqePptNiAgyxPWI3jnMyLoNaRHOJlkPJQ27aOz9MGvXwJvq190gf98iWVUuvwg8W_2-Y6AIU3pXHWRS5F7RyJvD6nxEUxckUAkdXn69HN_SxdKmtAZLUFo7/s640/IMG_2691.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>A market was set up and many families were in town:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs8C91FbiUqE2vEBt62xuOZvg86jTBDE9npZ8DH7KLiMjO_gAo2-MPkOg7UOT1I2aswIfdX6pTaFjtJYtbGd60OeImGdtQZPQb5k4b405V987nRCztg4E1UO3NK5KmjRxQTW8/s1600/IMG_2543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjs8C91FbiUqE2vEBt62xuOZvg86jTBDE9npZ8DH7KLiMjO_gAo2-MPkOg7UOT1I2aswIfdX6pTaFjtJYtbGd60OeImGdtQZPQb5k4b405V987nRCztg4E1UO3NK5KmjRxQTW8/s400/IMG_2543.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaahGP8TCk94YD-AYcfGqyufe_dVeffCDjX4qKxXOp1WhJ3lC5TIlYryNBN3BNFn9w2BRvWD_yGNon7I7c06t8hfodE3dZFwrw6m4wrc5OJYtg_y5ibSuZEZJ30o7VvFuAMmgq/s1600/IMG_2544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaahGP8TCk94YD-AYcfGqyufe_dVeffCDjX4qKxXOp1WhJ3lC5TIlYryNBN3BNFn9w2BRvWD_yGNon7I7c06t8hfodE3dZFwrw6m4wrc5OJYtg_y5ibSuZEZJ30o7VvFuAMmgq/s640/IMG_2544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYvKFq86c6GUnpzfpYESOWWT4BzH_s5A23v19Y15T09w8KEYEhpdDIUV2LcVXjy7jCj-nLRn2VLUn7UWwbI-_3SypBvGgNI9PH0X8W5NDHfXbwW-V6NcSGctWwT3Id8XRQ0cl/s1600/IMG_2548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYvKFq86c6GUnpzfpYESOWWT4BzH_s5A23v19Y15T09w8KEYEhpdDIUV2LcVXjy7jCj-nLRn2VLUn7UWwbI-_3SypBvGgNI9PH0X8W5NDHfXbwW-V6NcSGctWwT3Id8XRQ0cl/s400/IMG_2548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wgN9vKneRRXHNbEppHiSZUK9HgB-zhlXLt9t-VvLk9NGsZ2SHXu2LeUORhhAWlffuBpKh2Dzu5IjqTbFJWhvao4pU-_e0jmhXSOQ0FAQvMWqc0eddxwkxLazeibARhy1qG9X/s1600/IMG_2557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wgN9vKneRRXHNbEppHiSZUK9HgB-zhlXLt9t-VvLk9NGsZ2SHXu2LeUORhhAWlffuBpKh2Dzu5IjqTbFJWhvao4pU-_e0jmhXSOQ0FAQvMWqc0eddxwkxLazeibARhy1qG9X/s640/IMG_2557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did I tell you about the white stuff on the faces of most everyone in Myanmar? It is made from tree sap and is believed to be very good for the skin. Prevents sun damage, softens and moisturizes, and seems to be a form of playful decoration.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Making the skin cream:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIykJPkGmvZOnDlf_HvdEs5et5ANl4qhb3HCf9XASOGlrq65Qsb2u6VEuQ3SZ9DHFWH_NtAFCkztGkbZ5rJyPR_rYDEZz4p8UKz9CYLVgff1o0J6UeLM9mULkb0-QpUYeYo62U/s1600/IMG_2473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIykJPkGmvZOnDlf_HvdEs5et5ANl4qhb3HCf9XASOGlrq65Qsb2u6VEuQ3SZ9DHFWH_NtAFCkztGkbZ5rJyPR_rYDEZz4p8UKz9CYLVgff1o0J6UeLM9mULkb0-QpUYeYo62U/s400/IMG_2473.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17726508.post-78412690656319780092012-01-16T18:05:00.001+07:002012-01-16T18:19:52.822+07:00Mt. Kyaikhtiyo, Bago and the Golden Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3Q8v1qtaESAEBXiXs3E0P_D_3oH-2o2M9FGeTG1NUyF54nocqxOBoXXpoyZ-keTDu8XtasRtmB4vJEYQdYoC_Ycc71gxugePtmaIYwASxJyn29LEc_zCV3x9g5cQ2d-uJ0jr/s1600/IMG_2376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3Q8v1qtaESAEBXiXs3E0P_D_3oH-2o2M9FGeTG1NUyF54nocqxOBoXXpoyZ-keTDu8XtasRtmB4vJEYQdYoC_Ycc71gxugePtmaIYwASxJyn29LEc_zCV3x9g5cQ2d-uJ0jr/s640/IMG_2376.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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The next 2 days we stayed around Yangon but went to see the Golden Rock, another religious site about 3 hours drive by car, truck and hike from Yangon. We drove to the "base camp" area at Kinpun where we are crowded onto the back an open bus/truck on benches that are very uncomfortable wooden boards.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCMyHRBFeEXGBCHx13pAKCi7OEmSgN4jyUmAADSipk_14ZQGnjEuUHtvrB3OhVzYqZlb3WHr92b2380ayl7tki9J7IMxLMcXivw0EOgnUk61FDeF7mTv1BMJWFTk2MEiM0M76/s1600/IMG_2345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCMyHRBFeEXGBCHx13pAKCi7OEmSgN4jyUmAADSipk_14ZQGnjEuUHtvrB3OhVzYqZlb3WHr92b2380ayl7tki9J7IMxLMcXivw0EOgnUk61FDeF7mTv1BMJWFTk2MEiM0M76/s400/IMG_2345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>These vehicle took us up an 11km very bumpy, narrow , mostly paved road, to a staging area from which we must hike a 4km, steep track that rises 1600 feet to the top. This trek takes about an hour.<br />
You have the choice of riding up in a sedan chair carried by 4 local men for about $10, but that's embarassing so I trudged up. However I must have looked rather tentative as 4 guys followed me up with an empty chair waiting for me to give in. I prevailed as we got to our hotel:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlGHXaaPcmagDosipwOkzQpBkYRCZN9lBE-lBBwc1r2dv-hAP8HuJq6qlxuH81hlfsCCXqGehLPXwk2gstBp0IoehKsQ8nBS3-mHqiJ3XT8ndL3dmLepSjPOkeLgOOxk5Tjq5/s1600/IMG_2358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlGHXaaPcmagDosipwOkzQpBkYRCZN9lBE-lBBwc1r2dv-hAP8HuJq6qlxuH81hlfsCCXqGehLPXwk2gstBp0IoehKsQ8nBS3-mHqiJ3XT8ndL3dmLepSjPOkeLgOOxk5Tjq5/s640/IMG_2358.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's our porter with our overnite packs in the basket. </div><br />
On the top is a broad plaza with some monasteries, many vendors with kiosks selling almost everything to thousands of folks who come here. There are also some hotels and restaurant/bars. Many families set up housekeeping and stay overnite at the plaza.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMEHUguhq2FOFFE5nX4btNByKsdQNueXlDaVsQMA6rJ9JRa1uPd5kHlm7J5bVoX4IvZzsV37IKW5V-2ou-4d-o-Tot7GMs28SS2P7fscz1meEqs_C-9u-QlWYEBGvSbdwnoLK/s1600/IMG_2370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMEHUguhq2FOFFE5nX4btNByKsdQNueXlDaVsQMA6rJ9JRa1uPd5kHlm7J5bVoX4IvZzsV37IKW5V-2ou-4d-o-Tot7GMs28SS2P7fscz1meEqs_C-9u-QlWYEBGvSbdwnoLK/s640/IMG_2370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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The main attraction. as you can see from the first photo, is a rock with a small stupa on top that is poised precariously on a promontory at the end of the plaza. The rock has been painted gold and the stupa has gold leaf covering it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_BpTX8207sluAaYmxY1sOaVSf2sHvEL1iecodRCv__EtP0RxUjDN7IgOvKIswWZTWYW5iahGoJ_I3dnrpnvPgEWQhyJe5d6Gg7py8bcW5V7fO3Rsa6Cej1Onp7lTkKouIVdo/s1600/IMG_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_BpTX8207sluAaYmxY1sOaVSf2sHvEL1iecodRCv__EtP0RxUjDN7IgOvKIswWZTWYW5iahGoJ_I3dnrpnvPgEWQhyJe5d6Gg7py8bcW5V7fO3Rsa6Cej1Onp7lTkKouIVdo/s640/IMG_2385.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The sunset was magnificent:<br />
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We stayed overnite and reversed the process the next morning. A hike down that took half the time of the previous day; a harrowing ride to base camp in the truck that was careening down the narrow bumpy road. Here are some of the people we saw on the walks up and down and at the shrine:<br />
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After we got down we made a stop on the way back to Yangon in Bago, a former capital, to see the 1,000 year old Shwemawdaw Pagoda which is 376 ft high. It has been added to and rebuilt several times over its lifespan as wear and tear and earthquakes have taken their toll.<br />
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I am back in Bangkok with good internet access at my hotel, so let me tell you about my tour of Myanmar.<br />
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On Wednesday January 4 I flew to Yangon, formerly Rangoon, which was the Brtish colonial capital of Burma (the British name for the country). We visited downtown and lunch after being picked up at the airport by my guide- I took a guided tour of the country because of wanting to steer clear of political problems and the primitive nature of the infrastructure. Many of the buildings are in the colonial style.<br />
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</div>We went to the riverside and took the ferry boat to the other side just for the ambiance...there are no bridges across the Yangon River:<br />
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Monks being taken across the river while protecting themselves from the sun: <br />
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The rest of the afternoon we spent at the Schwedagon Pagoda. It is one of the few sites that actually lives up to its reputation. It is spectacular with its 60 tons of solid gold of the main stupa glistening in the sunlight as you can see in the first 2 photos of this post. It stands on a hill in the northern section of the city in a 12 acre park filled with monasteries and landscaping. The central shrine is 320 feet tall and there are 4 covered walkways leading up the hill from each direction. The are leading to the very top of the gold stupa is festooned with 1100 diamonds totaling 278 carats and 1300 other jewels- rubies, emeralds. The very top has 3,350 diamonds totalling1800 carats and it crowned by one 76 carat diamond! On the plaza surrounding the main stupa on the top of the hill are over 70 other religious shrines. What is also notable is the atmosphere on the plaza as this is one of the main Buddhist religious sites so there are a variety of visitors- tourists sightseeing and solemn religious pilgrims with their families.<br />
One of the covered walkways leading up the hill:<br />
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Some the shrines on the plaza surrounding the main stupa: <br />
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We were lucky to have bright clear weather to accentuate the gold.JSVAN44http://www.blogger.com/profile/10895299896065734273noreply@blogger.com0