Wenshu Monastery

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Today was possibly the most tranquil day we have had so far in China, and luckily it coincided with the first warm, semi-sunny day we have had (that could be the reason, though). We went to Wenshu Monastery, on the other side of Chengdu, which took a lot of walking. Around the monastery are all these side streets full of little tea houses and stalls, which we wandered through for a while, and then we went into the temple. It's the last day of the Spring Festival (and also the day of the Lantern Festival), so it was pretty busy, but it was very very spiritual. The air smelt of incense, and there were monks and worshippers chanting in the background, and once we left the crowds behind we came to this beautiful park. We just sat there for ages, enjoying the little bit of sunshine that was coming through the trees, looking into this pond that was full of wildlife - there were hundreds of turtles, as well as frogs, ducks and something that could have been a snake or an eel, slithering just below the surface. The turtles were all clambering onto the rocks in the pond, and at first we didn't realise that they were even there - we just assumed that it was a run o' the mill duck pond, and were wondering why all of the other people were pointing and 'oohing' and 'ahhing'. It was a really lovely day, and the monastery was beautiful - I just hope the sunshine lasts!

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Comments

[Mum]

Peaceful
I can feel from here that it looks so peaceful. Please, please can we have some of your sunshine - we are getting very fed up with the ice and slushy snow - snowed again last night so we walked to the Talbot as roads were closed - guess what - they had shut as well!! - So had to walk home without the benefit of a cup of coffee! I loved the piccies of the Giant Panda's - can't wait for your blog each day! Love Mum xxxxxxx

[Paul and Stella]

Turtles
Oh wow, turtles and frogs all in one pond. Excellent. Looks great. I forwarded it to your Dad Mark and he says the same. Keep having a lovely time. We look forward to the great blogs Ceri. Ever thought of being a travel writer. Snowed here again last night but nothing much. Trouble with Britain is it comes to a standstill with one flake of snow. Stel x

[Arran]

Serenity
Just reading of your experience makes me feel like sitting back and relaxing. It is good to know that in the middle of all the possible hustle and bustle of traveling, you have both managed to find some time to just sit back, relax and feel content without having to consider plans or problems, if only for a little while. Here is me hoping you find more time for such moments. (not that traveling is full of stress, but uncomplicated moments are to be sought out and savoured when ever possible).

[Bind and Joan]

turtles for tea
Glad you are having a great time - all looks fabulous. Good job you are both vegetarians given that the Chinese, as the saying goes 'eat anything that turms its back to the sun'. Those cornish pasties were not what they appeared to be - one turtle or two with those chips? Dad is sending the blogs on to us (Mum over here on hols at the mo). Glad it is warming up over there - won't tell you how gloriously warm and sunny it is here - oops just did. Enjoy your travels Bind and Joan

[Uncle Dinx]

Chilled Out
It looks a wonderful place to chillout, a Hollands Steak Pie Breeding Pond. Hope you took your Observers Book of Clerics. Doesn't Mark turn to ash if the Sunlight touches him?