galonthemove

After Angkor Wat...we went on to Angkor Thom, which is an ancient walled city built around the 1100's and is said to have supported as many as one million people at its height. It is 3km square (the guides here love giving statistics), and is surrounded by a moat. It encloses a number of temples and other ancient structures. The biggest of these, more or less at the center of town, is Bayon - known for the towers with large stone faces carved into them, and two very long bas-reliefs. I also visited Baphuon - a three tiered 'temple mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Baphuon is not as far along in its restoration..and has several layers, with lots of steep steps. Some intrepid tourists had made their way to the top, but my guide ... read more

Today was Laos Temple day...in Luang Prabang still. My guide was a novice monk for 17 years, I think that's what he said...apparently that means they study, as in regular school, and can go on to be a regular monk, but he decided it wasn't for him, and now he's married with kid. However...means that I got a LOT of detail from him on all the Buddhist temples we visited, but sadly...my short term memory ain't what it used to be - I'm not even sure which picture if from which temple, or which temples I saw. I will say that the Royal Palace was quite interesting, but they don't let you take pictures inside...you even have to put your purse and camera in a little locker...so they are quite sure you're not taking any photos! ... read more

Last morning in Chiang Mai...on my own...went to the 'old city' and wandered around various temples on my own. Met a few other fellow solo travelers...that is one thing, when I'm not with the guide...I do meet more people! The temples were amazing...Chiang Mai has over 200...wow - this area sure does have a lot of temples - seems like there's one around every corner! A lot more Europeans traveling - have barely met any Americans. And of course...their vacations are so much longer than ours...3 weeks is the minimum. Have met a lot of French folks, some German and some English. And of course there are a lot of Chinese tourists and also Thai folk from other parts of their country, but I don't end up speaking with any of them... Anyhow..first temple I wandered ... read more

Today - off at 8am to see the most famous temple around Chiang Mai...located outside the city, 3,500 feet above sea level. The setting is fabulous, and I particularly like the part of the story that says the site was chosen because a white elephant was selected to find the appropriate location...and after walking a long way and resting in various places, he got to the site, turned around 3 times, and lay down and died - so the decision was made to build the temple there! It has 300 steps to get up to the actual temple...but...and I love this - it also has 'an elevator' or a cable car kind of arrangement, but inside a tunnel. So naturally my guide suggested we 'cable' up and walk down! The temple is known for its gold ... read more

Time to see just a few of Bangkok's over 400 temples!!! My guide, Ya, arrived at 9am with the lovely air conditioned car and driver. I looked slightly less dorky...photo later...as I had to be sure my skirt went past my knees and my shoulders were covered for visiting temples. First stop ... the Grand Palace...that's a misnomer...it should be called the Grand Palace block, or maybe region...it's 218,000 square meters (I have no idea what that translates to...). It was built in 1782 and has probably 20 buildings, surrounded by a huge wall. Several of the buildings are MASSIVE...and they are all fantastically ornate...a level of detail that is astonishing. Apparently all or at least most of the complex was built in 3 years...must have taken thousands of workers. Virtually every surface inside and out ... read more