Bangkok, Thailand
December 21, 2015
Friday, January 29, 2016
Friday, December 18, 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Ta Keo
Ta Keo was built prior to Angkor Wat but it was never finished. Angkor Wat has the same structue as Ta Keo with the three platforms, four peaks at the corners of the second tier with a fifth peak rising from the center on the third tier. The temple is made of sandstone and has very few carvings compared to some of the others.
Tourists can climb all the way to the top of the center tower but it's very steep and the steps are huge! I of course went all the way to the top, dress and all. My guide, aka my personal photographer, documented it all for me. I didn't even realize he was taking my photo until two days later when I was going through the photos on my computer. Going up is easy, coming back down is the tricky part.
What's your take on hiring a tour guide? Do you like to go it alone or pay for the added info?
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| Ancient Sanskrit Carving |
Tourists can climb all the way to the top of the center tower but it's very steep and the steps are huge! I of course went all the way to the top, dress and all. My guide, aka my personal photographer, documented it all for me. I didn't even realize he was taking my photo until two days later when I was going through the photos on my computer. Going up is easy, coming back down is the tricky part.
What's your take on hiring a tour guide? Do you like to go it alone or pay for the added info?
Monday, January 26, 2015
Preah Khan
I was excited about visiting Cambodia for quite awhile and I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit while on semester break from teaching in China. So far, Cambodia is one of my favorite countries! I love history, ancient cultures, religion and food. Visiting the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap was really exciting for me. Truth be told, I bought the one month pass which allows me to visit the temples on seven different days over the next month. I spent two days visiting the temples prior to my departure for Phnom Penh and I plan to revisit a few for a sunrise and sunset viewing. Plus, I'd like to check out one or two that I haven't seen yet.
I hired a tuk tuk driver and a local English speaking guide. My hotel arranged for both which was very easy and convenient. The cost for the driver was $15 for the day to tour the small circuit temples and $17 for the day to tour the large circuit. The guide was $35 per day. It was worth the money for the guide. I learned a lot about the history of each temple, the differences between Hindu and Buddhist carvings and also everyday life in Cambodia. Plus my guide was aware of the main routes for bus tours and we bypassed the masses by stopping at some of the temples during strategic times. Of course there are tourists everywhere, but I noticed the difference when the crowds would thin out. As an added bonus, I had my own personal photographer who knew plenty of great photo spots.
Although the temples were all built centuries apart, many of them have similar statues and carvings. The architecture follows a distinct pattern depending on whether it was originally built by Hindu or Buddhist cultures. Preah Khan is located on the large circuit and this was the last temple I visited on my second day of touring.
Similar to the more popular Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is in the middle of the jungle with many tree roots spread out along the ruins. The site itself is quite large as well.
Personally I loved visiting the temples on the big circuit more than the small circuit. They're less popular so they are less crowded, but they have some of the same beautiful carvings and architecture.
Do you have a favorite tourist attraction?
Do you have a favorite tourist attraction?
Monday, December 8, 2014
Lama Temple, Beijing
The very first place I visited in Beijing was the Lama Temple. I had never even heard of it, but I was traveling with the two foreign English teachers that I work with and it was on the top of one of their lists. Since everything was new to me at that point, I thought, why not? I'm so glad I went along. I was pretty impressed with the size of the temple. The complex is huge and I learned a little bit about Chinese culture and architecture while I was there.
We arrived in Beijing around noon, too early to check into our hotel for the evening, so we brought our overnight bags with us. After we bought our tickets we entered the bag check lane which had two security guards with their batons checking everyone's bag as you enter the complex. I was the first of the three of us to enter so I step up and open my bag to check. Much to my surprise, both security guards stepped back from the table and turned their heads in the other direction as if they didn't even see me. My colleague said, "Tracy, just go through". I had never experienced that before and was shocked. As soon as the three of us passed, the guards resumed checking the bags of the Chinese tourists behind us.
Since that time, I've experienced similar situations. As a foreigner there have been more times when I am waved through. However at the metro station I'm always expected to place my bag through the scanners just like everyone else.
The rest of my visit was uneventful. I leisurely walked through the enormous complex, snapping hundreds of photos trying to capture as many details as possible. I believe this is one of the largest temples in Beijing and I'm so happy to experience it on such a beautiful summer day.
We arrived in Beijing around noon, too early to check into our hotel for the evening, so we brought our overnight bags with us. After we bought our tickets we entered the bag check lane which had two security guards with their batons checking everyone's bag as you enter the complex. I was the first of the three of us to enter so I step up and open my bag to check. Much to my surprise, both security guards stepped back from the table and turned their heads in the other direction as if they didn't even see me. My colleague said, "Tracy, just go through". I had never experienced that before and was shocked. As soon as the three of us passed, the guards resumed checking the bags of the Chinese tourists behind us.
Since that time, I've experienced similar situations. As a foreigner there have been more times when I am waved through. However at the metro station I'm always expected to place my bag through the scanners just like everyone else.
The rest of my visit was uneventful. I leisurely walked through the enormous complex, snapping hundreds of photos trying to capture as many details as possible. I believe this is one of the largest temples in Beijing and I'm so happy to experience it on such a beautiful summer day.
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| Prayer Wheel |
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| Burning Incense |
Where would you visit first in Beijing?
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Beijing Confucius Temple
Over the weekend I visited Beijing for the third time since my arrival in China. I've been checking off sites in my guidebook so I can be sure to see everything I want to before I leave next summer. This time I chose to visit the Confucius Temple in Beijing, which is supposed to be the largest one in China outside Qufu. I was fortunate to have beautiful blue skies and the place practically to myself. I timed my visit just right as a large tour group was arriving just as I left.
Although I love history, I've never studied Chinese history. Now that I'm in China, this is my chance to read about it and experience it first hand. The more sites I visit, the more I appreciate the architecture and detail. It also helps to read up on the history before each visit. I've found that English translations are limited or nonexistent. So the knowledge I gain from reading on my own really enhances my appreciation and overall experience.
Which temple in Beijing is on your must see list?