The main purpose for our trip to Australia was to attend the wedding of Adrienne “Bi” Yuen and her future husband, David Cleghorn. We had a great time attending the ceremony at the local university and stuffing ourselves at a local Chinese restaurant. Truly a great time was had by all! Below are scenes from the Wedding:
Once, the name “Vietnam” signified not so much a country as a brutal jungle war or a spectacular failure of American power. In recent years, however, the lifting of Vietnamese government restrictions and the boom in budget traveling, have enabled more contemporary and relevant portraits of the country to gain currency in the West. An understanding of history still goes a long way in Vietnam, since the country has a unique civilization and a highly cultured people, but nobody needs to sweat to be entranced by the sublime scenery, the delicious cuisine and the opportunity to witness the invigorating, early days of Vietnam’s renewed contact with the West.
We traveled along the coast of Vietnam from Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Danang and finally to Saigon by plane, train and automobile! It was truly a memorable adventure and a country you cannot miss if you visit Southeast Asia!
HANOI
Smaller, quieter, greener and more dignified than Ho Chi Minh City, the nation’s capital can sometimes look like a provincial French city. This, like most things in Vietnam, is changing fast as economic restrictions are lifted and old regulations are forgotten. Life (and traffic, unfortunately) is abundant in the streets and shopping no longer means a trip to a dreary government department store.
Places to visit include some enchanting lakes and temples, and the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. Enchanted lakes like Hoan Kiem Lake are few and far between:
Ho Chi Minh Memorial
Poor Ho Chi Minh could not escape his present, well preserved fate, despite his wishes to be cremated. Completed in 1975, the granite structure serves as a receiving stand for officials and party leaders. When visiting Uncle Ho, be certain to wear respectable attire: no shorts, short skirts or tank tops. No bags or bombs were allowed either and be sure to watch some of the native women’s reaction to seeing Uncle Ho. He really looks alive and some of the women in front of us burst into tears upon leaving his presence. I guess you should never under estimate the power of good propaganda!
The French Palace
The National Assembly Across From the Mausoleum
Hanoi Hilton
The Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton, held American POWs during the Vietnam War and Vietnamese revolutionaries during the French rule. Most of the prison was replaced by the Hanoi Towers skyscraper, containing a five-star hotel and shopping center, but a portion preserved on Pho Hoa Lo off Hai Ba Trung just before the Towers is now a small, self-explanatory museum. Its definitely worth a visit and don’t worry if you get there on a day its supposed to be closed. The guy there will open the place if you pay him the admission. Maison Centrale (aka Hanoi Hilton):
Air Force Museum
This museum is a little bit of distance from the main attractions in the city but is well worth the trip. You’ll get a full dose of Vietnamese propaganda and you can have your photo taken in a MIG! Notice that the pictures of the Vietnamese fighter pilot heroes all look like the same few guys! Doesn’t this analog instrumentation look ancient?
Scenes of Hanoi
We roamed the dense Old Quarter and walked to Hoan Kiem Lake for a water puppet show. Although we were unable to make an excursion to Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island, I was told that if we had more time we should go there. I’ve included some photos of that region for your viewing pleasure. As we walked the streets of Hanoi, it was great to observe the wonderful French architecture of the diplomatic neighborhoods and watch the merchant women wearing rattan hats and aiming to sell their day’s produce before heading back to their villages. At the end of our Hanoi visit, we transferred to the railway station and caught the Reunification Express south to Hué.
Local merchant selling her daily vegetables:
Water Puppets – an amusing entertainment option:
Preparing sugarcane for some thirsty travelers:
Vietnamese water puppeteers immersed in water:
Local merchants selling their wares – a common Hanoi sight:
Lenin – the father of the Revolution!
Monument to the People!
Uncle Ho propaganda is everywhere!
Tossing bricks into the sky:
Catholic church in Hanoi:
Arrival of boats to Ha Long bay:
Ha Tien Father and Son’s Mountain in Kien Giang province:
HUE
Reputed to be the most beautiful city in Vietnam, Hué was the country’s capital from 1802 to 1945, and has long been a major cultural, religious and educational center. The remains of the huge, moated Citadel, constructed by the Emperor Gia Long from 1804, contain many interesting sights, such as the Nine Holy Cannons, the Imperial Enclosure, the Palace of Supreme Harmony and the Halls of the Mandarins. Sadly, the intriguing Purple Forbidden City was largely destroyed during the Vietnam War. About 15km (9mi) south of Hué are the Royal Tombs. Hué has many other places of religious and dynastic importance, and some good museums. Hué is about 700km (434mi) from Hanoi and 1100km (682mi) from Ho Chi Minh City. The Reunification Express train running between those cities stops here, and there are frequent flights and buses to both cities.
The Purple Forbidden City
Overlooking the interior courtyard:
The Queen Mother’s Palace:
The Nine Holy Cannons or Urns:
Lilly pad garden in the Nguyen Tombs:
Entrance to a Royal Tomb:
Guards and diplomats line the Tomb entrance:
Tomb obelisk with Chinese script:
Nguyen Emperor Tomb:
Entrance to Tomb:
HAI VAN PASS, DANANG, HOI AN
We traveled south from Hue to Hoi An by car passing by picturesque Lang Co fishing village to Hai Van Pass, with its fine views of the mountains and sea. We continued on to Danang stopping at the Cham Museum and China Beach. In the afternoon we arrived at Hoi An and had a great opportunity to explore this quaint, historic town. We visited the town’s riverside market, neighborhood pagodas, and the Japanese covered-bridge.
An important river port 30km (19mi) south of Danang, Hoi An is rich in history and has a unique character. It was a contemporary of Macau, attracting Dutch, Portuguese and Japanese trading vessels, and it retains the feel of centuries past. Its magnificent collection of almost 850 older structures and intact streetscapes just beg to be explored. They include merchants’ homes, pagodas, public buildings and a whole city block of colonnaded French buildings. This was one of our favorite cities in Vietnam and not to be missed! Irrigating rice paddies outside of Hue:
Scene of Hai Van Col Fishing Village near Hue:
Water buffalo cooling off outside of Hue:
The picturesque Hai Van Pass:
Picturesque Ca Na beach:
On the Nam Can River in Minh Hai province:
Rice paddies near Tuyet Son (Huong Pagoda):
View from sight seeing hill near Hue:
The incredibly overrated China Beach:
Fishing nets in Hoi An:
Japanese covered bridge in Hoi An:
The quaint streets of Hoi An:
Fishing along central Vietnam Sea:
Fishing season in Ninh Binh province:
Lauren with a lingham in the Cham Museum:
Marble Mountains
Named after the five fundamental elements, the Marble Mountains are located 17 km north of Hoi An and 12 km south of Da Nang. Limestone and marble quarries cluster around the foot of Water Mountain. This mount is the main tourist attraction, with grand temples, outlandish plants, eerie grottos, and idols hewn from the rock. Masons carving objects from solid marble:
Buddha statue on the side of Marble Mountain:
HO CHI MINH CITY (formerly SAIGON)
Ho Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It’s a bustling, dynamic and industrious centre, the largest city, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter. The streets, where much of the city’s life takes place, is a myriad of shops, stalls, stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares spread out on sidewalks. The city churns, ferments, bubbles and fumes. Yet within the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture. Sights include the Giac Lam Pagoda, the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Hall, Cholon market and the former US embassy, scene of such havoc during the 1975 evacuations.
Reunification Palace
If buildings had psyches, this one would be lying on a very large couch be moaning its identity crisis. The original structure was erected by the French in 1868. After 1954, when Frenchmen became rather scarce rather quickly, Ngo Dinh Diem filled the void, renaming it Independence Palace. In 1962, an air raid failed to assassinate Diem but destroyed the Palace. A new mansion was completed by 1966, only to be bombed again by a disloyal South Vietnamese pilot in the early 1970s. The mansion’s latest incarnation occurred on April 30, 1975, when a DRV tank smashed through the gates. Once rebuilt, twice bombed, and thrice christened, today’s Reunification Palace remains frozen in its 1975 state.
Cu Chi Tunnels
We took the obligatory tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels – the infamous network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. Although its been rebuilt for tourists like a Vietnamese Disneyland, it was definitely worth visiting and a must see in Ho Chi Minh city. Just don’t eat too much before you go otherwise you may not be able to make it through the tunnels!
In the Cu Chi Tunnels with our guide:
Trap designed to stop pesky American troops:
As stewards of the region’s most sophisticated transportation infrastructure, clean, cultured cities, and a reasonably well-protected natural environment, Malaysians have much of which to be proud. Perhaps the world’s most tolerant Muslim state, the country’s Malay majority rubs elbows with a Chinese population that accounts for a full third of the population and a sizeable Indian community. While the interaction isn’t without tension, it is a credit to the Malaysians that in the wake of the regional depression their society has stuck together while their massive neighbor to the south erupted in a bonfire of racial hatred. Malaysia’s ethnic mix mingles most in the cities of the cosmopolitan west coast. The sparsely populated east coast remains a bastion of sea faring Malay culture but is equally welcoming to respectful outsiders.
We enjoyed our time most in this region and highly recommend a trip to Kota Bharu if you decide to head east.
KUALA LUMPUR
Somewhere between its self-proclaimed splendor as the “garden City of Lights” and its literal English translation, “Muddy River Mouth,” lies the true capital of Malaysia. KL (as it’s almost exclusively called) has grown into a thriving city whose vertigo-inspiring towers and mega shopping malls are brilliantly balanced by verdant expanses of grass and rows of palm trees. Surrounded by an orgy of construction the locals exude contentment laced with the anticipation of good things to come. Its a nice respite from the sparse amenities in the rest of South East Asia but it sorely lacks in authentic culture. Probably the most unique sights are the women who sport Muslim scarfs and one-piece dresses. Aside from that, our suggestion is to get out of Dodge as quickly as possible!
Petronas Twin Towers – The Tallest Buildings in the World
The Tallest Flagpole in the World
KL Railway Station Complete with Domes, Minarets and Arches
Menara Tower or KL Tower
Tombstones at Melaka (Don’t Go Here!)
Batu Caves
This is probably one of the only sights in KL worth going to. In January and February, hundreds of Hindu devotees descend for the annual Thaipusam Festival, armed with hooks and needles with which to pierce their skin. For the rest of the year, the caves are home to a community of docile wild monkeys and are open to the public. We climbed the 272 steps to the main cave and viewed the Gallery Cave’s painting of Hindu mythology. Definitely worth a visit!
Gallery Caves Filled With Hindu Gods
Batu Caves, A Sacred Hindu Pilgrimmage Site
This Looks Like Fun!!
PENANG
Discovered in 1786 by Francis Light and his British East India Company, the fertile Penang Island was then called Prince of Wales Island and remained under British control until 1957. The British never left much of a mark but the tourists who flock there every year have! This was probably one of the most disappointing segments of our trip because everywhere we went we were reminded that Penang has now become one of the biggest tourist traps in Southeast Asia!
Snake Temple (One Interesting Sight in Penang)
Can You Spot the Sucker?
KOTA BHARU
Kota Bharu is one of the most attractive urban centers in Malaysia. Among a handful of cities in Malaysia with a majority Malay population, the capital of Kelantan state brims with an amiable character that bucks stereotypes of Muslim conservatism. The daily performance of local cultural pastimes (top-spinning, kite-flying, silat, drum-beating, dancing, and puppeteering) are certainly worth a visit. If you go anywhere in Malaysia, go here!
Gelanggang Seni / Cultural Center
Since the state is largely agrarian, the work life of the people closely matches the crop cycle. Once harvesting is complete, the Malaysian people have ample free time thus they pursue many extracurricular hobbies. The city’s cultural center exhibits these past times for tourists by sponsoring free top-spinning, kite-flying, drum-beating, and silat demonstrations. There are also performances of wayang kulit (shadow-puppet shows), dance and drama.
Giant Drum-Beating Demonstration
Decorative Kites Adorn the Skies of Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu’s #1 Kite Master Preparing A Top Demo
We Could Be Here For Hours!
Martial Arts Demonstration
Top Fighting – A Loose Adaptation of Marbles
Top Spinning Contest – Longest Time Wins!
Three Guesses As To Who’s The Sponsor?
Local Fishing Village
A Day’s Catch and Livelihood
Central Market – Those Muslim Women Are Tough Negotiators!
Local Night Market
Weaving Songket (Cloth of Gold/Silver and Cotton)
Making Batik (Wax With Color on Fabric)
As thoroughly steeped in political controversy as it is in a rich and varied past, Myanmar provided a truly unique travel experience. The country has been a virtual hermit state since the 1960s and as the rest of Southeast Asia has experienced the most dramatic economic growth in world history, Myanmar, once the region’s richest country, has joined the ranks of the world’s destitute. The country’s military regime has bucked the trend towards greater political and social liberalization, reneging on democratic elections and crushing the pro-democracy movement.
Despite these political issues, Myanmar offered a rich panoply of golden stupas, landmark temples, ancient monuments, picturesque lakes and unspoiled mountain scenery. There were so many memorable experiences including the myriad pagodas of Bagan studding a vast plain by the Irrawaddy River, crimson-robed novices chanting by the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, and everywhere the gentle, generous and long-suffering people.
YANGON (formerly RANGOON)
Streets of Yangon Upon arriving in Yangon, we were greeted by tree-lined avenues, fine Victorian architecture, bustling markets and picturesque waterfront. We saw pagodas and vintage World War Two buses everywhere amongst the local people who were dressed in sarongs and had their faces covered with tree bark cream. We were told that the cream is used to reduce oiliness and acne in the skin. Apparently everyone we met believed it because everyone was wearing it.
City Streets Lined With Pagodas and Temples
Victorian-Style Buildings From WWII
Dilapidated Buildings Are the Norm in Yangon
Local Family With Traditional Wear and FaceCream
Sule Pagoda
This pagoda located smack in the center of the city is reputed to date back over 2,000 years. It enshrines a hair relic of the Buddha brought over by two missionaries from India and presented to Dagon minister Maha Sura. Its name means “the pagoda enshrining the sacred hair.” Its octagonal shape architecturally thematizes the eight planetary posts of the Myanmar zodiac. Among the many sights, there are numerous monks paying homage, shrines designed in “amusement park” form, golden Buddha statues and a giant golden stupa.
Golden Stupa at Sule Pagoda
Golden Buddha
Novice Monks, A Common Site in Southeast Asia
“Amusement Park” Style Buddha Altar
Shwedagon Pagoda
This amazing shrine has 8,600 one-ounce slabs of gold used to tile the stupa and thousands of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones that sparkle in the rays of the sun. The compound is covered with hundreds of images, statues, and endless processions of bare-footed worshippers all paying their respects.
This is the most sacred structure in Myanmar and the marquis attraction of Yangon. According to legend, Taphussa and Bhallika, two traders hailing from Okkala (Yangon’s old name), traveled to India on business some 2,500 years ago. They encountered Gautama Buddha perched under the bodhi tree 49 days after gaining Enlightenment. Noting the halo of six vibrant rays surrounding him, they held him in veneration and made offerings of rice cakes and honey. The Buddha, in return, conveyed his mastery of the Law in a sermon. Granting their request for an object of worship, he stroked his right hand through his hair yielding eight hairs. When the two men returned home, King Okkalapa ordered the enshrinement of the hairs, along with relics from the three preceding Buddhas, in a pagoda on Singuttara Hill. The male nat Sakka delivered from heaven six marble slabs of silver, diamond, emerald, pearl, sapphire, and ruby for creation of a relic chamber. This chamber was filled knee deep with a sea of precious stones, and a boat carrying the sacred relics and more gems was placed afloat; Sakka himself sealed the chamber with the ruby slab. Over the ruby slab, builders constructed a Russian doll-like sequence of superimposed pagodas made successively of gold, silver, tin, copper, lead, marble, and iron, and sealed with lime, glue, mortar, and plaster. They then studded the pagoda with jewels. While the original structure measured only 22m, Shwedagon presently stands at a remarkable 109m, having survived countless restorations and embellishments.
Shwedagon Pagoda Covered in Gold Leaf
Pilgrims Pouring Cups of Water (Number Corresponding To Age) On Heads of Buddha Statues at Eight Equally Spaced Planetary Post Shrines
Mammoth Bells Carrying The Wishes of Pilgrims in their Resounding Hums
Surrounded in the Splendor of Shwedagon
A Few of the 64 Minature Pagodas Located in the 46 Hectare Pagoda Terrace
One of Many Novice Monks Paying Homage
Kyaukhatgyi Pagoda
This pagoda literally means “six story pagoda”. It contains an enormous 70m long reclining Buddha and has very ornate footprints that contain the distinguishing marks of Buddha. Kyaukhatgyi also lends its namesake to a famous monastery attached to the pagoda. Over 600 monks study Buddhist scriptures and the Pali language and literatures.
Giant Reclining Buddha
Buddha Footprints With His Distinguishing Marks
Propaganda / Political Environment
Since 1962, Myanmar has been governed by a brutal military regime. Although there have been resistance movements and pro-democracy demonstrations, these initiatives have generally been swiftly crushed by the military government. Even in 1990, when democratic elections were held and the National League for Democracy (NLD) won almost 90% of the vote, the military rounded up all of the leaders and placed them under house arrest. Needless to say, the regime has little care for the views of its people.
During our excursions in Yangon, we actually tried to visit the house of the leader of the NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi. Upon arriving at the street where her house was located, we were surrounded by plain clothes policemen and asked to leave. Although they did not threaten us, they scared the #%$@! out of our cab driver who was told never to bring anyone else there if he wanted to live a happy and fruitful life.
Plenty of Propaganda in the Streets and Local Newspaper (”The New Light of Myanmar”)
Poem in the Newspaper Obviously Targeted Against Pro-Democracy Leader, Aung San Suu Kyi
MANDALAY
Mandalay Hill
We traveled by minibus to Mandalay Hill, a hill that rises 236m above the northeast corner of town and gives you a great views of the city. Covered stairways work their way up the south and west faces of the sacred hill; climbing the 700+ stairs took us about 30 minutes. The series of temples leading to teh summit seem a bit newfangled and lacking in direction, with the exception of the Shweyattaw image close to the top. Here, the statue of Gautama Buddha points prophetically to the site of the Royal Palace. Aside from the views, there are crazy fortune tellers and friendly children waiting for you at the top.
Shweyattaw Image Points To Mandalay City
Playful Burmese Children At The Summit
Ayerwaddy River
We spent a full day on the Ayerwaddy River and enjoyed some interesting scenes: women pounding their laundry on rocks, people sailing bamboo rafts, travelers and merchants bartering at stops along the river, villagers begging for money or food, fisherman catching dinner, and even a dead body floating in the water.
The last sight was completely unexpected by our group. Perhaps even more shocking than the notion of a corpse floating down the river was the fact that the captain of the ferry did not stop (or blink an eyelid for that matter). One can only postulate how the man died or what else goes on in a country where death under mysterious circumstances is better left unquestioned.
The Banks of the River – Looks Like A Flooded City in the Midwest?
Local Villagers Waving Mingalaba (Hello)
Local Ferry Stop Complete With Merchants
Impromptu Ferry Stop Created To Let A Military VIP Disembark in the Middle of Nowhere
Fishermen Along The Ayerwaddy
BAGAN (formerly PAGAN)
“The City of Four Million Pagodas”
Dubbed the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is the unquestioned cradle of Myanmar culture. No trip is complete to Myanmar without a trip to the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a 42 square kilometer sun drenched plain with no fewer than 4216 extant temples, pagodas, and other religious edifices.
While little is known about its founding, reputed to date to the 9th century, scholars agree that the two and a half centuries following King Anawrahta’s ascension to the throne in 1044 mark the pinnacle of Bagan’s splendor. Dissatisfied with the repertories of religious practices predominant among his people, mainly a mix of Mahayana Buddhism and indigenous animism, Anawrahta single-handedly launched a full-scale rejuvenation of Theravada Buddhism, leading to its establishment as a national religion. He also inaugurated a wild flurry of temple construction, convincing architects, masons, artists, and carvers to settle in Bagan. While time has seen the destruction of the region’s wooden structures, its stalwart brick edifices give a stirring testimony to a civilization whose prolific contributions to humankind may never be surpassed.
Ananda Temple
Built around the turn of the 12th century, Anandais said to represent the pinnacle of the early style of Bagan period design. With its four enormous gabled entrances leading to a 53m high square block at the center of the termple, it resembles a perfectly symmetrical Greek Cross. On each side of the central square block is an alcove housing Buddha images standing 10m high. With no shortage of donations, Ananda Temple enjoys fresh coats of white paint and copious attachments of gold leaf quite regularly.
Thatbyinnyu Temple
Built in 1144 by King Alaungsithu, is the highest structure in the vicinity. It resembles two gargantuan white stacked cubes, with the upper one set back above three intermediate terraces. Its intricate architecture is representative of the transition from early to late Bagan styles.
Dhammayangyi Temple
This is one of the most massive temples on the entire Bagan plain. Its unsurpassed brickwork, considered a crowning achievement of later period temples, flaunts virtually airtight gaps between individual bricks.
Novices Seeking Alms Daily Alms Ritual
As part of their daily life, monks and novices seek donations from the local community around Bagan. Because monks are not beggars, they do not ask for donations outright.
Rather they line up in a morning procession with bowls extended and march from their monastery to the city and back – never stopping once. Locals and tourists alike place donations in the bowl while the procession is in motion. The entire morning walk takes about 2 hours and is done every day.
Mount Popa / Nat Temple
Mount Popa arose from the ground following a colossal earthquake in 442 BC. It is the center of Nat worship, a religion based on the worship of a plethora of gods each with human tendencies, and home of the Mingalazedi Pagoda. Its about a one and a half hour drive from Bagan through farms filled with rice, palm trees and moonshine!! To reach the top its quite a hike and you have to go through armies of monkeys, many of which are harmless. Even though Buddha has been incorporated into the Nat religion as the supreme being, the temple is sufficiently different to justify a visit. One word of advice – don’t annoy the monkeys!
Local Pharmacy – See Any Tylenol?
Nat Altar
Monkeys Seeking Bananas
Palm Moonshine Is Definitely a Keeper!
Local Children Heading To School
Our Companion, Bill Blair, Making an Offering to the Nats
The islands of the Indonesian archipelago stretch almost 5000km (3100mi) from the Asian mainland into the Pacific Ocean. Richly endowed with natural resources and hosting a phenomenal array of distinct cultures, for centuries they have been a magnet to Chinese and Indian traders, European colonisers, proselytising missionaries, wayward adventurers, mining companies, intrepid travelers and package tourists. The islands are inhabited by 300 ethnic groups with distinct cultures, speaking 365 languages and dialects. Despite the national motto `unity in diversity’, these cultures are under threat from Indonesianisation as the islands are gradually unified under centralized Javanese rule. The multicultural concept of strength in difference has been a hard one to maintain in the face of such geographic and cultural fragmentation, and the Indonesian government has opted for strong, centralized and undemocratic rule.
The consolidation of the Indonesian empire has met with resistance and insurgencies but these have largely been ignored by the international community. The country was stable until the recent economic crisis, mainly because political opposition was repressed and government authority rested squarely on the foundation of military power. After Suharto’s downfall, second guessing the direction Indonesia would take became every foreign correspondents’ favorite pastime.
Increasing tensions between Muslims and Christians, ethnic tensions in Kalimantan, and independence movements in Aceh and Irian Jaya certainly don’t augur well for the new Habibe government but it is the East Timorese situation which buries any notion of a free and democratic Indonesia. East Timor’s vote for independence lit a match to the inflammatory emotions of Indonesian nationalism. Patriotic militia went on a scorched earth rampage around East Timor and the country descended into chaos and martial law. An ugly brand of jingoism swept across most of Indonesia and westerners became the brunt of much wounded pride.
If you wish to visit Indonesia, we suggest going to Yogyakarta in Java and the island of Bali. Both areas are very safe for tourists and are full of many wonderful sights. Just be aware of the violence and strife occurring in the rest of the country and don’t needlessly display your wealth!
JAVA
Java is the political, geographic and economic center of the Indonesian archipelago. It’s a relatively small island, (approximately the same size as England) but has a population of 112 million, accounting for 55% of the country’s total population. The island is long and narrow, with a string of volcanic mountains punctuating its spine. It was on Java that the Hindu-Buddhist empires reached their zenith, producing architectural wonders such as Borobudur and Prambanan. When Islam came to the island in the 15th century, it absorbed rather than erased local cultures, leaving Java with a mish-mash of historic influences and religions. A strong consciousness of ancient religious and mystical thought carries over into present-day Java, providing a bulwark against wholesale modernization.
Much of the young republic’s history was hacked out of Javanese soil – including the major independence battles, the emergence of the two strongest political parties and the pro-democracy protests and riots which led to the recent downfall of Suharto. Today the island plays an extraordinarily dominant role in Indonesia. To a large extent, the rebellions of the Sumatrans, Minahasans and Ambonese in the 1950s and 1960s were rebellions against Javanese domination of the archipelago.
The island is certainly the most developed in the Indonesian archipelago, but despite its political and economic primacy it is still struggling with the twin demons of overpopulation and poverty. We only visited Yogyakarta but everywhere we went we were confronted by a society in transition – one which is keen to embrace the benefits of modernity and reform but determined not to lose its heritage in the process. Thus fast-food joints, shopping malls, satellite TV and the other material accouterments of the West live cheek by jowl with a vibrant traditional culture centered not on the individual, but around the family, the village and religious piety.
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta or ‘Yogya’ is easily the most popular city in Indonesia. It’s a cultural and intellectual center, crammed with prestigious universities and academies, and its influence far outweighs its size. Sure it has noisy and chaotic traffic like any Javanese city, but just a short stroll away from the main streets are the kampungs (food stalls) where life is still unhurried. Despite its veneer of modernity and westernisation, the city clings strongly to its traditional values and philosophies. Traditional performing arts (Ramayana Ballet, gamelan performances etc) can be seen at the Yogyakarta Craft Center and the Agastya Art Institute. It is also a major craft center, especially for batik. The walled-in kraton compound, in the city center, is a city within a city. The kraton is home to 25,000 people and includes the sultan’s huge palace, the Taman Sari (also known as the water castle or fragrant garden), a bird market and several craft industries. There are several worthwhile museums in the city, including the Sono-Budoyo Museum and Benteng Vredeburg. The suburb of Kota Gede has been famous since the 1930s as the center of Yogya’s silver industry, and is still a great place to wander around and watch the silversmiths at work.
Entrance to Sultan’s Palace
“Right-Side” Guard (Good One) of Sultan’s Palace
Palace Guard Sporting A Kris Dagger (Value $100 to $1 million)
Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) of the Ramayana Ballet
Shadow Puppeteer
Gamelan Orchestra For Performing Ballets
Pasar Ngasem Market Where Birds Are Traded
Indonesian Troops Assembling For Independence Day (8/17)
Indonesian Troops Standing Still For A Few Hours
Water Palace of the King (Concubine Pool in the Background)
Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple is one of the greatest Buddhist relics in South-East Asia and is Indonesia’s most famous attraction. Rulers of the Sailendra dynasty built the colossal pyramid of Borobudur between 750 and 850 AD, but very little else is known about the site’s early history except that a huge workforce must have been harnessed to shift and carve the 60,000 cu m (196,800 cu ft) of stone used in its construction. With the decline of Buddhism and the shift of power to East Java, Borobudur was soon abandoned and for centuries lay hidden under layers of volcanic ash. It was only in 1815 that the site was cleared and the technical skill and imagination of the builders was revealed. A mammoth US$21-million restoration program undertaken between 1973 and 1984 returned much of the complex to its former glory. The Mendut and Pawon temples nearby are important parts of the complex, though easily overlooked by visitors to the main site. Borobudur is 40km (25mi) north-west of Yogya.
Borobudur Temple – Largest Buddhist Temple In The World
Bas-Reliefs Containing The Entire Buddhist Bible
Bas-Reliefs Of Buddha Reaching Enlightenment
Bas-Reliefs Of Buddha Reaching Enlightenment
Borobudur Temple In The Distance
Each Lotus Shaped Bulb Contains A Buddha Statue
Lotus Shaped Bulbs Represent “Heavenly” Plane of Temple
Prambanan Temple
The Hindu temple, Prambanan (also known as Lorojonggrang Temple ) is located at Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan, east of Yogya. The exact date of when the Lorojonggrang Temple was built was still in argument. There are two differing opinions regarding who built the Temple. One opinion stated that there was only one, dynasty, Cailendra Dynasty, before Lorojonggrang Temple was built. The second opinion stated that there were two dynasties, Cailendra and Sanjaya Dynasty. Cailendra Dynasty occupied the southern part of Central Java, whereas Sanjaya Dynasty occupied the northern part. Buddhist temples were found mostly in the Southern part of Central Java, and that the Ciwa Temples (Hindu) were found in Northern part of Central Java.
Prambanan Temple In The Distance
Gods Shiva and Ganesha Located In The Temple Towers
Bas-Reliefs Depicting The Hindu Scriptures
Center Tower Containing The Shiva Statue
BALI
Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. But the postcard paradise gloss has been manufactured and polished by the international tourist industry rather than by the Balinese themselves and it pays scant regard to the hard reality of life on Bali, which is currently suffering the fallout of Indonesia’s economic crisis and collapsing currency.
Bali remained calm in 1998 while many islands in the archipelago expressed their anger at the economic and political situation. Though tourism took a downturn in the first half of this year, visitors have flocked to the island in droves over the past 20 years. You’ll find locals living in traditional houses and participating in a timeless round of religious rituals and rice cultivation. In fact, the Balinese seem to handle tourism better than some of the tourists, many of whom are happy to be able to get a Coke but seem disappointed that they’re not the only ones sucking back the real thing.
Sunset at Kuta Beach
Strange Creatures Burried In The Sands of Kuta Beach
Ubud
Ubud is situated in the hills 20km (13mi) north of Denpasar, Ubud is the serene cultural center of Bali. Extensive development in recent years has meant that Ubud has engulfed a number of nearby villages, although these have retained their distinct identities. Head off in any direction and you’re in for an interesting walk to a secluded craft hamlet, through the rice paddies or into the dense Monkey Forest, just south of the town center.
Rice Patties – A Common Sight In Ubud
View Outside Our Window
Hindu Swastika, A Common Sight In Bali
Hindu Temple Outside Ubud
Kecak / Fire Dance
The Kecak dance is a Balinese dance of the Hindu story Ramanyana, accompanied by a male chorus with chants, shouts, and recitations of highly rhythmic and complex interlocking syllables that are intended to sound like a forest of monkeys. Before the evening’s dancing begins, a pedanda or local priest holds a frangipani blossom between his fingers and dips it into holy water to sprinkle over the temple courtyard and the waiting dancers. In the righthand tray are typical temple offerings, to honor the gods and ask their blessing on the assembly. About 100 men of the banjar (village asociation) sit in a great circle by lamplight and chant the famous “monkey chorus” of ka-CHAK, ka-CHAK which gives the dance its name. Many cultures use “mouth music” of one sort or another, but we thought that kecak is one of the most infectious kinds we’ve ever heard. The men really get into it, and so do the crowds!
The second dance is the Fire dance which entails a man posing as a chicken running around in a trancelike state. A bonfire is set in the middle of the floor as he runs around it frantically. Then, all of a sudden he leaps into the middle of the fire and kicks the glowing embers in all directions with his bare feet. He proceeds to do this until the fire is completely out and the embers no longer glow. It was really quite an amazing sight and one well worth seeing again. It should be noted that trance dancing by men and women, children and adults, is an event which the Balinese treat with great respect. Skeptical Westerners may suspect fakery, or at least regard such performances as staged rather than authentic, but we do well to remember that they were a part of sacred temple ritual for many centuries before the first busload of tourists hit Bali.
Morning Kecak Dance
Evening Kecak Dance
Fire Dance Complete With Fire and Chicken Man
Our Fearless Firewalker – There Must Be Easier Ways To Make A Living
Barong / Kris Dance
The Barong dance is a short extract from the much longer and seldom seen Calonarang drama. It is nonetheless an impressive spectacle. It describes the eternal conflict between Ratu Barong, the faithful guardian of the community and the pendulous-breasted Rangda, demonic mistress of the graveyard. Our show closed with a Kris dance, in which young men get into trance and stab themselves with krises, yet remain unhurt.
Enter Rangda, the Evil Demon
Gamelan Orchestra – Seen It A Few Too Many Times?
Kris Dance – You Can’t Pay Me Enough!
Burial / Cremation Ceremony
The Hindu people of Bali cremate their dead in an elaborate ceremony complete with processions, garlands, and effigies. However, the costs of cremation have rapidly risen over the years resulting in many local Balinese being unable to cremate their loved ones at death. Instead, the dead are buried in shallow graves and their bodies are exhumed from the ground once enough people have died in a single village to warrant a mass cremation. This system of mass cremation is not only an amazing spectacle for all to behold but is also generally the only economic means by which the local Balinese can continue this ancient tradition.
Ground Being Prepared For The Dead
Body Being Placed Into Shallow Grave
Burial Procession
Village Cremation Ceremony – Burning On Mass
Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located in Padangtegal, Ubud. The monkeys congregate in a small forest area adjoining the temple Pura Dalem Agung which is the greatest of three main temples in the Padangtegal village. The temple complex consist of a holy bathing temple, a mortality temple, two graveyards, and the Pura Dalem Agung.
The monkeys are long tailed Macacaqua monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis). Although the monkey population varies, it consist of more than 150 monkeys. The monkey is important in Balinese culture and you find it featured in the Kecak Dance and the Ramayana Epic. Tourist should beware the agile hands of the monkey, which can quickly borrow your glasses or other loose possessions.
Although they may seem tame at times, they are nevertheless wild animals and at times react accordingly. This is a great place to visit, walking through the trails of the monkey forest and visiting the adjoining temple.
Cambodia is a country of inescapable legacies. It is a country with the dubious distinctions of not only having some of the greatest monuments the world has ever seen but also enduring the suffering from some of the most atrocious crimes against humanity. Everywhere you turn, these legacies of its history are evident. During my visit in Cambodia, I saw amputees dragging themselves across the floors of markets begging for the generosity of those barely able to feed themselves and I was privileged enough to view the vast temples of Angkor. Buried for centuries in the jungles of Cambodia, the ancient temples of Angkor are the size of Manhattan Island and one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements. We visited these magnificent monuments – massive in scale and exquisite in detail – and visited Phnom Penh, with its crumbling colonial architecture, abject poverty, picturesque riverfront and stirring memorials. Our pictures and descriptions of some of the country’s sights could never do complete justice to the country of Cambodia so we encourage you to go there yourself with open mind and open heart.
PHNOM PENH
Central Market
This hub of Phnom Penh is a large Art Deco structure built in the 1930s and now barely houses half of the merchants who peddle goods there. We thought it looked like something out of Mad Max.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison Museum
This former high school, which was used by the Khmer Rouge as an interrogation center, provides a powerful glimpse into the horrors of the Pol Pot regime. At this center, over 20,000 people were imprisoned and tortured of which only seven are known to have survived. The rest met their deaths at the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. The prison has been left largely as it was in 1979. We wandered through the buildings, parts of which contain gruesome torture chambers complete with gory photos of the victims. It was truly an eye opening experience and makes you wonder how some people can be so cruel.
Courtyard of Tuol Sleng: In some of the rooms, the pictures and clothes of all the people who were executed are shown.
In addition, we’ve included photos of the original Killing Fields, torture instruments and other policies of Pol Pot.
Torture Chamber: We encourage you to watch the movie, The Killing Fields, if you want to understand the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot’s reign of terror.
In a nutshell, Pol Pot engineered an extreme version of Maoism where he killed all of the intellectuals, evacuated all of the cities, forced everyone to work in the fields, created a snitch society, forced mass arranged marriages, and filled the country with six to 10 million mines (approximately one mine per person). As a result, more than two million of Cambodia’s seven million people were killed.
Prison Rules: This set of rules hangs outside the torture chambers. It is given in Khmer and English. Two of the prisoners in the prison were Westerners.
Courtyard Graves: In the courtyard of the prison, these tombstones are shown. Our guide informed us that during Pol Pot’s reign, he had some of his own high level Khmer Rouge officials tortured and killed because he suspected them of betrayal.
The following photo depicts one of several torture chambers left largely intact with a photo of how the prisoner died.
Cambodian Skull Map: This map in the last room is made from the actual skulls of victims. It serves as a remembrance of the people who were killed. In each of the many killing fields across Cambodia, glass stupas have been erected filled with skulls as a remembrance. Small bones still litter many of the fields.
National Museum of Arts
Designed by a French architect, this museum is a beautiful example of Khmer-style architecture. The collection includes some fine pre-Angkorian statuary and many phallic (lingham) statues representing the Hindu god Shiva.
As we walked around the museum we heard what appeared to be sounds of birds on the roof. In actuality, they were the sounds of bats inside the roof! Our guide informed us that if happened to be at the museum at sunset, you would see the sky above you covered with our winged friends.
Tonle Sap River: The stretch of land along the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh was one of the few areas where we saw any construction. A few years ago the government rebuilt it so it actually looks quite pleasant. Our guide informed us that the river actually changes the direction of its current when the seasons change.
Wat Phnom: This is the most sacred sight in all of Phnom Penh. According to legend, one Madame Penh founded a monastery atop an artificial hill here to house several statues of the Buddha that she discovered hidden inside a log.
The current temple houses a number of Buddha relics.
SIEM REAP / ANGKOR TEMPLES
The temples of Angkor, built from the 9th to the 13th centuries by the great Khmer Empire, covers an area the size of Manhattan Island and represents one of mankind’s greatest achievements.
The grandeur of scale and the perfection of detail is really quite extraordinary. Visiting Angkor was truly an experience of a lifetime. The 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of a much larger and spectacular administrative and religious center whose houses, public buildings and palaces were constructed out of wood – now long decayed – because the right to dwell in structures of brick or stone was reserved for the gods.
Restoration of the temples began early this century under the French and continues today under the auspices of the UN.
Angkor Thom: Our first visit was to Angkor Thom, the fortified city approximately 10 square km in extent. It was built by Angkor’s greatest builder, Jayavarman VII (J7), who came to power in the 12th century just after the disastrous sacking of the previous Khmer capital, centered on the Baphuon, by the Chams (people who settled in Vietnam). The city has five monumental gates, one each in the north, west and south walls (the entrance we came through) and two in the east wall.
Below is the South Entrance to Angkor Thom which is lined with 54 statues of Gods and Demons.
Entrance with J7’s head:
The Bayon: The most outstanding feature of the Bayon, which was built by J7 in the exact center of the city of Angkor Thom, is the eerie and unsettling third level, with its icily smiling, gargantuan faces of Avalokitesvara (reputed to be based on J7).
Almost as extraordinary are the Bayon’s 1,200m of bas-reliefs, incorporating over 11,000 figures. The famous carvings on the outer wall of the first level depict vivid scenes of life in the 12th century Cambodia.
The Bayon
Bas-Reliefs in The Bayon
Windows of The Bayon
Terrace of Elephants: The 350 meter long Terrace of Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with human-sized garudas (mythical human birds) and lions.
Towards either end as the two parts of the famous Parade of Elephants.
Terrace of the Leper King: The Terrace of the Leper King, just north of the Terrace of Elephants, is a platform seven meters in height on top of which stands a nude (though sexless) statue (actually a copy).
The figure, possibly of Shiva, is believed by locals to be of Yasovarman, a Khmer ruler whom legend says died of leprosy.
The Baphuon: The Baphuon, a pyramidal representation of Mount Meru, is 200 meters north west of the Bayon. It was constructed by Udayadityavarman II (reigned 1050-66) at the center of the his city, the third built at Angkor. The decor of the Baphuon, including the door frames, lintels and octagonal columns, is particularly fine. On the western side of the temple, the retaining wall of the second level was fashioned – apparently in the 15th century – into a reclining Buddha 40m in length.
Angkor Wat: Angkor Wat, with its soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, is considered by many to be one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind.
It was built by Suryavarman II (1112-52) to honor Vishnu(with whom he, as a god-king, was identified) and for use as his funerary temple. The central temple complex consists of three storeys, each of which encloses a square surrounded by intricately interlinked galleries. Rising 31m above the third level and 55m above the ground is the central tower, which gives the whole ensemble its sublime unity.
Stretching around the outside of the central temple complex is an 800m long series of extraordinary bas-reliefs. The most famous scene, the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is along the southern section of the east gallery. This carving depicts 88 asuras (devils) on the left and 92 devas (gods) with crested helmets on the right, churning up the sea in order to extract the elixir of immortality, which both groups covet.
Bodhi Tree Outside Angkor Wat (Tree of Enlightenment)
Bas-Reliefs of Apsara
Striking a Pose With Apsara Triplets
Hallways of Angkor Wat
Bas-Relief of Churning of the Ocean of Milk
Climbing the Steep Steps of Angkor Wat
These Steps Were Really Steep!
Center Pillar of the Five Pillars of Angkor Wat
Banteay Srei: In the morning we drove through the lush countryside to Banteay Srei, or the Citadel of the Women, which is a small architectural gem with unusually deep stone relief. Its located some 25km northeast of the main cluster of temples but takes over an hour to get to because the roads are so poorly made. The construction of this temple spanned two kingships – Rajendravarman II and Jayavarman V. The temple was built out of hard pink sandstone. The five structures at the center of the complex are amazing and the carvings are exquisite. The library to the south presents scenes of Ravana shaking Mount Kailusa.
Entrance to Banteay Srei
Shiva and Buddhist Monks
Banteay Srei Stupa
Banteay Srei Courtyard
Ta Prohm: The 17th century Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm is one of the largest Khmer
edifices of the Angkorian period and looks like something straight out of Indiana Jones.
It has been left just as it looked when the first French explorers set eyes on its over a century ago.
Whereas the other major monuments of Angkor have been preserved and made suitable for scholarly research by a massive program to clear away the jungle, this Buddhist temple has been left to the jungle. Don’t miss this one!!
500-Year Old Acorn
In 1997, the British set sail from Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong became the new Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Today it’s business as usual in the former colony. Beneath all of the ultra-modern clothes and haircuts and the glossy building exteriors, however beats the heart of old Hong Kong. CEOs head home to light joss sticks and pay homage to Buddha in front of ancestral shrines. The gliding junks and incense-clouded temples of Hong Kong’s past endure, somewhat obscured by McDonald’s golden arches and shelves upon shelves of Gap khakis.
My wife and I had the unique opportunity to grow up in Hong Kong during its rise as an “Asia Tiger”. During the 1970s and 1980s, Hong Kong evolved from a back water entreport into a global financial center to rival New York, London and Tokyo. Much has changed since we left for North America. Gone are the rickshaws that populated the Star Ferry and the abundant number of foreigners that gave Hong Kong a colonial, cosmopolitan feel. Much has changed. For instance, in place of the many British are now many tourists from Mainland China. Both most things remain the same – if not more abundant. Skyscrapers are even more prevalent as are the number of taxi cabs and . Domestic help from south east Asia countries such as Philippines and Indonesia appear more abundant than ever – particularly on Sundays in key parts of Central. And the pollution seems to keep growing at an ever increasing pace…However, going back to Hong Kong always gives my wife and me a sense of nostalgia. It is truly a unique place and I highly encourage you to visit if you ever find yourself in Asia. You will not be disappointed!
The city is definitely a must for anyone thinking about traveling to the region and is an ideal location to start any journey through southeast Asia. I personally lived there for over 13 years so I can recommend places to eat and things to see during your visit. I’ve included my pictures and descriptions of some of the sights that I was able to see during my visit from July 4 to July 12, 1999. Enjoy!
The Peak
The Peak is one of my favorite places in Hong Kong because it is here where you can truly experience the sharp contrasts of city, harbor and green. The great vistas make it one of the most popular tourist destinations and the clean air makes it a novelty in a city full of smog and congestion! On a clear (aka rare) day, you can see Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong Disneyland, Lamma Island and other outlying islands. You can get here either by taking a bus or the Peak Tram from Central. I highly recommend the Peak Tram which has been providing unforgettable views since 1888. The cable pulled tram travels along a track so steep that nearby buildings appear to be tilting!
Western Market & Sheung Wan Fong
The Western Market, an Edwardian-style building originally called the Harbour Office, was built in 1906 and later became a food market before closing in 1988. Two years later, it was declared a historical monument, renovated and re-opened as the Western Market in 1991. Next to it is a compass-like piazza named Sheung Wan Fong. I encourage you to visit this market to see how people in Hong Kong bought meat before the advent of mass supermarkets. I remember coming here as a boy and seeing all the carcasses hanging from hooks and listening to the local butchers yell out the latest deals of the day. The smell of the place still lingers in my mind and if you ever get a chance to whiff the air you’ll know what I mean.
Man Mo Temple
One of the first traditional style temples built during the colonial era, Man Mo Temple’s magnificent external architecture reflects its historical roots. Inside, the air is thick with plumes of aromatic smoke from the coils and incense sticks that are said to carry prayers to the spirit world. Gold altars and red shrines pay homage to the Taoist gods of literature (“Man”) and war (“Mo”) – “Man” with his calligraphy brush and “Mo” with his sword. There is also a statue of Pau Kung, the god of justice, and another of Shing Wong, the god of the city. The plaques near the entrance give an interesting perspective on the history of the temple and its gods. The temple’s historical relics include a bronze bell dated 1847 and imperial sedan chairs made in 1862.
Avenue of the Stars
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon is Asia’s first Avenue of the Stars. Here you can see plaques honoring celebrities from the Hong Kong silver screen and those behind the camera.
Clock Tower
Located next to the Kowloon-side Star Ferry is the clock tower. Part of the original Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, the clock tower was completed and came into operation in 1921. This is a landmark from the Age of Steam, a time when people spent days traveling across Europe and Asia.
Victoria Harbor
Nothing demonstrates the pulsating growth of Hong Kong more than Victoria Harbor. As you can see in these pictures, Hong Kong has grown rapidly from a small island into a thriving metropolis with skyscrapers that rival New York and Tokyo.
In the first picture below, the Bank of China designed by I.M. Pei (of the Louvre museum fame) and the HSBC bank can clearly be seen. In addition, the following pictures show the Hong Kong convention center constructed for the handover ceremony of Hong Kong to China in June 1997.
View of the Hong Kong Convention Center.
Obelisk memorializing the handover of Hong Kong.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
This very large and active Taoist temple was built in 1973 and contains some sights that are very common in Chinese culture but may seem usual for people from the West. Aside from the people praying and giving offerings to the gods, there are galleries of fortune tellers, people shaking joss sticks for good luck and fortune telling, beautiful stone gardens carved in traditional Chinese style and numerous urns for burning incense. Below is a picture of Lauren having her fortune told by a local fortune teller. In addition, I’ve included pictures of numerous bas-reliefs of Kowloon (Nine Dragons) at the Wong Tai Sin Temple.
Longest Suspension Bridge In The World
This bridge that links Hong Kong Island to Lantau Island (site of the new airport and the giant Buddha statue) is reputed to be the longest in the world (take that San Francisco!!).
Longest Escalator In the World (Travelator)
At 800 meters long, this is the world’s longest covered escalator. It links Des Voeux Road Central near the harbor to Conduit Road (where I lived) in the Mid-Levels. The escalator is a convenient way to see the city hillside which contains great restaurants and shops. Traveling the entire length takes about 20 minutes. The escalator runs one-way downhill from 6 am to 10 am and then uphill from 10:20 am to midnight. This hillside escalator is known locally as a travelator. We took it many times to travel from Central to the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong Island in an effort to avoid the horrendous traffic.
Tiger Balm Gardens
Officially known as the Aw Boon Haw Gardens, these gardens are three hectares of grotesque sanctuary in appalingly bad taste but are a sight to behold. Aw Boon Haw made his fortune from the Tiger Balm cure everything medication and this was his gift to Hong Kong. Its meant to teach people about heaven and hell and famous Chinese religious beliefs. Unfortunately, its scheduled to be torn down before the beginning of the Millenium so if you want to see it you must hurry! Below I’m standing in front of a few murals depicting life in Hell. Not exactly the Sistine Chapel…
Ching Chung Koon Temple
Located on the north east side of the New Territories, this temple is a classic illustration of Chinese temple architecture. These pictures show the classic urns for incense burning, the furnaces for burning paper objects so that they can be used in the afterlife (e.g., money, cars, clothes, etc.), porcelain paintings, and tiled frescoes.
Above is a typical furnace used for burning offerings and all things made of paper including money, cars, houses, etc. Essentially anything you want to take to the after-life or sent to your ancestors in the after-life.
Yuen Yuen Institute
This Taoist temple complex pays homage to not just Taoism (ancestor worship), but Confucianism and Buddhism. The temple has a blend of Confucius, Buddha and Tao and contains several very Zen-like stone gardens. Coincidentally, we bumped into a business school classmate here, Anthony Soohoo!
Food!
If not for the amazing sights, you should at least head to Hong Kong for its culinary delights! Although we have lived in Hong Kong for many years and eaten many exotic Eastern and Western dishes, nothing was quite as unusual as pillow toast. This is a loaf of bread that is full of butter and toasted. The outside is hard but the inside tastes rather buttery and gooey. Definitely an interesting Eastern play on a very Western food!
Lantau is the largest outlying island in Hong Kong – almost twice the size of Hong Kong! More than half of Lantau has been designated a country park area. Its tranquil and green environment makes it a popular spot for nature lovers and hikers. Incidentally, the island is also home to Hong Kong’s top notch international airport, Chek Lap Kok, and much maligned Hong Kong Disneyland which opened in 2006.On a side note, as an illustration of how the Chinese language sometimes loses its beauty when translated, we’ve included the following picture. Here’s some useful information on the Lantau Island Ferry. Note that it still gets the point across:
Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
The 34 meter high Giant Buddha, the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated, bronze Buddha statue, sits on a lotus throne above a three-platform altar and weighs 250 tons. We purchased an admission ticket with includes a vegetarian meal at the staircase in front of the Giant Buddha. As you can see from these pictures, its really an awesome sight as you approach it from the road and see the clouds surrounding Buddha. We also had a great vegetarian lunch in at the monastery dining hall and we were told that you can stay there for a night if you are seeking enlightenment.
The nearby Po Lin Monastery, set amid spectacular mountain scenery on the 520 meter high Ngong Ping plateau, has a fabulous vegetarian restaurant where we had a hearty lunch!
We visited Ngong Ping Village, a Hong Kong culturally-themed attraction. You can travel by Ngong Ping Skyrail (aka cable car) to the Ngong Ping Village which includes three themed attractions: Walking with Buddha, Monkey’s Tale Theater and Ngong Ping Tea House.
The Wisdom Path
This is an outdoor wooden replica of the centuries-old Heart Sutra, one of the world’s best known prayers that is revered by Confucius, Buddhists and Taoists alike. It has been erected in the form of the symbol for infinity (∞) which represents immeasurable splendor and the concept of nothingness.
Tung Chung Fort
Occupying a 70 meter by 80 meter site, Tung Chung Fort was built in the early 19th century as part of a short-lived attempt to suppress the opium trade and defend the coastal area from pirates. The fort was declared a monument in 1979.
Canada is my wife’s birthplace and one of the greatest countries in the world! Its always great to visit a civilized country where one can drink the water, drive in the streets, and breathe the air – all without fear of death!
Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America. Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, Canada shares land borders with the United States to the south and to the northwest. Inhabited first by Aboriginal peoples, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies, some of which had been French colonies. Canada gained independence from the United Kingdom in an incremental process that began in 1867 and ended in 1982. Canada is a federal constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, consisting of ten provinces and three territories, and defines itself as a bilingual and multicultural nation; both English and French are official languages. A technologically advanced and industrialized nation, its diversified economy relies heavily on an abundance of natural resources and on trade, particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship.
TORONTO
Toronto is a Canadian city located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, and is the provincial capital of Ontario. Toronto is the 5th most populous municipality in North America behind Mexico City, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.CN Tower
The CN Tower, at 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches) tall, is one of the world’s tallest freestanding structure on land.
It is located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is considered the signature icon of the city; more than two million international visitors are attracted annually to the tower.
CN originally referred to the Canadian National Railway, but following the railway’s decision to divest non-core freight railway assets, prior to the company’s privatization in 1995, the CN Tower was transferred to the Canada Lands Company (CLC), a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development.
Since the citizens of Toronto wished to retain the name CN Tower, the abbreviation CN now officially stands for Canada’s National rather than the original Canadian National.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River in eastern North America, on the border between the United States and Canada.
Niagara Falls (French: les Chutes du Niagara) comprises three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (sometimes called the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the smaller, adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. While not exceptionally high, Niagara Falls is very wide.
With more than 6 million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water falling over the crestline every minute in high flow, and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average, it is the most powerful waterfall in North America and possibly the best known in the world.
Geographically, Niagara Falls is located about a twenty minute drive from Buffalo, New York, and an hour and a half drive from Toronto.
Niagara Falls is renowned for its beauty, and is both a valuable source of hydroelectric power and a challenging project for environmental preservation. A popular tourist site for over a century, the natural wonder is shared between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.
Rogers Centre (fka Skydome)
Rogers Centre, formerly known as (and often still unofficially called) SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, situated next to the CN Tower near the shores of Lake Ontario.
It is home to Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. While it is primarily a sports venue, Rogers Centre also hosts other large-scale events such as conventions, trade fairs, and concerts.
Rogers Centre is also noted for being the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, as well as a 348-room hotel attached to it, with 70 rooms overlooking the field. It is also the most recent North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both football and baseball, although some of the newer baseball parks have been known to host the occasional college football game.
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