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Cuba - More than old cars
This morning we did a half day tour to visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), a market and the Hill Tribes Museum.
The White Temple is a new temple which started construction in 1997. It apparently has another 20 years of construction before all the other buildings will be completed although there has been a recent setback when a 6.5 earthquake in May caused some damage. The temple has been designed by renowned Thai artist Chalermachai Kositpipat who is carrying out repairs to the temple and continuing construction of the remaining buildings. Some of the rooms in the temple were not open.
We liken this construction to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona albeit of a Buddhist Temple instead of a basilica.
Before having a look around the temple and grounds we went into his art gallery. It was well worth the visit. Paintings were done using different techniques and the theme was mainly around Buddism however there were a number of paintings with other messages - see photo of Bush and Osama. Our guide said we had stayed the longest in the gallery of anyone she had taken to it and everyone who had gone in after us had already come out.
From there we went to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha in the Temple is a replica with the original having been moved to Bangkok after spending many years in Laos where it had ended up after numerous conquests over the centuries. We had seen the original, which is thought to be from Sri Lanka, in Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok some years ago.
We then suggested we skip the visit to the market, since we had taken up so much time at the art gallery!, and went straight to the Hill Tribe museum. As we had been up to the visit the Hill Tribes the previous day we wondered how much we would get out of this museum. We got lots more information. A lot of the traditions of the hill tribes are disappearing especially with the younger people wanting to stop wearing the traditional dress except for festivals and the like and also wanting to leave the land. While we saw 4 tribes there were more than a dozen different tribes in Thailand and there are problems that the Thai government needs to resolve over the way they farm the land etc.
Back to the hotel for some lunch and a beer before falling into the pool to cool off.
Tonight we met the others on the tour. There are 3 couples which means we will not be touring with an English guide as well as a local guide. Don't see this as being a problem. The 2 couples are both Australian, one couple is from Mackay (in Queensland) and the other from Melbourne. Spent time with them tonight and we will all get along. Early start in the morning at 0645 as we head for the Laos border.
The White Temple is a new temple which started construction in 1997. It apparently has another 20 years of construction before all the other buildings will be completed although there has been a recent setback when a 6.5 earthquake in May caused some damage. The temple has been designed by renowned Thai artist Chalermachai Kositpipat who is carrying out repairs to the temple and continuing construction of the remaining buildings. Some of the rooms in the temple were not open.
We liken this construction to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona albeit of a Buddhist Temple instead of a basilica.
Before having a look around the temple and grounds we went into his art gallery. It was well worth the visit. Paintings were done using different techniques and the theme was mainly around Buddism however there were a number of paintings with other messages - see photo of Bush and Osama. Our guide said we had stayed the longest in the gallery of anyone she had taken to it and everyone who had gone in after us had already come out.
From there we went to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha in the Temple is a replica with the original having been moved to Bangkok after spending many years in Laos where it had ended up after numerous conquests over the centuries. We had seen the original, which is thought to be from Sri Lanka, in Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok some years ago.
We then suggested we skip the visit to the market, since we had taken up so much time at the art gallery!, and went straight to the Hill Tribe museum. As we had been up to the visit the Hill Tribes the previous day we wondered how much we would get out of this museum. We got lots more information. A lot of the traditions of the hill tribes are disappearing especially with the younger people wanting to stop wearing the traditional dress except for festivals and the like and also wanting to leave the land. While we saw 4 tribes there were more than a dozen different tribes in Thailand and there are problems that the Thai government needs to resolve over the way they farm the land etc.
Back to the hotel for some lunch and a beer before falling into the pool to cool off.
Tonight we met the others on the tour. There are 3 couples which means we will not be touring with an English guide as well as a local guide. Don't see this as being a problem. The 2 couples are both Australian, one couple is from Mackay (in Queensland) and the other from Melbourne. Spent time with them tonight and we will all get along. Early start in the morning at 0645 as we head for the Laos border.
- comments
Jane Don't mess with the no parking witch!!
Jane Amazing as always - your holidays are the highlight of my year! Thank you:) xo
Gael That's the toilet facility!? I don't think I'd ever want to leave - it's beautiful!!!
Gael These photos are quite extraordinary - I'm shocked that so many people have such little appreciation of such beauty that they can be in and out in a flash; shame on them!!!
Lesley Maybe that's where the term "throne" came from. Fit for a King.
Lesley We could do with some of these in Sydney.
Roslyn Love the white temple.....all marble? and the gold toilet block...how precious !!!!!
Sarah You could have fooled me