ASIA
The perfumed air gives notice of the visual feast to follow. With its kaleidoscopic array of vibrant blooms, the Pak Klong Talat, is the largest wholesale fresh flower market in Bangkok. It’s proximity to the temple of the reclining Buddha, and easy access from a river pier, makes it an ideal stop to be combined with a city […]
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Perspective and composition, in much of my photography, thus far at least, has been more instinctive and impulsive than deliberate! As has the capturing of light and shadow. I am in the process of learning to remedy that and pay more attention to the rules. In the meantime here is a selection of serendipitous shadows from our travels……. Shadow […]
Read MoreI spot the Otorii from across the expanse of the (Seto) Inland Sea, emerging from the waters like a giant Pi symbol against the dense green mantle of the hills beyond. More bleached terracotta than the vermilion of the postcards, this 52 feet high floating ‘grand gate‘ claims equal billing with Mount Fuji as the iconic symbol of […]
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The steel and concrete tower of the Osaka Castle is a 1995 restoration. Faithful to its Tokoguwa era splendour in appearance, and the final in a series of rebuilding attempts since its founding in the 16th century. The castle’s very modern interior houses a small but informative museum, with exhibits on the Shoguns (warlords), who were an intrinsic part of […]
Read MoreRitual cleansing prior to worship, is an age old practice. The use of water to purify oneself, being obligatory in most world religions until today. Traditionally, this purification was done at a river, stream or seashore. As religions evolved, ablution fountains and Lavers started appearing in the outer courts of places of worship. The temple tank […]
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Laos Travel: Experiencing Luang Prabang, its tranquility and identity as a practicing Buddhist city steeped in ancient traditions.
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On a peninsula gently cradled in the palms of the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, sits the picturesque royal city of Luang Prabang. And crowning it, like the mythical jewel on the forehead of a Naga, is the Wat Xieng Thong. A confluence of rivers is sacred to Asian communities. And that is the reason this auspicious spot was […]
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Why you should not skip Vientiane, Laos. This fully updated 2021 travel guide covers the best things to do in Vientiane in a day.
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As some of you already know, I am off again, this time with R to Laos & Cambodia for two weeks. That is misleading actually. R was very sure he didn’t want an in depth cultural immersion, so we are only going to Luang Prabang and Siem Reap, with brief stopovers in Vientiane and Phnom […]
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“No, that can’t be Mount Fuji” I dismissed my sisters query very authoritatively, as I snuggled back into my seat. “Where is the snow cap and cloud cover?” My sister’s faith in my opinion was plain for all to see, when she turned to our guide for confirmation. “Nooooo! Where is the snow cap and cloud cover?” she […]
Read MoreThe Tokyo Skytree is a freetsanding tower that is as different from the Window Tower of Uzes as you can possibly imagine. At 634m it is the world’s tallest tower and the second highest freestanding structure. My one thought, gazing at the soaring latticework of steel tubing looming in front of me is…..how much higher can […]
Read MoreWe arrived late. And in the race up to the night festival and back, we left with little or no impression of this historic market town, in the heart of the larger Takayama city. On our return the next morning, after a night at an Onsen nearby, its medieval charm and picturesque setting, took us completely by surprise! Presiding over […]
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The Urge To Wander 