We stumbled across our first Laos almsgiving ceremony in Pak Beng. Sat having an early breakfast before boarding the slow boat as the monks came down the street. The lady from the restaurant gave them an offering and in return the monks chanted a blessing back. Roll on a week and Luang Prabang – a UNESCO World Heritage City that is famous for the ceremony. … Continue reading Almsgiving…
Our first day is the opportunity for us to get our bearings, tomorrow we take a minibus to Nong Khiaw. We haven’t gone crazy – leaving after a day – on our return we will spend another five days here. We start early, temperatures are set to reach the mid-thirties by this afternoon. Our first mission is Phousi Hill, and That Chomsi that sits astride … Continue reading Luang Prabang, literally perfect.
Our last full day in Chiang Rai, in fact our final day for now in Thailand, the Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten – is a must see. Before we head there we revisit a temple that we briefly looked at on the day we arrived, Wat Ming Muang, unusual as rather than being adorned with dragons and serpents, images of elephants are the … Continue reading Thai temples ticked off…
We start our day early, keen to get to the White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun to give it it’s correct title, before the masses. Walking to catch the bus we are bemused as a young lady is praying to a plucked chicken, that has been pierced with incense sticks, a restaurant owner hoping for a good day perhaps? Boarding a battered old coach at … Continue reading White Temple, Chiang Rai
Lampang, a well kept secret, a hidden gem. Think along the lines of the temples of Chiang Mai but almost having the place to yourself. The older part of the city is along the northern banks of the Wang River, the markets and bustle of the locals going about their business to the south. The pace of life in the old quarter is slow, the … Continue reading Lampang – who knew?
It may only be an hour’s fight from Bangkok but Chiang Mai is a million miles away in character. The neon lights have been swapped for golden stupas gleaming in the sun, here is the home of the temple, or wat. With around seventy-five wats within the confines of the city walls it feels like we have been in each and every one of them, … Continue reading Which wat’s what?
This part of the trip was always going to be pretty relaxed. The first six weeks have been full on, covering who knows how many miles as we pounded the pavements of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Singapore, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping and Georgetown. Now it is the time to feel the sand between our toes! By day Langkawi has numerous excursions on offer, boating through the … Continue reading Beach days in Langkawi!
A short bus journey from Ipoh is Gunung Rapat and a group of cave temples that are well worth a visit out of the old town for. From the main road the first one you reach is a Taoist place of worship, Ling Sen Tong, or ‘Rock of Heavenly Spirits’ as the name translates. hits you is the colourful facade, bright colours abound – curving … Continue reading Ipoh Cave Temples…
Our map from the tourist office is looking a little faded and creased, over the last few days we have put it to good use. Today we can declare that we have visited each and every highlighted temple, tomb and tourist hot spot. The surprising thing is that we have also discovered so much more, streets and sights that don’t merit a mention on the … Continue reading More Melaka
Having woken to stunning views of the Himalayas, polished off a good breakfast, the final activity was upon us. A gentle stroll, slightly up and down through the local villages to the world heritage site of Changu Narayan, a 5th century Hindu temple. Before the walk begins there is a 45 minute nerve jangling bus drive down the mountain. The driver has one side covered, … Continue reading Wandering through hillside villages
Oldest On the Bus 