If there is city that I always enjoy going over and over and photographing, it is Saint-Malo. Today the weather was incredible beautiful, certainly too warm for a 26 of December, 15ºC (59F) ! Anyway enjoy those few snapshots.
Back to Phnom Penh…
In our way to the Kulen Mountains, we visited the remarkable Banteay Srei temple, called the “Citadel of Beauty” due to the exceptional delicacy and elegance of its decoration. Discovered by the French in 1914, it was built in the 10th century in pink sandstone. The relief carvings cover lintels, roofs, walls and pediments, showing intricate foliage, gods and goddesses, depicting scenes of the Ramayana, the mayor Hindu epic, tracing the adventures of Rama to recover his wife Sita. In the afternoon, we climbed on a narrow dirt road to Kulen Mountain. On the top, a very famous Pagoda, with a giant Buddha. It is a pilgrimage place, many monks and families visiting, a local market with religious objets and offers for the sanctuary ( lotus flowers, fake money, phallic symbols, incense sticks). Nearby a natural recreation area with waterfalls, where families go to picnic and enjoy the day. A variety of food stands and a joyful atmosphere! A huge traffic jam to go back down the mountain, locals where very friendly and patient...
We started the day climbing to the high hill where Phom Bakheng was built late 9th century.It was the state temple of the first city of Angkor, representing Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu gods. At the entrance a sculpture of Nandi bull, the vehicle of Shiva with the yellow Buddhist decorations. Afterward we reached, one of the most popular temples in Angkor, Ta Prohm, built in the late 12th to 13th centuries. In became famous because some scenes of the block -buster Lara Croft movie where shot there. In this temple we can observe the destruction caused by both the large silk-cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra) with light grey corks and the smaller strangler figs. In both cases the roots work their way between masonry, when the tree die, the structure would fall. One the smaller temples, Prasat Kravan, from the 10th century, contains very fine interior brick bas-reliefs, unique in their style.In Banteay Kdei, late 12th century we could admire the entrance, guarded by dragons and the imposing Nagas balustrades, as well as the elegant dancing Apsaras.
The modern town of Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th-15th centuries.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, at the junction of two powerful rivers, the Mekong and Tonlé Sap, was a key city during the Khmer Empire and the French colony.
In the old part of Ho Chi Minh, significant French Colonial buildings remain, such as the imposing Central Post Office, still in use and well maintained, with the facade in the original bright yellow and white colours.The building was constructed between 1886-1891, the beautiful iron structure inside is attributed to Gustave Eiffel.
Hội An is a city in Vietnam, located the coast of the South China Sea in the South Central Coast region. Hội An is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hội An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam independence hero is celebrated in Hanoi. The large mausoleum, in a classic soviet style, and his premises in the Presidential gardens are worth the visit. The old French colonial prison, Hoa Lo, plays a propaganda role, showcasing the harsh conditions the prisoners suffered during colonial time. There is a small area dedicated to the American prisoners of war kept there during the Vietnam war. Clearly, the edulcorated official version of kind treatment does not match the testimonials of the prisoners themselves!
Hanoi means “Between rivers” in chinese, it is the Vietnam capital since 1976, when North and South Vietnam were reunited. It was funded in the 11th century and became the capital of the French Indochina in 1873. The old city center offers many interesting sites, buddhist pagodas, the charming Hoan Kiem lake and the old commercial district , with the 36 streets, full of life and traditional shops.
On my way to downtown Brussels on foot since buses could not get through I snaped few pictures to give you an idea of the ambiance.
From Cabo San Lucas to Magdalena Bay is quite a ride, 500 Kms and back, 1000 in a day! Just to see whales, majestic gray whales! We spent 3 hours on a thrilling whale watching tour. At this time of the year whales come down from Alaska and all over the world to the warmers water of Magdalena Bay to give birth and raise their young. Don't miss the newborn calf held by a mom on her back.
