Just in case you do go there, the one method that you can distinguish between the Vanaras and the Asuras is that the former do not wear shoes.
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Grand Palace - Thailand
The grand palace in Thailand was a great experience for me. Anyone who loves the Ramayana should visit this palace. The murals that adorn the walls literally speak volumes through its pictures. Statues of Ravana(Totsakan in Thai), Hanuman and Garuda look down at the visitors from their man made perches.
Just in case you do go there, the one method that you can distinguish between the Vanaras and the Asuras is that the former do not wear shoes.
Just in case you do go there, the one method that you can distinguish between the Vanaras and the Asuras is that the former do not wear shoes.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Phang Nga
The town of Phang Nga. Where time stopped. I am lazing out with the words. Its the best place to be in the world. Take me back there any time and I'll jump at the opportunity.
The famous Phang Nga Bay. This is the bay from where boats take you into the magical Andaman Ocean. Crystal Clear waters and limestone rocks. And a surreal(though slightly commercialized) village on stilts in the middle of the ocean.
The Thai Muang Beach Stretch. The nesting grounds for endangered turtles. The sandy beach stretches for miles and miles.
Suwanna Kuha (The Golden Cave)A cavernous temple with Budha statues. Very calm and quiet place to be.
The small town of Takua Pa is the closest town to Kao Lak. This town has chinese history dating back centuries from their trade relations with the Sino people.
The famous Phang Nga Bay. This is the bay from where boats take you into the magical Andaman Ocean. Crystal Clear waters and limestone rocks. And a surreal(though slightly commercialized) village on stilts in the middle of the ocean.
The Thai Muang Beach Stretch. The nesting grounds for endangered turtles. The sandy beach stretches for miles and miles.
Suwanna Kuha (The Golden Cave)A cavernous temple with Budha statues. Very calm and quiet place to be.
The small town of Takua Pa is the closest town to Kao Lak. This town has chinese history dating back centuries from their trade relations with the Sino people.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Ayuthaya - A trip to relive the Centuries
When I first started out to travel to Ayutthaya by land, a journey almost a 1000 kms, I had my misgivings as to how much I would enjoy the journey. On hindsight, I am very glad that I took it up.
Ayutthaya is named after Ayodhya and hence is filled with rich cultural layers of history if you know anything about Indian and South East Asian mythologies. Every structure was so exquisite even in its ruin that you just can’t help but try envisioning it during it’s hey days. The whole city must have been built like the mythical universe, with Mount Meru at the center and the seven seas surrounding it. All adorned by thousands of Buddha sculptures in various states of decay. The decay though touches only the stone. Not the expression of the idols. It does send a sense of disquiet when even after centuries of ravages by humans and elements the statues still smile gracefully at the visitors. I think they win in the end. Not even nature but the statues.
This trip has aroused in me a real desire to take a look at Angkor Wat. If for nothing else but to see how megalomania and grandeur combine into heady art. No man can describe what they think when they walk alone amongst these ruins. Before I get philosophical let me post a couple of pictures that I took that I liked during the trip.
Ayutthaya is named after Ayodhya and hence is filled with rich cultural layers of history if you know anything about Indian and South East Asian mythologies. Every structure was so exquisite even in its ruin that you just can’t help but try envisioning it during it’s hey days. The whole city must have been built like the mythical universe, with Mount Meru at the center and the seven seas surrounding it. All adorned by thousands of Buddha sculptures in various states of decay. The decay though touches only the stone. Not the expression of the idols. It does send a sense of disquiet when even after centuries of ravages by humans and elements the statues still smile gracefully at the visitors. I think they win in the end. Not even nature but the statues.
This trip has aroused in me a real desire to take a look at Angkor Wat. If for nothing else but to see how megalomania and grandeur combine into heady art. No man can describe what they think when they walk alone amongst these ruins. Before I get philosophical let me post a couple of pictures that I took that I liked during the trip.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Lychees and Bao Tse in Bangkok
The rest have been gobbled up. These Lychees are just delicious. And Bao Tse, that dish that my good friend Shen Jen introduced me and Pradeep to just melts in your mouth. This one is for all the steaming we did in Alta Springs!!By the way. Bangkok and Suwarnabhumi are way better than our Indian airports again. Damn I'm feeling sad about our airports. I am kicking myself not to have taken pictures of
Suwarnabhumi. I think I'll take it when I leave Bangkok.The other thing that struck me was the absence of oppressive touts dragging customers to their cabs outside the airport.In Bangalore or in Chennai it would be impossible to get a decent cab ride from the airport to anywhere without getting swindled if you do not know the language or the lay of the land.
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