Lmst

#2016CE

No free lunch.
But the view and surroundings are worth paying for.

Along the road to Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia, the rice fields, open farmland and wetland give a splendid outlook. It makes for a very relaxing area to have lunch. Several places along the road have these sheds with straw roofs. They offer cool shade, fresh air, Khmer food and drinks - and hammocks.

In the background to the left here is Phnom Krom, or Kraom/Krom hill. This sacred hill marks the normal highest water mark for the Tonlé Sap north towards Siem Reap at the end of green season.

The east side of the hilltop is a popular spot for younger Khmer and Khmer families for evening picnics. Along the road up to the hilltop, there are plenty of small places offering picnic mats and street food and drinks. The view from those places is partly sunset over Tonle Sap, and mostly peaceful sunset over the farmland and rice fields.

The hill tops temple trio
Phnom Krom is one of the spots near Siem Reap where both sunrise and sunsets can be enjoyed. It has a modern wat, temple and monastery, on the northwest top slope. That is on the right side of the hill in this photo. There are remains of a trio tower temple, Prasat Phnom Krom, in Mebon style at the west top point of the hill.

Prasat Phnom Krom is the southernmost of three hilltop temples built at the same time around year 900 CE. The two others are Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Bok. These three hills form a sacred triangle encapsulating core parts of Angkor Park and Siem Reap city.

It is a 30 minute bike ride out of Siem Reap.

#2016CE #ancient #Angkor #architecture #archive #art #ទន្លេសាប #biking #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #Khmer #lake #tonle #sap #Lunch #Huts #view #ricefield #rice #paddock #Nikkor #Nikon #Pagoda #people #phnomkraom #pnohmkrom #roadtrip #Sculpture #siemreab #siemreap #village #villagelife #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows a small artificial lake surrounded by rice fields. In the front there are three simple wooden sheds placed on pillars out in the lake with small wooden bridges from a track along a green covered dyke. The sheds have straw roofs. There is a floor with room for a small group within each shed- In the background several similar sheds are placed with access from the dykes. In the far background to the left there is a larger hill. Some forest marks the border of the lake and rice fields. It is a sunny day, and the sky is deep blue with some light white clouds creating a lively effect. Cambodia is as safe, comfortable and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy your visit to the Kingdom of Wonder.

Peaceful at the border in Anlong Veng

The countryside in the north of Cambodia is very pretty. Add in this man-made lake and enjoy animals going on with their peaceful business in the setting sun.

There is more modern history in this small border town of Anlong Veng than you would expect. I have visited this place several times to see and learn.

But I always take some time to contemplate and enjoy the outlook by this lake.

Not so peaceful history
Anlong Veng in Oddar Meanchey Province is a typical small town in Northern Cambodia. It is close to the mountain ridge marking the border to Thailand’s Isaan region.

The artificial lake was constructed by the KR cadre Ta Mok to regulate the local river to reduce flooding. And making a tremendous view from his villa complex northwest of the lake. Pol Pot was said to spend a lot of time there during the later years of his civil wars before and after the peace accords. There are work going on to make the house complex into a museum of KR activities and destructive time ruling the country.

#2016CE #afternoon #Anlong #AnlongVeng #bluesky #boat #Buddhism #calm #Cambodia #countryside #cow #eat #fields #fisherman #fishing #fishnet #grazing #green #lake #landscape #livestock #manmade #manmadelake #Nikkor #Nikon #OddarMeanchey #OddarMeancheyProvince #roadtrip #snack #solo #sunset #TaMok #TaMokHouse #daytrip

Photo shows a lake with several small inlets. A cow is grazing in one of them. In the background there are a framing forest with some buildings. It is the afternoon of a sunny day with blue sky with some light clouds. The setting sun gives a warm colour to the photo. Cambodia is as safe and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy the Kingdom of Wonder.

When your home is a temple

Some of the temples and pagodas in Cambodia are marvels of intrinsic details. Sometimes the cohabitants are, too. Like this one at Wat Sampov at Phnom Sampov/Phnom Sampeau near Battambang.

The monkeys at most of these temple sites are peaceful. They are adjusted to be relatively safe and have access to food and water. But they are also nosy and cheeky, and any seasoned traveller know to keep their belongings, food and water well contained or hidden around these rascals. They will try to steal anything they fancy from the humans.

And never, ever feed the monkeys. It reduces their ability to hunt and gather their own food, leads to malnutrition, and they become more aggressive and can be dangerous towards humans.

Challenging small gene pools
Another challenge for these monkeys is the small number of members in some of the temple groups. That is causing some problems with inbreeding due to limited gene pools.

We are talking severe Habsburgian jaw and bulbous lips, to use a European reference to tragedy and disaster when science is absent. I have personally observed this inbreeding problem to have become lesser over the last few years. Hopefully it means the caretaking of these cultural heritage sites improves. Including for the animals.

The monkeys also ad personality to the visits to the temple, and scale to photos taken there. I would miss having them around, if they were to disappear from the temple grounds.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/when-your-home-iff-a-temple-some-of-the/

#2016CE #Angkor #architecture #art #batcave #Battambang #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #countryside #gallery #gold #Hinduism #Kampuchea #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #PhnomSampeou #roadtrip #Siem #Reap #siemreap #sightseeing #asia #southeastasia #templevisit #Cambodia #visitsiemreap #watsampeou #guardianhill #landscape #macaquemonkey #Mountains #nature #Pagoda #Phnom #Sampeau #PhnomSompov #teeth #temple #visitcambodia

Photo shows a temple tower with an intricate and detailed outer decoration. Some visible carvings are of standing figures surrounded by flowers and lotus bulbs. Over the main room with an open entrance door, the top of the temple has a closed small gate echoing the main entrance. Then it continues in late Bayon style. Then it continues in seven decreasing size levels to the top spire. In front there are stairs divided in 2 directions. Fronted by a large cement block, a slightly curious looking male Macaque monkey is halfway hidden. Cambodia is as safe and kind as ever. Angkor and Siem Reap welcomes visitors. Enjoy the Kingdom of Wonder.

Just a nap in a restful and truly colourful place

The mountain of Phnom Sampov/Sampeau, “Ship Mountain”, outside Battambang is a collection of beautiful temples and monasteries in several variations. Located in several places in the mountains.

Add the many large caves, and Phnom Sampov represents a lot of Cambodian history, culture and nature. From the mythical parts to the more modern demanding.

In the east area of the mountain, a pagoda and stupa complex are surrounding the monastery at Wat Sampeou. From there it is several outlooks with a fantastic view to the surrounding Cambodian countryside.

And as the day even here gets hot, the smart one gets some rest. Surrounded by the paintings of the cultural heritage Cambodia is known for.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/21/top-gold-2/

#khmer #wat #phnomsampeau #temples #pagoda #wallpainting #global #culturalheritage #2016CE #Phnom #Sampou #ancient #Angkor #architecture #archive #art #Battambang #bluesky #Buddhism #life #countryside #culturalheritage #daytrip #Empire #global #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #Kampuchea #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #Pagoda #Phnom #Sampov #phnomsampeau #roadtrip #south #east #asia #southeastasia #temple #templesvisit #Cambodia #Wallpainting #wat #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows a green hammock hanging between some colourful pillars. From the hammock a couple of feet tells of an occupant. A couple of yellow slippers under the hammock of the type used in Buddhist monasteries informs of the occupant’s duties. In the background there is a room with walls on three sides, all painted with religious stories from one-third up the wall. The lowest part of the wall is light green. A large windows opening in the centre of the wall is closed by doors designed as a lotus in deep, green colours. A clothing of sort hangs on the windows handle. Some deep red carpets are rolled together and placed alongside the wall. The floor is lightly cobalt blue.

- You are not supposed to smoke that!
Having a Monty Python moment at Rakiura
The strict stare og 2,6-meter wingspan of the white-capped albatross certainly reminds us of the great John Cleese and the Monty Python classic.
This Aotearoa albatross is a regular of the southern New Zealand islands. Rakiura / Stewart Island itself has observed visits from 11 variants of this bird species with the giant wingspan. Probably because Rakiura is surrounded by large undisturbed ocean with great fishing, and the island has large areas with hills and cliffs and not too many humans.
Probably for the best. Observing, or being observed, by albatrosses several times both at South Island and Rakiura, this bird is obviously very curious. And they should be separated from too much human interference and disturbance.
But then you walk and suddenly feel watched…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-capped_albatross

#albatross #looking #stern #montypython #hollywoodbowl #rakiura #Aotearoa #stewartisland #stewart #islandlife #newzealand #kiwi #visitnewzealand #respectwildlife #bird #NikonD800 #D800 #Nikon #Nikkor #300mm #f4 #VR #PF #seabird #birdlife #HalfMoonBay #Bay #New #Zealand #2016CE #albatross #bird #birdlife #bluesky #f4 #Half-Moon #johncleese #pacific #respectwildlife #roadtrip #sea #seabird #stern #TeWaipounamu #SouthIsland #visitnewzealand

Photo shows a frontal shot of a large bird with a large wingspan. The wings are in diagonal from upper left to lower right. The large bird body is white, and wings are black. Front view shows grey shoulders, eyes with a strict type of eyebrow and a large yellow beak. The bird is staring directly at the viewer. In the background there is a blue sky but just behind the bord is a white cloud.

I saw the Buddha in the stone

The heritage from the old capital city of Chenla is still visible in the Kampong Thom area.

When it comes to the art of stonework is still kept in high regards in the modern day just south of Kampong Thom city.
Driving southeast along National Road 6 towards Kampong Cham, Skoun and Phnom Penh, you will drive along stone masonries and cement sculptures along the road. And you get to see how its done.

Like in this photo.

#Dusty #hard #work in #stone #masonry" #kampuchea #sun #village #villagelife #honest #labour #buddhism #Lord #buddha #Kampong #Thom #2016CE #ancient #apsara #Apsara #Authority #archaeology #architecture #architecturelovers #archive #art #ប្រាសាទសំបូរព្រៃគុហ៏ #biking #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #Central #chenla #city #life #countryside #culture #daytrip #Empire #Hinduism #history #humanity #imperial #jungle #Kampong #Thom #Kampuchea #khmer #multicultural #myson #onerace #Pagoda #Prasat #Sombo #Preykuh #preangkor #Prei #Prey #Kŭh #Sambor #Sâmbor #Prey #Kŭh #Sculpture #south #east #asia #southeastasia #statetemple #temple #templecomplex #tree #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage #Funan #isanapura #Kampong #Thom #khmer #kouk #roadtrip #Prei #kouk #site #southeastasia #worldheritage

Photo shows a man in a stony dust cloud working on a stone sculpture with a machine tool. It is a sunny day, and the sun plays with the contrasts inside the stone dust. Around the cloud and in the background, there are some sculptures in different modes near finish. To the left there is some large trees, and far in the background there is a low building. A red fridge box is visible in the shadows under the trees.

Common heritage framed by trees

Framed by trees and jungle, the Sâmbor Prey Kŭh temples of pre-Angkor Chenla kingdom was added to our common World Cultural Heritage list in 2017.

I visited this site and took this photo the year before this admittance, in the end of December 2016.

The bridge city near the river city Kampong Thom
North of the Kampong Thom city area the Sambor Prei Kouk complex marks the old capital Isanapura of the Chenla civilization.

The Funan state was a loosely organized confederation of cities and lesser kingdoms with large population centres and advanced technology. It was established around the start of current Common Era and lasted about 500 years, covering most of today’s Cambodia and Thailand, Southern Viet Nam, and northern part of Malaysia.

Establishing the Chenla kingdom marks the rapid development of architecture, culture and society building into a unified centralised kingdom and culture. This led into the foundations of the Angkor era. The Chenla kings increased their power north into today’s Laos and close to Burma.

The Chenla capital city Isanapura (Khmer: ឦសានបុរៈ – Isan Borak) was the core city of pre-Khmer Empire for 250 years, between 550 and 800 CE. The first writings in the Khmer alphabet are found here, marking a continuous written culture lasting up to modern times.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambor_Prei_Kuk

#worldculturalheritage #humanity #onerace #sharedworld #multicultural #archive #2016CE #sharedresponsibility #history #culture #chenla #preangkor #templecomplex #ApsaraAuthority #archaeology #architecture #architecturelovers #art #ប្រាសាទសំបូរព្រៃគុហ៏ #biking #buddhism #Cambodiacapital #champa #chenla #citylife #countryside #culture #Empire #hinduism #history #humanity #imperial #jungle #KampongThom #Kampuchea #khmer #myson #Pagoda #Prasat #SomboPreykuh #preangkorPrei #Sambor #SâmborPreyKŭh #site #southeast #asia #southeastasia #statetemple #temple #templecomplex #tree #cambodiavisit #worldculturalheritage

Photo shows an old Chenla era Khmer Tower temple fully embraced by a large tree growing tall over it. The root system following the construction including framing and not blocking the entry gate to the temple. It is a sunny day, and the contrast is high between the brown stone and the lightly clouded blue sky.

No exit before Tasmania

When the Europeans started exploring Aotearoa, they obviously had seen a lot in a short time. And they were running out of names of some grandeur.

So James Cook had a bad weather day, and we got Cape Foulwind in 1770. We can presume the weather on the westernmost point in South Island was challenging back in the days too. But the European man who saw this area first, the dutch captain Abel Tasman, called the cape Rocky Point in 1642. Not that exciting, really.

But Tasman won the more important namegiving. The nation we now call New Zealand in English, get its name from a small province under sea level in Europe. The Dutch province of Zeeland, litterary Sea Land, is not an obvious suitable namesake to a mountainous chain of islands with the second best fiord landscape in the world.

Exciting area, crickets

The old mining town of Westport is a useful base for exploring this area. Being of architectural interest itself, the sea, land and mountains nesrby carries views and sights worth a closer look. Like a fur seal colony, hiking tracks along the West coast, beaches, sea and wind!

And a very loud cricket concerts by sunset at the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Foulwind

#tasmania #westport #westcoast #southisland #aotearoa #abeltasman #zeeland #newzealand #New #Zealand #kiwi #foulwind #sea #roadtrip #2016CE #tasmaniansea #mobile #LGG4 #LG #G4 #smartphone #sun #trekking #hiking #farmland #furseal #seal #wave #CapeFoulwind #Lighthouse

Photo shows a pebble beach in a half moon bay with deep blue waves in rows coming in from the deep blue sea to the right. And in the background behind a rocky outcrop forming a barrier north of the bay, the blue sea is stretching far into a cloudy horizon in the distance. A steep ridge is raising up from the beach, forming a hard to climb rocky barrier towards the inland. On top of this barrier there is a rich growth of coastal flora of bushes, turf, grass, flowers and some low, windswept trees. At the far end of the cliff a lighthouse is visible at the west cape outcrop. It is white, with roofs and details in the building painted red. Some small houses and buildings nearby are the home of the guardian/operator of the lighthouse. Even if the background cloud over the sea is overcast, the bay and land area are bathed in sharp sunlight just before it changes to warmer sunset colours.

How to get away from Cape Foulwind
With a name like Cape Foulwind, you may understand why you want to get away. And how far you must go.
Here the Europeans, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, anchored in Aotearoa (and later naming it New Zealand), for the first time in 1642. The weather was probably good, and he called the outcrop Cliff Rock.
Then the English Captain James Cook found this place in 1770 under probably worse conditions. He named it Cape Foulwind. Since the English won the competition of ruling Aotearoa, the name stuck.

Signs, and what to do
This signpost is close to the fur seal colony in Tauranga Bay, on a windy, salty and fresh spot to get a good outlook of the area. On this track going south from Cape Foulwind Lighthouse there are stiff cliffs down to pebble beaches and the Tasman Sea, and low rolling hills towards the mountains in east.
This area is a nice spot to stop, relax and enjoy the outlook and beach, especially if you are a surfer. Or hike along the trails and exhibit some coastal flora and fauna of the West Coast Region in South Island. And some fresh, varying weather conditions.
Included an old, secluded track-and-bowl-system near the lighthouse.
The seal colony is well protected, but easy observable from a safe distance from the walking track. The closest town is Westport, and they have all necessary amenities from lodging to food, drinks and hiking equipment.

https://westcoast.co.nz/visit/operators/cape-foulwind-walkway/

#2016CE #20mm #Aotearoa #AotearoaNewZealand #beach #bluesky #CapeFoulwind #D800 #green #Kiwi #kiwiexperience #newnewzealand #Nikkor #Nikon #NikonD800 #nz #westcoast #roadtrip #sea #SealColony #signpost #southisland #sun #tasman #tasmansea #TeWaipounamu #visitnewzealand #westport #cliff #countryside #dangerous #europeanfirst #heavyweather #Trekking #westport

Photo shows a signpost placed in a coastal landscape with bushes, gras and other greenery plants typical for New Zealand in the lower background. The signs point to places a long distance from this spot, like London 16 266 km, Sydney 1719 km and Zurich 16 093 km and local cities like Christchurch 190 km and Dunedin 397 km. The pole is solid fasten in a concrete flat area, with a walkway leading off to the right. The upper background is a lightly clouded blue sky.

Unfinished business resulting in a Clock Tower
Mining demise gave Westport its municipal Clock Tower
Out west at Westport, South Island, New Zealand, this fantastic building symbolizes ambitions for a mining boomtown and the sudden demise when history turns.
It is like a story of the Wild West, 50 years later and 11500 kilometres southwest of the more well-known stories from the western US.
Optimism and recession
Planned in the 1930 and built during the Pacific War of WWII, the Clock Tower Chamber was meant both for public and private business affairs. It was meant to be a front for a business building complex ready to serve a growing and thriving local community.
But the mining business went dry, and the market changed dramatically after the last big war. Westport become more of a lazy port town for the surrounding farming and fishing community.
In later years a natural tourist place, being a hub to explore the nearby sights and outdoor nature marvels of the West Coast region.
But still an architectural wonder, and important part of West Coast cultural heritage.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_Tower_Chambers

#Aotearoa #AotearoaNewZealand #architecture #bird #bluesky #building #classic #clock #cultural #golden #green #Kiwi #living #nz #pacificroadtrip #sea #TeWaipounamu #SouthIsland #tower #Westport #newzealand #roadtrip #western #architecture #clock #tower #municipal #building #bluesky #golden #classic #2016CE #westcoast #historic #cultural #heritage #Kawatiri #Westport #Municipal #Chambers

Photo shows a large yellow two wing building with a tall clock tower in the centre. It is a warm day with a lightly cloudy deep blue sky. In front of the building there are a concrete area with some small. The change to the sidewalk are marked with colourful small poles. To the left there are a green turf with some garden furniture, and a palm tree frames to the left side of the photo.

An evening by Taungthaman Lake

TB to more peaceful and prosperous times
This lake is near Amarapura, the old capital of Burma. Today it is a suburban village of Mandalay.

This photo was taken back in the days when progress in Myanmar was equal to the global normal: young ladies having an evening stroll with their smartphones. And each other.

This stroll was in peace and quiet near another Cultural Marvel Heritage: the worlds longest teak wooden bridge, the U Bein Bridge.

https://www.myanmartours.us/destinations/amarapura-travel/amarapura-attractions/taungthaman-lake/

These days thoughts of hope and well wishes for this beautiful country goes to the survivors after the earthquakes, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar. Getting the federation back on a democratic track, securing human rights and rule of law for all their citizens in the future.

#UBeinbridge #U #Bein #bridge #burma #Mandalay #villagelife #village #streetlife #worldheritage #worldoftoday #streetphotography #asian #girls #portrait #boat #oarsman #Nikkor #NikonD800 #58mm #niftyfiftyeight #f1_4 #asiangirls #pretty #burmese #ladies #landscape #ladies #smartphones #UBeinBridge #2016CE #burmese #Nikkor #citylife #citywalk #sunsetshot #Amarapura

Photo shows two young ladies at the edge of a larger lake in afternoon soft sunlight just before the sunset. They are modestly dressed in matching dresses, one in red and one green basic colour. They have cute pink handbags, and are focused on their smart phone. on the lake there i a boat with a single person punting. Small islands of grass and bushes are spread out. In the background the other edge of the lakes shows areas of green and trees, and some houses and a couple of pagodas showing their roof and towers. The edge of the lake is covered in red earth and green bushes and some yellow flowers. It is the end of a warm day, and the cloud are light blue with some mist.

Citywalks in Mandalay

Like in the large old temple cities like Bagan, the temples and pagodas are everywhere.

The feeling that these structures sometimes just are there, in the middle of rice fields or grass paddocks. Equal to rice and other farm products, religion is as important for people here. These buildings can mark holy sites, graves, or a memorial structure build to celebrate or in honor of an event or person.

These buildings on a line was just outside one of the small villages outside Mandalay CBD, along this rice field.

These days all thoughts of this beautiful country goes in hope for the survivors of the earthquake, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar.

#2016CE #58mm #asian #burma #burmese #f1_4 #Mandalay #Niftyfiftyeight #Nikkor #NikonD800 #streetlife #streetphotography #worldheritage #citylife #citywalk #rice #paddocks #field #temple #pagoda

Photo shows several religious constructions on a line, in different styles of stupa and decorated towers. Some are cement grey, some white and yellow and a couple are more gold. In front is a field of green growing harvest. In the background there are some smaller, lower buildings of the type typical for houses and homes in village.

Night walk, Mandalay

Thinking about the sad news of the Earthquakes hitting Burma-Myanmar and the classic old city of Mandalay and its surroundings.

Visiting Mandalay back before the civil war was a true pleasure, and this city was a nice mix of old and new architecture. Ad the temples and pagodas and there was always something to see and explore.

Including the old capital in the south with the world famous U Bein wooden bridge.

And then you had the locals, nice and friendly, making nightly strolls with a camera a safe and interesting venue.

Thoughts of hope for the survivors, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar.

#2016CE #58mm #asian #burma #burmese #f1_4 #Mandalay #Niftyfiftyeight #Nikkor #NikonD800 #streetlife #streetphotography #worldheritage #citylife #citywalk #Alley #nightshot

Photo shows an alleyway by night, with a gate with classical figures of the type typical for Burmese history and buddhist traditions. Some lights shows part of the smal way, and some of the old facades. It is a peaceful evening in an old city.

"Hello from the other side
I must've called a thousand times
To tell you I'm sorry, for everything that I've done
But when I call you never seem to be home..."

A sea lion and her pup. Taken with a proper, physical distance.
It is an early morning just after sunrise north of Dunedin, in Otago, South Island, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Thanks to Adele for lyrics describing the scene.

#NZ #Otago #Dunedin #New #Zealand #sealion #seal #hookers #sea #lion #Phocarctos #hookeri #sunrise #cub #mother #wildlife #morningstroll #dangerous #whakahao #rāpoko #rare #threatened #threatenedspecies #NikonD800 #Nikkor #300mm #f4 #Nikon #D800 #2016CE #DunedinHarbour #beach #beachlife #sunrise #portrait #animalportrait

Photo shows two fur seals, a grown up mother and a small pup. The mother is looking searchingly and warningly towards the photographer. The pup is looking curious in the same general direction. The seals are in shades of brown fur from light to dark, with some black and white details for the mother, and mostly darker brown for the pup. They both have very visible whiskers. They are on a light grey sandy beach, with a small rock the size of the mummy seal in the background.

Traces of a morning walk in the Otago Peninsula, north of Dunedin, New Zealand

Take nothing but pictures,
Leave nothing but footprints,
Kill nothing but time,
Keep nothing but memories,

I accept and am a firm follower of these travellers ethos and credos.

#NZ #kiwi #New #Zealand #Otago #beach #Dunedin #sunrise #blue #bluesky # #NikonD800 #Nikkor #Nikon #D800 #20mm #f1_8 #animals #landscape #ig_countryside #stone #formation #2016CE #Take #nothing #pictures #Leave #nothing #footprints #Kill #time #Keep #memories #Globetrotter #travellers #ethos #Port #Chalmers #OtagoRegion #SouthIsland #NewZealand #Aotearoa

Photo shows a morning at the beach. The sky is blue with scattered clouds. The rising sun washes out the left side of the photo as a visual source of light. The lower half of the photo shows light grey sand patterned by the freshly recessed water tide. Only a set of foot steps to the right side breaks the natural appearance. In the background there are a stony and hillside landscape dramatically in shadows and foggy mist. Sharp stone formations including a small heart shaped keyhole is visible just off the centre opening between the rocks which makes the entrance to the beach.

When you have temple and teeth

Some of the temples and pagodas are marvels of intrinsic details, but sometimes the cohabitants are, too.

The monkeys at most of these sites are peaceful, knowing they are safe and have access to food and water. But they are also nosy and cheeky, and any seasoned traveller know to keep their belongings, food and water well contained or hidden around these taily rascals.

Even if they are small, they are strong and have sharp teeth. So there is no use picking a fight.

Another thing is the small numbers of some of these monkey groups, causing some problems with inbreeding due to small gene pools. We are talking severe Habsburger jaw and bulbous lips, to use a European reference to tragedy and disaster when science is absent. I have observed this inbreeding problem decrease over the last few years, as the caretaking of these animals at these cultural heritage sites improves.

But the monkeys also ad personality and scale to these photos. So I would miss having them around, if they where to disappear.

#roadtrip #kampuchea #macaque #monkey #guardian #cambodia #2016CE #temple #pagoda #teeth #buddhism #trek #hill #mountains #PhnomSompov #Battambang #Phnom #Sampeau

Photo shows a macaque monkey lit up by a sun ray. It sits behind a staircase in front of a richly decorated two storey tower. The tower is richly decorated with figures and flower patterns. The tower is flanked by green trees. The sky is lightly clouded.

Just a nap in a restful and truly colorful place

The mountain complex of Phnom Sampeau contains a lot of Cambodian history, culture and nature.

From the good parts to the more demanding. Here at the top there is a collection of the better lot; pagodas and temples.

And as the day gets hot, the smart gets some rest. Surrounded by the cultural heritage Cambodians are so proud of.

#khmer #wat #phnomsampeau #temples #pagoda #wallpainting #global #culturalheritage #2016CE #PhnomSampou #sleep #monk #rest #hammock #buddhism

#2016CE

Client Info