tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16254540061161168762024-03-14T16:25:14.219+08:00The Intercontinental GardenerThe Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-65804392509750580462015-04-24T13:52:00.001+08:002015-04-24T14:08:48.597+08:00Perfectly contained wilderness - Japanese irises in the Imperial Palace East Garden in Tokyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2CT_iJhikEzOlQ-uLhyi5itcCusohQR1wDG35j51BUJW7JYTG93uKPVuCgWEfFrhR0kZy13xKCb4CvAVp8AAS6v1Q2X2jdpiHgJuPBZ0HdJXhtxVm1dXhhraNG-xKlT0Hxtc0ZiZ/s1600/P4120044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2CT_iJhikEzOlQ-uLhyi5itcCusohQR1wDG35j51BUJW7JYTG93uKPVuCgWEfFrhR0kZy13xKCb4CvAVp8AAS6v1Q2X2jdpiHgJuPBZ0HdJXhtxVm1dXhhraNG-xKlT0Hxtc0ZiZ/s1600/P4120044.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Rolling fields of Japanese irises in full bloom - a lovely illusion of wilderness and a perfect contrast to the "formal" parts of the Imperial Palace East Garden.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite having walked around the Imperial Palace grounds on my previous trips to Tokyo, this was the first time that I actually entered the East Garden. I'm not quite sure why - but better late than never, I guess. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This 52 acre park is surrounded by deep moats, dramatic stone walls, and reached through several stone bridges and gates. It was built on grounds that belonged to the Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa Shoguns that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. After that, the Meiji Restoration re-established the Imperial family's power, Edo was named Tokyo, and the Imperial family moved here from Kyoto. The palace has been rebuilt at least twice, first after a great fire in the late 19th century, and then due to destruction during the World War II. The East Garden forms its own area on the side of the actual palace complex, and is the only part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds that is open to public.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy1ilArcBe1zii0dU__mN9mdtRm3lH_XSI0psMzwsRkZMjea347mMsGgFJyJ059PKhqxc58U46LJ5bJEsGvR1r1cGo9zmzOxlnmkMWErysM3pxgfO5HBVZgLozTaSnfY7RzyxmtEm/s1600/P4120003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy1ilArcBe1zii0dU__mN9mdtRm3lH_XSI0psMzwsRkZMjea347mMsGgFJyJ059PKhqxc58U46LJ5bJEsGvR1r1cGo9zmzOxlnmkMWErysM3pxgfO5HBVZgLozTaSnfY7RzyxmtEm/s1600/P4120003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Seimon Ishibashi bridge leads to the main entrance to the palace (the entrance to the gardens available to public is on the east side of the palace grounds).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqs2srpnDfgsCOFzCkN8OF3oxoI5CjiEfuBEGr8QyFQNI9_7q34FYqM-UfP_ctfXyO1ygAX4HpoUkziW5S9JeKNqgPSzDVRljb8kK1yloPqdrO3_7q6RBxqVxFA-6YkJoXrzu5WN2/s1600/P4120006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqs2srpnDfgsCOFzCkN8OF3oxoI5CjiEfuBEGr8QyFQNI9_7q34FYqM-UfP_ctfXyO1ygAX4HpoUkziW5S9JeKNqgPSzDVRljb8kK1yloPqdrO3_7q6RBxqVxFA-6YkJoXrzu5WN2/s1600/P4120006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The huge moat remains from the Edo period, together with several beautiful guard towers.</em><br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRSiJNnlWfheBum22DyQvGCerS_nrwdbe6CbBcWj7JXGgw403njvfU9C5opFi6wlirdbceFzwIvZXaz-JO8ZYYgt5rjxX4GfkHQBwn2RmUs4n4zL3R5kzTjRl-NqnJHXieXCer34G/s1600/Tokyo+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRSiJNnlWfheBum22DyQvGCerS_nrwdbe6CbBcWj7JXGgw403njvfU9C5opFi6wlirdbceFzwIvZXaz-JO8ZYYgt5rjxX4GfkHQBwn2RmUs4n4zL3R5kzTjRl-NqnJHXieXCer34G/s1600/Tokyo+Wall.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The monumental stone walls are so beautiful - I love the arched (do you call them that...?) corners, they are so typically Japanese in form.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The adjective most often used to describe these gardens seems to be "manicured" - with a hint of... I'm not quite sure what, arrogance maybe, or some kind of imagined superiority. I'm not sure why. I mean, what would you expect from a garden just outside the palace and residence of Emperor Akihito, the 125th emperor of his line? Not an avant garde patch with experimental plantings, but a garden that transmits the permanence and continuity of the imperial office and the Japanese culture through their traditional garden design - definitely not one that is just "accidentally there".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBYOLNsC-KDiSxx1-zjqXFHx-9OyvVP5YsBqiywr4PjsYIrvboEATfPRp2O6icW7KG95cSkZWn3GfGjCKBx7SlS5IRS1QAMUrNeKZKONxwJo9G4pesvZ9bs4tMfbnzEkcCKVM8NSq/s1600/P4120052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBYOLNsC-KDiSxx1-zjqXFHx-9OyvVP5YsBqiywr4PjsYIrvboEATfPRp2O6icW7KG95cSkZWn3GfGjCKBx7SlS5IRS1QAMUrNeKZKONxwJo9G4pesvZ9bs4tMfbnzEkcCKVM8NSq/s1600/P4120052.JPG" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The wilder parts of the gardens, closer to the outer edge, with meadows filled with Japanese irises under cherries, most of which had already finished flowering.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaA3nGaXvkAcrPAlMffFnlo2ScaFAOiI2Js97KdHEd_AwH0BY79x9HesmIDMFliuAxyuUUPmttRoVOmmXZDas429mvmpek-u-V-g3zvtbf0J862bszddZgm_gAJUma3pBeeQOMaeA/s1600/P4120038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaA3nGaXvkAcrPAlMffFnlo2ScaFAOiI2Js97KdHEd_AwH0BY79x9HesmIDMFliuAxyuUUPmttRoVOmmXZDas429mvmpek-u-V-g3zvtbf0J862bszddZgm_gAJUma3pBeeQOMaeA/s1600/P4120038.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Iris japonica, such a perfect plant for the Emperor's gardens.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxDGK7HANmB4tX5MVE6svrvqesPFmFh1fSDsNtdLqksWu0jkzQdm6lkSTMhGHjJzHm7DJMsgKQimJ-qjq3iySAz4X801duiHjfsLItAwpsUKredwwCcQ2NneobV92zuv1f03dHled/s1600/P4120045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxDGK7HANmB4tX5MVE6svrvqesPFmFh1fSDsNtdLqksWu0jkzQdm6lkSTMhGHjJzHm7DJMsgKQimJ-qjq3iySAz4X801duiHjfsLItAwpsUKredwwCcQ2NneobV92zuv1f03dHled/s1600/P4120045.JPG" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The irises and cherries were nearly done with their blooming; kerrias, azaleas and wisterias were just beginning theirs.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW4okxAU4qW9-bStWi9xaNM0u8eIgHPMqv3Y1cmki6FnMVVqKolz1o1CrjJV5fAXp4O7ackw0xNwvKOb-oej1m-i41MwiouISeV5egjAMWO-ErirawJe2KzkPSJP_yNrW3rl4J6Qs/s1600/P4120027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW4okxAU4qW9-bStWi9xaNM0u8eIgHPMqv3Y1cmki6FnMVVqKolz1o1CrjJV5fAXp4O7ackw0xNwvKOb-oej1m-i41MwiouISeV5egjAMWO-ErirawJe2KzkPSJP_yNrW3rl4J6Qs/s1600/P4120027.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A little stream under Japanese maples just furling out their leaves, together with grasses and variegated bamboos...</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeXeW3VmTmd3T8WOmhacbzjHtnLHykj6F-QnPnzQI3Lufk-cc1LtdbV09TBbY6gl_sFHc0D_xjx6k7l9GZnGjCUd0YcF495o2nJQGK-WYfPR6YR951HQFtkPbvoqiGjzoRE3eWKdF/s1600/P4120067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeXeW3VmTmd3T8WOmhacbzjHtnLHykj6F-QnPnzQI3Lufk-cc1LtdbV09TBbY6gl_sFHc0D_xjx6k7l9GZnGjCUd0YcF495o2nJQGK-WYfPR6YR951HQFtkPbvoqiGjzoRE3eWKdF/s1600/P4120067.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<em>One more picture of the Japanese irises... I loved the wild and free feeling of some parts of the gardens.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Anyway. The walls and moats form a strong, impressive frame to the garden as you enter the garden - they can't be seen from inside, but the impression stays in your mind. In the actual garden, paths linger around beds of bearded irises form like rivers through the garden; hedges of azaleas and rhododendrons are closely trimmed into sculptural forms; behind ponds, they disappear into a wilderness of rolling fields filled with Japanese irises. The whole effect is based on the contrast of the contained and the wild. All carefully planned, executed and maintained, of course - but then, what else would you expect of a garden of this rank?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaCSZQQcR5ErEuD6WFahXKu4ncJA8lr0RllhwdZT0IoOa0RE5jo3ZHiVh36Yhnxa6imyJRKH9d-AIY7vKKqNr1vhsw34kfDUzeJrjEDUTd-FvUAU09GQSe1g9RtkYW1jbHzD9QxBn/s1600/P4120072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaCSZQQcR5ErEuD6WFahXKu4ncJA8lr0RllhwdZT0IoOa0RE5jo3ZHiVh36Yhnxa6imyJRKH9d-AIY7vKKqNr1vhsw34kfDUzeJrjEDUTd-FvUAU09GQSe1g9RtkYW1jbHzD9QxBn/s1600/P4120072.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Only very few cherries were still in flower here, but the buds of the wisteria (see pergola in the middle of the picture) were swelling, and will be gorgeous just in a couple of weeks.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eHOlqL6bzdsIo2RSfeOBWkD7wFh0ditq4aN9uNGqmE0baw96fxIrwqnn1S5ZclyLep-3Jw_OMvS2LTWCjWFYyeCeQI9mupKiqwQbW0cA2rpm2AqngQ3Qym6qYXv5mrJrYXgeLFe3/s1600/P4120066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eHOlqL6bzdsIo2RSfeOBWkD7wFh0ditq4aN9uNGqmE0baw96fxIrwqnn1S5ZclyLep-3Jw_OMvS2LTWCjWFYyeCeQI9mupKiqwQbW0cA2rpm2AqngQ3Qym6qYXv5mrJrYXgeLFe3/s1600/P4120066.JPG" height="463" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3er9pBsQlBdSz1fgzUyaPq82HGxIiBruNywkgVjvSTBVmaDElGQ6pKPiXioDtCAs2Bwgs9_iEH-BoezIne-GyS2L4K69SJgRs5V1hdlfWj0NN_pPTpF3hb7jWVSNws1KaU7u7hiC9/s1600/P4120073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3er9pBsQlBdSz1fgzUyaPq82HGxIiBruNywkgVjvSTBVmaDElGQ6pKPiXioDtCAs2Bwgs9_iEH-BoezIne-GyS2L4K69SJgRs5V1hdlfWj0NN_pPTpF3hb7jWVSNws1KaU7u7hiC9/s1600/P4120073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd7CevweMrwJPeYNBGcD2q14qpIWamp28GGK6IRBzY-MUMvV-rq6Oh2LzfIgzFHbDJIubIU35juV814D2zFcTEIn5PyAp5tUXUY8bh5QcvamxZK9X29PIelgkxiwuNZCyDtAcxbp7/s1600/P4120055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd7CevweMrwJPeYNBGcD2q14qpIWamp28GGK6IRBzY-MUMvV-rq6Oh2LzfIgzFHbDJIubIU35juV814D2zFcTEIn5PyAp5tUXUY8bh5QcvamxZK9X29PIelgkxiwuNZCyDtAcxbp7/s1600/P4120055.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A tiny waterfall run down into from the wilder parts of the garden into the pond below.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTWY7P1JYp6ppNlNxicKfmFMDX62At6rTv4d2vj7t7EQEqIDIJ-Ccjic07t_TqERHpWdbwrGhJJ4fqAYlBuTz9UjHwVK14Gs9rYKEdPttylr4y0vwq0UBa2sP7Jyyvt4ovygvwC1D/s1600/P4120075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTWY7P1JYp6ppNlNxicKfmFMDX62At6rTv4d2vj7t7EQEqIDIJ-Ccjic07t_TqERHpWdbwrGhJJ4fqAYlBuTz9UjHwVK14Gs9rYKEdPttylr4y0vwq0UBa2sP7Jyyvt4ovygvwC1D/s1600/P4120075.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Yet another angle on the pergola - several artistically pruned pines were part of the gardens.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_hEj3p3w6nyr_l-qkre5SAIdCXndE8jbwjnTG89Tv9hw55CnP5syyZ-Smv44SeP4NAmXyDCA9KW17NqJVfZX3zmto5lsSxdn4739We9WNJkM6wt7Ug2WaLHXOrguPfvuBcJeB9Ai/s1600/P4120080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_hEj3p3w6nyr_l-qkre5SAIdCXndE8jbwjnTG89Tv9hw55CnP5syyZ-Smv44SeP4NAmXyDCA9KW17NqJVfZX3zmto5lsSxdn4739We9WNJkM6wt7Ug2WaLHXOrguPfvuBcJeB9Ai/s1600/P4120080.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The lovely Suwa no chaya tea house, also from the Edo period, is part of the gardens - unfortunately (and understandably...), no tea was served here to the strolling visitors.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-15369239446538506282015-04-19T13:49:00.004+08:002015-04-19T14:45:24.017+08:00Peony gazing in Ueno Park in Tokyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpKronfvCAncyBKT7qZpIAdLbP4x-1ockc43mkKI1HRbuEWZ37mxswT64VjW_Drl5oa1xIh1L4qdJemJreonp1RS4Dex4bqbOZ4peErkhtde6jZcByBo776mTY_NQ6_oG8PpzJUYt/s1600/P4160249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpKronfvCAncyBKT7qZpIAdLbP4x-1ockc43mkKI1HRbuEWZ37mxswT64VjW_Drl5oa1xIh1L4qdJemJreonp1RS4Dex4bqbOZ4peErkhtde6jZcByBo776mTY_NQ6_oG8PpzJUYt/s1600/P4160249.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Entrance to the peony garden in Ueno Park in Tokyo.</em></div>
<br />
Last week was our spring break and we spent it in Tokyo, almost exactly two years since our previous trip there. This year's spring had been warm, so all things green had developed a bit further than then. Still, we managed to catch loads of sakura trees in full bloom and even sit under then, with falling petals swirling down like snowflakes around us. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BrNNVIgcPfhChTMfLBZZIlBosBkRJI93ipgGr5_RpIecG3rjOIk_huHTW1YfLCIFOppVr2BpNrsXmBSo_0dUsJB63HExe730uTf0IO0cLP6WPAqAF2BmHy99PP2vVHBL2_IA_KfM/s1600/P4160275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BrNNVIgcPfhChTMfLBZZIlBosBkRJI93ipgGr5_RpIecG3rjOIk_huHTW1YfLCIFOppVr2BpNrsXmBSo_0dUsJB63HExe730uTf0IO0cLP6WPAqAF2BmHy99PP2vVHBL2_IA_KfM/s1600/P4160275.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Paper parasols are used to protect the flowers from too much sun - such a typically Japanese, beautiful way to do things...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin-1Drw2-PIZex134SQN0ZJE32_k-HUE1UUfg2EKa9KtOHDt3QFeiEFgwujon9R-xRw-YOo7cJZsxaeJyfhRu6XRao0dHnC5_OMyaR9yGtHCpBaBLTC0mylYwMsh9jniBA0KpOgyE/s1600/P4160252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin-1Drw2-PIZex134SQN0ZJE32_k-HUE1UUfg2EKa9KtOHDt3QFeiEFgwujon9R-xRw-YOo7cJZsxaeJyfhRu6XRao0dHnC5_OMyaR9yGtHCpBaBLTC0mylYwMsh9jniBA0KpOgyE/s1600/P4160252.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Old ladies taking a rest in the shade.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More about the cherries later; another glorious favorite of the Japanese, the tree peony, was also just coming to full bloom in the gardens. While strolling around Ueno Park, the oldest of Tokyo's many public gardens, we popped into an area specifically dedicated to these sumptuous bloomers. It felt like we were transported back in time; the wooden signs showing the names, and the bamboo shelters and paper parasols protecting the flowers were just like in some old pictures I'd seen, depicting "peony gazing" in Japan during long gone eras. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz95wfIkk2qXlt7AaESyuTKdSsoptAkQyF18HtCb7g_dOmXv8BlI6AkR8eMhdON9ExJqaAWwXkjXY1x5ZmWkkwHehzZgOIsDFT1WTovAui4-i9rsyF8W_0T5MzU_qJyPMgH94HAjhy/s1600/XX+old+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz95wfIkk2qXlt7AaESyuTKdSsoptAkQyF18HtCb7g_dOmXv8BlI6AkR8eMhdON9ExJqaAWwXkjXY1x5ZmWkkwHehzZgOIsDFT1WTovAui4-i9rsyF8W_0T5MzU_qJyPMgH94HAjhy/s1600/XX+old+photo.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A hand-colored 19th century photo of ladies gazing peonies in Tokyo - maybe even in the Ueno Park? </em><br />
<em>Tree peonies are thought to have arrived to Japan from China already in the 8th century, but their cultivation became widely popular first in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868). Due to this long history, they are often depicted in visual arts and poetry, representing good fortune as well as a righteous and noble spirit.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6msjp8wgjiBwcgdYb47lLmFv9FURVxwUIz8WaKjkOduY2ueYj5r3ls98HHELC-PUL2GEAr-DZE_MZ3toEcQ7Iyu5jU-TC9eMW1ymEWM0kK1RqUovF76j6hY0AUvJwZuivvBiGob9_/s1600/photo+3+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6msjp8wgjiBwcgdYb47lLmFv9FURVxwUIz8WaKjkOduY2ueYj5r3ls98HHELC-PUL2GEAr-DZE_MZ3toEcQ7Iyu5jU-TC9eMW1ymEWM0kK1RqUovF76j6hY0AUvJwZuivvBiGob9_/s1600/photo+3+(2).jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Nothing seems to have changed in the arrangement of the flowers during the last hundred years... </em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mainly older Japanese ladies and gentlemen were admiring the huge peony blooms, frequently stopping to discuss their specifics along their route around the rised flower beds. Many of them took countless pictures of the flowers, with huge lenses for recording their minute details. It felt just like they'd never seen such beauties before, even if their ages clearly showed that it couldn't be the case. This was all about the peonies and nothing else; very few other plants were allowed to mingle and distract from the stars of the show.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj_fni3AeLpl-X-iocFbiQ0KfLtdFDJoV8IqWwOF8v0QM2j4tn9gdMw7HKmuEFgJmfvlcLP5aWUh-jH-op5QoM5q8ar_P2SumjueJl3TWeudySzEtClLJwmFUjAcsivM2Ev1vJ4Un/s1600/P4160267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj_fni3AeLpl-X-iocFbiQ0KfLtdFDJoV8IqWwOF8v0QM2j4tn9gdMw7HKmuEFgJmfvlcLP5aWUh-jH-op5QoM5q8ar_P2SumjueJl3TWeudySzEtClLJwmFUjAcsivM2Ev1vJ4Un/s1600/P4160267.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>My favorite old uncle - first, he examined the flowers carefully, then took what seemed like thousands of photos of them with his special lens...</em> </div>
<br />
A couple of weeks, and the fleeting glory of the peonies is over; just like the sakura, maybe the favorite flower of the Japanese, they are such a great reminder of how nothing is everlasting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VuvQoJayOWTMZrJWjKP1JFgSrY0PAz9djInCBntb5DC-9h6r9BP46PYVl_AWOcstInKtkZ4D7lgTa7BvpzytdVXa9e_6CXJY1g4QrIf-3B4kiATBj_ptPWxORfUIOJpiXU5ekRcM/s1600/P4160250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VuvQoJayOWTMZrJWjKP1JFgSrY0PAz9djInCBntb5DC-9h6r9BP46PYVl_AWOcstInKtkZ4D7lgTa7BvpzytdVXa9e_6CXJY1g4QrIf-3B4kiATBj_ptPWxORfUIOJpiXU5ekRcM/s1600/P4160250.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-74477003166642936582015-04-01T13:08:00.002+08:002015-04-01T13:09:13.625+08:00Notes from the Yanyue Hutong in Beijing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW-DWtILhW2YYZFR2jCik1I5TwW1gv1PQVwz7YWxZpoRbTXQxfACAm-yQlS9mGlcF8Qo7zf9U3Rdznqw0xUNjn-KAu9AJCjz3-ekbfzWko5_ltJPogvnzOSrVQ04agtInXiKY2zut/s1600/PA230395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW-DWtILhW2YYZFR2jCik1I5TwW1gv1PQVwz7YWxZpoRbTXQxfACAm-yQlS9mGlcF8Qo7zf9U3Rdznqw0xUNjn-KAu9AJCjz3-ekbfzWko5_ltJPogvnzOSrVQ04agtInXiKY2zut/s1600/PA230395.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A grocery store at the Yanyue Hutong in Beijing, just a short walk from the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (or Palace Museum, as it is more officially called today).</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Saturday, the Financial Times ran an article about the hutongs of Beijing, or more closely, about how the Prince of Wales's Foundation of Building Community is trying to help saving some of these for the posterity by trying to revive the craftsmanship needed for the restoration and upkeep of the buildings. Which is of course great, even if you would think there would be money and skills closer to home...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-n76QoiN7emd9MGJmFeRZfW_CU8ZJRy7Vk1vR2-CziG4xSlZcvFS4zuXRebzHbwFK4EygcxWLx9tg2f0r8hRXJkt78OiKCk8OsByiQQq9r2buycKwu0OxrgHAA7BVFA2kqD33UDq/s1600/PA230394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-n76QoiN7emd9MGJmFeRZfW_CU8ZJRy7Vk1vR2-CziG4xSlZcvFS4zuXRebzHbwFK4EygcxWLx9tg2f0r8hRXJkt78OiKCk8OsByiQQq9r2buycKwu0OxrgHAA7BVFA2kqD33UDq/s1600/PA230394.JPG" height="640" width="483" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A young father with his daughter in one of the alleys in the Yanyue Hutong.</em></div>
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkBGHboucZsAmNygridIvSQoiuHzIBeT3N_-3MQAGUCv54nqWx6J4-wHNXxF4Ni7nRIZHThFE5FxutYM5RGI-NsnSxZQmGj57GfhWwtib7tGNPRZFdUhtUog2kfR6e98BU8x6uD-T/s1600/PA230455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkBGHboucZsAmNygridIvSQoiuHzIBeT3N_-3MQAGUCv54nqWx6J4-wHNXxF4Ni7nRIZHThFE5FxutYM5RGI-NsnSxZQmGj57GfhWwtib7tGNPRZFdUhtUog2kfR6e98BU8x6uD-T/s1600/PA230455.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A gathering point near the police station (picture below) - I took these photos in the morning; the chairs and benches were filled with retirees when the sun came out in the afternoon.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgylgYvQ1YqCoMUZFoaQLBR82pg64aqszHCyR8YqjrTr4Qt2s49fFk8PLaoNjFrbF4r979RUiatYMeyKrjAthCwbU301Me9SzUh6nvCPnNHPV7HvkdbpElIfYwDh9cGfv8ou0Zh7x/s1600/PA230601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgylgYvQ1YqCoMUZFoaQLBR82pg64aqszHCyR8YqjrTr4Qt2s49fFk8PLaoNjFrbF4r979RUiatYMeyKrjAthCwbU301Me9SzUh6nvCPnNHPV7HvkdbpElIfYwDh9cGfv8ou0Zh7x/s1600/PA230601.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></em></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A street side garden with chillies, gourds and aubergines, still going strong in the end of October.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlUFFvwWIXteuAZQFPqxx-hPLaYVsnyd_Dbv7iybapLZ1Vxb5nUVLoElA5ywcpYJecKe9zEdSGWC6fGwB_DXEkBa1x3qbmXoAxwIXP34dyjeMBYvrfeRYVritxe5MtgPKMxUf59tt/s1600/PA230454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlUFFvwWIXteuAZQFPqxx-hPLaYVsnyd_Dbv7iybapLZ1Vxb5nUVLoElA5ywcpYJecKe9zEdSGWC6fGwB_DXEkBa1x3qbmXoAxwIXP34dyjeMBYvrfeRYVritxe5MtgPKMxUf59tt/s1600/PA230454.JPG" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Even the inner courtyards seemed to have gardens, as tops of trees and diverse edible climbers peeked above the walls. The ends of the tiles carry the round character of "shou" for longevity, and the half-round end tiles between the shou-character ones are in the form of a bat, which represents the wish for good luck.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, the article reminded me of the week in last October, that we spend living in the middle of one of the less know of these hutongs, in a small hotel built into one the historical courtyards (yes, we are "adventurous" like that; I'm always on the hunt for something a bit different, sometimes to my family's delight and sometimes - not). Luckily, this stay was a success; the tiny hotel was suitably historical and pretty (if somewhat difficult to reach with a taxi & difficult to get one from), the personnel extremely friendly and helpful, and the chef cooked us the most delightful meals and even arranged a birthday dinner complete with a cake and candles, when she heard that my youngest had her 12th birthday one of our days there. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9etyJSlicU_TArV-Bh4AI5xSqCTeuiQ4pUQ2yg9Bx33J_w0uLxRPR7zPtAiUjqLh2U36jQdyzFQw5yiAKtvwB4YKI9gwvSt1eiSB-70SnRM554cRqiQ0Jd-d0O3gYgQnJw0SWBRZ9/s1600/PA230451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9etyJSlicU_TArV-Bh4AI5xSqCTeuiQ4pUQ2yg9Bx33J_w0uLxRPR7zPtAiUjqLh2U36jQdyzFQw5yiAKtvwB4YKI9gwvSt1eiSB-70SnRM554cRqiQ0Jd-d0O3gYgQnJw0SWBRZ9/s1600/PA230451.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsXAkEcirV8wOIhPcFNjGz11kn11EVPdMxsRdwQu03sPgyXP3wpAlYS-bCd9dU_bQl-NvLQ8ofR41WmBuRqH_Cc72-ICXud8lKntpGos3NXGKGiG8_y3PiA4_-KH6WwUg_8OCH95j/s1600/PA230438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<em>Local police station from another time - it was difficult to believe that </em><em>we were in the middle of Beijing, the capital of a country that so many are afraid will "take over" the world soon...</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cw3AJvuoGD5bEMONOLfuT_fLVMJmYcENlnlixeCx9XWrjuQbf6lBsp8zXu5alC5bLJiznPxAVL08tALkYx1xEpbIcP6ZpqDGjH8ibg9N7enJbMK7F5Mat28I4iSNpfG1BkjALnBj/s1600/PA230431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cw3AJvuoGD5bEMONOLfuT_fLVMJmYcENlnlixeCx9XWrjuQbf6lBsp8zXu5alC5bLJiznPxAVL08tALkYx1xEpbIcP6ZpqDGjH8ibg9N7enJbMK7F5Mat28I4iSNpfG1BkjALnBj/s1600/PA230431.JPG" height="640" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A gateway into a cluster of residential buildings - a wedding had taken place here recently; the symbols for "double happiness", a typical well-meaning wish for newly weds, were still hanging on both sides of the doorway.</em></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why a hutong, then? Hutongs could be described as low-rise courtyard house communities, that have been part of the traditional life and culture of Beijing and other old cities in China for hundreds of years. The word <em>hutong</em> means a lane or an alleyway, and comes from a Mongolian word for "a water well" - in the 13th century when Mongolian rulers took over China, they even imported their way to dig a well and then build courtyards with buildings to live in and lanes around them. These clusters of courtyard houses, often with finely decorated gateways, are called <em>siheyuan</em>. Despite being hundreds of years old, a huge number of <em>hutongs</em> have been bulldozed to give place for modern housing - so many, that in 2003 the Human Rights Watch actually placed them on their watch list as an attempt to help their desperate residents. Today, some <em>siheyuans</em> have been snapped up by the new mega-rich of China, which means that the actual buildings are saved, but the communal life of the hutong is gone forever. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-cl2FCu6EVH-gtAV0D9BW2RiCsnpVLmNeAP4gTdegQ1dBSQVYH3u-GRyTIL-JMAngQt2b9rlAN6vKW7UIrM3rxzaoeEGlyMPxRiqOb4QR8ybqoNzDPucQzdi1SscrTDjeVAesrFF/s1600/PA230403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-cl2FCu6EVH-gtAV0D9BW2RiCsnpVLmNeAP4gTdegQ1dBSQVYH3u-GRyTIL-JMAngQt2b9rlAN6vKW7UIrM3rxzaoeEGlyMPxRiqOb4QR8ybqoNzDPucQzdi1SscrTDjeVAesrFF/s1600/PA230403.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R5cKhfJlk2vfizvQG9FVDCz01ELPMpPOlC4MB2q2zueQuUIZ8K0AStZU3twMrnV1voWMLe5z9tGeEsV72d0iWuByzgX6-E2lFQEc1dsw79MgY7lM0M26k3qLeG7VkdmZkXg7TzGG/s1600/PA230405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R5cKhfJlk2vfizvQG9FVDCz01ELPMpPOlC4MB2q2zueQuUIZ8K0AStZU3twMrnV1voWMLe5z9tGeEsV72d0iWuByzgX6-E2lFQEc1dsw79MgY7lM0M26k3qLeG7VkdmZkXg7TzGG/s1600/PA230405.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> An entrance and a glimpse into yet another cluster of courtyard houses - I wasn't brave enough to ask if I could go in to see more.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLB6905a7w8pH_KmXIOZpJl6D3wcS3mIUo-gHTYzISpWUBWEQNWLnWJRY0qTXAFFUQvkYZcKmEzvvp1OZ07mL55KMRXolx-aVV2PNlTX8KXy01wF1lc1ZEtwfgpdvGJtLBudZpvug/s1600/PA230461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLB6905a7w8pH_KmXIOZpJl6D3wcS3mIUo-gHTYzISpWUBWEQNWLnWJRY0qTXAFFUQvkYZcKmEzvvp1OZ07mL55KMRXolx-aVV2PNlTX8KXy01wF1lc1ZEtwfgpdvGJtLBudZpvug/s1600/PA230461.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismhShWU5qv1jkb36i8iyAQfcswkzi3_ZQ5g7zvvtRhqs1IkM3aCEWJVYXGP4WYXH_NW3k1po3dEAhDYdcIDUqb5aMFoYGZZf0CbMrU4mak7WdptU5eldMw-OFPvySA0FIK0lCqIVn/s1600/PA230463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismhShWU5qv1jkb36i8iyAQfcswkzi3_ZQ5g7zvvtRhqs1IkM3aCEWJVYXGP4WYXH_NW3k1po3dEAhDYdcIDUqb5aMFoYGZZf0CbMrU4mak7WdptU5eldMw-OFPvySA0FIK0lCqIVn/s1600/PA230463.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A local small business for steamed buns, sold piping hot from the back of the bicycle.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wandering through the small alleys, I can understand how some residents gladly exchange their dwelling for modern apartments - many of the buildings were extremely run down and probably cold and draughty in winter and hot in summer. Electricity wirings seemed to be of questionable quality, and I would think that sanitation would be a problem, too, given the looks of the environment. But with right resources and skills, hutongs with their historic houses could be as pleasant to live in as they are charming. So I hope that not just the Prince of Wales's Foundation, but also their Chinese counterparts within cultural protection and heritage restoration get their act together, and work to save these living testimonies to Beijing's long history.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV-vTecNbUQLtpSEhbQQn5us6lu2ivevgpGtWH73CN0Vp5fV3gq9yocJyrXL01s5giyE7GcnD4sc2QiouTmRzN9qRYy6V6_d3tbALkolaZVo69pxzBIgu3yyrTi9ke3lbhp_JnnyI/s1600/PA230391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV-vTecNbUQLtpSEhbQQn5us6lu2ivevgpGtWH73CN0Vp5fV3gq9yocJyrXL01s5giyE7GcnD4sc2QiouTmRzN9qRYy6V6_d3tbALkolaZVo69pxzBIgu3yyrTi9ke3lbhp_JnnyI/s1600/PA230391.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jDomXijB4SCxTtM9njweZyUUDLWqDGiu4_yRf_A5xqfBwxYbKLMDHmxVEc-lJyjITkv6OmnorhQ1Y6rgDvfiEZDApA728a-sHUt_EYCBL7zoLbmjrzTTRuA36p7hCDKoevno9-ol/s1600/PA230599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jDomXijB4SCxTtM9njweZyUUDLWqDGiu4_yRf_A5xqfBwxYbKLMDHmxVEc-lJyjITkv6OmnorhQ1Y6rgDvfiEZDApA728a-sHUt_EYCBL7zoLbmjrzTTRuA36p7hCDKoevno9-ol/s1600/PA230599.JPG" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
<br />
<em>A more modern gate, again in the very auspicious color of red and with a lovely decoration above...</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW52yVrmGjPJohPiOzr2WchKOM8QmhYFftk8SL5z5nmmuaraV3AcEWt9divg-u2ap-IDwhX-yJ7GhsbAMLez5fSM2o84guvxH8zGli9s0h4Fwl8yD20zwUrnfii16XvuINc9h53Nt/s1600/PA230600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW52yVrmGjPJohPiOzr2WchKOM8QmhYFftk8SL5z5nmmuaraV3AcEWt9divg-u2ap-IDwhX-yJ7GhsbAMLez5fSM2o84guvxH8zGli9s0h4Fwl8yD20zwUrnfii16XvuINc9h53Nt/s1600/PA230600.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>... presenting two magpies and cherry blossoms. Magpies represent both a happily married couple and are also seen as a messenger for good news. Coupled with the blossoms, a symbol for spring and good news, they together express a wish for "double good news or good fortune" - what a lovely welcome to a home.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAn4y9PM2xWbGdj-2hubX5suJBwZgP27XkzHHQ00SU1G4q2OJPPWol-CYDsPRTGsX8ZPx-sKerI17zU_LlHUr-oML0A-zF5ZLecKPDCrQpdn4t7AVLJQrdN5UVblLRyXD2EBCu0l3/s1600/PA230448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAn4y9PM2xWbGdj-2hubX5suJBwZgP27XkzHHQ00SU1G4q2OJPPWol-CYDsPRTGsX8ZPx-sKerI17zU_LlHUr-oML0A-zF5ZLecKPDCrQpdn4t7AVLJQrdN5UVblLRyXD2EBCu0l3/s1600/PA230448.JPG" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Yet another narrow alleyway...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvG0wEZiEeclAYjbyWVlNDUBpTphgH7LNDpDTJSt_w5OspkT4DGs-Nnjr4ScM1QhTV_fZOUe_WKBTghTXgxKUJMzGk-sU8qYK3goekN4tSOVNWaL61iBZqDLV8-7Si084TMxdl1Ii/s1600/PA230598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvG0wEZiEeclAYjbyWVlNDUBpTphgH7LNDpDTJSt_w5OspkT4DGs-Nnjr4ScM1QhTV_fZOUe_WKBTghTXgxKUJMzGk-sU8qYK3goekN4tSOVNWaL61iBZqDLV8-7Si084TMxdl1Ii/s1600/PA230598.JPG" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> And a gateway into what I think is a lush courtyard, complete with a persimmon tree full of fruit towering above the walls.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5_v_KAXkci56RyS-rFC6Yd8_snHWVsa8MXp57BurRTJCBWj4MsNOz6ZYemy6QSUqSZA1enXrStETxJb_G06dyh0EhY8QtzLm1wJFS_n9DeAOB23rYsFiE_OpfjpXMpwDxBwWnnW_/s1600/PA230588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5_v_KAXkci56RyS-rFC6Yd8_snHWVsa8MXp57BurRTJCBWj4MsNOz6ZYemy6QSUqSZA1enXrStETxJb_G06dyh0EhY8QtzLm1wJFS_n9DeAOB23rYsFiE_OpfjpXMpwDxBwWnnW_/s1600/PA230588.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And just one last picture, from the courtyard of our little hotel, filled with magnolias, wisterias and other flowering wonders. We might have to return in springtime some day.</em> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-54744287665234826102015-01-22T16:26:00.001+08:002015-01-22T21:34:35.386+08:00Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - the most sacred of the sacred trees <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkdYaSOMK27E_b8x8CDeo3zNPG1eW4SIf_K-VQuEkBjcVuzXzc9fkoIWoYazKGnc-gnD84R04_u-0FtUoABV3Nc_bHEqg8hOK1vCTAtzKcBYNAh1DbzYJJvJFdWH8NInHYo3805a3/s1600/Bodhi+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkdYaSOMK27E_b8x8CDeo3zNPG1eW4SIf_K-VQuEkBjcVuzXzc9fkoIWoYazKGnc-gnD84R04_u-0FtUoABV3Nc_bHEqg8hOK1vCTAtzKcBYNAh1DbzYJJvJFdWH8NInHYo3805a3/s1600/Bodhi+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a direct descendant of the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha reached enlightenment.</em></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've always loved trees, so I wasn't surprised when my Tai Chi Master told during our first lesson that trees contain positive <em>chi</em> (a kind of a 'life force' in Daoism). Even more, he told that just being close to a large old tree will transfer some of that life force into one, which sounds quite natural to me. After all, the huge old oak in my garden in Saltsjöbaden has always seemed to radiate protection, like it would be tapping into some kind of a secret underground force with its deep root system. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsAFfrbmCADmw1ELUm6RmMuO1v1m9J9Sa2xln0MRkCjNctVSUzzqcQpFIYmshj-WfaJWPudOT8ubzmw0zt55l0CqRn_YLpgX40fzx1qiuApS3mftcjpnOsUiIhUPScOV2MRKnQuv0/s1600/PC280206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsAFfrbmCADmw1ELUm6RmMuO1v1m9J9Sa2xln0MRkCjNctVSUzzqcQpFIYmshj-WfaJWPudOT8ubzmw0zt55l0CqRn_YLpgX40fzx1qiuApS3mftcjpnOsUiIhUPScOV2MRKnQuv0/s1600/PC280206.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Stone walls and a golden railing surround the tree; originally, these were built to keep the tree safe from hungry elephants and other 'predators'.</em> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This explains partly why seeing the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the most sacred of all living sacred trees in Buddhism, was nonnegotiable while traveling in Sri Lanka - even if the huge flooding in the northern parts of the island almost managed to keep us from it. But I'm very happy we managed to get there; the sacred Bodhi of Anuradhapura definitely seemed to have an aura of that special 'life force' around it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So why so sacred? It all goes back to the birth of Buddhism. The founder of the religion was born in sixth century BC as Prince Siddhartha Gautama. After years of spiritual searching, he finally reached enlightenment after meditating intensively under a tree in a place called Bodh Gaya in Northern India. From then on, he became known as the Buddha - and befittingly, the tree was renamed the 'Bodhi' - the tree of enlightenment. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kKfq2ddkv28Akjfn4V41RQ6QJPEzXMqiamWO5zq-CxnBOMMKvKOIrJTaYAyP1pmEW4_Rn0FhFLjtUwkmhGf0LG_gz6YeHWCHi4-WBdtCfa8z3e6YLrXFMzqFNBDsxZHmSab2A3i9/s1600/PC280186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kKfq2ddkv28Akjfn4V41RQ6QJPEzXMqiamWO5zq-CxnBOMMKvKOIrJTaYAyP1pmEW4_Rn0FhFLjtUwkmhGf0LG_gz6YeHWCHi4-WBdtCfa8z3e6YLrXFMzqFNBDsxZHmSab2A3i9/s1600/PC280186.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvgMk5q82DRJnYdKH0pVKtlSb-NmwmVwcz7cgRwQqVTkJ83-tKCxvP9rJmTEReN5b-uI5Esy6R_kXgo2HLZO2FFWHSgIWtTozkXHYiTfhpnw3Fl4DDuHoZhvLeNOCNxTbDRYyfBLr/s1600/PC280199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvgMk5q82DRJnYdKH0pVKtlSb-NmwmVwcz7cgRwQqVTkJ83-tKCxvP9rJmTEReN5b-uI5Esy6R_kXgo2HLZO2FFWHSgIWtTozkXHYiTfhpnw3Fl4DDuHoZhvLeNOCNxTbDRYyfBLr/s1600/PC280199.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Golden supports (and some less fancy ones) protect the remaining branch of the tree from circa 288 BC. The rest of the tree consists of younger branches, grown from cuttings from the original tree (several cuttings of different ages are propagated on the site,to ensure continuity even in the future).</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Bodhi</em> is traditionally translated into English as 'enlightenment', but literally it means 'awakened'. The verbal root "budh" means 'to awaken' - hence the Buddha, the 'Awakened One', or the 'Enlightened One'. A sacred tree of not just for Buddhists but even for Hindus and Jains, the Bodhi was aptly named <em>Ficus religiosa</em> in the Linnean binomial nomenclature, and is known even by the names of peepal/peepul and the bo-tree. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfanCipDtaRBIlF3SlJWVDs5CYhaO62e9TSbQJK7mmJvxxnIQYho-RnrSKisyyxiiT-iLX3gFgb_8hKNN9xznQ4bd5aNu-Mjb1cU8A4mJGHyMA83xbxNo9aTKB5M9YgLBO6vtdS72p/s1600/PC280203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfanCipDtaRBIlF3SlJWVDs5CYhaO62e9TSbQJK7mmJvxxnIQYho-RnrSKisyyxiiT-iLX3gFgb_8hKNN9xznQ4bd5aNu-Mjb1cU8A4mJGHyMA83xbxNo9aTKB5M9YgLBO6vtdS72p/s1600/PC280203.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzXXO-YXgi52fQUjv5VwxB2z1qWYj_bSUI6YiuPh9fEtfNzROvzoz4Ov3KYGSVF5yXI8_LbEIKfWUVSUVfh33shkKOZAIbN_DbXqtddl4XCtk0M8bL0ppOcLmDTdvnq_2rJ7fYQZE/s1600/PC280207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzXXO-YXgi52fQUjv5VwxB2z1qWYj_bSUI6YiuPh9fEtfNzROvzoz4Ov3KYGSVF5yXI8_LbEIKfWUVSUVfh33shkKOZAIbN_DbXqtddl4XCtk0M8bL0ppOcLmDTdvnq_2rJ7fYQZE/s1600/PC280207.JPG" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The old Bodhi is sacred and highly revered; whole families from tiniest babies to grandparents came with flower offerings and said their prayers in front of the huge tree. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is said to be the oldest living historical tree in the world, with a well-documented past. It was first brought as a cutting in a golden vessel from the original Tree of Enlightenment in Bodh Gaya to Sri Lanka by nun Sanghamitta, who was a daughter of Emperor Ashoka. After spending a couple of years in its golden container, it was planted in 288 BC in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura by King Devanampiyatissa. The original Bodhi in Bodh Gaya has since died, and the tree growing there is a cutting taken from Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura - so the circle of rebirth continues...</div>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">During its lifetime - an astonishing 23 centuries - the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi has seen empires and kingdoms rise and fall. It has been ravaged by storms and attacked by elephants (hence the stone wall with golden railings), almost been overtaken by the jungle, and even seen a massacre in 1985, when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan ('Tamil Tigers') killed some 170 monks and nuns by its feet. But even if only one large branch of the original tree remains, it is still deeply revered by Buddhist of all ages and all nationalities as a living reminder of the life and teachings of the historical Buddha.</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqkjuilcLPKMilbKx_HlXsEsiBc73jvawwAG66mc3CyCSsTK9cbSVazLYFngT2Bi-Dy2MoNm-UIFXulD5BCGV-yQ8AvfMdkA061f0dQMrYGjbPq82shL9gZ6fGd99rEVV7HAgFYzX/s1600/Outside+Bodhi+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqkjuilcLPKMilbKx_HlXsEsiBc73jvawwAG66mc3CyCSsTK9cbSVazLYFngT2Bi-Dy2MoNm-UIFXulD5BCGV-yQ8AvfMdkA061f0dQMrYGjbPq82shL9gZ6fGd99rEVV7HAgFYzX/s1600/Outside+Bodhi+tree.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><em>Beautiful flowers sold outside the to the devotees outside the site of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi - pink and white lotuses, and blue waterlilies (Nymphaea stellata) that are</em> <em>the wonderful national flower of Sri Lanka. Flowers fade very fast, so they are meant to remind the devotees of the impermanency of all things and to inspire them to think of the virtues and teachings of the Buddha. </em></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">
</span> </span>The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-89460244585790959822015-01-15T16:10:00.003+08:002015-01-16T06:54:03.517+08:00Sigiriya, a magnificent and mysterious palace in the clouds <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CfSXVUr_c01mlAH6tysAZF9SZ8fDA6wEwzfbEuyLSD_hMzfkIqpYJOKXdkX6C9Z6f1fjI5mHpKURwz0ISJy0f6_vwc2mqAMfsu1c5fAJg0glHe1I4y9ensE1N3paVzFGYAO7j-Fj/s1600/PC270060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CfSXVUr_c01mlAH6tysAZF9SZ8fDA6wEwzfbEuyLSD_hMzfkIqpYJOKXdkX6C9Z6f1fjI5mHpKURwz0ISJy0f6_vwc2mqAMfsu1c5fAJg0glHe1I4y9ensE1N3paVzFGYAO7j-Fj/s1600/PC270060.JPG" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Symmetry with a well-balanced touch of asymmetry (see that winding little path left from the central axis...?): view from the top of the huge Sigiriya rock, towards the water gardens at the foot of it.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I travel, I try to be at least reasonable well prepared. I check out properly the places I am going to, read up on their history and sights, and generally do some research in advance in order to get as much as possible out of the trips. But at times, despite all this, some places still manage to take me by quite a surprise... Sigiriya on northeastern Sri Lanka managed to do exactly so during the recent holidays. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, Sri Lanka itself is quite a spectacular little island, filled with exquisite cultural sites, lush emerald green jungle, mines filled with precious stones, misty tea plantations and long sandy beaches. Its earlier names, <em>Ceylon</em> and <em>Serendib</em> (used by Arab traders - the word "serendipity", meaning "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise" stem from this name...) still evoke thoughts of bygone days in the tropics. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFyor4aYYBlrNWR9_aSBODITqpsBQfXoJWu1b4L1nJohDmDQQ6jkG_f4FcXjH9BClxLchqhJUQMnrRRXpFxJJRhzS2PBgOGh62xRRcgbr_kuQ_AFWSMcq-vpp9psLFFo0lOeg0j_2/s1600/PC270011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFyor4aYYBlrNWR9_aSBODITqpsBQfXoJWu1b4L1nJohDmDQQ6jkG_f4FcXjH9BClxLchqhJUQMnrRRXpFxJJRhzS2PBgOGh62xRRcgbr_kuQ_AFWSMcq-vpp9psLFFo0lOeg0j_2/s1600/PC270011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>View towards the Sigiriya rock rising from the jungle and with the advanced pleasure gardens leading to it - it is said that King Kassapa had 400 maidens living in his palace, and that he enjoyed watching them bathing in the large pools... </em></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByutCuOEOzDbKmTMebAPfdDwZziVFmCpesD_9zYsLsz2OiFe9XnRKmKjHrWSnsySQekWLrb54Uwq2UBBA0t3SbcY9lMp2NhsFaiM1Pa9ZZkmwtL2gYBd750Ok75YWAS2WJ3SBsbFX/s1600/PC270077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByutCuOEOzDbKmTMebAPfdDwZziVFmCpesD_9zYsLsz2OiFe9XnRKmKjHrWSnsySQekWLrb54Uwq2UBBA0t3SbcY9lMp2NhsFaiM1Pa9ZZkmwtL2gYBd750Ok75YWAS2WJ3SBsbFX/s1600/PC270077.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPerjDtx-GPOE9zhhlK2mYKcQvGsTJ7Iq4ASlBvEm7eZNpTqlrONfokDBPRXT9IIpP7Ogtj8_in3cxhN4VLdOEevYlNOnom18XHIwrZBfLZI8EmvAbaV8PExjXdbrGqvhB-T1wYYkC/s1600/PC270034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPerjDtx-GPOE9zhhlK2mYKcQvGsTJ7Iq4ASlBvEm7eZNpTqlrONfokDBPRXT9IIpP7Ogtj8_in3cxhN4VLdOEevYlNOnom18XHIwrZBfLZI8EmvAbaV8PExjXdbrGqvhB-T1wYYkC/s1600/PC270034.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Primitive metal scaffolding leads to the top of the rock, which made me question what we had undertaken as I'm quite afraid of heights. In the ancient times, bamboo was used instead of metal, and I wonder how many builders lost their lives making the first version...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The history of the island goes back millenniums, and even written such about reaches about three thousand years back. Visited by seafarers since ancient times, and often attacked and even invaded or colonialized by foreign powers, those many cultures have added their own footnotes to the story of the island. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Given such a long, rich history, the island is filled with cultural treasures - for example, a total of eight UNESCO World Heritage sites are crammed within its compact shores. One of the most interesting of these (according to my own, very personal rating..) is Sigiriya, part a pleasure palace, part a fortress and part a sacred complex from the late 5th century. No-one knows what it was built for so its history is shrouded in mystery, the first written records are from almost 800 years after its glory days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZNDTTmf6Z6aXABgAF5DytqcNobhI-dAnd2hmpwoBjvoV_4ZQW_kNDUnwYHwub6MQ2VaGQRRWzV8dSnBZyJdrHJUtXulrBnMGxYa2fCBesAa9bkiit9F-n1AedyXAxcofgaw_9sQl/s1600/PC270001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZNDTTmf6Z6aXABgAF5DytqcNobhI-dAnd2hmpwoBjvoV_4ZQW_kNDUnwYHwub6MQ2VaGQRRWzV8dSnBZyJdrHJUtXulrBnMGxYa2fCBesAa9bkiit9F-n1AedyXAxcofgaw_9sQl/s1600/PC270001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVZEOVB8i2r1H70ib5p77ifk8F_g4BU_Z9Kj9JbOLFMatwE87ejRLLUDSzVLxRHpcSKSdbGUT27jQUUJXJFewh23Hw8agWCsjPI62iwEiRDPRgytzKDjbN7WSN2bF6CI2f2-J1WIn/s1600/PC270012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVZEOVB8i2r1H70ib5p77ifk8F_g4BU_Z9Kj9JbOLFMatwE87ejRLLUDSzVLxRHpcSKSdbGUT27jQUUJXJFewh23Hw8agWCsjPI62iwEiRDPRgytzKDjbN7WSN2bF6CI2f2-J1WIn/s1600/PC270012.JPG" height="640" width="530" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A couple of more pictures of the water gardens at the foot of the rock. Technically very advanced for their time, they even contain bubbling fountains, fed by water led via underground pipes from the higher levels.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyWlEWBooDeqmhzK-nNueHwlBfauHjo1yffcb0FO4dDOyDm6g2h73QoF-OKaROiuob4HMQvEBtunYWdBMJ8YuvdaCj37jMn4x2FVKFiGGnvf1yfZlZgo-rs7Cpp9br8nIKZ6oNsqN/s1600/PC270021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyWlEWBooDeqmhzK-nNueHwlBfauHjo1yffcb0FO4dDOyDm6g2h73QoF-OKaROiuob4HMQvEBtunYWdBMJ8YuvdaCj37jMn4x2FVKFiGGnvf1yfZlZgo-rs7Cpp9br8nIKZ6oNsqN/s1600/PC270021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_aWf1lO8qJoQZjGBK3R0bA6mHmv9JOAaoVj34sZw5G9k-lWfkNRmyvB6LnEqKUz1aSNBhpCwzAn-Djr8wiDAGCSQ0rIFRbnHfIXTlsolxZupSbymig1NDHJYKRNcLM9a_dtq50JG/s1600/PC270020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_aWf1lO8qJoQZjGBK3R0bA6mHmv9JOAaoVj34sZw5G9k-lWfkNRmyvB6LnEqKUz1aSNBhpCwzAn-Djr8wiDAGCSQ0rIFRbnHfIXTlsolxZupSbymig1NDHJYKRNcLM9a_dtq50JG/s1600/PC270020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Two pictures showing how the palace and other buildings on the rock were constructed: first, cuts were hacked into the stone; tiles were inserted into these, and walls built on the base. Many of the buildings have disappeared and only the initial cuts show on the rocks and cliffs.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Rising some 200 meters above the jungle around, the site consists of vast pleasure gardens at the foot of the rock, and ruins of a palace on middle and top of it. Some historians believe that King Kassapa I (also spelled Kasyapa) built the huge complex during his 18-year long reign in late 5th century; others (what seems more realistic) think that he extended an existing holy site or Buddhist monastery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fe4oZsQAR_b4s7uO8d-6CoYO82E6Xrocdk8nu0KDGVRoSJv4FXpmrMWcc4iWpOBcmn6yvjn3_T1Zv94x_k8QhIqTv-pMwmTwexlrLXF-oX35Ic05yOLPUti08qXXXhWzFwJd_QDS/s1600/PC270038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Fe4oZsQAR_b4s7uO8d-6CoYO82E6Xrocdk8nu0KDGVRoSJv4FXpmrMWcc4iWpOBcmn6yvjn3_T1Zv94x_k8QhIqTv-pMwmTwexlrLXF-oX35Ic05yOLPUti08qXXXhWzFwJd_QDS/s1600/PC270038.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK53sqsyfSHwGjFy69xhbLeeQ0Vue29i_ElLZUSpVclJAdkbLQQ24ZW0DDKxBEmwp5EA2EbpbCX30hS9LVMY12CNcGDRQcpeN6-2LHVasJDA9yj8tEzfgMblS0RQ-6B4ILwKJvbwAA/s1600/PC270036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK53sqsyfSHwGjFy69xhbLeeQ0Vue29i_ElLZUSpVclJAdkbLQQ24ZW0DDKxBEmwp5EA2EbpbCX30hS9LVMY12CNcGDRQcpeN6-2LHVasJDA9yj8tEzfgMblS0RQ-6B4ILwKJvbwAA/s1600/PC270036.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Halfway up the rock, a difficult to reach rocky shelter in the vertical wall (the "orange band" in the rock wall in above pictures) houses rock paintings of extremely high artistic quality depicting 21 female figures called 'The Maidens of the Clouds'. There are many theories but no definitive answers to what these beautiful figures represent - they might be goddesses, or jewel-bedecked court ladies... For centuries after Kassapa's defeat, travelers came to Sigiriya just to see these lovely ladies, and scribbled their appreciative poems into the surrounding walls. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kassapa's own history is another mystery. According to some sources, he committed patricide and threw his brother out of the country; then fearful for his defeated brother to return from exile to extract vengeance, built and moved into his fortress and palace on the top of the huge rock. Now, sitting at the top of a rock wouldn't seem smart as a strategy as it would be easy for any attackers to just cut out all supplies and wait until the targets would surrender, which makes many historians suspicious of the theory. But no-one has quite been able to put together the complete story; the only thing we know for sure is that Kassapa's brother did eventually come back, and that in the face of a certain defeat, Kassapa took his own life. Afterwards, Sigiriya was used as a Buddhist monastery (again?), and became one of the earliest tourist site probably in the whole world: a wall on the way up to the top still has well-preserved "graffitis" since 1600 years back - nothing is really new under the sun. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00XIitkcQx0e3WjtX3fe1Jbe-PDdNCt5VDBzZSy3r8Z0XXz0M6k9UPZ1N9xNNAekQ2J1EEuXGqhpDni9zAkz2sIqCVqAMnIQUcj2Y-zBSTS5o5pQ4r2YZSGP1yNqiM9ViKAugfdJs/s1600/PC270044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00XIitkcQx0e3WjtX3fe1Jbe-PDdNCt5VDBzZSy3r8Z0XXz0M6k9UPZ1N9xNNAekQ2J1EEuXGqhpDni9zAkz2sIqCVqAMnIQUcj2Y-zBSTS5o5pQ4r2YZSGP1yNqiM9ViKAugfdJs/s1600/PC270044.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A terrace with water tanks halfway up the rock.</em></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not nearly as well-known as the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, I found Sigiriya every bit as impressive even if it is much smaller - no pictures, especially mine taken in a pouring rain, really make justice to the genius that planned and produced it. Just thinking of the ancient builders chiseling the steps into the vertical rock wall, and carrying all building materials on the top of the huge rock using only bamboo scaffoldings make be dizzy. As tourism at Sri Lanka has increasing fast since the 30-year long civil war ended in 2009, I'm not sure how this site can be properly protected from the negative effects of huge crowds (it is <em>very</em> sensitive, given the extreme nature of its construction), as even now, it seems on the brink of what the site can cope with. But I sincerely hope that careful thought and generous resources will be available to save it to the future generations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-conTrM0j5J5tUSSy00ySYXKDhYITxxoA_9bZxiSZggFmt4S9Jtb1cDj-E8BuEneKifn7u6EfqpA9JtvpmPea0x_snlWDTxzfIfAnkbb6_-URKk1FJtI80X9t2JrC8Q4Xvw2QPoL/s1600/PC270046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-conTrM0j5J5tUSSy00ySYXKDhYITxxoA_9bZxiSZggFmt4S9Jtb1cDj-E8BuEneKifn7u6EfqpA9JtvpmPea0x_snlWDTxzfIfAnkbb6_-URKk1FJtI80X9t2JrC8Q4Xvw2QPoL/s1600/PC270046.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Lion Gate halfway up the rock; originally, it consisted of a face of a lion with the paws underneath (only the paws remain). It is thought to be a symbol of the Buddha, also called the "Lion of the Sakyas" (Sakya is the clan into which the historical Buddha was born into).</em> </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbvuQteBc9O8Hxu4XpgF5XGWBFST8Y3mnzuHQf-rViXrSfzrpCY5TwPH0LKBtDhBnFFnaTzAyaEqVZUjGQfVPc4O-2xamot4MK-tD7lDIXz5gkYMTNhdfHffZVwND6URuy-wOSH8y/s1600/PC270055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbvuQteBc9O8Hxu4XpgF5XGWBFST8Y3mnzuHQf-rViXrSfzrpCY5TwPH0LKBtDhBnFFnaTzAyaEqVZUjGQfVPc4O-2xamot4MK-tD7lDIXz5gkYMTNhdfHffZVwND6URuy-wOSH8y/s1600/PC270055.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<u><span style="color: #0066cc;"></span></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another view from the top of the rock, towards the water gardens below.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7DwnOQIaWbuE05qVIPjihvAGsu1_o-RzgGXKZVTwWIMPE6czw2UPwCMBwee8_XwdaDizaK4dS3_spIF6_1hbDtwl298x58EhLDkWT2etPn8Hf8qXRWrQ50mhwt8lk9GvNtnYxePE/s1600/PC270068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7DwnOQIaWbuE05qVIPjihvAGsu1_o-RzgGXKZVTwWIMPE6czw2UPwCMBwee8_XwdaDizaK4dS3_spIF6_1hbDtwl298x58EhLDkWT2etPn8Hf8qXRWrQ50mhwt8lk9GvNtnYxePE/s1600/PC270068.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>There are several water tanks and bathing pools even at the top of the huge rock; it is said, that Kassapa was fond of bathing - and of watching his court ladies bathing. Water is collected during the wet monsoon, but interestingly, there was even a hydraulic water pump system that provided water from the ground level.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgku3r66J5z2RWgT5akg8qXo3bQRnCe7u2nxSEiH3Q-E3Ua1-j19DpMndvQlie0jsXZbNOkX6J-2MLdc6i1JrIaub9OVEuahn4wyFlTneStm-K3kWmr5KMdKpNoMkzjc6hWmWjLld73/s1600/PC270029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgku3r66J5z2RWgT5akg8qXo3bQRnCe7u2nxSEiH3Q-E3Ua1-j19DpMndvQlie0jsXZbNOkX6J-2MLdc6i1JrIaub9OVEuahn4wyFlTneStm-K3kWmr5KMdKpNoMkzjc6hWmWjLld73/s1600/PC270029.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>One of the many natural stone "gates" leading from the top back to the ground level.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOlyHcI1qRWsxmbbM8oWWN48XC89xPjJrZoZTgTMRaNWgLxS_dRmCYW8J4baB7VEF7ARhu0CcILA-nAInD11_rzJF1PV_RjbET9mFaKpSJSeM79rkioPsIvULc7CPLM1grKQfKUlD/s1600/PC270084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOlyHcI1qRWsxmbbM8oWWN48XC89xPjJrZoZTgTMRaNWgLxS_dRmCYW8J4baB7VEF7ARhu0CcILA-nAInD11_rzJF1PV_RjbET9mFaKpSJSeM79rkioPsIvULc7CPLM1grKQfKUlD/s1600/PC270084.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>Kassapa's deserted stone throne - it is said that he sat on the top level with his closest courtiers (upper left corner), and the visitors and administrators had to shout their messages to him from the stone set on the lower level (lower right in the picture). Sounds quite remarkable to me - but then, everything about Sigiriya is pretty remarkable... and absolutely magnificent. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-HUfLUp-Y68Y%2FVLdiD4-YlkI%2FAAAAAAAAHdk%2FhnxfcCryFAU%2Fs1600%2FPC270011.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFyor4aYYBlrNWR9_aSBODITqpsBQfXoJWu1b4L1nJohDmDQQ6jkG_f4FcXjH9BClxLchqhJUQMnrRRXpFxJJRhzS2PBgOGh62xRRcgbr_kuQ_AFWSMcq-vpp9psLFFo0lOeg0j_2/s1600/PC270011.JPG" -->The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-66075878828915125642014-11-19T15:40:00.002+08:002014-11-19T15:59:00.912+08:00Places for quiet euphoria - the Great Wall of China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oxCxJj4IrxG_ZTH8-TqT1dtscPOO93EF12OWPlixV3_FK0pl768wKK9G43264yZf5qfrwAolJVZz-vVb21R34vUTusqGRIJ76XTd5bPw2Rk8Jn9AjgU0M0_8jHrui-lSfwU8eakJ/s1600/PA220354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oxCxJj4IrxG_ZTH8-TqT1dtscPOO93EF12OWPlixV3_FK0pl768wKK9G43264yZf5qfrwAolJVZz-vVb21R34vUTusqGRIJ76XTd5bPw2Rk8Jn9AjgU0M0_8jHrui-lSfwU8eakJ/s1600/PA220354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oxCxJj4IrxG_ZTH8-TqT1dtscPOO93EF12OWPlixV3_FK0pl768wKK9G43264yZf5qfrwAolJVZz-vVb21R34vUTusqGRIJ76XTd5bPw2Rk8Jn9AjgU0M0_8jHrui-lSfwU8eakJ/s1600/PA220354.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Some places make you feel completely euphoric just because you are there. Usually they are places that you've read so much about, and always wondered over if they really are as great as they say. And then they are, and a bit more. <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For me, Taj Mahal in Agra was one of those places and Ryoan-Ji in Kyoto was another. And of course, just landing on any of the outer islands of the archipelago outside Turku makes me euphoric every single time (yes, the archipelago there is <em>that</em> amazing). And then, the latest - the Great Wall of China.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can bury yourself in the history and statistics of it; 5500 km long wall that was built over 2000 years by millions of Chinese of whom over a million died while working there... and so on. And no, it can't be seen from the space, even if it is the longest structure ever created by man. But none of that really matters when you stand on up on the wall, marveling at how it leads from hilltop to another like a giant scar in the vast landscape. Beautiful in its own masculine way and of course utterly impressive, the wall is definitely worth all the hype.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRNgC-o40PY-ffldj_jHlBBWskc0b6zlmayHzNbJVZxhEkV2xcU3mRJCEzbVCupqr4oy6CO3ZD-A0rLPzuQYcyXXW42RUR-dockzkQDluaXTQduVLnjYW60Ywe3qqRDiFlBgimpM/s1600/PA220265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRNgC-o40PY-ffldj_jHlBBWskc0b6zlmayHzNbJVZxhEkV2xcU3mRJCEzbVCupqr4oy6CO3ZD-A0rLPzuQYcyXXW42RUR-dockzkQDluaXTQduVLnjYW60Ywe3qqRDiFlBgimpM/s1600/PA220265.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklaMvRLT4cnq6Z0FacARlXelOZKGtMcFGxSUlJmf0fkBAC7JoG8RPiSLyAfGcQs0P2W5XY35Dff867gvsGLBSaMgaX85cmZDt_iBjEYhjAvDAIue1SSEb-GTD2JJKsF1NSDxxXxqO/s1600/PA220344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklaMvRLT4cnq6Z0FacARlXelOZKGtMcFGxSUlJmf0fkBAC7JoG8RPiSLyAfGcQs0P2W5XY35Dff867gvsGLBSaMgaX85cmZDt_iBjEYhjAvDAIue1SSEb-GTD2JJKsF1NSDxxXxqO/s1600/PA220344.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrxRxAatJi_aJr89wUSiYN_BUfjtvpZHkGChTvD-Oy1-X19-6ttUD1fZZA7nfWpY56Al19B_uUUbBSuHt8D_6clUzMUeFcydR0Fd_yRZAzS3dgGZ7F59Eo04rZlkWo_NLO_Y1f8h8/s1600/PA220352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrxRxAatJi_aJr89wUSiYN_BUfjtvpZHkGChTvD-Oy1-X19-6ttUD1fZZA7nfWpY56Al19B_uUUbBSuHt8D_6clUzMUeFcydR0Fd_yRZAzS3dgGZ7F59Eo04rZlkWo_NLO_Y1f8h8/s1600/PA220352.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hEBcrTacsrw1QrBLjruCNOZ4lFKNo9ebesWdY2YwXL0C8Dp-3lG9YLzAFMCKuSCr4saIgBX53qu1oR2-ZrMZmuAkol7TfFVPWZ1gzuuessxzqtKiaSUk2q8j_vwPAr6U7_WLXld/s1600/PA220353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hEBcrTacsrw1QrBLjruCNOZ4lFKNo9ebesWdY2YwXL0C8Dp-3lG9YLzAFMCKuSCr4saIgBX53qu1oR2-ZrMZmuAkol7TfFVPWZ1gzuuessxzqtKiaSUk2q8j_vwPAr6U7_WLXld/s1600/PA220353.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WWGPQg_jQJ2lwkrib_JKzzGrR9AnpzloiU4W23xbEurstEyIGnVmak6QYPHLJ33SLo-8-BCLCzOWJqCwQQa_kKP8BmW-n3D0k2BUkVjqCR9T7su5M_LH1cqMgFRd6QobsKmTjuYO/s1600/PA220269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WWGPQg_jQJ2lwkrib_JKzzGrR9AnpzloiU4W23xbEurstEyIGnVmak6QYPHLJ33SLo-8-BCLCzOWJqCwQQa_kKP8BmW-n3D0k2BUkVjqCR9T7su5M_LH1cqMgFRd6QobsKmTjuYO/s1600/PA220269.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2pEjJEXA5KuqNg8_OWWhyphenhyphen6IkZ-XD4RwPl-8Kfg3MTiqmqZjkCYHoxrnVuBdXWEFo6aIm7klLUzHICjzMRm1z5G9CupA2qsQongi-iL5-FTPbiLJk-t-1GYe1TddQoPr4UgTCc5t/s1600/PA220276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2pEjJEXA5KuqNg8_OWWhyphenhyphen6IkZ-XD4RwPl-8Kfg3MTiqmqZjkCYHoxrnVuBdXWEFo6aIm7klLUzHICjzMRm1z5G9CupA2qsQongi-iL5-FTPbiLJk-t-1GYe1TddQoPr4UgTCc5t/s1600/PA220276.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The wall is still a workplace; just keeping nature from taking over the massive structure is an ongoing project on a giant scale. Seeing the old-fashioned tools the workmen had left behind while having a lunch made me admire the patience of the builders.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-77514452734574179592014-11-05T17:39:00.002+08:002014-11-05T17:40:39.644+08:00Endurance and longevity by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47JZQovHEvwG2a6ulYZzjUiyIlCAs_ZkENkd4FpiqPxx9sURgzfx5gDCgioXeJhFUdonCYB4nbgvhoFP6EchzUgxH7MZRqtAChTiwbG_ZwKeBYuBVw4wN7JNxz3p4IDmrbVQJabaX/s1600/PA230585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47JZQovHEvwG2a6ulYZzjUiyIlCAs_ZkENkd4FpiqPxx9sURgzfx5gDCgioXeJhFUdonCYB4nbgvhoFP6EchzUgxH7MZRqtAChTiwbG_ZwKeBYuBVw4wN7JNxz3p4IDmrbVQJabaX/s1600/PA230585.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The round roof of Temple of Heaven behind the high wall - with centuries old cypresses in the Tiantan Park surrounding it.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While in Beijing about a week ago, I finally got first hand experience of how desperately the country needs to do something about its pollution situation. While leisurely strolling through the sights, our eyes and noses were itching and after a while, without doing anything even remotely strenuous, we all felt quite short of breadth. And this while the PM2.5 values were "only" at a "hazardous" 225 - I can't even imagine how it feels like when they hower up at over 700, as happens several times a year. I'm not sure how the many retirees playing tai chi ball, kicking a feather ball and dancing in the Tiantan Park around the Temple of Heaven can keep exercising there - it felt like the polluted air must have erased all the health-giving effects of their efforts.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0jKAAb8F2p0ul5xrjzo11qol8plXf9anBRBuMe_1Wr23fLhJdhVnUcVfXVT1AgY8-62138YzdkBNnMN_DhLEyVwjgKsb_VZdy2L6JGSW0-Y3tvDjG3v1rLRgucVWdJ8IN7H5dK2U/s1600/PA230580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0jKAAb8F2p0ul5xrjzo11qol8plXf9anBRBuMe_1Wr23fLhJdhVnUcVfXVT1AgY8-62138YzdkBNnMN_DhLEyVwjgKsb_VZdy2L6JGSW0-Y3tvDjG3v1rLRgucVWdJ8IN7H5dK2U/s1600/PA230580.JPG" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Without fresh air, you have nothing - no luxuries, no power, no success is worth anything if you can't fulfill the basic need of breathing fresh, unpolluted air. This thought came to mind several times during our brief visit, and I just cannot understand why those in power in China seem to ignore this. Of course the problem of pollution in China is huge and complex, but it is not news anymore - of all the riches created during the last couple of decades, why haven't more been channeled into making the lives of the Chinese more bearable? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_KcqOra8aqFcinL1ghzfB4Hjk121WM16z6D-DHaJOEwVGrp01btsihjOKof_-lahGaGmv-9v-xOmGyIvj-Katbsbb-utMYGBi1Qc01jJY0w8KGMBzGu-WjnZdd4OMcWooVEAiA5i/s1600/PA230582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_KcqOra8aqFcinL1ghzfB4Hjk121WM16z6D-DHaJOEwVGrp01btsihjOKof_-lahGaGmv-9v-xOmGyIvj-Katbsbb-utMYGBi1Qc01jJY0w8KGMBzGu-WjnZdd4OMcWooVEAiA5i/s1600/PA230582.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Some of the cypresses are said to be over 800 years old - even if the temple itself was built in the early 15th century.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jk5YZsGPHajEVA7cbRkNP0t4C0q93ln-4kkMgkX-PnIimWgFhkbBZ_o9YnnL7NlAfZrX3UE2VCgLKMGH218Mrfrf51Zr3qLM61LxTXp4httGEvB2C-h_FFbh3li-7uE4gNKkrWo_/s1600/PA230477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jk5YZsGPHajEVA7cbRkNP0t4C0q93ln-4kkMgkX-PnIimWgFhkbBZ_o9YnnL7NlAfZrX3UE2VCgLKMGH218Mrfrf51Zr3qLM61LxTXp4httGEvB2C-h_FFbh3li-7uE4gNKkrWo_/s1600/PA230477.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Retirees and other residents of Beijing dancing to loud, popular music.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Tiantan Park is home to some four thousand cypresses, many of which are several centuries old. As their branches stay verdant and green even in winter, cypresses have become to symbolize endurance and longevity in the Chinese culture. While walking though the park, the trees were covered in a greyish layer of polluted dust. Endurance will definitely be needed, both from the cypresses and the sporty old retirees, to reach any levels of longevity. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7TPaLgNarsrcFUuZw7o9_K3-DWxorkZI1vsCt-0Aqixc2qjI0ryvrUMSwV0Ce9Rh4Dp7pCFMM8NeoP5hLtJ9cXhYwFSxF7HjQu5_TaYaZrU9YmaSvo_fWi2Qob9RzGgoQ3LZdqMH/s1600/PA230574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7TPaLgNarsrcFUuZw7o9_K3-DWxorkZI1vsCt-0Aqixc2qjI0ryvrUMSwV0Ce9Rh4Dp7pCFMM8NeoP5hLtJ9cXhYwFSxF7HjQu5_TaYaZrU9YmaSvo_fWi2Qob9RzGgoQ3LZdqMH/s1600/PA230574.JPG" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-12184015400297530682014-10-16T17:52:00.002+08:002014-10-18T17:27:27.462+08:00Notes from Alvar Aalto's Villa Mairea in Noormarkku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak1-xv3X8q2f21m_b-7JpQet6BTMSRlTrdStV09L0fYIrR9SAxoFx41vT4LsToSU_JeNAeG5LL0G6npXRlyOj-W5DZo5yx2p04vhFUr8k-PqEzk8sGffsjsoH_HXocJ-bZrsXeLl6/s1600/P7230517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak1-xv3X8q2f21m_b-7JpQet6BTMSRlTrdStV09L0fYIrR9SAxoFx41vT4LsToSU_JeNAeG5LL0G6npXRlyOj-W5DZo5yx2p04vhFUr8k-PqEzk8sGffsjsoH_HXocJ-bZrsXeLl6/s1600/P7230517.JPG" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Villa Mairea in Noormarkku in southwestern Finland - one of Alvar and Aino Aalto's most well-known and celebrated designs, built in the late 1930s.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes things take time - like this post about my visit to Villa Mairea while in Finland last summer. I'm not sure if it's because so much has been said of this pearl of 20th century modernist architecture, which kind of takes out both the need and the fun of adding anything. Or because I actually was slightly disappointed at the visit that I'd been waiting for such a long time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With disappointment I definitely don't mean the building - one of Alvar Aalto's finest, commissioned by Harry and Maire Gullichsen, one of the wealthiest couples in Finland (at the time), who gave Aalto and his architect wife Aino pretty much free hands to form everything to the perfection. Both couples were friends and even business partners - Maire and the Aaltos had briefly before founded Artek, originally an avant-garde art gallery that later morphed into the furniture company that still produces and sells Aalto's designs worldwide.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJw8W-WOGjSVhwbYkMnHZ-SDOQfcV3isiKM19Y5qvdoeYj39Ol2iKGpX4LD5vZUY4Jg_Ds-R4i4wCgcUkHSO67zk76FGYiOWOgzPy66NBWAua8qdgs5t2bBfnyznNYpd4GDxXJmKG/s1600/P7230534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJw8W-WOGjSVhwbYkMnHZ-SDOQfcV3isiKM19Y5qvdoeYj39Ol2iKGpX4LD5vZUY4Jg_Ds-R4i4wCgcUkHSO67zk76FGYiOWOgzPy66NBWAua8qdgs5t2bBfnyznNYpd4GDxXJmKG/s1600/P7230534.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The building shines white amongst the tall pines of a gravelly hill - while the wooden parts connect to the coppery bark of the trees.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdFAgyTn4RLfiv9u5UnRy1ljyYhmX_nL4hUgzhMBPda7VHjeDw8CgF2obmZa3nUiwVJrkYIFQ4cPdQVP1o9D2JlwtrABqrZJGWawxHBdBRz4K19ri9xtAnl9hASR3pG-84T6I-xNY/s1600/P7230511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdFAgyTn4RLfiv9u5UnRy1ljyYhmX_nL4hUgzhMBPda7VHjeDw8CgF2obmZa3nUiwVJrkYIFQ4cPdQVP1o9D2JlwtrABqrZJGWawxHBdBRz4K19ri9xtAnl9hASR3pG-84T6I-xNY/s1600/P7230511.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The L-form of the building leaves a grassy courtyard between the house and the sauna (on the left, not seen in the picture). Some parts of the roof are covered in grassy turf, just like traditional Finnish buildings were since ancient times, connecting the building both to history and to the surrounding nature.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The building was a holiday home for the Gullichsens, an experimental house where only the best was good enough - of course, being true modernists, this translates to a minimalistic style typical for Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino. Sculptural, light, airy, connected to its surroundings and utilizing materials from the nature - the building has stood the test of time. There is a great indoor/outddor contact between the house and the surrounding pine forest, and overall atmosphere is calm and sophisticated - and still, after almost eighty years, completely current. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed indoors, so I have to direct you to <a href="http://www.alvaraalto.fi/net/villa_mairea/en/1.htm" target="_blank">Villa Mairea's own site</a> to make your own mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvC3MpfUzc8UbHJdX5eX7bd9muVUxd14GPkqbflqt3ILHd-Mtou51Ci4ClutjIjlnSA6eJIW395o7Z0d6O8O1tN4v5vPtAId78Gaoafk8SNJ6W0iXfi1KOtSDFTG89PCRUZ8cp11u/s1600/P7230524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvC3MpfUzc8UbHJdX5eX7bd9muVUxd14GPkqbflqt3ILHd-Mtou51Ci4ClutjIjlnSA6eJIW395o7Z0d6O8O1tN4v5vPtAId78Gaoafk8SNJ6W0iXfi1KOtSDFTG89PCRUZ8cp11u/s1600/P7230524.JPG" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The outdoor entertainment area between the house and the sauna, with Artek furniture.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay6z8oq0xXznsckBvWcubp_OmUaX7easj2yCUHTx6TCURJkl2vVpQpt8pYLrWxx6Fw8yTF1bZPrxM-_Q8EzGPJYuEZgNY-WFcZgdhIvbor5NzZE0Y6vnsWsO8iyNP49VXcIqMnuk6/s1600/P7230529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay6z8oq0xXznsckBvWcubp_OmUaX7easj2yCUHTx6TCURJkl2vVpQpt8pYLrWxx6Fw8yTF1bZPrxM-_Q8EzGPJYuEZgNY-WFcZgdhIvbor5NzZE0Y6vnsWsO8iyNP49VXcIqMnuk6/s1600/P7230529.JPG" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The famous free-form pool, from another angle -the sauna is just to the right. Read more about the pool (and Alvar Aalto's friendship with Thomas Church) in my previous post <a href="http://www.intercontinentalgardener.com/2008/08/icons-connected.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The disappointment part starts first in the garden of Villa Mairea - often the only garden in Finland mentioned in international texts and other media (sadly, as there is much more to Finnish garden design than this). I'm not sure how much the Aalto's spent time designing the garden - of course, they did the overall plan with the famous free form pool (sometimes said to be the first in the world), but how much they spent time with choosing the plants and other important garden elements is not certain. Maire Gullichsen herself was a keen gardener, so she probably had her hands on these matters to a great extent. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGBe2ajLTpj4UmPBSCHX21MCbbLdkPxhA-Ns4DRAqVNrojt-Ko8Ey5fG5DwwmEUwDuMvHEy2Fjg8RmKDkWW6NzZAXdmXaKa-vxCdBDdOIzEkuDBZaYvmv26HsKIDps6tvBDG9epdm/s1600/P7230518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGBe2ajLTpj4UmPBSCHX21MCbbLdkPxhA-Ns4DRAqVNrojt-Ko8Ey5fG5DwwmEUwDuMvHEy2Fjg8RmKDkWW6NzZAXdmXaKa-vxCdBDdOIzEkuDBZaYvmv26HsKIDps6tvBDG9epdm/s1600/P7230518.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Garden gate behind the sauna - it ties to traditional Finnish structures, but the design has also been said to have taken influences from Aalto's visit to Japan.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygyWWaPEC-WAywEwynvRPxdMPgKhObCu6ZF3b2QG5IUNbOkRherwFBvxJ6nT4mJSknwywV_UjBLV_B_P_go3-fX53_DOnxjTHRfNqpouSSJcb9QlI6KvIjpwpBQEgoXnzvW7CQP0B/s1600/P7230520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygyWWaPEC-WAywEwynvRPxdMPgKhObCu6ZF3b2QG5IUNbOkRherwFBvxJ6nT4mJSknwywV_UjBLV_B_P_go3-fX53_DOnxjTHRfNqpouSSJcb9QlI6KvIjpwpBQEgoXnzvW7CQP0B/s1600/P7230520.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The absolutely lovely stone wall behind the sauna (all Finnish holiday houses have a sauna, it is more essential than the house itself...). And again, a reference to the traditional Finnish countryside in form of hops growing on tall poles.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I say slightly disappointed above - the garden connects smoothly both the building and its surroundings, the massed plantings form sculptural groupings and soft mounds against the coppery pillars of the pine forest. It is just that I find it difficult to love bright red hybrid roses, massed rhododendrons, berberis, cotoneasters, ligularias and other perfectly fine plants that unfortunately were so overused in the 1960s and onwards that they still smell too much of municipal plantings to be really exciting. When planted, they probably were as avant-garde and exotic as the house itself, but my eyes just can really see past the more recent garden history. Still, changing the plants would be an anachronism, so I guess the best solution is to try forget about public plantings, and to see them with untainted eyes - not easy, but definitely worth a try. So despite starting my post with mentioning that pretty much everything has already been said about Villa Mairea, I've now managed to add some 550 words into the bulk of writings - so surely, the building still is - if not as avant-garde, at least as engaging as when it was built in 1938. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtEWqVzn7wfygz-MVl5UFa3Zzc28pX1ip5xV1wcC2iiToh6eQmM2dnjK3ik8VmNJiyDzUIyXfalVdxX1QT5mUiaOCpIz9xa4jKmJEd94-xw00NqCMH-MFxZ9y-rDMdAHrDcz1EAHW/s1600/P7230536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtEWqVzn7wfygz-MVl5UFa3Zzc28pX1ip5xV1wcC2iiToh6eQmM2dnjK3ik8VmNJiyDzUIyXfalVdxX1QT5mUiaOCpIz9xa4jKmJEd94-xw00NqCMH-MFxZ9y-rDMdAHrDcz1EAHW/s1600/P7230536.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>One more picture of the typical Finnish pine forest - how I sometimes miss the sound of wind soughing through the needles, and the fresh scent of the trees...</em><br />
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Visits to Villa Mairea are by appointment only - check the Villa Mairea Foundation's information pages here: </em><a href="http://www.villamairea.fi/en/visits"><em>http://www.villamairea.fi/en/visits</em></a><em>.</em> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-60538404696696499182014-08-15T12:48:00.001+08:002014-08-15T13:19:15.530+08:00White borscht at Tage Andersen's Gunillaberg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cdx8Pki7MdUIxeng3iAx6E4qjwP4cy7cDomTfZQz-AxfL4HS_5ecWDK3KH1lirKRKX8UT6q1HEscZUXC-HI547Uvn-tuSoItQGic7G0nildP1qRITuYfcvEr4cClYIRTjJISZRtb/s1600/P7170367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cdx8Pki7MdUIxeng3iAx6E4qjwP4cy7cDomTfZQz-AxfL4HS_5ecWDK3KH1lirKRKX8UT6q1HEscZUXC-HI547Uvn-tuSoItQGic7G0nildP1qRITuYfcvEr4cClYIRTjJISZRtb/s1600/P7170367.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Gunillaberg estate was built in the late 17th century by Johan Printz, who </em><em>named the manor house after his mother Gunilla. He </em><em>went on to become the third governor of New Sweden, the Swedish colony in that is now the state of Delaware in the USA. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While driving back to Stockholm from the west coast of Sweden, I realized that we'd be passing Tage Andersen's Gunillaberg in Bottnaryd, just before the city of Jönköping. Despite the long drive home, we decided to drop by to see if we could get an early lunch at Tage's café, and of course, to see his creations "live" for the first time.</div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
Now, there can't be many "garden people" in Sweden who don't know about Tage and his work, but for those who do not, he is a real renaissance man form Denmark. Originally trained as a pastry chef, he has diversified his artistic portfolio to include flower arrangements, furniture, sculpture and other art installations. He's even published several books about his work and thoughts, and is the proprietor of a floral boutique with a museum in Copenhagen. In Sweden, he managed the well-known gardens by Rudolph Abelin at Norrviken in Båstad for a couple of years. </div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
Tage Andersen bought Gunillaberg in 2008, and has since transformed this late 17th century manor and its gardens into a distinctively Tage-style gesamtkunstwerk. Despite being a Renaissance man in sprit, Baroque is definitely more his style - down to the artistic, old-fashioned clothes he carries (of course I shouldn't comment on looks, but he looks a little like a mixture of Rembrandt and a mystical spirit from the forests - in the most positive way). And his artworks and installations - dramatic, twisted, voluptuous, always with a personal touch to them. While strolling through the house and gardens, it felt like everything there was touched by a magic wand, and turned into something that was "more" than it should have been - a bit magical, and definitely Tage-like. One of a kind, he really is. </div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
While I really wanted to have a chat with Tage, he seemed a little bit stressed and was really busy with serving lunch to the unexpectedly many guests - something that the very friendly young lady at the café mentioned while doing exactly the same. So we ate our delicious white borscht-like soups and finished with coffees and Tage's specialty, "karamelkrans" (caramel covered flaky round pastry - extremely sweet and tasty), completely happy with having just added another 1.5 hours to our already long journey back to Stockholm. </div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHhBQtZ3ObbBsEANxdXEZI8S8Y0CLYvb66sMZ9lWEOWjjVu5RFnHlbAIKGkhyRXx00im3ORLz70BGY5Rpt0pe7QehQ5SSlpLNZEzCjmneWB6sRbx4jy9wIIiyIkFfjVDVujNHB83k/s1600/P7170357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHhBQtZ3ObbBsEANxdXEZI8S8Y0CLYvb66sMZ9lWEOWjjVu5RFnHlbAIKGkhyRXx00im3ORLz70BGY5Rpt0pe7QehQ5SSlpLNZEzCjmneWB6sRbx4jy9wIIiyIkFfjVDVujNHB83k/s1600/P7170357.JPG" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>One of the outbuildings, now with a shop that sells a small selection of Tage's artwork and books.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3uiVyB9ix70eGDNlyx4SS00IH2M1XVNMCvIpbp8eJnIMv8yeZq6CSvDi_zVBQfybM8bTRrkoMUq3StMkE4iLgPtfmtfVSNmz5jF6LX8lwCDAKpa9FgcGIPgUzXCzJh9-6Gtiuml0/s1600/P7170358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3uiVyB9ix70eGDNlyx4SS00IH2M1XVNMCvIpbp8eJnIMv8yeZq6CSvDi_zVBQfybM8bTRrkoMUq3StMkE4iLgPtfmtfVSNmz5jF6LX8lwCDAKpa9FgcGIPgUzXCzJh9-6Gtiuml0/s1600/P7170358.JPG" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Ceramics with forms reminding of flower bulbs, surrounded by large flower containers on rusty platforms - Tage often uses rusty steel as material in his works.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrYuqwxDZxu3yGvvMixUKKDYbk4IpMBgyo36CIV4u3Xd2jP8YhOSc-ftLm1_p9ZLchDlq4zmpFw_ZHnM_aBqhnw1kfJXh8WamYOU4diVDZsFAqcno2Z52f3XIYNz7Zqo9YatvP3Vc/s1600/P7170360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrYuqwxDZxu3yGvvMixUKKDYbk4IpMBgyo36CIV4u3Xd2jP8YhOSc-ftLm1_p9ZLchDlq4zmpFw_ZHnM_aBqhnw1kfJXh8WamYOU4diVDZsFAqcno2Z52f3XIYNz7Zqo9YatvP3Vc/s1600/P7170360.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Large containers with Agapanthus and Camellias on the backside of the manor house.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8bvCpfZkvkG7gbOj2BSGW5p2xfEydm41RcVA-MczvqGT7fXqt0SpKyww3v8cfiCr47-bspm_2Z6y_VFuUhoxTRXpxaiusMgVEzD182eGpwxWzVxByOhCd68T2-q9EuWrbn4rRg6F/s1600/P7170359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8bvCpfZkvkG7gbOj2BSGW5p2xfEydm41RcVA-MczvqGT7fXqt0SpKyww3v8cfiCr47-bspm_2Z6y_VFuUhoxTRXpxaiusMgVEzD182eGpwxWzVxByOhCd68T2-q9EuWrbn4rRg6F/s1600/P7170359.JPG" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Tage arranges art exhibitions inside the house - and even the floor is painted in a voluptuous pattern, like Baroque gone crazy... (while it still manages to be in harmony with its surroundings!).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmfZZbAN2XvLG9A1gfMXrylSNSX43JnS3T0PvVQUANOqMkEh368m0b8H5fvQZ0YIYc50swHqGXgWMro8Ldw-zJSZJmKnkdogALLsZ4m5TeWYEzCXeV9RY-_6u0OGNXkoBBYAyiWgX/s1600/P7170362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmfZZbAN2XvLG9A1gfMXrylSNSX43JnS3T0PvVQUANOqMkEh368m0b8H5fvQZ0YIYc50swHqGXgWMro8Ldw-zJSZJmKnkdogALLsZ4m5TeWYEzCXeV9RY-_6u0OGNXkoBBYAyiWgX/s1600/P7170362.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A huge chess set placed on ceramic tiles...</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHBnP0y8u5IW04OhzcLExN9wJ77JPUaq9S59x4DRsowMd2A-JnFWDdsaMfNW8aZmbJ5lKodBzZXwFHQcxXoHMFrrSf3BncaPs78x-1dZyObzb7LMHfsvqbBFW0B7r1Zgwdp2naiab/s1600/P7170373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHBnP0y8u5IW04OhzcLExN9wJ77JPUaq9S59x4DRsowMd2A-JnFWDdsaMfNW8aZmbJ5lKodBzZXwFHQcxXoHMFrrSf3BncaPs78x-1dZyObzb7LMHfsvqbBFW0B7r1Zgwdp2naiab/s1600/P7170373.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The focal point of the front garden is an art installation in rusted steel (by Tage); it is sitting in a small, round pool surrounded by flower meadow - a lovely contrast, and quite unconventional for a formal Baroque garden....</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqiRKy2Co93Lv-_3NOd-3_L22dLLYuhEO1XHxHHfb6EO9NmF-0Rf7SlatD3YXIBSN74fqUbVhLTE23FVIlQBK26vf-u093pSlX2qZ7koowfPX5pm_FAehb66E-s0nyXwtYW3ctox0/s1600/P7170404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqiRKy2Co93Lv-_3NOd-3_L22dLLYuhEO1XHxHHfb6EO9NmF-0Rf7SlatD3YXIBSN74fqUbVhLTE23FVIlQBK26vf-u093pSlX2qZ7koowfPX5pm_FAehb66E-s0nyXwtYW3ctox0/s1600/P7170404.JPG" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A fanciful bosquet made of rusty steel and covered with passifloras - there are two of them, the other can be seen behind the square pool. They magically transport you to the gardens of Renaissance and Baroque, while still being surrounded by the dark Swedish forests. </em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqs8CW6zjLLjPy713nvs3v88ODAIjP59FC9GwD4GAM2ORBNlEXDm3HQS1YBJ6-FC97ra4Nk1hMCH6PKW1tc6cLVvxJDt2pw3e0JhlYtiSsLntmTSWFbM5fH4_xkbfLV8FkuLVtSF1/s1600/P7170397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqs8CW6zjLLjPy713nvs3v88ODAIjP59FC9GwD4GAM2ORBNlEXDm3HQS1YBJ6-FC97ra4Nk1hMCH6PKW1tc6cLVvxJDt2pw3e0JhlYtiSsLntmTSWFbM5fH4_xkbfLV8FkuLVtSF1/s1600/P7170397.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A lovely passiflora variety - I have no idea which one. Purple seemed to be another favorite of Tage's...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tt9Gs4Qz2Db9hCRiYK9zo1A9XmkwDrD6eI45FT4q7V4RRW3AVjRDMN8kOPkgG6G2CRdlfI51z7bK7QVG07tlM3IVNhOn34e1ZAhGiUojORCqwWOKrDlBcPudy9AFeds4AAh86UCk/s1600/P7170405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tt9Gs4Qz2Db9hCRiYK9zo1A9XmkwDrD6eI45FT4q7V4RRW3AVjRDMN8kOPkgG6G2CRdlfI51z7bK7QVG07tlM3IVNhOn34e1ZAhGiUojORCqwWOKrDlBcPudy9AFeds4AAh86UCk/s1600/P7170405.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Pathways with artwork - and even the larches looked like they could come alive in the dusk of Swedish summer nights.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxVcdkEovc_L05kh3cu9OTU7uSVLzoZQUiLa3H_Aozq1TJp61R_zXL6l21MvTgawoIF4MzhlkcjEv6Im8EKDpgUA2uVA1zBZ_OZeQ2oMgQ-OeV7GqsskDJm0n2itzP79mie9qYT3N/s1600/P7170427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxVcdkEovc_L05kh3cu9OTU7uSVLzoZQUiLa3H_Aozq1TJp61R_zXL6l21MvTgawoIF4MzhlkcjEv6Im8EKDpgUA2uVA1zBZ_OZeQ2oMgQ-OeV7GqsskDJm0n2itzP79mie9qYT3N/s1600/P7170427.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A large green house is used for concerts.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_KbhmAyBL5F_7ibfr1U4Wq2pPpK9FXKKEHaIJ6N9wdLCotAxRsI6natVMzPUrMbarfN2BbKVBLuP1gpsvVwcwTw_5IlwDViPz1HbLn3dRqvgPiwPX-DKAup7vDEzJw4NCvSkaptU/s1600/P7170424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_KbhmAyBL5F_7ibfr1U4Wq2pPpK9FXKKEHaIJ6N9wdLCotAxRsI6natVMzPUrMbarfN2BbKVBLuP1gpsvVwcwTw_5IlwDViPz1HbLn3dRqvgPiwPX-DKAup7vDEzJw4NCvSkaptU/s1600/P7170424.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The scene inside the green house - what a lovely experience it would be to come here for a concert... Maybe next summer.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWlaS3-79u6SAJuud7yQ63dvWIYsqx18vC2_2c5vLQQJL5xktMRXRfv_8r6On127pgFuhwVcV2ScTuhpfEMmf9W7qQcziZTVqKJlpsD7qNwR33gm6p_qxf1XOjtEC6DWmY0D0vWLb/s1600/P7170432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWlaS3-79u6SAJuud7yQ63dvWIYsqx18vC2_2c5vLQQJL5xktMRXRfv_8r6On127pgFuhwVcV2ScTuhpfEMmf9W7qQcziZTVqKJlpsD7qNwR33gm6p_qxf1XOjtEC6DWmY0D0vWLb/s1600/P7170432.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: center;">
<em>Even the chicken coops were fancifully artistic - and very rusty.</em> </div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvXVTd-czTH3PWIjwCa4tyclNcp4B8LJErqqZCavZ3dsOgOvCgE-Ls6RUq93hf_W9f2PZ_yab5OPDRcktrqA2kP-EZ120sBOToQFPp1syTynwd_W5Lb_dSncHsJlUvsGlAbvY7jdP/s1600/P7170428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvXVTd-czTH3PWIjwCa4tyclNcp4B8LJErqqZCavZ3dsOgOvCgE-Ls6RUq93hf_W9f2PZ_yab5OPDRcktrqA2kP-EZ120sBOToQFPp1syTynwd_W5Lb_dSncHsJlUvsGlAbvY7jdP/s1600/P7170428.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: center;">
<em>And one last wink before leaving - even the entrance is a lovely combination of strictly formal and wonderfully twisted.</em></div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="poiName" style="text-align: center;">
<em>To see more of Tage's wonderful flower arrangements and artwork, look at the "Gallery" pages on his website (which also contains opening times and a map for finding Gunillaberg): </em><a href="http://www.tage-andersen.com/index.html"><em>http://www.tage-andersen.com/index.html</em></a> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-45569633706816871692014-08-12T10:38:00.002+08:002014-08-13T18:09:22.686+08:00Gunnebo, again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5uKKLXrG_P0P2nRjoWCvtdghpeZJsEwH73tCDzwiPko6mupThKmWID-hB-fLlNswUH4wEzIv_EFWLDVBHccv90NXuVrnP2q7uwXsqf5h6EFyCPm2l70kXwT-b8RGEGGsNwA-ENNS/s1600/P7160207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5uKKLXrG_P0P2nRjoWCvtdghpeZJsEwH73tCDzwiPko6mupThKmWID-hB-fLlNswUH4wEzIv_EFWLDVBHccv90NXuVrnP2q7uwXsqf5h6EFyCPm2l70kXwT-b8RGEGGsNwA-ENNS/s1600/P7160207.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The little Gunnebo Castle called, again - its powers of seduction (not least in form of delicious lunches served in the kitchen garden....) are still quite potent, it seems.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I've written earlier, the little castle of Gunnebo together with its gardens really is a love story gone awfully wrong. Like a greedy mistress, it seduced and held its masters captured until all their means were exhausted, eventually driving them to bankruptcy and destitution. The story is touching - who doesn't love a dose of true madness? - and the buildings and gardens are a perfect example of late 18th century architecture inspired the Palladian villas of Italy and gardens of Louis XIV in France. A real pearl, and an escapist dream inspired by the southern latitudes of Europe, landed amongst the northern forests and shores of Sweden.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
For the whole tragic story of Gunnebo, see my earlier post <a href="http://www.intercontinentalgardener.com/2011/08/gunnebo-ultimate-riches-to-rags-in-less.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHB5O4XOrGwQghSPjECjz5Ph4YZu_ggiT-F1r0-TyD8iS-XnyrsmYD2jayQf6NcvjzWRF3Jc3zlQ2G-QtxMrKJ8MQo11b8nbt3JnTlDPs-YumWHvSX-eTlvuuPdNvr2HuSAamw2q4/s1600/P7160210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHB5O4XOrGwQghSPjECjz5Ph4YZu_ggiT-F1r0-TyD8iS-XnyrsmYD2jayQf6NcvjzWRF3Jc3zlQ2G-QtxMrKJ8MQo11b8nbt3JnTlDPs-YumWHvSX-eTlvuuPdNvr2HuSAamw2q4/s1600/P7160210.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An 18th century drawing of Gunnebo; the orangerie on the right is under reconstruction for the moment; it will probably be completed next year.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw2PB_SbkV7goSpsa-wJ0ysRnntqBqKzBe0kUKliygp8A43RnezyCes_NNxOeqG36A32ewUdL7GAhjjrz1Z7-VZR7KCYy3xaCJV0KJRMUN4YV2sCY5Hryrywzz2iAmbFdiSUiz4nf/s1600/P7160201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw2PB_SbkV7goSpsa-wJ0ysRnntqBqKzBe0kUKliygp8A43RnezyCes_NNxOeqG36A32ewUdL7GAhjjrz1Z7-VZR7KCYy3xaCJV0KJRMUN4YV2sCY5Hryrywzz2iAmbFdiSUiz4nf/s1600/P7160201.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Almost the same view today, only from another angle...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk8jZDM2-D3CwRoLlzU5UUrfCSSRFdonDDCIHMoJMYsfRC77UXKtx7wUeTe-f2Bu1ZCqItmaWxBjr6R3sMRQFoBnBje1dRtTQ7SZz2FPQzkQZwEfUX4NX1o4xMz4RkPaOTxZpZnYD/s1600/P7160197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk8jZDM2-D3CwRoLlzU5UUrfCSSRFdonDDCIHMoJMYsfRC77UXKtx7wUeTe-f2Bu1ZCqItmaWxBjr6R3sMRQFoBnBje1dRtTQ7SZz2FPQzkQZwEfUX4NX1o4xMz4RkPaOTxZpZnYD/s1600/P7160197.JPG" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Sculptures still surround the pool seen in the pictures above.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s2oP8exNnME4-t-9gkcfElIeVcLEDITezFON1AIrOXcrMkic2eMlr__eVLlrc-fdPP_LY0g6vpm-ggy5tLXufJyUCuWja5a1ltyih0U31vBdEKDSL0gX5RQmIL4uMjFqmju-n23x/s1600/P7160208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s2oP8exNnME4-t-9gkcfElIeVcLEDITezFON1AIrOXcrMkic2eMlr__eVLlrc-fdPP_LY0g6vpm-ggy5tLXufJyUCuWja5a1ltyih0U31vBdEKDSL0gX5RQmIL4uMjFqmju-n23x/s1600/P7160208.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Cows lazily grazing just south from the fountain pool.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDGbvbZLSkGaE7_0p0frD1i5hc4crr4C2ImUfr_FOfsV3o8W_vZrK1Ik8mT5MF8smogS5B0H-nHctMuFd3E6otEB-eemx6zISNcgbgNvtx8y-HHSWZYtEHvFehM_5LXQ_SrOiy7PE/s1600/P7160212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDGbvbZLSkGaE7_0p0frD1i5hc4crr4C2ImUfr_FOfsV3o8W_vZrK1Ik8mT5MF8smogS5B0H-nHctMuFd3E6otEB-eemx6zISNcgbgNvtx8y-HHSWZYtEHvFehM_5LXQ_SrOiy7PE/s1600/P7160212.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Walking back on the side of the terraces of the formal gardens...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnZIPm86PdzqRp_2-jzd2r9n_HU1UhVD4W31zPvh6zUeUnej1iO46mdfao0Gw-oNPaHCFfpJOBPmuLVIw7o1wlKYSgV-feOZQ_H_eKOudxfcR6QLl00SnfOHxRZLSAgjFOz2eZxor/s1600/P7160217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnZIPm86PdzqRp_2-jzd2r9n_HU1UhVD4W31zPvh6zUeUnej1iO46mdfao0Gw-oNPaHCFfpJOBPmuLVIw7o1wlKYSgV-feOZQ_H_eKOudxfcR6QLl00SnfOHxRZLSAgjFOz2eZxor/s1600/P7160217.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An unusual view towards the building from a little hill by the "castle" - that really is too small to be called so.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC005BiHCk03oUNV8JAULwhuJYepg0vO_vYcc83lfErs-ks0LxfoLa4AS5ZLvn5qVFGXlQPy24dz6Q2mjQAxtVEl50zj5UXYhCQwfmietJTn8_AP9eCyAJc6NSNdN9xqc8GqaMGPA/s1600/P7160218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC005BiHCk03oUNV8JAULwhuJYepg0vO_vYcc83lfErs-ks0LxfoLa4AS5ZLvn5qVFGXlQPy24dz6Q2mjQAxtVEl50zj5UXYhCQwfmietJTn8_AP9eCyAJc6NSNdN9xqc8GqaMGPA/s1600/P7160218.JPG" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The kitchen gardens (in opposite direction from the hill where I took the previous photo)</em>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bR3i_H_Ue4SPbsqJUzl8K1ZrLsZopJ4gcR1EajQ9_90oG9J13qrC0E-tFcL_8TBVHUvw5nifslCIj5zM9W8CtQT-_M9PCKuW3oVo5I8XYh0a5b_ncZ_k6_Le8i1hcMM10jwpcJ1X/s1600/P7160230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bR3i_H_Ue4SPbsqJUzl8K1ZrLsZopJ4gcR1EajQ9_90oG9J13qrC0E-tFcL_8TBVHUvw5nifslCIj5zM9W8CtQT-_M9PCKuW3oVo5I8XYh0a5b_ncZ_k6_Le8i1hcMM10jwpcJ1X/s1600/P7160230.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I do love the kitchen gardens - so beautifully composed.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHUFiOlK1etX7n33kCCxDSpoSu_E6HnN5BGBh7XZv0adA6p_CPI3CtUQjxrSlOcmah9tkRGWN6DPMylE7kzQ7-4LyMOQViwwqgwqTSw4fQ-6WpUSemKcU0Jw9u25j1pSIwA0kLjYx/s1600/P7160238.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The handsome orangerie/green house again... I wrote about it even in my earlier Gunnebo post.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ZcaJFf5H2DuVO3Gx6UK0A4GCeiKJ1OkfKYESX1_56hphMU-zlmc1DbJ4u1n4V9DlzVhjOfuLmb3RcnfLjImSGeQBLLtwFNEca7VQKHm0thlwe-yDfdBvF-CfqPQ5FlYt5xswlrM/s1600/P7160243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ZcaJFf5H2DuVO3Gx6UK0A4GCeiKJ1OkfKYESX1_56hphMU-zlmc1DbJ4u1n4V9DlzVhjOfuLmb3RcnfLjImSGeQBLLtwFNEca7VQKHm0thlwe-yDfdBvF-CfqPQ5FlYt5xswlrM/s1600/P7160243.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Just beautiful, couldn't help taking loads of pictures...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC74gkNJhK9lZepGVueaddF046BU0TggqQeDf-T9KtQlqKnfab6lTPIhJ6RpcKSUXLjcH5WAv17GG9ml9o2hmc_5tzt4hRvpyiVYGN_QzsAMdRNZEYgGNqPzGDZgn10xncajrfX28/s1600/P7160256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC74gkNJhK9lZepGVueaddF046BU0TggqQeDf-T9KtQlqKnfab6lTPIhJ6RpcKSUXLjcH5WAv17GG9ml9o2hmc_5tzt4hRvpyiVYGN_QzsAMdRNZEYgGNqPzGDZgn10xncajrfX28/s1600/P7160256.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"Advanced horticultural science" - they still train the apples on trellises attached to the walls of the kitchen garden. Look at all the pears!</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmEW1Eg3aCNJE2Ubwwic6DPQvFbQOgLXnpTpvnOTNb_l0BCIVPr8VjHeba2zNPndSNkL_KnDbbmIdpWjBlibY38a8tOUty1P8dY0ssp2zZUe7Kyv92TKleOUC0PsVl4OaJ2zNVUH/s1600/P7160281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTmEW1Eg3aCNJE2Ubwwic6DPQvFbQOgLXnpTpvnOTNb_l0BCIVPr8VjHeba2zNPndSNkL_KnDbbmIdpWjBlibY38a8tOUty1P8dY0ssp2zZUe7Kyv92TKleOUC0PsVl4OaJ2zNVUH/s1600/P7160281.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And back to the castle - it was lovely to stand in the shade under the main terrace (which you can see from the garden in the first picture). </em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL-MWFoeTIDj6fBAQKWmpln1niR1MkfZ0-w0JY0E8plp0sFOx6dccxMPGI6KlP7Xxh8xNkLFxbmRQJgYLKT9YtNhPuKzDKL15BR6zqsLb-Wx-lnlHqFCofjTAu25scSBl5dSQWUst/s1600/P7160286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL-MWFoeTIDj6fBAQKWmpln1niR1MkfZ0-w0JY0E8plp0sFOx6dccxMPGI6KlP7Xxh8xNkLFxbmRQJgYLKT9YtNhPuKzDKL15BR6zqsLb-Wx-lnlHqFCofjTAu25scSBl5dSQWUst/s1600/P7160286.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And a final view from the terrace, with the fountain forming the focus of the central axis - Gunnebo is such a delightful little example of 17th/18th century European garden design, in the middle of the forests of southern Sweden.</em></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-71304490339996418652014-08-10T18:04:00.001+08:002014-08-10T18:11:16.992+08:00Moments from Marstrand<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCucWirYvRnEvtnI23tJLCYNUJasT8R1OB3TrFN7ECZCUN9MARFRcrDcMHPehFBYzdeALgCcOjxtWRywfpuVhtBpujiZb8Wo9-6jqwe0Y_U8DVKJSFKrHXarRqFYOlXfCfpC0gwVq/s1600/P7150115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCucWirYvRnEvtnI23tJLCYNUJasT8R1OB3TrFN7ECZCUN9MARFRcrDcMHPehFBYzdeALgCcOjxtWRywfpuVhtBpujiZb8Wo9-6jqwe0Y_U8DVKJSFKrHXarRqFYOlXfCfpC0gwVq/s1600/P7150115.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Small ravines between the cliffs, with pink flowers forming like a stream towards the sea.</em> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Located on a small island on the west coast of Sweden, the tiny city of Marstrand comes alive in the summer when white-sailed boats arrive like huge migratory birds, with their crews filling the cafés and streets with their excited busyness while waiting for the next race. I'm not into any kind of sail racing, so I kept away from the crowds and just enjoyed a windy walk along the grey, smooth cliffs of the island. Afterwards, a coffee at the huge Carlsten Fortress, and I felt like a winner anyway.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu1mBclYLhYJjdgO6fmGatu52jFvWIGBSoxofadc-1222yHwSu7viiB-Ba_VwmyyoZoFgsMZlBUjAB8Meitt4bLGVIQk23QiNe7bODBjDBFtw8BK8P4wOyeVkU6PBJRgslYIj3c1w/s1600/P7150119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu1mBclYLhYJjdgO6fmGatu52jFvWIGBSoxofadc-1222yHwSu7viiB-Ba_VwmyyoZoFgsMZlBUjAB8Meitt4bLGVIQk23QiNe7bODBjDBFtw8BK8P4wOyeVkU6PBJRgslYIj3c1w/s1600/P7150119.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplquSepCc6wcTNUKi9BlDYs0kdWn_94d8eNl-BPMKfNLhZLCcMA5-DKGk1cmd1v4s5G_KXHo-a_03asrxWzxXDDoeDAl8VQGeiWAZS_X9hyphenhyphenJly1DpYvjIjt-FS7jdEg-FMX3OUaUD/s1600/P7150155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplquSepCc6wcTNUKi9BlDYs0kdWn_94d8eNl-BPMKfNLhZLCcMA5-DKGk1cmd1v4s5G_KXHo-a_03asrxWzxXDDoeDAl8VQGeiWAZS_X9hyphenhyphenJly1DpYvjIjt-FS7jdEg-FMX3OUaUD/s1600/P7150155.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Walking through the wind-swept beech forest in the middle of the island looked they'd been taken from the pages of a story book...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3inOSeR0gvxoQpLhGtKI4qeEcQCSUZ9XMh8pjOfzL2AqwY7LJUGdkrMCLjbc0a6R-nPtP6xvE8ReKCszc9Xkg17ay-1xft1UfW8hyf72h9WJpNGqZ1koNGxp29dOLAcTgMrYlBXln/s1600/P7150159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3inOSeR0gvxoQpLhGtKI4qeEcQCSUZ9XMh8pjOfzL2AqwY7LJUGdkrMCLjbc0a6R-nPtP6xvE8ReKCszc9Xkg17ay-1xft1UfW8hyf72h9WJpNGqZ1koNGxp29dOLAcTgMrYlBXln/s1600/P7150159.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An unreal sight - pink waterlilies in a small, dark pool between the cliffs; can they be natural, or did someone plant them here?</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbh91SmOHQ_bxiLcsaNmx70AAyOKDCqs1AqqXZw_oCLdnGH1DhVY2reakBPlockSxbbha3worfSxXtIySI_09EyWQ_0lHwxLWnirApO4zsjz0M5aDmhZwgyxt0P8c-XrblUDXPK8G/s1600/P7150162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbh91SmOHQ_bxiLcsaNmx70AAyOKDCqs1AqqXZw_oCLdnGH1DhVY2reakBPlockSxbbha3worfSxXtIySI_09EyWQ_0lHwxLWnirApO4zsjz0M5aDmhZwgyxt0P8c-XrblUDXPK8G/s1600/P7150162.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Stone walls of the Carlsten Fortress, built in the 17th century on the highest point of the small island.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEIegxAk3FjTjaX4P1GM_4Y0XysduYyAH-usC-Ze86846WFv189da6e0s2DB-cRCNcFia5foI3_XTmbgVC5vMeDfNyD30h0ArMV-dz_bY4Iy1zwYSv0wDTF-haF52QqatatSXw25Q/s1600/P7150163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEIegxAk3FjTjaX4P1GM_4Y0XysduYyAH-usC-Ze86846WFv189da6e0s2DB-cRCNcFia5foI3_XTmbgVC5vMeDfNyD30h0ArMV-dz_bY4Iy1zwYSv0wDTF-haF52QqatatSXw25Q/s1600/P7150163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> More walls - they look like they grow out from the grey granite of the island...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9mACRIKzxRgKhDTJivpzR4osSGsB7EDmV8AblYGvlbSw9SupDauQxp7qVeN0gORgsukq-aSHaDsYETndAaklblj_yLUbFN9j5HQJBYIBVOxCu97SG05Q3x9omlaczxNKgppHTaRp/s1600/P7150173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9mACRIKzxRgKhDTJivpzR4osSGsB7EDmV8AblYGvlbSw9SupDauQxp7qVeN0gORgsukq-aSHaDsYETndAaklblj_yLUbFN9j5HQJBYIBVOxCu97SG05Q3x9omlaczxNKgppHTaRp/s1600/P7150173.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another unexpected sight - a kitchen garden behind the fort entrance...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf3cMlLljFWTmT2KI0HI5Ipun9Zf3yXg-BwahRJHzermzF9OctOgWDFjst0mV8IqUMvN6o-BAZVDEX0DsBRSxof0XQSzwiQwH8mUxCis8s1ZAYHcdsJeGl1bIONUATb97tl7Vi3ek/s1600/B%C3%A4r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf3cMlLljFWTmT2KI0HI5Ipun9Zf3yXg-BwahRJHzermzF9OctOgWDFjst0mV8IqUMvN6o-BAZVDEX0DsBRSxof0XQSzwiQwH8mUxCis8s1ZAYHcdsJeGl1bIONUATb97tl7Vi3ek/s1600/B%C3%A4r.jpg" height="308" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An abundant crop of gooseberries and red currants.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSsMegfMxIEbZ0W7guOWjLH2FVLmN-8zF7vHUxITvL0TO5Ld8wOmHsuNksz5Og23RwpJ21cgXNQsfi0M3IUbRHVyzG41dc5Prg1ipi6zYjJyhEQfJxGnIrRixVPWWpjdeHuAsl0Om/s1600/P7150179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSsMegfMxIEbZ0W7guOWjLH2FVLmN-8zF7vHUxITvL0TO5Ld8wOmHsuNksz5Og23RwpJ21cgXNQsfi0M3IUbRHVyzG41dc5Prg1ipi6zYjJyhEQfJxGnIrRixVPWWpjdeHuAsl0Om/s1600/P7150179.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>I'll leave you with the pots and seedlings at the gardener's corner - after all, this is supposed to be a gardening blog...</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-8719175321964411062014-08-06T11:46:00.000+08:002014-08-06T11:48:02.021+08:00The heavyweight of orchids in full bloom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoz8Z5O6cJVY4nQ2NXIlXxUAcgfwaM4NOmAn2cZLTQtMcXgwFV2L87C-dm3qEoPvzNtbR8DBv_h9hcOlvJp_jtw7SnCHNwGZ-5LBrsxVxJxiimPtJyBZPJWmMmExsaMlUCikEmFp7/s1600/P8050002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoz8Z5O6cJVY4nQ2NXIlXxUAcgfwaM4NOmAn2cZLTQtMcXgwFV2L87C-dm3qEoPvzNtbR8DBv_h9hcOlvJp_jtw7SnCHNwGZ-5LBrsxVxJxiimPtJyBZPJWmMmExsaMlUCikEmFp7/s1600/P8050002.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Back in Singapore, we got a roaming welcome from the largest orchid in the world, the Tiger orchid. In full bloom only once in every 20 years, it is for the moment putting up a huge show at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. If you are around, try not to miss it: 35 long stems are carrying over 50 flowers each, which means that more than 1750 large and fragrant orchid flowers are swaying in the wind close to the Tanglin gate of the gardens!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fn0qBWPwD35jNcoAkCZofuXtoTVQz_MgRoH99g_SOzjaH6Yps8PTFJWWPD6k9rByGzhn-dTmIkQYEsUX0kvNdwANnka0uL8k_j3o5mQVqw6hNlIkWLau6yrIb2uXAblEAo4T3U-k/s1600/tiger+orchid+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fn0qBWPwD35jNcoAkCZofuXtoTVQz_MgRoH99g_SOzjaH6Yps8PTFJWWPD6k9rByGzhn-dTmIkQYEsUX0kvNdwANnka0uL8k_j3o5mQVqw6hNlIkWLau6yrIb2uXAblEAo4T3U-k/s1600/tiger+orchid+4.jpg" height="400" width="313" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Tiger orchid (<em>Grammatophyllum speciosum</em>) is named as the markings on the flowers are thought to resemble the stripes of a tiger (leopards are not native to these areas, if you think that it would make more sense). A real heavyweight of orchids (or any other flowers), a mature plant can actually weight more than one ton (!), so it usually grows at the "fork" of the lower tree branches - higher up, it would probably take down the whole tree, or at least the branch is was growing on.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This huge, fragrant orchid is native to Singapore, but has unfortunately been extinct in the wild since about year 1900. The National Parks organization has made conservation efforts to reintroduce the plant on the island, and has luckily had some success even in the city center close to Orchard and Alexandra Roads, and more expectedly, in some remote parks (of course, nothing is really remote in little Singapore...). As I said, try make an effort to see it if you are around; it is quite special to see the largest orchid of the world in full bloom!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G6fhTFE7kLvaQUeAvdXgG-DQnwOoU83WvcvDqJjHA8YxwKzV0_6Z3Q310m5_zXbfw4nZEcb2injTIKOv951VWd1AWQQfG4y3X22NFmz9AQJysKMOTaLfmNNmO_euxCNzl_Hkrt5-/s1600/tiger+orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G6fhTFE7kLvaQUeAvdXgG-DQnwOoU83WvcvDqJjHA8YxwKzV0_6Z3Q310m5_zXbfw4nZEcb2injTIKOv951VWd1AWQQfG4y3X22NFmz9AQJysKMOTaLfmNNmO_euxCNzl_Hkrt5-/s1600/tiger+orchid.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-41394686676663264362014-08-04T18:07:00.003+08:002014-08-07T16:36:25.997+08:00Early morning stroll in Turku, my howntown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSUlQZr9SrQEt4HdV4ennTsChRRE8vk30tApPEhfq0JG7iJOG5S19F4Lghn9TJYEjdlA2g3qAMeD0ldTKpmp305YPt6ADHVI6RAkwtAKj9uKCk_ERObR1Wi1WI9Ak1z-YhzEfN-Ti/s1600/P7250602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSUlQZr9SrQEt4HdV4ennTsChRRE8vk30tApPEhfq0JG7iJOG5S19F4Lghn9TJYEjdlA2g3qAMeD0ldTKpmp305YPt6ADHVI6RAkwtAKj9uKCk_ERObR1Wi1WI9Ak1z-YhzEfN-Ti/s1600/P7250602.JPG" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>River Aura runs through my hometown Turku, an old trading town since early 13th century and until 1827, the capital of Finland. The handsome Turku Cathedral, seen in the background, was consecrated in year 1300.</em> <em>The huge ducks in the river are a permanent art installation.</em></div>
<br />
We are just back from a couple of weeks in Sweden and Finland, happy to be back home in Singapore but already missing our loved ones. Some years, I'm not sure if I want to go to Scandinavia as I know how hard it will be to leave, even if I really love our life in Singapore - a somewhat schizophrenic feeling that seems to grow each year that goes (we are now into our 7th year away from Saltsjöbaden...).<br />
<br />
While in Turku (or Åbo, as it is called in Swedish), my Finnish hometown that I left for almost 23 years ago, I realized all too late that I've never really photographed it like I should. Of course, this epiphany came on my last morning there so not much was to be done, but I nevertheless lugged my camera along on our morning walk along Aura river that runs through the city. We were a bit too late, the sun was already too high up at 8 am making the photos look a bit harsh, but I wanted to include this ramble amongst my posts anyway. <br />
<br />
As it was an early morning in late July, most people were on holidays, and the sleepy little city was just waking up to yet another unusually hot summer day. After wandering along the river, we had a freshly brewed morning coffee at one of the many cafes under the old linden trees. Absolutely lovely, both the walk and the coffee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxID4mUku74Y-qE9iZBNwH18VXFBd3XevQAD1O7tcsP6x8SfmRyLBAm2HsKikAA5CpEUO87W8GSZfT7hqgu9mOL7ai_iicceJm8Oi__fhcSzRC56qrXnZ2NNhmjvfMTk5G8nswqy0/s1600/P7250537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxID4mUku74Y-qE9iZBNwH18VXFBd3XevQAD1O7tcsP6x8SfmRyLBAm2HsKikAA5CpEUO87W8GSZfT7hqgu9mOL7ai_iicceJm8Oi__fhcSzRC56qrXnZ2NNhmjvfMTk5G8nswqy0/s1600/P7250537.JPG" height="398" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The archbishop's residence behind the Cathedral - with the Aura river running just behind, not a bad place to live... <u>Edited</u>: I've obviously been away long enough to forget some details... This building is not the archbishop's residence (which is situated in the next block), but a building belonging to Åbo Akademi, the only exclusively Swedish language university in Finland.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3cVZp0udC58wLrwL4p00AiLqHC6d6eVzBwhKPcCQWidwM6cVUKcz305wRWQbw8-jiCl9FVMi7rbgMEmUqT1qMj5aELWtV7D3wuwI5x9T9YIFFc6jShJ0ZImxER2Co8wdyAF99hIg/s1600/P7250542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3cVZp0udC58wLrwL4p00AiLqHC6d6eVzBwhKPcCQWidwM6cVUKcz305wRWQbw8-jiCl9FVMi7rbgMEmUqT1qMj5aELWtV7D3wuwI5x9T9YIFFc6jShJ0ZImxER2Co8wdyAF99hIg/s1600/P7250542.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Probably my favorite church - the Turku Cathedral. During my school years, I sang in a choir. We spent countless hours here practicing, giving concerts and recording songs for competitions and records, often during the night time to avoid traffic noise. It was quite scary to climb up to the dusty balconies and lecterns of the old church, not much was needed to get my teenage brain to perceive ghosts behind the corners...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NgGPxesMyHAOyVhWO03NqNazIo96vNWjk_tWs1QUM1t79SxnznLCPzY1FjoMkreJ97LermRo_5Wj3fcg9BAn5turYLlJ9gYcCFF9iY8HaQhC5W3t_lMF7t9Mi1g-ehl1lTOJ3l8h/s1600/P7250544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NgGPxesMyHAOyVhWO03NqNazIo96vNWjk_tWs1QUM1t79SxnznLCPzY1FjoMkreJ97LermRo_5Wj3fcg9BAn5turYLlJ9gYcCFF9iY8HaQhC5W3t_lMF7t9Mi1g-ehl1lTOJ3l8h/s1600/P7250544.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Brinkkala Building, scene for an important tradition in Turku and in the whole Finland: the Declaration of Christmas Peace, which started in the 1320s (and in this actual place since 1888). The tradition is said to been interrupted only during the Russian invasion and occupation of Finland in 1712–1721, in 1917 when the militia was on strike, and in 1939 because of a fear of air raids. </em><em>The Declaration of Christmas Peace launches the Christmas celebrations and in a way marks the official start of Christmas in Finland. </em><br />
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>At noon on Christmas Eve, the declaration is read out loud (and broadcasted on radio, TV and today even on YouTube) to remind people that Christmas peace has begun, to advise people to spend the festive period in harmony, to threaten offenders with harsh punishments, and to wish all a merry Christmas. S</em><em>tanding here in the cold Christmas weather, listening to the ancient message with family and friends, and afterwards, having a hot glögg (kind of gluhwein) is one (in my humble opinion) of the best ways to start the Christmas celebrations.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAOTMe5pSojUat3RRmn35_OBJqMbBCu_cL3MqwhYJWVxrCtDquNcov7YbQ4ntRbJ3v40-AszIAQGVVQGHUO-Pr4nlZv5W9DENn4CykEbIl6PkZMmgSVmqjIyv8wdDxv-MSSdgsQOg/s1600/P7250546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAOTMe5pSojUat3RRmn35_OBJqMbBCu_cL3MqwhYJWVxrCtDquNcov7YbQ4ntRbJ3v40-AszIAQGVVQGHUO-Pr4nlZv5W9DENn4CykEbIl6PkZMmgSVmqjIyv8wdDxv-MSSdgsQOg/s1600/P7250546.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Pinella, an old restaurant across the park from the Brinkkala Building - sleeping through the early summer morning.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEae4Yisz_3jU-b2eOutmVXd9wY7L47ph9s9uBmEGETdYg2Vp43uTfC6ugn0xzA4bE5kustga7NbOZG4NYhRl9rWrqT4D6Rb_ggJxVAgqYagQ-kc_fx8h3SpW49gS0XnHAVuoJL_uV/s1600/P7250606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEae4Yisz_3jU-b2eOutmVXd9wY7L47ph9s9uBmEGETdYg2Vp43uTfC6ugn0xzA4bE5kustga7NbOZG4NYhRl9rWrqT4D6Rb_ggJxVAgqYagQ-kc_fx8h3SpW49gS0XnHAVuoJL_uV/s1600/P7250606.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Behind the city library, towards Vähätori with many restaurants and cafes...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTemrvU79U9rVOhYJkdWoFFxm1Wf4Uu79izsvSayBjl5KVdv-4Ba2Flo8dyWz1w2f1giK7u4fFNxs94wBvP8zg9Bp4B5vfMRdU0IBywt8EIrKl8aqh6uKWofG3dkn-jhLrt4WKtrJf/s1600/P7250613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTemrvU79U9rVOhYJkdWoFFxm1Wf4Uu79izsvSayBjl5KVdv-4Ba2Flo8dyWz1w2f1giK7u4fFNxs94wBvP8zg9Bp4B5vfMRdU0IBywt8EIrKl8aqh6uKWofG3dkn-jhLrt4WKtrJf/s1600/P7250613.JPG" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Turku city library was built in 1903 with the Stockholm House of Nobles (Riddarhuset) as a model (what a crazy idea, really).</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXrcqKINTrDhwMvKXHOiYtO8KMjRW_m-Vc6Ax55q44tGMSnIgGT1UDvw05yGYelYejle7MGOgcUInuQdOe9ce_MVp0qWnhV3FmIdC8yjkVdKa-RIvxVEBhM2873oLh4CS41mEMHEd/s1600/P7250616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXrcqKINTrDhwMvKXHOiYtO8KMjRW_m-Vc6Ax55q44tGMSnIgGT1UDvw05yGYelYejle7MGOgcUInuQdOe9ce_MVp0qWnhV3FmIdC8yjkVdKa-RIvxVEBhM2873oLh4CS41mEMHEd/s1600/P7250616.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another café, in another old house... Artek, one of my favorite shops in Finland, used to be here earlier.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVYUT0qCSvCQwxhAR7emWCtbu2iyzS4A3RhFooqy52r9B5bXxD2_nVEAMWdppd6m1ociP5-S8HjVsgSm9bAYqO3Nd3Ze-LGJQ48V8Cd9_JPKrjUl6Q6YqHWGnL6d9DOaUUnH4RCpM/s1600/P7250552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVYUT0qCSvCQwxhAR7emWCtbu2iyzS4A3RhFooqy52r9B5bXxD2_nVEAMWdppd6m1ociP5-S8HjVsgSm9bAYqO3Nd3Ze-LGJQ48V8Cd9_JPKrjUl6Q6YqHWGnL6d9DOaUUnH4RCpM/s1600/P7250552.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>A short backstreet leading to yet another café - not open at 8 am, a pity...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJx8ibvaEFDXRO86-HpCpETLo4vtPLjI2wiTsdApWM6nOQb_XH2mV0rGWq7FBn3dQjwD5_xSbDh1NqDGNn0tS2dChLiCszHpKT9no3I3SBKIr-TIDMyYMkzUolD7hRRtese_c_7OI/s1600/Qwensel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJx8ibvaEFDXRO86-HpCpETLo4vtPLjI2wiTsdApWM6nOQb_XH2mV0rGWq7FBn3dQjwD5_xSbDh1NqDGNn0tS2dChLiCszHpKT9no3I3SBKIr-TIDMyYMkzUolD7hRRtese_c_7OI/s1600/Qwensel.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Entrance to Café Quensel, behind the Quensel house built in year 1700. It had a pharmacy by the riverside, which is now a charming museum (the red color looks much more vivid here than in real life).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAb-cvXdEw6_6N8TrfhmkveSx1OmbF2MRd0iSXsR2AF4QqojdfUEWe8x6xgBiYgx4_8unpJ6rwDz-M6F7ykazbPzuhuRf5SywBCkpwsJrXZqgaCd_DgdWKPsQW3yJVq4ft7Ll01G9/s1600/P7250592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAb-cvXdEw6_6N8TrfhmkveSx1OmbF2MRd0iSXsR2AF4QqojdfUEWe8x6xgBiYgx4_8unpJ6rwDz-M6F7ykazbPzuhuRf5SywBCkpwsJrXZqgaCd_DgdWKPsQW3yJVq4ft7Ll01G9/s1600/P7250592.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Inside the courtyard of Quensel house; courtyards like this are typical for the old wooden houses in Turku.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZUo4I495NQMYNOM3Z4gyD7qs3aOt7mTjRsrkwZWBkVAmPaM7Y7S490h4nHxiUMriDDgkgcz_SszN5l0QYrYk_75YKt4m3lqLVjvn6V_cXpsnxmnAJJwXsPRVEpkCVdgPDn1-S2i3/s1600/P7250560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZUo4I495NQMYNOM3Z4gyD7qs3aOt7mTjRsrkwZWBkVAmPaM7Y7S490h4nHxiUMriDDgkgcz_SszN5l0QYrYk_75YKt4m3lqLVjvn6V_cXpsnxmnAJJwXsPRVEpkCVdgPDn1-S2i3/s1600/P7250560.JPG" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The old Turku Conservatorium, where I spent hours at piano lessons and exams, music theory and history lessons and other fantastic things that I didn't much appreciate at that time...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9flfdsTTBU5Q5CXuWSM6Ggi4Q7TljoDnk9TXXRfYpVsNJaLfOPrWmhaPPeUAwHMAgD5Qw9V5tjip_n12kYNoRU24-TtpRHKTbBWyRfgUb0Ggf1qULfz2TnsdPBSFYSpElvRpfV45/s1600/P7250588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9flfdsTTBU5Q5CXuWSM6Ggi4Q7TljoDnk9TXXRfYpVsNJaLfOPrWmhaPPeUAwHMAgD5Qw9V5tjip_n12kYNoRU24-TtpRHKTbBWyRfgUb0Ggf1qULfz2TnsdPBSFYSpElvRpfV45/s1600/P7250588.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>Under one of the many bridges in Turku - when I grew up, the riversides were filled with small boats ready to take off to the archipelago; now, sadly only very few keep their boats there because of all vandalism (instead, there are many boat and yacht clubs a bit further from the city).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivw_kjS4iysFwCpxWwPVhc5-oWcjZFwLafLNdhbOBTjH_G7a6bs2aojVv4PTUANOYHkEFXLgBRWdnn5MzDdxWpkIpqjpEPZ1NXLCOVqUBEWo_TtZErvaHEsi4kQ31D-MQS_5bfA95/s1600/P7250557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivw_kjS4iysFwCpxWwPVhc5-oWcjZFwLafLNdhbOBTjH_G7a6bs2aojVv4PTUANOYHkEFXLgBRWdnn5MzDdxWpkIpqjpEPZ1NXLCOVqUBEWo_TtZErvaHEsi4kQ31D-MQS_5bfA95/s1600/P7250557.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Walking further towards the river mouth and the sea...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtfBlp9v14GLBcQo4qt2va9LE_eoIldkwDhSxmzfDE6cJgJeFxcGPij7UReLH3HbCgqPrzNCQi02fxrxT7DpvBpFnRNxupQBEMO0etHGdN_g4btDHxdaEN8ApxSCWFgD1jl9QJ95a/s1600/P7250563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtfBlp9v14GLBcQo4qt2va9LE_eoIldkwDhSxmzfDE6cJgJeFxcGPij7UReLH3HbCgqPrzNCQi02fxrxT7DpvBpFnRNxupQBEMO0etHGdN_g4btDHxdaEN8ApxSCWFgD1jl9QJ95a/s1600/P7250563.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Föri, the famous ferry of Turku (well, famous at least in Turku...). Authorities have tried to close it several times, but never succeeded as it has something of a cult following in the town.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4MsJeZVWALnBOPH42Xo-VlQK3G1P07p0RPEthMToUkAuiXmwROxOfu-EYqwe6HnXc0geGyjTfSEy5iNaGl0nvoSoQ0yU-V3tqm1FknaLoMyEVtKrAv__xDtt93v_QkHHWwJvArgE/s1600/P7250566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4MsJeZVWALnBOPH42Xo-VlQK3G1P07p0RPEthMToUkAuiXmwROxOfu-EYqwe6HnXc0geGyjTfSEy5iNaGl0nvoSoQ0yU-V3tqm1FknaLoMyEVtKrAv__xDtt93v_QkHHWwJvArgE/s1600/P7250566.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Mid-July rush-hour traffic in Turku.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsxxz6d33vlpMIfGqslHZxcYfzmRV7ZZwnIr8w1_aKPe8oDT-EeR1YP2A71dDxIYULzfQ64i3w3TWbS4kDLAc4249mWwIctoZ6Itqg9WHqHAEHLM32C23WEwKlbBw8UJKfxFe45TR/s1600/P7250573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsxxz6d33vlpMIfGqslHZxcYfzmRV7ZZwnIr8w1_aKPe8oDT-EeR1YP2A71dDxIYULzfQ64i3w3TWbS4kDLAc4249mWwIctoZ6Itqg9WHqHAEHLM32C23WEwKlbBw8UJKfxFe45TR/s1600/P7250573.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A further view towards the mouth of river Aura - at least the guest harbor is busy and full of boat people on holidays.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVomjZrsuI2qrh3K0w3J9hWZ908R7-o8z9UnHTYGil9XlTyDbw6z_z0aaPeMTA2yMTnyhZ6raPdOtA3VxePA1zozVL1SakRgCEMpGZ1ASYtOh5V5N2An8oMq9JotXbCiqfY6VsIzg/s1600/P7250571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVomjZrsuI2qrh3K0w3J9hWZ908R7-o8z9UnHTYGil9XlTyDbw6z_z0aaPeMTA2yMTnyhZ6raPdOtA3VxePA1zozVL1SakRgCEMpGZ1ASYtOh5V5N2An8oMq9JotXbCiqfY6VsIzg/s1600/P7250571.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>One last glimpse from the river mouth towards the Turku Cathedral, before turning back for one of the cafés under the linden trees close to the library.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> For more posts from Turku and areas nearby, do click "Finland" in the Label-section.</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-41329623228085588222014-05-29T14:53:00.000+08:002014-05-29T15:08:32.015+08:00My Son Sanctuary - the overgrown remains of an ancient civilization <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAGyohK6jHiJAu87kP-4Xi1-drc_FTP6nQcAP9UKAmcWq-Xe7TG8iPwgUnWU40ihHbLlTey-_51YtJ630xQSO6385AEkQVV-wEi4xiUvAKDDfmBHkiOy2c4cvqILFDxuCtTBLEtbP/s1600/P3150184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAGyohK6jHiJAu87kP-4Xi1-drc_FTP6nQcAP9UKAmcWq-Xe7TG8iPwgUnWU40ihHbLlTey-_51YtJ630xQSO6385AEkQVV-wEi4xiUvAKDDfmBHkiOy2c4cvqILFDxuCtTBLEtbP/s1600/P3150184.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A thousand years worth of work, all taken down in a week would be the short story of the temples at My Son, center of the ancient Champa culture in central Vietnam... Little did the young pilots in their B52 planes know that they were targeting one of the most important ancient cultural sites in South East Asia, when they carpet-bombed the lush valley My Son is situated in. A single, hot August week in 1969 was all it took for the bombers to reduce to dusty rubble most of the 71 temples constructed by skillful Champa builders during nearly a millennium. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXM_JqCEwc_emINwhA6kwyLGe8-5cV2Lv4EimrDyfzMX6mASwyDHZWh3fI8WfGMtrrpFeWpmcReddxh3cJuFKbNXpRgnhXhsKmCuj5NKNApMwWkMtFbLy30iGcRAJsCw1rWpxuFLP/s1600/P3150193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXM_JqCEwc_emINwhA6kwyLGe8-5cV2Lv4EimrDyfzMX6mASwyDHZWh3fI8WfGMtrrpFeWpmcReddxh3cJuFKbNXpRgnhXhsKmCuj5NKNApMwWkMtFbLy30iGcRAJsCw1rWpxuFLP/s1600/P3150193.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The monumental temples, all built to honor the Hindu God Shiva, formed together a huge religious center that served the powerful Champa Kingdom, that ruled over large areas of today's south and central Vietnam from about 3rd century until 13th century. The Thu Bon river starts here, then flows past the valley, finally merging into the South China Sea near the ancient port city of Hoi An, where the Champa exchanged goods and ideas with traders from faraway cultures. Buddhism, Christianity and Islam all made appearances, but My Son remained a stronghold of Hinduism until the 13th century. After that the Champa Kingdom slowly declined and was gradually absorbed by the growing power of Viet Nam. By the late 15th century, the Champa Kingdom ceased existing and the Shiva worshippers abandoned My Son.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSu_ywqC8SPuS5e7pnFcqE3A-67hlEQ8AJ1FDtQmHjhyphenhyphenlcbguUtj7tOvxVP-60NPpWH1pFgikUXgbBInI_-LDwkahxADjQZAsacAEerOtbKi_f6kKY5_ZZPH65o-YblZ1ZIPNBtM_/s1600/P3150222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSu_ywqC8SPuS5e7pnFcqE3A-67hlEQ8AJ1FDtQmHjhyphenhyphenlcbguUtj7tOvxVP-60NPpWH1pFgikUXgbBInI_-LDwkahxADjQZAsacAEerOtbKi_f6kKY5_ZZPH65o-YblZ1ZIPNBtM_/s1600/P3150222.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Even if many of the monuments were documented by French archaeologists in the early 20th century and have now been reconstructed with help of their detailed documentation, the originals were lost forever. A deep green jungle covers now much of the valley, hiding huge craters of bombs and countless undetonated landmines under it. Remains of the ancient sculptures and structures form only soft mounds in the landscape, with no hope of ever rising again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFX3cGfwXmNhEZVpq8I1sG5gtrVTAC0-Pb9oI_6VfG86EAp-c7Fqvebc2zLN24-dVbeueham3vsr44MHMIe-NSBG-M_CS5VNlAY_x883_RylrAl9ZEOXSz5ZvwPVYIT-kHD7Ve9Ik/s1600/P3150202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFX3cGfwXmNhEZVpq8I1sG5gtrVTAC0-Pb9oI_6VfG86EAp-c7Fqvebc2zLN24-dVbeueham3vsr44MHMIe-NSBG-M_CS5VNlAY_x883_RylrAl9ZEOXSz5ZvwPVYIT-kHD7Ve9Ik/s1600/P3150202.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGr5j2OG8afmfdUEQt_s5VCdrPZpsi12V3pEUdmpZpcwR-OY8cIu36RGuSfq-HWnaVtSuBMYQK-rwMs4eHyKjpXjajVunmrzClFvjWVJadB6ZcXSbE7OiyNGtboxobErlhaC2HZ8Fx/s1600/P3150203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGr5j2OG8afmfdUEQt_s5VCdrPZpsi12V3pEUdmpZpcwR-OY8cIu36RGuSfq-HWnaVtSuBMYQK-rwMs4eHyKjpXjajVunmrzClFvjWVJadB6ZcXSbE7OiyNGtboxobErlhaC2HZ8Fx/s1600/P3150203.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site - read more about its history </em><a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/949/" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-41549178879797784582014-05-14T16:35:00.002+08:002014-05-15T11:32:11.090+08:00Days of bliss at Borobudur on Java...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_u5YhuBsct8mjeGAZo9rmSus_qmJ95uh06vyz_NtxaTMDkSLV1ChTO0zaYy_eN_uwN_JnfrAeJj-XLV9YhuSnJaze8xUXTFOT1zVkjMFxam4p1Uu-2FdPOzQM4E7dC31F-38Ur34/s1600/P5110100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_u5YhuBsct8mjeGAZo9rmSus_qmJ95uh06vyz_NtxaTMDkSLV1ChTO0zaYy_eN_uwN_JnfrAeJj-XLV9YhuSnJaze8xUXTFOT1zVkjMFxam4p1Uu-2FdPOzQM4E7dC31F-38Ur34/s1600/P5110100.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Stupas on the top of Borobudur - each of which contains a statue of a meditating Buddha.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another short interlude away from the daily rush of Singaporean city life; this time, a long-lived wish of mine was fulfilled by touring the Borobudur temple on central Java. For no reasons quite clear to me - religious, spiritual or otherwise - I'd been drawn to this enigmatic temple for long time, and was absolutely happy to get to see it with my own eyes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why enigmatic? Well, despite many authoritative-sounding explanations, no-one really know exactly why and who built the temple, even if some reliefs on it tell that it was constructed sometime in the middle of the 9th century, during the time of the Saliendra dynasty rulers in Java. As no great cities or centers have ever surrounded it - no remains has been found - no-one quite knows why the temple was built just where it is, in the middle of a fertile volcanic valley in the middle of the island. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even the purpose of the temple is a bit unclear, but at least, several theories of what it represents have been given. The most popular theory says that it was built to represent the many layers of Buddhist theory in the shape of a traditional Buddhist mandala (a traditional symbol in both Buddhism and Hinduism that represents the universe). According to this view, rising from the lowest levels to the highest, one wanders through three zones of consciousness, until reaching the central top sphere representing unconsciousness or Nirvana. Of course, the crowded consequences of Borobudur being an UNESCO World Heritage site were there, but arriving just before sunset, the tour buses had left and we could wander around the many stupas and statues of Buddha in the calm of the evening - until it was time for the evening prayers, and the loudspeakers of countless mosques of the now Muslim Java started airing out their litanies. The resulting atmosphere was quite surreal - tens of serene Buddhas listening to the blaring message of Islam - but at the same time very revealing, reflecting the strong religious dedication of the Javanese since centuries back. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As impressive as Borobodur was, I was even more taken by the local nature, lush and abundant with plants with names from stories and history books; spices like cloves and coffee, luxurious hardwoods like teak and mahogany; fruits and vegetables from bananas and pandan to chili and taro. I'd been so focused on the temple that I'd given no real thought for anything else, but this "else" proved to be just as interesting, and at least as beautiful. A couple of days of unexpectedly serene bliss, really. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WjfK91dbfR_L8ahYxVA0yc3DlIxT5RgJE82dfTqA_Fym7APAXHOUV0ZUSmx3ToZfOXXFCkhV0NjnWT6nQgTfEAwOwRTNEY4k-uRmQiLks-qk80UDX5H6CEeMV2zihN64FGUmnpeQ/s1600/P5110016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WjfK91dbfR_L8ahYxVA0yc3DlIxT5RgJE82dfTqA_Fym7APAXHOUV0ZUSmx3ToZfOXXFCkhV0NjnWT6nQgTfEAwOwRTNEY4k-uRmQiLks-qk80UDX5H6CEeMV2zihN64FGUmnpeQ/s1600/P5110016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Sunrise from our terrace - with two volcanoes, Mount Merapi and Merbabu in the horizon.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVVpmzwnCGias_xGmRebMxwSCcBq-1CVeSYUD0BlWb8W7e5wjK0D7CZFTzwUwXxxrssjxBgNdzqmqyv8AQl_sXkJ1aA5psrHidaEXgYxfu_nBbW8TTJxv1valW8q9ofWgGkei81II/s1600/P5110032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVVpmzwnCGias_xGmRebMxwSCcBq-1CVeSYUD0BlWb8W7e5wjK0D7CZFTzwUwXxxrssjxBgNdzqmqyv8AQl_sXkJ1aA5psrHidaEXgYxfu_nBbW8TTJxv1valW8q9ofWgGkei81II/s1600/P5110032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another - almost steamy, when the morning mist was being burned off by the rising sun - view to the fertile volcanic valley, with fields of rice, corn, chili and tobacco.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV7BCa1IR2cRMzsLRol_AKnrkW-hWXv9DHJU7TcUmZf_sZKyfHmGqJ2vycK8NR2hFcIG438RYscxlWdaoWkXsHBzL2X0dg3pfkVjswH299LMr6FWdo5L0VByT6DOtG3wd5wSL0l7r/s1600/P5110033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV7BCa1IR2cRMzsLRol_AKnrkW-hWXv9DHJU7TcUmZf_sZKyfHmGqJ2vycK8NR2hFcIG438RYscxlWdaoWkXsHBzL2X0dg3pfkVjswH299LMr6FWdo5L0VByT6DOtG3wd5wSL0l7r/s1600/P5110033.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A Javanese version of a Chinese brush painting... I just couldn't stop drinking in the view (and taking pictures).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8CpIzidT7GXR6RGYlHLvpAu_zWuD2RDn6bobObwATBq1m4YuRsk9z1QsLksZGEPN5LZwLTygpKYyLezMacEDTT4E3H5kGow-0Wl07Te_b0G6gwbv8hPr5DcaytzMjr4uaWBQd2iC/s1600/P5120197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8CpIzidT7GXR6RGYlHLvpAu_zWuD2RDn6bobObwATBq1m4YuRsk9z1QsLksZGEPN5LZwLTygpKYyLezMacEDTT4E3H5kGow-0Wl07Te_b0G6gwbv8hPr5DcaytzMjr4uaWBQd2iC/s1600/P5120197.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The temple of Borobudur in the morning mist.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywgax3Ksk-4n3fF9A717f_rZMwU_XozP8jWwVp6SX13HPsw6FKCaVWvST4llqYfiOmIxVubILRl5MP079Vt43QTBBEwR2IvpL6YagvAmJ8hM_4m32HZ5Q-7WV5ooT3m8LtzYjzasO/s1600/P5120183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywgax3Ksk-4n3fF9A717f_rZMwU_XozP8jWwVp6SX13HPsw6FKCaVWvST4llqYfiOmIxVubILRl5MP079Vt43QTBBEwR2IvpL6YagvAmJ8hM_4m32HZ5Q-7WV5ooT3m8LtzYjzasO/s1600/P5120183.JPG" height="640" width="506" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A Buddha without a stupa, gazing towards the rising sun behind Mount Merapi.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprCyb3LD0-AqxQo55IP9VS3FWmjeXaqvf0_toqNbHw8Jrh1BlVvAWSkg31T6yxDhhBBzTzPbo1aXVL1RxBfRNZJby8h8gR-7x-Wkyl0qITuQ13QpMN0kv3jVOGFIADLun8uo2nCEF/s1600/P5110083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprCyb3LD0-AqxQo55IP9VS3FWmjeXaqvf0_toqNbHw8Jrh1BlVvAWSkg31T6yxDhhBBzTzPbo1aXVL1RxBfRNZJby8h8gR-7x-Wkyl0qITuQ13QpMN0kv3jVOGFIADLun8uo2nCEF/s1600/P5110083.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>More stupas... on the upper levels. My youngest actually looked into every single one of them, checking that the Buddhas were still there.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fuDAZVe60GH1uTuJrRioxt_2aYs4ELuDuIN6Ceixa7Qk_YnEyDhQt0LJPtWlTf6t7BZ1bJls8y_E27lj6vVKMNiQASoFszrOMJuiU2KiGBlLuzmcrcwu9xXypIgFCa8TCtu0beer/s1600/P5120143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fuDAZVe60GH1uTuJrRioxt_2aYs4ELuDuIN6Ceixa7Qk_YnEyDhQt0LJPtWlTf6t7BZ1bJls8y_E27lj6vVKMNiQASoFszrOMJuiU2KiGBlLuzmcrcwu9xXypIgFCa8TCtu0beer/s1600/P5120143.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Yet another view of the stupas... this time, in the fading evening light.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvtb1j6-8VhqgCHDgnPMQBfvVeyeK2LFy1ndUGbtFHkel4wih4HGgKd44cdjD32Hxq25I0A67g8EatPOrRoEbnZdZHugVTcSJixd-UYog1543iVeZbCIhbL6T-dxXI3O49Kn96Dx/s1600/P5120220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsvtb1j6-8VhqgCHDgnPMQBfvVeyeK2LFy1ndUGbtFHkel4wih4HGgKd44cdjD32Hxq25I0A67g8EatPOrRoEbnZdZHugVTcSJixd-UYog1543iVeZbCIhbL6T-dxXI3O49Kn96Dx/s1600/P5120220.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Layers of steamy jungle...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AQk1IcPM61l13X5be42XmsqPrtNWJqY2jy99sCixhl-m7T4HTdrPNwV5QsyHfi1ZUCEIsgYNIPPmpNOewBGNdcLbwJQZnYqmLkSeI7xF3ads1bmaE-x90Nr5nDcyEKaM12mdfthi/s1600/P5130246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AQk1IcPM61l13X5be42XmsqPrtNWJqY2jy99sCixhl-m7T4HTdrPNwV5QsyHfi1ZUCEIsgYNIPPmpNOewBGNdcLbwJQZnYqmLkSeI7xF3ads1bmaE-x90Nr5nDcyEKaM12mdfthi/s1600/P5130246.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A hike high up to the mountain - we thought we were doing well, and then met a grandmother, carrying her grandchild on the steep path, all the way down to the village. And soon after, an old man with his shopping bag. Our guide told us that the people living on the mountains do this several kilometers long hike just to buy groceries or to go to the mosque - so much for our "achievements"...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5G4In1Oq7IYY6rynd80OpHU6743pkAQZgolsHlVFGF56iTyrRTFCbQMIMAXwWKavs_oYZsgJCipOd1NkTITgaBfSCZGpgNXccstlV0q85D_pfeoKDrfF7-3IrVZkQyRJXrecPDLn/s1600/P5130249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5G4In1Oq7IYY6rynd80OpHU6743pkAQZgolsHlVFGF56iTyrRTFCbQMIMAXwWKavs_oYZsgJCipOd1NkTITgaBfSCZGpgNXccstlV0q85D_pfeoKDrfF7-3IrVZkQyRJXrecPDLn/s1600/P5130249.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A popular shady resting place under the large stone - the village can be seen long way down the mountain on the left in the picture...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFgzfjUB9ZsRivYBngXOBHzyRzFHqBT-uHMKMLXr_oj25EsQ13QY7SCr7uIJX2wSPD323pVxu1W7ZTvLLDeB_L4BbpOgVeCXZ00NpvqyIa8d2K-kIlXRHHyyLH0y7CgOlo1hf8vFX/s1600/P5130264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFgzfjUB9ZsRivYBngXOBHzyRzFHqBT-uHMKMLXr_oj25EsQ13QY7SCr7uIJX2wSPD323pVxu1W7ZTvLLDeB_L4BbpOgVeCXZ00NpvqyIa8d2K-kIlXRHHyyLH0y7CgOlo1hf8vFX/s1600/P5130264.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>One of the houses up on the mountain, beautifully built of bamboo and wood.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u6TxbHZ6jxhqBeppyEbHnoQ-7tIOS8a4gSyxJ2J2AGONrFi5rinhHxQo6qlr5onO_E7s2EvTct0ihPXLEoqY4Ga_vVXtJUKcumEs3vZ9T3oOy56tZwP1UbovykDyI4jPCyJXxrmf/s1600/P5130279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u6TxbHZ6jxhqBeppyEbHnoQ-7tIOS8a4gSyxJ2J2AGONrFi5rinhHxQo6qlr5onO_E7s2EvTct0ihPXLEoqY4Ga_vVXtJUKcumEs3vZ9T3oOy56tZwP1UbovykDyI4jPCyJXxrmf/s1600/P5130279.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Another house, with the typical high pitched roof form that cools down the building...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYslIoY3GuHVM3effwNiyAXbp_1d7pRPY4SN_fmXX3xJWkP9-VWB4vXfZNpX3GS7qJYVacg-PZQqbqoeN-aKLQkCOYmobYorSn7dvu9VyH7NYo_aCITn-m30p9_6cmsQY-NWh7AUb/s1600/P5130311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYslIoY3GuHVM3effwNiyAXbp_1d7pRPY4SN_fmXX3xJWkP9-VWB4vXfZNpX3GS7qJYVacg-PZQqbqoeN-aKLQkCOYmobYorSn7dvu9VyH7NYo_aCITn-m30p9_6cmsQY-NWh7AUb/s1600/P5130311.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>More buildings, with the lovely, woven bamboo walls.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a5dGwYa9F0QbQSRTWHZqIfs8CfivQHKb3V0j7xI-t6_VOyvQ8n8LJBTp5Q1Y28223IRqC3FMvp7sFPMdw_3hVmK86jKLChopc0NkPvMASpeI6xxzwE1IgUhmefIUJVwNmDAnvMi8/s1600/P5130297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a5dGwYa9F0QbQSRTWHZqIfs8CfivQHKb3V0j7xI-t6_VOyvQ8n8LJBTp5Q1Y28223IRqC3FMvp7sFPMdw_3hVmK86jKLChopc0NkPvMASpeI6xxzwE1IgUhmefIUJVwNmDAnvMi8/s1600/P5130297.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On the top of the mountain, with the villages below...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBM1IcyJH9f51vL_GjaEGggSaQhydbm_niKzjADiPaeOP0Pnl3FZKBoB70KmKqaxLePFH7-gxJrSmm7ecWpxltTGUHhj63W2BS8r6H65_PdacZ-NLGMKZKWSERyVAHD-5CUjttzKR/s1600/P5130301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBM1IcyJH9f51vL_GjaEGggSaQhydbm_niKzjADiPaeOP0Pnl3FZKBoB70KmKqaxLePFH7-gxJrSmm7ecWpxltTGUHhj63W2BS8r6H65_PdacZ-NLGMKZKWSERyVAHD-5CUjttzKR/s1600/P5130301.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And to our surprise, behind us on the top of the mountain was a garden growing corn, chilies, bananas and coconuts - the lava soil being so fertile, even so high up!</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uG6r_noUzMZm5EaqyDlifnfpBDkMEU1mRzlMaFrivSOllTt1VAZ9n1BBU485LCsSIgiwJVGIvGyyKVm9Wsp1khS7XkAch-L_ceDc7wrZdKo5zz8dfmS8mWTtXcLGLyLt1fzedCrB/s1600/P5130317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uG6r_noUzMZm5EaqyDlifnfpBDkMEU1mRzlMaFrivSOllTt1VAZ9n1BBU485LCsSIgiwJVGIvGyyKVm9Wsp1khS7XkAch-L_ceDc7wrZdKo5zz8dfmS8mWTtXcLGLyLt1fzedCrB/s1600/P5130317.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>On the way down, an old man was having a break under the large stone.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbZtjKg3baq9Edr5aUCzGwfXwcGkeeYM6Nl9xUxkqO8DntdspCkvIhYyGZ2WJQtdkWfWbndqgLXAzkJ3f_8iKit6Z6Iu8aVOp0FsBmOolPHunE1Sj6S1JbQn7MBgKXPuTqlo0zN8-/s1600/P5110054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbZtjKg3baq9Edr5aUCzGwfXwcGkeeYM6Nl9xUxkqO8DntdspCkvIhYyGZ2WJQtdkWfWbndqgLXAzkJ3f_8iKit6Z6Iu8aVOp0FsBmOolPHunE1Sj6S1JbQn7MBgKXPuTqlo0zN8-/s1600/P5110054.JPG" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> And yet another view of the valley, with the temple of Borobudur just barely visible in the middle.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-14314151584357045392014-05-09T16:46:00.002+08:002014-08-07T21:17:44.731+08:00Hoi An - an ancient melting pot frozen in time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXxp4ui1VsT7pLTQfF7-J_SDSMI3q8dWU-b1S5AhNfIgts1NSenKoy3c3jyICKXJaxW4y74ly9tiYcAGNmtFdfAVe1Z6bKHPpI3a9t6ZzJvJM63uj3AtwQ1zjzC9WlQ-sEYs5ynTQ/s1600/P3140074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXxp4ui1VsT7pLTQfF7-J_SDSMI3q8dWU-b1S5AhNfIgts1NSenKoy3c3jyICKXJaxW4y74ly9tiYcAGNmtFdfAVe1Z6bKHPpI3a9t6ZzJvJM63uj3AtwQ1zjzC9WlQ-sEYs5ynTQ/s1600/P3140074.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the best things with living in Singapore is how so many amazing places are so easily reachable - countless major cities and old centers of civilization are just a short flight away, with no need to fight any jetlag. Recently, I flew with two friends to Hoi An over a long weekend; just three hours after boarding the plane at Changi, we were all checked in and looking for the best available local restaurant for dinner. Easy!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, we all vowed not to be interested in shopping, but only in culture - which Hoi An is well-known for, having been an international melting pot of culture and trade since the days of the Champa Kingdom from 2nd century and onwards. Despite its long history, its golden era took place later; an important commercial port was built and developed in the 15th to 16th centuries. During the 17th and 18th centuries, traders from Far East, Southeast Asia and India, and all the way from Portugal, Spain, Holland, Italy, England and France anchored here to trade goods like silk, spices, pottery and porcelain, aloe wood and swallows' nests (the last of which probably didn't end up in Europe...). Traders from many nationalities were allowed to settle down, build their businesses and preserve their own customs, which transformed the ancient little trading port into the biggest commercial port of Vietnam, and into a melting pot for cultures from both East and West. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All was well until 19th century, when a new port was built in Da Nang, only 30 kilometers away, but far enough to make Hoi An miss out the new winds of business and development. Missing trading, its lifeblood since ancient times, Hoi An slowly languished away. The old city continued its old ways of life, like a sleepwalker frozen in time, until it was "discovered" again by cultural enthusiasts in late 20th century. Hoi An was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1999 as a treasure of human cultural heritage, which of course has made the city busy again - there simply is no more effective way of attracting hoards of middle-aged (and often somewhat wealthy) tourists, than being included to that list. (Please keep quiet if your favorite place is dear to you...). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Loaded with handicrafts - lantern makers, tailors, shoemakers, jewelry, pottery, you name it - Hoi An somehow managed to turn us from "temples only, please" kind of tourists into intensive shoppers. But despite crowds and all commercial attractions, Hoi An has still great charm; the buildings are stunningly beautiful - and not renovated to an inch of their lives; the local people unfailingly friendly, and the local food - oh well, where do I start? </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSlu5Fc6lZpNnu4GPy7z2Zda1whCgeyI44DzgOpQKLwfHBzOiJiOhSuRvky-sHw-jEb2WFe3HBu0sNLJK-Gel1aeHELxH4UGpS5hZtBhzRnk7vYEuMaDdeKNqKNOb-xXu1KQcV-aO/s1600/P3140027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSlu5Fc6lZpNnu4GPy7z2Zda1whCgeyI44DzgOpQKLwfHBzOiJiOhSuRvky-sHw-jEb2WFe3HBu0sNLJK-Gel1aeHELxH4UGpS5hZtBhzRnk7vYEuMaDdeKNqKNOb-xXu1KQcV-aO/s1600/P3140027.JPG" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The Japanese Bridge - built by Japanese traders in 16th-17th century - has a small Buddhist temple attached to one side. Somewhat of a symbol for Hoi An, it is constantly surrounded by tour groups.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnOdmwY8UunDxBAKX_4Wvp90kBEdOXN5U7A4RQuGRa_1DfPY3BJbm3Cokle5xNs6TGItf9EA79qoMoZ9RaP4SmciBuA_76K2sjkzAsx9X87U0MISUZ0xL6Da0xi3dUOZ7KC8j6HDW/s1600/P3140070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnOdmwY8UunDxBAKX_4Wvp90kBEdOXN5U7A4RQuGRa_1DfPY3BJbm3Cokle5xNs6TGItf9EA79qoMoZ9RaP4SmciBuA_76K2sjkzAsx9X87U0MISUZ0xL6Da0xi3dUOZ7KC8j6HDW/s1600/P3140070.JPG" height="640" width="510" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A local fruit vendor with the typical round baskets that are carried on shoulders. The Japanese bridge to the left, decorated with a pomegranate, a common symbol for fertility and abundance in both China and Japan. The roof is beautifully decorated with blue and white porcelain plates - wares that were traded in Hoi An since ancient times.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZW8wsB-Rn9qVXeVaDMSW9cOcdChnoFMMHJS7IzLgYcy2685Svxwks0so7vqCl6A7EzQuBQ3c8KBSDI4MQ4r65JL4fik6HtO0QAPOd0EcAp1qpZ2TTKwtaL0Axo1t8XYjGKFPkV4W/s1600/P3140094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZW8wsB-Rn9qVXeVaDMSW9cOcdChnoFMMHJS7IzLgYcy2685Svxwks0so7vqCl6A7EzQuBQ3c8KBSDI4MQ4r65JL4fik6HtO0QAPOd0EcAp1qpZ2TTKwtaL0Axo1t8XYjGKFPkV4W/s1600/P3140094.JPG" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Lantern makers build and sell their wares in the small ancient houses.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1ztdq-lwGVIyiztqnOai94YGjp4xQjs3xHtdRLVtxHjJA30hnofyVPe01BuObEkUpwaFWS3J_RpdcHIsjEQnLl5bzN8fr0V0mFS6HGDJnb8smZ9EAFNp_67J4WKtniI2tU11qVvv/s1600/P3140018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1ztdq-lwGVIyiztqnOai94YGjp4xQjs3xHtdRLVtxHjJA30hnofyVPe01BuObEkUpwaFWS3J_RpdcHIsjEQnLl5bzN8fr0V0mFS6HGDJnb8smZ9EAFNp_67J4WKtniI2tU11qVvv/s1600/P3140018.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Some of the old houses are in complete disrepair - and make dream projects for wealthy "expats" from both Vietnam and other countries.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI3W-8uIODazYzq-uMhYZDHXPTJyZE3ynwio6qrXtm_vhViGinAuqyV8WUmE9vDB_CYJa_zxWbKzMeuDnrOpgbhRtT45oswUsOkKPzSEVZEuTU1f-lOAzGRlaEp8Pvbz4O1ZtiZ5n/s1600/P3140077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI3W-8uIODazYzq-uMhYZDHXPTJyZE3ynwio6qrXtm_vhViGinAuqyV8WUmE9vDB_CYJa_zxWbKzMeuDnrOpgbhRtT45oswUsOkKPzSEVZEuTU1f-lOAzGRlaEp8Pvbz4O1ZtiZ5n/s1600/P3140077.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Small temples, clan houses and shops door to door - the commerce continues, just like it has always done through many centuries... Two versions of "shou", the sign for longevity, on the red wooden doors - it was used as a decorational element in countless places.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxappWdb9rqgWAqtz8IuWAnfkE9Aw0apwwbOYIgoHcbJm494DbCN0aC1toObznPINSxyrHPV-AbkpuvU0QNHl42PIl7wUOA5jd9p2wh3SeShCaZaRqF_-ktNMjjhHQ8G-iyF6fcJC/s1600/P3140085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxappWdb9rqgWAqtz8IuWAnfkE9Aw0apwwbOYIgoHcbJm494DbCN0aC1toObznPINSxyrHPV-AbkpuvU0QNHl42PIl7wUOA5jd9p2wh3SeShCaZaRqF_-ktNMjjhHQ8G-iyF6fcJC/s1600/P3140085.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A Chinese tourist group on an excursion. </em><br />
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOdgjVRNUe8U6QXAEEG7k-LvQEfpfYSDKu3-eFa4pdLJrijqdXLm_4MS2BKHZN1PteeM7o422LnfrS8kD1n2gEk6_hI6OtsDzB9CbQR5UHmeCq_rB1ZWeMXMShq6ZHMhpC-D2Emy3/s1600/P3160277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 483px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 640px;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOdgjVRNUe8U6QXAEEG7k-LvQEfpfYSDKu3-eFa4pdLJrijqdXLm_4MS2BKHZN1PteeM7o422LnfrS8kD1n2gEk6_hI6OtsDzB9CbQR5UHmeCq_rB1ZWeMXMShq6ZHMhpC-D2Emy3/s1600/P3160277.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A shop with beautiful handicrafts, housed in an old building with signs from the French colonial times reading "Savonnerie Xa Phong" - see under the windows.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTEy_NvvlMlappjULRAYVVqL33ScWY2yol-Q963HFCQnH6l2A5isckCsWEsfPRmKDiWdWgLID9iwgCUS_rVTUk8mze9J2wz5X_exZFcOZD26knNcnbOm8xsGS3Rvow7Fck_p0f_Qi/s1600/P3140123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTEy_NvvlMlappjULRAYVVqL33ScWY2yol-Q963HFCQnH6l2A5isckCsWEsfPRmKDiWdWgLID9iwgCUS_rVTUk8mze9J2wz5X_exZFcOZD26knNcnbOm8xsGS3Rvow7Fck_p0f_Qi/s1600/P3140123.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXZ7KDrb9CwatTyEfamreVFf0zEkfxOe69pHK61YXHp9mx0NDogdTOe5bbkydv3mBxGFhUIJyqvE-4ViHXlaekK5DC-Zow-X2RFE0Ryl4xqIjGolxN1g-nPrriixQokREUT1akekb/s1600/P3140112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXZ7KDrb9CwatTyEfamreVFf0zEkfxOe69pHK61YXHp9mx0NDogdTOe5bbkydv3mBxGFhUIJyqvE-4ViHXlaekK5DC-Zow-X2RFE0Ryl4xqIjGolxN1g-nPrriixQokREUT1akekb/s1600/P3140112.JPG" height="400" width="286" /></a></div>
<em></em><br />
<em>A beautiful door inside the temple grounds - I absolutely loved the color palette of the buildings in Hoi An - soft blues, ochre yellows and reds, leafy greens... so beautifully combined.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtreI5S1UQZ1a-QhVaG6zWZPvQBEJ7aIsOMWTZOi2Jh5HoM1EwOsL5BCCX9u6eV4ZDzho-0g-SrP4NfKv0MZDxVmiAXBRQ7sZJvL-ZdKAUvV7n0TIwpMSQN0dGU3y15rqkiLEcPLtP/s1600/P3140118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtreI5S1UQZ1a-QhVaG6zWZPvQBEJ7aIsOMWTZOi2Jh5HoM1EwOsL5BCCX9u6eV4ZDzho-0g-SrP4NfKv0MZDxVmiAXBRQ7sZJvL-ZdKAUvV7n0TIwpMSQN0dGU3y15rqkiLEcPLtP/s1600/P3140118.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The temple was dedicated to Ma Zu, a sea goddess, and had all suitable paraphernalia - like this sailing boat, a great reminder of Hoi An's past.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvYSZoHiQAo4cSWDg6iVOkt1IEOmop-SuRJvaTpyvYHagF4Z4Y1DobmSmD4aCQYvklAN3Ku__K0eoaiZBObFaai8njYqpm1yitB27epKgj0cknLP9VEa0Yfv2m0i3Itj8ymdiI2z/s1600/P3140122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxvYSZoHiQAo4cSWDg6iVOkt1IEOmop-SuRJvaTpyvYHagF4Z4Y1DobmSmD4aCQYvklAN3Ku__K0eoaiZBObFaai8njYqpm1yitB27epKgj0cknLP9VEa0Yfv2m0i3Itj8ymdiI2z/s1600/P3140122.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>More of the lovely colors... this soft blue with a drop of lavender probably was my favorite.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvp8UDL503JxOZ9QoEMYGGi9FIUw7t-Z3DOyaGUpTKt3n9K3dcOACMjjWhUylj2g7iCM4DE2cQwbvjq7O8hRjIIpo6JJm8nfh0YtJJN3Dte2KlrwltgSPA1GG1P5g9r4OLKTr4kGS/s1600/P3140126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvp8UDL503JxOZ9QoEMYGGi9FIUw7t-Z3DOyaGUpTKt3n9K3dcOACMjjWhUylj2g7iCM4DE2cQwbvjq7O8hRjIIpo6JJm8nfh0YtJJN3Dte2KlrwltgSPA1GG1P5g9r4OLKTr4kGS/s1600/P3140126.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An old lady selling ceramic figures representing the animals of the Chinese zodiac - I just had to buy all 12 of them...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYr46Cw7HofdDt-_SBZSqcs8aeQ_eG3-M5l36QW4PEFco0C3Ofnd5ZC3AaO5OqaXCRMRu6zpZYCTgSOydhkO2TZGfr8w1phPKIXeNpH5oasJmhN4VqoMSNbPmTdcUKlPStDJpIC_K/s1600/P3140163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYr46Cw7HofdDt-_SBZSqcs8aeQ_eG3-M5l36QW4PEFco0C3Ofnd5ZC3AaO5OqaXCRMRu6zpZYCTgSOydhkO2TZGfr8w1phPKIXeNpH5oasJmhN4VqoMSNbPmTdcUKlPStDJpIC_K/s1600/P3140163.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Flowers and traditional baskets outside the market - I really wanted a set of the baskets, complete with the "carrying parts", but couldn't think of a way to transport them back.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX-AqoPTDdAzOuwQGnViVHYpcbHGYH0OE2Emv6-w0A7_WGV-PykpZG4YtnCCMUE7pcQVyWfYnpYpubqZbMKeFF2gztje9Qpitzm2rPga9K6jZrD1G4WJkV6XUl3LpmRbiw3BIyuU6/s1600/P3160262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX-AqoPTDdAzOuwQGnViVHYpcbHGYH0OE2Emv6-w0A7_WGV-PykpZG4YtnCCMUE7pcQVyWfYnpYpubqZbMKeFF2gztje9Qpitzm2rPga9K6jZrD1G4WJkV6XUl3LpmRbiw3BIyuU6/s1600/P3160262.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<em>What should we play next?</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLnXvg3Y_p532rw1l31_vR6xS5iqe8FA-fxy3UCibL8nVzcgd3G4ucBkYVlZAnQBvFfh71O8bpMjutqTwpd-R6mKfl7y00KS3Ee_IbTA8OukoFBsGjbm8VaSSIFZuJzM4nukti5DS/s1600/P3160273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLnXvg3Y_p532rw1l31_vR6xS5iqe8FA-fxy3UCibL8nVzcgd3G4ucBkYVlZAnQBvFfh71O8bpMjutqTwpd-R6mKfl7y00KS3Ee_IbTA8OukoFBsGjbm8VaSSIFZuJzM4nukti5DS/s1600/P3160273.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Pottery from one of the many shipwrecks by the coast near Hoi An. Ceramics and porcelain were traded here for centuries, and every now and then disaster struck - even today, many shops sell "shipwreck goods", and it is difficult to know if they really are that, or just pretending...</em></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP2cgzvX3IkmfO23kaumLQOYiXe9zBu6d4-CUJoXvQVhU6pNWSy3op5-pYyVvwJFAXyurYjdFOwmH3pqxgDLDzTSpD7ZWMo6lFKzTtjZdsk-GyjtGmejGEL0hcJor2dN0f_LtC9xC/s1600/P3150238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP2cgzvX3IkmfO23kaumLQOYiXe9zBu6d4-CUJoXvQVhU6pNWSy3op5-pYyVvwJFAXyurYjdFOwmH3pqxgDLDzTSpD7ZWMo6lFKzTtjZdsk-GyjtGmejGEL0hcJor2dN0f_LtC9xC/s1600/P3150238.JPG" height="640" width="518" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A man sweeping clean the steps to a Chinese clan house.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXXPW5aqgfv7-MmeCuhesDpMMQCZ08b5TjewXl7BSKSQPzpW2AtKsltPF_UM3QR2XFLOjmiKFRfhgg0V4adKkmKCfFMnfzP5Q-1kICCZXdT0B04ddWd7mueG39Uo4P25DcPU7lX6O/s1600/P3140182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXXPW5aqgfv7-MmeCuhesDpMMQCZ08b5TjewXl7BSKSQPzpW2AtKsltPF_UM3QR2XFLOjmiKFRfhgg0V4adKkmKCfFMnfzP5Q-1kICCZXdT0B04ddWd7mueG39Uo4P25DcPU7lX6O/s1600/P3140182.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<em>View from a restaurant where we had drinks at the roof top - with a pole of red lanterns attracting customers. </em></div>
<em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RChOwHGaQKAlgvlZlTTZjAK7xRrxpDkqygs5yhAVvcC5WCeu0apvocPtJbTk514DFixPf4pdXE-KLPmeRhkCzkocOpgnPswpA-YxuKKYHOEVvWwTDkKTP9GXUum4V2kNhk3AsEj/s1600/P3160245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_RChOwHGaQKAlgvlZlTTZjAK7xRrxpDkqygs5yhAVvcC5WCeu0apvocPtJbTk514DFixPf4pdXE-KLPmeRhkCzkocOpgnPswpA-YxuKKYHOEVvWwTDkKTP9GXUum4V2kNhk3AsEj/s1600/P3160245.JPG" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>And finally, the riverside at Hoi An, with more restaurants and colorful lanterns. </em></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-16861777566360564062014-05-07T12:39:00.001+08:002014-05-07T19:11:19.518+08:00Pulau Ubin - the last kampung of Singapore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1avcd1k3qvN72yh2-X1Vc2KY_7m61M6wDkMUNdAtxhZmiziXmhc5GPa37mXOoUtXAzV6n4avmp921Ro1cNYQBVHOGECX7Xshr1GrGfjR6KGgeP6WJTDwIiBcvOC-SXVoUekkKMtGg/s1600/P2230034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1avcd1k3qvN72yh2-X1Vc2KY_7m61M6wDkMUNdAtxhZmiziXmhc5GPa37mXOoUtXAzV6n4avmp921Ro1cNYQBVHOGECX7Xshr1GrGfjR6KGgeP6WJTDwIiBcvOC-SXVoUekkKMtGg/s1600/P2230034.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Village dwellings at Pulau Ubin, a short boat ride out from Singapore.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Imagine a Singapore with no cars or high-rise buildings, just small huts on tilts and electricity by generators only, surrounded by a noisy bird-filled jungle... well, that's Pulau Ubin, or the Granite Island, just a short 10 minutes bumboat ride from the east coast. A trip here takes you back to Singapore of the 1960's or 70's, to a kampong life that was eased by more modern lifestyles from the main island - just like from so many other places in Asia.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This small island was named after its rolling granite hills, that supported a couple of small quarries and provided work for a few thousands islanders a century ago. Others cleared off most of the native jungle, and planted crops like rubber, coffee, pineapple, coconut and jasmine. Today, the quarries have closed and a lush jungle again covers the island. Only some hundred villagers still live at Pulau Ubin, supported by farming or by tourists - mainly Singaporeans coming for a biking tour amidst the greenery during the weekends, and having a seafood dinner in the green while on the island. </div>
<br />
Despite all complains about a continuous destruction of "genuine Singapore", Pulau Ubin seems to have a bright future - the government has seen the value of this quaint island, and has already gently developed it as a park. A new project is on way looking into ways of conserving the lifestyle and nature of the island, so it seems that the charms of Pulau Ubin can be enjoyed by coming generations of Singaporeans. Take time to get out there, spend a couple of hours strolling the narrow roads, listen to the birds and cicadas, and have a messy dinner of chili crab and steamed fish - you would never guess you are only half an hour away from one of the busiest ports and financial centers of Asia!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIKW3AugyqV9kVaModWHctFyTMnfXp6n_Y8TF7qR_HnmFnOmlWS9GnB4pedN1StV460JVc98V1LGHSyx-D-5bC1PBbCRdtcR1AcavxfQnMoRi4_GjyCw86K2cYGHd8luJf4F0r6A0/s1600/P2230003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIKW3AugyqV9kVaModWHctFyTMnfXp6n_Y8TF7qR_HnmFnOmlWS9GnB4pedN1StV460JVc98V1LGHSyx-D-5bC1PBbCRdtcR1AcavxfQnMoRi4_GjyCw86K2cYGHd8luJf4F0r6A0/s1600/P2230003.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Bumboats waiting for travelers - 10 minutes and $2 is all you need to get to Pulau Ubin.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ7ILOcxl5-I0Im_QX1WitLEEZZh8t8ikG7wmJDMQK4jCKL968aGy3geACnjRIijCpYLLpMflxbml_lJqhPbodmMXCGXABMdyJJT8Nst5E_hMiCApzcWG7GqMn6gLOOr70-Ruz1uM/s1600/P2230015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ7ILOcxl5-I0Im_QX1WitLEEZZh8t8ikG7wmJDMQK4jCKL968aGy3geACnjRIijCpYLLpMflxbml_lJqhPbodmMXCGXABMdyJJT8Nst5E_hMiCApzcWG7GqMn6gLOOr70-Ruz1uM/s1600/P2230015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Approaching the tiny harbor...</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpKPn2bxE7U5lv9ydZ4JgvXx7YLy9Nw965OA7KrWZR0WR8gBgJ2s4DzOoGjSLM3H1IYcvwGcqMy9c2P-CRHD-vsobYjzUDFVd06Ny3piSOGTvaRzSMRhoXt7uSSGlCngfHxY4igf5/s1600/P2230060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs6LBAgWrwG7jsb3xFPCm7pgsTaZ-26g_x2JmQWPk76ywxCP7tdifcDlkugO5T14U4NvUMcROstRssGXFaghKQW4A8ezqqdIz215HxTO7ymKLUwtu-zX3Cg9li7hGmDlCHK_GbhZ-/s1600/P2230019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs6LBAgWrwG7jsb3xFPCm7pgsTaZ-26g_x2JmQWPk76ywxCP7tdifcDlkugO5T14U4NvUMcROstRssGXFaghKQW4A8ezqqdIz215HxTO7ymKLUwtu-zX3Cg9li7hGmDlCHK_GbhZ-/s1600/P2230019.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The village seen from the sea - one of the "famous but simple" seafood restaurants on the left; many Singaporeans take the trip to Ubin only to eat a lunch or dinner there.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnPP96s9Y5xJbxyUm_-Go_rXpLXurNu7OsJGibQQqfu2RAhhPc3f1JVT5uh9GATfrkYLjI4nH5DAPd3mL7k6zRrGfH6FTvsaGPx4Pp8JBc-kY9JDmvk5vAJLoSwlA2AlVzhWy7FTA/s1600/P2230020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnPP96s9Y5xJbxyUm_-Go_rXpLXurNu7OsJGibQQqfu2RAhhPc3f1JVT5uh9GATfrkYLjI4nH5DAPd3mL7k6zRrGfH6FTvsaGPx4Pp8JBc-kY9JDmvk5vAJLoSwlA2AlVzhWy7FTA/s1600/P2230020.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Village center - no cars, as only bikes are allowed on the island.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7PWZxbqCCG40qoKoQwP11Z2UHPKQrreogCRkZCXlAk5TnfI7SYyzkQeUubGf1O-raPlDXLXkyhyphenhyphenuD0fxN_jCgcrozzLKKFrzjaUyRgM7nMO2vzIJB93ztnRDw68IhypRuTLXRUOz/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7PWZxbqCCG40qoKoQwP11Z2UHPKQrreogCRkZCXlAk5TnfI7SYyzkQeUubGf1O-raPlDXLXkyhyphenhyphenuD0fxN_jCgcrozzLKKFrzjaUyRgM7nMO2vzIJB93ztnRDw68IhypRuTLXRUOz/s1600/temple.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The village temple dedicated to Tua Peck Kong, a Daoist god of prosperity; the islanders think that he helped to spare them from diverse atrocities during the Japanese occupation.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDlk_16zMa4FXsGYu7mOkPTY4ruBDcjkI-sVS6TTDP6BvdiXVx3VuFHbti0cqlqZhoLnLDVoRCPLK09jVqcVOKROxZso5x3NZAYLrmbwSuAXIo0BFULRmvmIDzElFSG2LMJh66DPf/s1600/P2230053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDlk_16zMa4FXsGYu7mOkPTY4ruBDcjkI-sVS6TTDP6BvdiXVx3VuFHbti0cqlqZhoLnLDVoRCPLK09jVqcVOKROxZso5x3NZAYLrmbwSuAXIo0BFULRmvmIDzElFSG2LMJh66DPf/s1600/P2230053.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The local grocery store selling coconuts - guaranteed fresh and local...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT7EHMl9RZj-CnjwiyCUv5AI0u_f2TQMAmW61arBikyGhSDHk5im03uHuT7GjQMUVQwMXhw7krXD-gfpzTrevoQ-ghj7uszxsYUIMLPv3qB6eZEywxxiRKGxO0lDBq2c7mc8xslf9/s1600/P2230040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT7EHMl9RZj-CnjwiyCUv5AI0u_f2TQMAmW61arBikyGhSDHk5im03uHuT7GjQMUVQwMXhw7krXD-gfpzTrevoQ-ghj7uszxsYUIMLPv3qB6eZEywxxiRKGxO0lDBq2c7mc8xslf9/s1600/P2230040.JPG" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Most tourists on the island are Singaporeans who bike around the beautiful and car-free island.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X6Oasd5FZD0odph946IBYldngD1VnTiOw21qjuv9TrfSg3Alr_69lRDzl-nwuGPajIaSbSFOJn6d71PtEccQLBNBJvRT1bYhRXTVre8tx6tFV52Zwqqd_yEIkDbqrubKH6amkMnP/s1600/P2230037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X6Oasd5FZD0odph946IBYldngD1VnTiOw21qjuv9TrfSg3Alr_69lRDzl-nwuGPajIaSbSFOJn6d71PtEccQLBNBJvRT1bYhRXTVre8tx6tFV52Zwqqd_yEIkDbqrubKH6amkMnP/s1600/P2230037.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> One of many hiking paths, between two large ponds growing waterlilies and lotuses.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzcVHpdbX3vvhlFOZw78y1KiOzeyCVVJo0drSIfhTyyV0uDOBwx1NMktVGaROgpp4L8ncpW6ZxUOlgiXmftWJLdWuPZwVOs4sdNljeXnRaRyBayQn9_1f_U6OrsEqIYKa9oUpoKwj/s1600/P2230042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzcVHpdbX3vvhlFOZw78y1KiOzeyCVVJo0drSIfhTyyV0uDOBwx1NMktVGaROgpp4L8ncpW6ZxUOlgiXmftWJLdWuPZwVOs4sdNljeXnRaRyBayQn9_1f_U6OrsEqIYKa9oUpoKwj/s1600/P2230042.JPG" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Dark pink waterlilies in the bright sun.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbEsf9zpcGwd42wR6WAlFl-041fYl_8cRWUcJFvBG_t9GWNRr2o6jL4ok4R8T8cKVB1O0N6bFAo98MNZ72tTKSWCqiAlwjH5vB6NUhGXy8ugKT70_kbWLVHisKr-o1tEK2rpSCJyP/s1600/P2230045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbEsf9zpcGwd42wR6WAlFl-041fYl_8cRWUcJFvBG_t9GWNRr2o6jL4ok4R8T8cKVB1O0N6bFAo98MNZ72tTKSWCqiAlwjH5vB6NUhGXy8ugKT70_kbWLVHisKr-o1tEK2rpSCJyP/s1600/P2230045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>One of the local houses, probably with a romantic view over the palm-surrounded pond.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPBRSfRb5gZbl3McBixkZTWRU5lBrYb0t4di5nn2R8ZjsrpRezppfHc8PWJNQOL1oN9WrAtOpRl23xln1LfkDdiPa7cY5HvZmCdkkZqHz05JkA8q0yVe2HsUH0QkhX6Ih3X3sTUR0/s1600/P2230036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPBRSfRb5gZbl3McBixkZTWRU5lBrYb0t4di5nn2R8ZjsrpRezppfHc8PWJNQOL1oN9WrAtOpRl23xln1LfkDdiPa7cY5HvZmCdkkZqHz05JkA8q0yVe2HsUH0QkhX6Ih3X3sTUR0/s1600/P2230036.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Another kampung house, with chickens running inside the corrugated iron fence.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MYbBNR05VjdnEcAbVUKsV6G85j8CmENDkNRzK_HeLowmyZNqNsyFVqyKCAaxP7BglYHK9IJRzntgjqG-5PY5Bbgy9iMDApXGH742cfnNdF4O7HMWBsqPAENZ_EWS564oRRSpLLBP/s1600/P2230032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MYbBNR05VjdnEcAbVUKsV6G85j8CmENDkNRzK_HeLowmyZNqNsyFVqyKCAaxP7BglYHK9IJRzntgjqG-5PY5Bbgy9iMDApXGH742cfnNdF4O7HMWBsqPAENZ_EWS564oRRSpLLBP/s1600/P2230032.JPG" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A well-renowned seafood place, still going strong despite the faded sign (we tested - the steamed white fish with ginger and shallots was delicious!).</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNUwAbJwNa7_ONxp4zYQuAQdyVGjJ299mOcnV0yBS4Rd9XlyssFU9rlabiY3Q02onSKGVrj5zYSGIEpVoW5Y_Pe9vkt9aQEo3iA7gIWlfGIINt3fApkLe5J0eYwSVEhWgB-ABcyca/s1600/P2230059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNUwAbJwNa7_ONxp4zYQuAQdyVGjJ299mOcnV0yBS4Rd9XlyssFU9rlabiY3Q02onSKGVrj5zYSGIEpVoW5Y_Pe9vkt9aQEo3iA7gIWlfGIINt3fApkLe5J0eYwSVEhWgB-ABcyca/s1600/P2230059.JPG" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Yet another village house, by the sea.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpKPn2bxE7U5lv9ydZ4JgvXx7YLy9Nw965OA7KrWZR0WR8gBgJ2s4DzOoGjSLM3H1IYcvwGcqMy9c2P-CRHD-vsobYjzUDFVd06Ny3piSOGTvaRzSMRhoXt7uSSGlCngfHxY4igf5/s1600/P2230060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpKPn2bxE7U5lv9ydZ4JgvXx7YLy9Nw965OA7KrWZR0WR8gBgJ2s4DzOoGjSLM3H1IYcvwGcqMy9c2P-CRHD-vsobYjzUDFVd06Ny3piSOGTvaRzSMRhoXt7uSSGlCngfHxY4igf5/s1600/P2230060.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>And a bumboat ride back home with my kind of a captain - look at the mini garden on roof; he even had potted plants inside the boat!</em></div>
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-62574123873082905032014-04-19T16:57:00.000+08:002014-05-06T10:45:29.984+08:00Tulip gazing, Singapore style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxbv4KgEKrAmQOleKAQ9VoE8uTSh4qBH0u445cfXGNP6EUb61jAMQTV2LgPD6xpMT9XoWDQt1u3KLXjgzo5PPM9VDECQ4eTFK1Eu9kN-ophCPI7Loqa17ImtFgiQFYdt9QigFcUFw/s1600/P4190062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxbv4KgEKrAmQOleKAQ9VoE8uTSh4qBH0u445cfXGNP6EUb61jAMQTV2LgPD6xpMT9XoWDQt1u3KLXjgzo5PPM9VDECQ4eTFK1Eu9kN-ophCPI7Loqa17ImtFgiQFYdt9QigFcUFw/s1600/P4190062.JPG" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Maybe this post should start with a special warning about "<em>eye-jarring color combinations, not suitable for sensitive viewers"?</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This morning, we biked to the huge Flower Dome at the <a href="http://www.intercontinentalgardener.com/2012/08/supertree-grove-at-gardens-by-bay.html" target="_blank">Gardens by the Bay</a> by the Singapore River, to see their newest exhibition called "Tulipmania". And I guess anyone would agree about the suitability of the name, given that about 50 000 bulbs were flown all the way from the Netherlands for the displays. Sponsored by a well-known airline from the same country, the display is supposed to look like a cityscape from Holland - luckily, the reality is usually much more charming. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Obviously, bulbs like these don't thrive in tropics like Singapore, so the display is really quite exotic for many Singaporeans. The dome was crowded directly after opening, people busying themselves photographing their loved ones in front of the gaudy bulbs and taking close-ups of the flowers - for some reason, the single, purple tulips seemed to attract most attention. The lines outside grew by the minute, so by the time we left the soothing coolness of the Flower Dome, tourists and local alike were sweating away in the sultry heat, waiting to get their tickets. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was all a bit mad, really; a full on "Technicolor" version of spring in the Netherlands with crowds pressing around them - nothing to do with watching delicate bulbs stick up from the soil in early spring accompanied by birdsong and a gentle breeze, as one would expect to do in the northern parts of the world... Of course, that is not possible here and this is an artificial exhibition, but I would have still loved a more sensitive approach; much softer tones and more gentle natural combinations, and less color-blocking and strong contrasts. But then, maybe the sponsors wouldn't have agreed on that, don't they say that strong colors sell best? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNRjeRp6Bn_UtfxGCPO7WbySRlNu413jwAo4qjnQ9JVw6EM75VbycV63MBPmsDSVSX6A1tqZvQf_1fNnHqfL_9hG_PuTtqrvow_ENLNfnDL_kXTJsvyexbHeV5zf9tln7NmlAS_Wd/s1600/P4190041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNRjeRp6Bn_UtfxGCPO7WbySRlNu413jwAo4qjnQ9JVw6EM75VbycV63MBPmsDSVSX6A1tqZvQf_1fNnHqfL_9hG_PuTtqrvow_ENLNfnDL_kXTJsvyexbHeV5zf9tln7NmlAS_Wd/s1600/P4190041.JPG" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Imagine less color-blocking, mixing several color tones together and adding some feathery grasses...?</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGF8DL0HxfW2fYv6dfmvJ-tmZy3T4zVEUM6snuoDM_c3S4YgQhfIe2GDCnlXDbpf0HLtidbxnhyphenhyphenmAjEmvX0qKypj0I5UYrtJe-PkniAXZnaSFKl80yMRdam4atKZifPvJpJyPPeKZ/s1600/P4190051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGF8DL0HxfW2fYv6dfmvJ-tmZy3T4zVEUM6snuoDM_c3S4YgQhfIe2GDCnlXDbpf0HLtidbxnhyphenhyphenmAjEmvX0qKypj0I5UYrtJe-PkniAXZnaSFKl80yMRdam4atKZifPvJpJyPPeKZ/s1600/P4190051.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> The Dutch love orange...<!--3--></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQE_fhcdjRXTChdnl-Godf03oLkD66r4-bzxP3cAU3LmEXKvL6uXvj5u1Qn64zYmLak7f8CIDpkkLnKq9rW_oInRZzV4_jZsrEVSwwgVk3dwVudmlsJWn_2OiJDBLZ7_jQDm8KoQ/s1600/tulip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oQE_fhcdjRXTChdnl-Godf03oLkD66r4-bzxP3cAU3LmEXKvL6uXvj5u1Qn64zYmLak7f8CIDpkkLnKq9rW_oInRZzV4_jZsrEVSwwgVk3dwVudmlsJWn_2OiJDBLZ7_jQDm8KoQ/s1600/tulip1.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> ...and despite all my cringing about the strong colors, I do too; especially those brush strokes in sunset tones.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOrC09FEH_VYWwAa0UJwYw1WrSwW_-BAR-obnPm3ZYyIuFTHFhmQtiFwsr0yXD-VlE0oTq7nqKQDdgV9tHbKynUKxC9WFtAxzbply2WPfqxyZz3ypMCaKUkCLbughowAaVqf-K1lR/s1600/P4190056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOrC09FEH_VYWwAa0UJwYw1WrSwW_-BAR-obnPm3ZYyIuFTHFhmQtiFwsr0yXD-VlE0oTq7nqKQDdgV9tHbKynUKxC9WFtAxzbply2WPfqxyZz3ypMCaKUkCLbughowAaVqf-K1lR/s1600/P4190056.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> What do you call a color like this? "Washed-out"?</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQAivAtgBsbMAkF9K2Vu6EEoH24iBCQq8ZGGvch6Y7zi2SpBd79kLuHcG_xEat5O0we7QPkcmP00j66lNKteSmgFZrVzdFo5-Z7em7YsvyG_aSEVZ9Ysv9LXTf8y3HWlJyti6g6nc/s1600/P4190038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQAivAtgBsbMAkF9K2Vu6EEoH24iBCQq8ZGGvch6Y7zi2SpBd79kLuHcG_xEat5O0we7QPkcmP00j66lNKteSmgFZrVzdFo5-Z7em7YsvyG_aSEVZ9Ysv9LXTf8y3HWlJyti6g6nc/s1600/P4190038.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> I loved to see so many people taking close-ups of the bulbs; this uncle (in Singapore, everyone over 25 is called an "uncle" or an "auntie", which I find very sweet) spent minutes trying to get the perfect shot of a purple tulip. And I didn't even notice the huge lamp before seeing the picture on my screen...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-69OyxAr5nMnXrVBBhJVR4WQznvy94mBNMYW62x-dEWgaVUUfE8t2mWpBe96z34d77TOWQlRBux3sU2X8C8rc5N6Gy8wclqIdo59BA8yPX1e2-iwHWnGATPUN6ahWf8su9e0eQpl/s1600/tulip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-69OyxAr5nMnXrVBBhJVR4WQznvy94mBNMYW62x-dEWgaVUUfE8t2mWpBe96z34d77TOWQlRBux3sU2X8C8rc5N6Gy8wclqIdo59BA8yPX1e2-iwHWnGATPUN6ahWf8su9e0eQpl/s1600/tulip3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> A fresh-looking, frilly tulip that I would like to see in my garden - not very original, of course, but these would have looked great with some black tulips (which of course really are deep purple).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BolikQ9yNfLcyPljrBDmN5d4gxOv7727edwcUA2v2Vfkhay3DKJkN66-EPE050DOprqnLpcD1P6j5zsVRjL-2jJTtn8oPcvhSfsZuWawNQ2dnLwVBLzsn8M_BLUQeyY5SAInuCes/s1600/P4190037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BolikQ9yNfLcyPljrBDmN5d4gxOv7727edwcUA2v2Vfkhay3DKJkN66-EPE050DOprqnLpcD1P6j5zsVRjL-2jJTtn8oPcvhSfsZuWawNQ2dnLwVBLzsn8M_BLUQeyY5SAInuCes/s1600/P4190037.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And the crowds were busy, immortalizing the bright and cheery display. Open until 4th of May 2014. </em></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-72166328865724098592014-02-13T15:34:00.000+08:002014-02-14T07:20:20.950+08:00The Istana - from nutmeg plantation to Presidential Palace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-ADcot1n3FEqF_AAkkVqfS8F_bJAhg1uI_o_Tui4aE63_f0WTpo0HoO5nTGg22GYseo7xXtTigDlLZxGwE823ufS24600l43Bins5B7BxVXyH89OsbbEv5DJdITOw9riawrKkQm7/s1600/P2010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-ADcot1n3FEqF_AAkkVqfS8F_bJAhg1uI_o_Tui4aE63_f0WTpo0HoO5nTGg22GYseo7xXtTigDlLZxGwE823ufS24600l43Bins5B7BxVXyH89OsbbEv5DJdITOw9riawrKkQm7/s1600/P2010011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Queen Victoria, relegated from the State Room to the gardens in 1959. Not a bad move, actually - I know at least where I would rather be...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Again, I've been too busy write anything down here... But now that I do, at least it is garden-related. The Chinese Lunar New Year started on February 1st, and the Istana was open from early morning until evening. It opens only four or five times a year, so luckily we were there shortly after 8 AM, as when leaving the grounds, the queue trailed well over half a kilometer around the huge block. Combined with a heat of 36 degrees C, visiting after 10 AM that day must really have been for the truly committed ones.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFippCqxtlyQjaTz2tql7R-YvY1Cmf3PJ1b84_QKucnpEkJLCdZ6OaMQh1eEtBPQ1dZMkveiNWSOH1RDWLzYAkrrkklLPxZhQmkSbxw1v6PLuy3_dRyoBWL8QN3k7TmqLhjFh0w_IX/s1600/P2010045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFippCqxtlyQjaTz2tql7R-YvY1Cmf3PJ1b84_QKucnpEkJLCdZ6OaMQh1eEtBPQ1dZMkveiNWSOH1RDWLzYAkrrkklLPxZhQmkSbxw1v6PLuy3_dRyoBWL8QN3k7TmqLhjFh0w_IX/s1600/P2010045.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Istana itself - difficult to photograph as it is surrounded by lush greenery; one would need some kind of a crane to get high enough...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1r508jcU0tjsJeEfHkZ2LtfjRVC4PYKEJqMyPi-ycelyL5shyphenhyphenk9hLpb0KgC6iuphq0bEXUqZSGXmuW0Ai5mki3EU35giZcpwkmpVfZba0aONGYMbFichUMUzS2WI9T5UiYvWeCsd/s1600/P2010037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1r508jcU0tjsJeEfHkZ2LtfjRVC4PYKEJqMyPi-ycelyL5shyphenhyphenk9hLpb0KgC6iuphq0bEXUqZSGXmuW0Ai5mki3EU35giZcpwkmpVfZba0aONGYMbFichUMUzS2WI9T5UiYvWeCsd/s1600/P2010037.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Fountains on a lower terrace in front of the Istana; a huge Tembusu tree from the original times grew in the same spot until quite recently.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Istana means 'palace' in Malay, which describes well the handsome building housed in the over 100 acre gardens in the middle of the busiest business district of Singapore - just stepping in to the specious greenery from the never-sleeping Orchard Road feels positively unreal. It was initially built by the British Colonial Government as a residence for its governors in 1869, and handed over to the Singaporean Government in 1959, when the country gained self-government (that's a lot of government and governors in one single sentence...). While the president of Singapore has never lived there, the building serves frequently for ceremonial and entertainment purposes, and also houses the offices of the President and his staff; what a magnificent place to go to work. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLQaD-eAodKdkSaiBYvJP4rNtxnCMpMg-MBNOHAfv4Sg2BTZ5dVJU4Hi4zSxwvux1Rz2OacHnTgeszOaujzee7T1I9NUz5TxLjafuJFHm_4pL_N2I4RqzSMbpm-Omxd6I36wGAEep/s1600/reds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLQaD-eAodKdkSaiBYvJP4rNtxnCMpMg-MBNOHAfv4Sg2BTZ5dVJU4Hi4zSxwvux1Rz2OacHnTgeszOaujzee7T1I9NUz5TxLjafuJFHm_4pL_N2I4RqzSMbpm-Omxd6I36wGAEep/s1600/reds1.jpg" height="292" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Tropical splendor from around the Queen Victoria pond - ginger lilies and hibiscus, a bit of a challenge to catch in the glaring morning sun.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrtrPDLWiq31z2zP_QxxsmFwM2jArVubNkk6hycVKa1tcmMf71ZfNkfOrmtn2UbNi_N7PvHEaEVyjQsh3Kwz53kcIyz-3iFSw3Gz2lQb9Y1Fh4oYSEM_-uIYh3YiRLBe_eniDSSUT/s1600/whites1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrtrPDLWiq31z2zP_QxxsmFwM2jArVubNkk6hycVKa1tcmMf71ZfNkfOrmtn2UbNi_N7PvHEaEVyjQsh3Kwz53kcIyz-3iFSw3Gz2lQb9Y1Fh4oYSEM_-uIYh3YiRLBe_eniDSSUT/s1600/whites1.jpg" height="282" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>And whites from the large shrub borders around the palace - must check what these are, my knowledge of the local flora is still far too limited...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rolling grounds used to be a nutmeg plantation when construction works were started in 1867. The plans were drawn by Colonial Engineer, Major John F.A. McNair, who decided on a neo-Palladian style look similar to many other 18th century buildings designed by British military engineers throughout India. The layout of the building is adapted to the tropical climate and takes influences from Malay houses with columns, deep verandas, louvred windows and paneled doors, which all promote cross-ventilation and cool down the interiors. The grounds contain a 9-hole golf course, "themed gardens" and several smaller bungalows (any of which I happily volunteer to rent in case there are any openings...). A bit too stiff to my taste (understandably, but still...), a nevertheless magnificent garden residence for a President of a tiny country like Singapore - and if I would be him, I would move in in a flash!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZngG20IGYGQXjxVvgQjE4h6aPkF1DGze9DuxfrobYOnez4QZOgKlncGL2GSrJX6ii2yXcry9XGdBSsK4EdOxrTsa4szgSE-MiB9jDqAdHmXqA2wXRq1FwjBGW-1KtEdn1M_0ev-Ro/s1600/P2010054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZngG20IGYGQXjxVvgQjE4h6aPkF1DGze9DuxfrobYOnez4QZOgKlncGL2GSrJX6ii2yXcry9XGdBSsK4EdOxrTsa4szgSE-MiB9jDqAdHmXqA2wXRq1FwjBGW-1KtEdn1M_0ev-Ro/s1600/P2010054.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a><em>The large rolling hills, with the central business district behind - the whole place feels like a dream from the past (at least to us visitors, without any concerns about the state matters).</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The Istana at Orchard Road, open at Lunar New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Pusa, Labour Day and National Day - arrive early to beat the huge crowds, and the heat.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-86974886414961108922014-01-18T18:07:00.002+08:002014-01-19T06:59:06.368+08:00Thaipusam - a pierced procession for Murugan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7k-rIWnUDv0oHBbGFu-QmXRE0-zsnPGthcgo1RORpeMHV1f7TlWgjrNX0Kozp_3QWQGZhbFCUGrGlAeKrDELBOL8tB5_xEnTz4ywwdCWcevEC_VsZ7Gv0qcARyuS1t6NH7-V_ntv/s1600/Kavadi3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7k-rIWnUDv0oHBbGFu-QmXRE0-zsnPGthcgo1RORpeMHV1f7TlWgjrNX0Kozp_3QWQGZhbFCUGrGlAeKrDELBOL8tB5_xEnTz4ywwdCWcevEC_VsZ7Gv0qcARyuS1t6NH7-V_ntv/s1600/Kavadi3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, I followed the annual Thaipusam procession in Singapore for the first time. This colorful religious tradition - that feels like an anachronism in today's modern Singapore - originates from the Chettiars, South Indian Tamil immigrants that arrived in Singapore in early 19th century; the same group initiated the similar but more famous Thaipusam tradition held at the Batu caves in Malaysia. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When celebrating Thaipusam, devotees demonstrate their faith to Lord Murugan, son of Hindu God Shiva and his consort Parvati, by carrying <em>kavadis</em> (literally "burdens") through a 4.5 km long processional route on busy Singaporean streets. Kavadis range from simple wooden constructions and limes or milk pots hanging from hooks to elaborate spear ("<em>vel</em>") kavadis consisting of up to 108 long spikes pierced directly onto the carriers' bodies. In addition, devotees have skewers pierced through their tongue and cheeks, and holy ash applied to their bodies. Not for the fainthearted, truly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'Why?' was my first reaction to the procession. And then: 'what could possibly be gained by torturing oneself in this way?' So I had to look for answer from those with more insight, and found following <a href="http://murugan.org/research/gauri_krishnan.htm" target="_blank">notes</a>: by carrying a <em>kavadi</em>, "the devotee becomes a carrier or a vehicle himself and the act of lifting the <i>kavadi </i>is almost akin to assimilating spirit of the divinity within one's self. Many devotees associate this act as a humbling experience and believe that the <i>vel</i> dispels of ignorance and ego. Some of them feel they are recharging themselves, or purifying themselves as well as praying for the well being of their family and friends". And even if some people I know refuse attending Thaipusam calling it primitive and barbaric, the devotion of the kavadi bearers seemed so strong that I felt honored by them letting me photograph their labors of faith. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFaSeO9f52zZY_sBKWLHGxwykpiCv95MVfyGkpjELGc88GQRQ8KMJ6ugIQ-S86jEORU9kB1fg0Kr7IpvyztcDIpVaY9za081oy0rezijFcwoH1FdSXZ8sQgKpfv-wqlTwpxInmYDD/s1600/Kavadi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFaSeO9f52zZY_sBKWLHGxwykpiCv95MVfyGkpjELGc88GQRQ8KMJ6ugIQ-S86jEORU9kB1fg0Kr7IpvyztcDIpVaY9za081oy0rezijFcwoH1FdSXZ8sQgKpfv-wqlTwpxInmYDD/s1600/Kavadi1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The piercings are said to inflict no pain as well as leave no scars (no blood is spilled during the process, which is well documented by many onlookers and photographers). Before Thaipusam, devotees go through a 48 day spiritual cleansing, which also involves a strict regime of fasting, abstinence and prayer.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCzlkRW22-zpy5TPewjOJFUR7e69M-NaEv2Wp4Jgv3iY_hLOUfwpzqzDwAWtS3FlUmJuq8rbOHNATXeSfVQf3woDoELpCeA8ZsM5zBprV7sw9khp_lEVNlfQrifbVSUXXmjqSK1rr/s1600/P1170208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCzlkRW22-zpy5TPewjOJFUR7e69M-NaEv2Wp4Jgv3iY_hLOUfwpzqzDwAWtS3FlUmJuq8rbOHNATXeSfVQf3woDoELpCeA8ZsM5zBprV7sw9khp_lEVNlfQrifbVSUXXmjqSK1rr/s1600/P1170208.JPG" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Another devotee had hooked limes to his back and on the skewers leading through his cheeks...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl88etIwco7jIv0WwVLZaXVlrgxwLk8KT9DYEOyB-fvzMtoICAOtDTYPGSHEf-deAJPHCxCfo8zcg8-iB7p7J0s-JlAJW1X3eH7ue3uFyMCZ8wt1VxJD56gwWz-QDUHe3aRju99Cci/s1600/Kavadi6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl88etIwco7jIv0WwVLZaXVlrgxwLk8KT9DYEOyB-fvzMtoICAOtDTYPGSHEf-deAJPHCxCfo8zcg8-iB7p7J0s-JlAJW1X3eH7ue3uFyMCZ8wt1VxJD56gwWz-QDUHe3aRju99Cci/s1600/Kavadi6.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Whole extended families participate and support their own kavadi carriers through the processional route through Singaporean streets.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxzupxfpH62huSWI8Wv8SxQ6eyy03A-3zwQVac1fMzhzH1xzQBnCJ_UZSmapJPyi5GFIzEEoR2xRfZYODWhq6cSv643U80s4f3odkF1ym5UTml8tNDRVToGxdYaP2fIrMdYUQtRZ5/s1600/Kavadi7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxzupxfpH62huSWI8Wv8SxQ6eyy03A-3zwQVac1fMzhzH1xzQBnCJ_UZSmapJPyi5GFIzEEoR2xRfZYODWhq6cSv643U80s4f3odkF1ym5UTml8tNDRVToGxdYaP2fIrMdYUQtRZ5/s1600/Kavadi7.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Even women participate, carrying milk pots symbolizing blood offered to Murugan.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLZsDo8iKMBp-8dAwWSPEzdlBi5acTder_wMBhNNaeb4x_-jIpojNIULqgEUaI29zuYebDFwCKsquMj0V0gOQMWR94npFD9q_pfE9gD4X64T-PEQm6PAD0q4Ik4JjCSoWw8tDu93/s1600/P1170048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWLZsDo8iKMBp-8dAwWSPEzdlBi5acTder_wMBhNNaeb4x_-jIpojNIULqgEUaI29zuYebDFwCKsquMj0V0gOQMWR94npFD9q_pfE9gD4X64T-PEQm6PAD0q4Ik4JjCSoWw8tDu93/s1600/P1170048.JPG" height="640" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A tired-looking young kavadi carrier - he didn't have any fat to cushion between the long spikes and his muscles, unlike some older devotees...</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPBzx01VvkXyg6MHfsABrjJh5750gSWnz4wgMs7W8Wv6e4FTHlg_r4rRozvqvQ_d5h80puWzlhdxzJfJfc-2jLlTA0ge0halATCWqye8djwg45SZu7MIfZ7DJu894lVYvkIeKKa7V/s1600/Kavadi4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPBzx01VvkXyg6MHfsABrjJh5750gSWnz4wgMs7W8Wv6e4FTHlg_r4rRozvqvQ_d5h80puWzlhdxzJfJfc-2jLlTA0ge0halATCWqye8djwg45SZu7MIfZ7DJu894lVYvkIeKKa7V/s1600/Kavadi4.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The piercing of the tongue and the cheeks are a symbolic (and actual) renunciation of the gift of speech and language in order to enable the devotee might concentrate more fully upon Lord Murugan.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKmhxWNuIuLa5J5Gzzrfb1arR4XlYRNoBn9lNYprZyBVHSqjwZuUc2I2lrOJF-axDgOznkFpTlITY4g0DurS_03x3R81X1luzWYg4sZdQ_PwXvpJzeLEwSLdN48y14-KsjELx7zcm/s1600/P1170037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKmhxWNuIuLa5J5Gzzrfb1arR4XlYRNoBn9lNYprZyBVHSqjwZuUc2I2lrOJF-axDgOznkFpTlITY4g0DurS_03x3R81X1luzWYg4sZdQ_PwXvpJzeLEwSLdN48y14-KsjELx7zcm/s1600/P1170037.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><em></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>No age limits here - even the tiniest family members are obviously not too young to participate - in prams, or carried on shoulders.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-25729953802005831242014-01-12T10:18:00.004+08:002014-01-13T08:58:34.258+08:00Early morning at Thian Hock Keng Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1hAXjpitFK2msiwplOTN2wIPE-PUKDsptkOjLFpQ9jmM9Bgoz20XqIYPZ7J0057aqcwMVWyB1bX2FJiIDT5db0eYeGyMKhW9yUL0973uvoi5aNGN4b_H9YQSQlZMgCCM1wVgWsWd/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1hAXjpitFK2msiwplOTN2wIPE-PUKDsptkOjLFpQ9jmM9Bgoz20XqIYPZ7J0057aqcwMVWyB1bX2FJiIDT5db0eYeGyMKhW9yUL0973uvoi5aNGN4b_H9YQSQlZMgCCM1wVgWsWd/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A breakfast for those on the other side... despite the early hour, someone had already left a bag of food, some coffee and incense in front of a shrine with ancestral tablets that are bought to commemorate dead family members.</em> </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Calm before the storm... All temples related to Chinese religions here in Singapore are busy preparing for the Lunar New Year in the end of January. Thian Hock Keng temple is no exception. There will be over two weeks of praying, diverse rituals and ceremonies to welcome the Year of the Horse, and to secure all possible blessings, from health and wealth to fertility and other prosperity. I took these pictures on an early morning visit and they are deceptively serene, so much is happening behind the scenes for the moment...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cultural diversity is what I love most about Singapore - just scratch the surface, and something interesting pops up behind every corner, easily accessible for all to learn from and to enjoy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL0X8cKPpLBHt-wuXXSbKSk1GJXkuRb4wAEbhLwsH0JldE0CZ4gzvDo7QewAyc-Shhy9YRJCGdn9d1UNT7v5nH22eePL_UMASsNo8YYbRy71Ov6J5iAA0JS3q6NEaKipN-jKN_DwM/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL0X8cKPpLBHt-wuXXSbKSk1GJXkuRb4wAEbhLwsH0JldE0CZ4gzvDo7QewAyc-Shhy9YRJCGdn9d1UNT7v5nH22eePL_UMASsNo8YYbRy71Ov6J5iAA0JS3q6NEaKipN-jKN_DwM/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The story of Thian Hock Keng Temple on Telok Ayer Street started in the 1820's, the early days of Singapore, as a humble joss house (a place to prayer and offerings) dedicated to Ma Zu Po, the Goddess of Sea and protector of sojourners. Many Chinese immigrants arrived with boats from Fujian (Hokkien), and went directly to the temple to offer thanks to Ma Zu for their safe journeys. Built in Southern Chinese architectural style, no nails were used when constructing it - and when renovated in the early 2000's, same methods were strictly followed. Thian Hock Keng is still one of the most popular temples in Singapore. </em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwkXLXcj593Ral7uZNKujDdiQiIbYIsphCrIGvN92NOj6H7mAXJBkCDGDVhwqQVIcutyp5DkN8nhi9LDok8jJfmVfh6PRVggGWnLH0pdpFci-E2-Oqhw0ZN-aJcOOpcMrCY3gUgqo/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwkXLXcj593Ral7uZNKujDdiQiIbYIsphCrIGvN92NOj6H7mAXJBkCDGDVhwqQVIcutyp5DkN8nhi9LDok8jJfmVfh6PRVggGWnLH0pdpFci-E2-Oqhw0ZN-aJcOOpcMrCY3gUgqo/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The handsome entrance to the temple, with a pair of Foo lions and elaborately carved roof with countless Buddhist deities. The tessellated tiles and the cast iron fence are typical Colonial features - the cast iron was imported from Britain. It functioned as ballast in the trading ships that unloaded it here and filled their bellies with oriental trading goods from silk to spices in the Singaporean harbor. We had a veranda with very similar tiles in our Victorian house in Melbourne (it was built in 1890) - the old colonies share so much in so many ways...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPEeOmVCiyoajW-FJ4Xe5YdhK2D1N_LxVCvsOctu2-f5mFHMpczB3cSEt_YR7H6A8aQbfqSMpeeFE8ZdzUkHTCYnhoSZjr1c5JnE9epJNJkaOAVZEn8UWPcJgzF0K2XwxPusScgL4/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPEeOmVCiyoajW-FJ4Xe5YdhK2D1N_LxVCvsOctu2-f5mFHMpczB3cSEt_YR7H6A8aQbfqSMpeeFE8ZdzUkHTCYnhoSZjr1c5JnE9epJNJkaOAVZEn8UWPcJgzF0K2XwxPusScgL4/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A closer look at the entrance doors, with golden dragons and probably a depiction of one of the Eight Immortals, a group of beings that possess supernatural powers who can heal the sick, predict the future and transform themselves into other beings or even animals.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuLfrNRHxUhxRMlj3OK9U0MFdVlwpaLbuUN2EC1nmmTcFX8Tftr1FsP5l9uEREDmTDiCiOdlqaDPBvvZDGCDFInjV96J1PLGw89c5asAVYxY8-brSa1_K4IyS5eZTMASPDG-tXVK1/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuLfrNRHxUhxRMlj3OK9U0MFdVlwpaLbuUN2EC1nmmTcFX8Tftr1FsP5l9uEREDmTDiCiOdlqaDPBvvZDGCDFInjV96J1PLGw89c5asAVYxY8-brSa1_K4IyS5eZTMASPDG-tXVK1/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> More tiles and beautiful woodwork - no nails used! - in the inner courtyard of the temple.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BjxLQl4PnFyOBL_ZSTirir0u7xWCIKIYPr_WrWZKzeYziRcK94Gaj2aPkClv4zhxBjJOF2tOm8mGKkGwlQfSa2cVH_2NOJF4xdg-DDKaNOKKdpy4Lb38NWzSVekc5sIT-42x2olW/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BjxLQl4PnFyOBL_ZSTirir0u7xWCIKIYPr_WrWZKzeYziRcK94Gaj2aPkClv4zhxBjJOF2tOm8mGKkGwlQfSa2cVH_2NOJF4xdg-DDKaNOKKdpy4Lb38NWzSVekc5sIT-42x2olW/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> The main altar for Ma Zu is to the right - photography strictly not allowed there.</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFgei0f7hRhfJ1XZPiOSe5mODY-MyDbRy39b-UFEtHfDWx8zC02y7QBIlu7JkIY4L5J0U0n1ncICG1neaew8stoXHOC55rkHWasjIO9LTXIqPnS1Jso7Pz4EufxsTbwzLGpRrb4EY/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFgei0f7hRhfJ1XZPiOSe5mODY-MyDbRy39b-UFEtHfDWx8zC02y7QBIlu7JkIY4L5J0U0n1ncICG1neaew8stoXHOC55rkHWasjIO9LTXIqPnS1Jso7Pz4EufxsTbwzLGpRrb4EY/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> View towards the main altar, with a large bronze incense burner in the middle; it is covered with lucky symbols like bats (bats are called "fu" in Chinese which sounds like "luck").</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV_X_i3bh5VYECu675vyR97XgEEbweir2aNevwxT8IqbKdQt7wis9uR47Ls57EvjNJjPZ0NpnhoRFOF8BhT4t-YvlmCxdfhhbyKEjtcPCpElbszKDqxYLKqP8zBACCWph3_AtAHgp/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV_X_i3bh5VYECu675vyR97XgEEbweir2aNevwxT8IqbKdQt7wis9uR47Ls57EvjNJjPZ0NpnhoRFOF8BhT4t-YvlmCxdfhhbyKEjtcPCpElbszKDqxYLKqP8zBACCWph3_AtAHgp/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" height="640" width="508" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em> Early morning maintenance work... beautiful old Singaporean shophouses behind the temple walls.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMwXr_YrtQz8rLJchNygc354sP9lwRd9cKcYpBmFKT7yJ0BAXnlL01nhORp5gQXZtA9U4q43dmc7ABM1XzpnmSLKFdAi2R0zcTdZGAzV_IpRzNly7CtlOzZRCsMBfqDHwpceAmWIy/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMwXr_YrtQz8rLJchNygc354sP9lwRd9cKcYpBmFKT7yJ0BAXnlL01nhORp5gQXZtA9U4q43dmc7ABM1XzpnmSLKFdAi2R0zcTdZGAzV_IpRzNly7CtlOzZRCsMBfqDHwpceAmWIy/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" height="640" width="442" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A lovely, simple side entrance to the main altar. And more tiles, which were very much loved as decoration on temples and houses - and even tombs - by the Singaporean Chinese.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnlZ8luqZAPVy2CBDiog3e1bMk5GmK2Fwf4u9CKAEEfbJKPPhyphenhyphenCY4b5av_exQBUPrg0S4phkSKCQbnXt9E-Kf-DriBnKCQ_tzUt5r3T5EDfcyAApcGecD7ZpVem9-WvQufUsvip6x/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnlZ8luqZAPVy2CBDiog3e1bMk5GmK2Fwf4u9CKAEEfbJKPPhyphenhyphenCY4b5av_exQBUPrg0S4phkSKCQbnXt9E-Kf-DriBnKCQ_tzUt5r3T5EDfcyAApcGecD7ZpVem9-WvQufUsvip6x/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>An altar for Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, with the Moon Goddess and Sun God on each side. Guanyin means "Observer of Sound", so she hears the cries of all living beings, helps those in need and delivers salvation. Together with Ma Zu, she is one of the most revered goddesses here, and belongs to both Buddhist and Daoist pantheons.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtJ4SDc2Xfc7xMjHPrVMh3EsTx3x5RdUFEQWscUH6XElK_XzJxVzviE73-deHwgAkliuNAuEZcnbxX7jKdW5URMSR7Bk4hvy8KU1uMKHQpxDlylZGwruyLnByKiDB23By0eKzLCoO/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtJ4SDc2Xfc7xMjHPrVMh3EsTx3x5RdUFEQWscUH6XElK_XzJxVzviE73-deHwgAkliuNAuEZcnbxX7jKdW5URMSR7Bk4hvy8KU1uMKHQpxDlylZGwruyLnByKiDB23By0eKzLCoO/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Guanyin also helps infertile women to conceive - here, small dolls and even nappies had been left to her helper, the Moon Goddess.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNwL42X6-Z2yCib8Sh1Ii3ZdcflCoD_7WydCFn8diVP4fq4oC40JpY5owNPqHUhsN6LtS1QoJvalHpNTg7Lq3eXWSHZrCNDEkWd7dRlhH8JN2dQL4UXWg3KGg5vZzz24fLoMJp0fh/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNwL42X6-Z2yCib8Sh1Ii3ZdcflCoD_7WydCFn8diVP4fq4oC40JpY5owNPqHUhsN6LtS1QoJvalHpNTg7Lq3eXWSHZrCNDEkWd7dRlhH8JN2dQL4UXWg3KGg5vZzz24fLoMJp0fh/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" height="640" width="406" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> The Chinese are so beautifully inclusive in their religious lives; there's no need to select one, just choose whatever suits you from the Buddhist, Daoist and even Confucian religions and philosophies - a thinking that would be great if it would be adopted in some other parts of the world... Here, Confucius (Kong Zi), Chinese philosopher who lived about 2500 years ago, whose teachings still influence the daily lives of the Chinese today.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBEGJQf3V6TZR2RySLDBaumQ0r1yYrxaFWqSfhSDjuZPEuMtulHgKbYjaWAU3lZnK5_-wYArpzYtb-HqFMS3TkFPPUXoGgQPdZnBByKi4tYrZXz243DVuMLNd8TN7sIFaVI87cVXK/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBEGJQf3V6TZR2RySLDBaumQ0r1yYrxaFWqSfhSDjuZPEuMtulHgKbYjaWAU3lZnK5_-wYArpzYtb-HqFMS3TkFPPUXoGgQPdZnBByKi4tYrZXz243DVuMLNd8TN7sIFaVI87cVXK/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></em></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Confucius taught the importance of wisdom, common education, cultivation of noble human character and development of one’s thinking - here, red banners are hung under the roof by his altar, expressing wishes for success in upcoming exams.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5VP5Gs7i9x4WOvp43SNdoUm1XlTgQaUbmWkzBT7IPZaH8MSM7onBbPxcF7VYpmvKcAaH4oGndvEV1K-7o11eMyOO-N0RjWFyBqhDVfxsiBydiu86dcDhfEcqXsBZ4B9205aNU7IL/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5VP5Gs7i9x4WOvp43SNdoUm1XlTgQaUbmWkzBT7IPZaH8MSM7onBbPxcF7VYpmvKcAaH4oGndvEV1K-7o11eMyOO-N0RjWFyBqhDVfxsiBydiu86dcDhfEcqXsBZ4B9205aNU7IL/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Bats everywhere - from roof tiles to bronze vessels to stone carvings, these little good luck symbols can be found throughout the temple. Here, people have rubbed the bat for an extra touch of luck so many times that it has turned black and almost shiny.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uoAQ58VKfKhYnDa8ozAa5AKpVvFdYXu8EgT1d8-l9MJMhyKVc_oVQoTov8LDpljWEjdABxvSP_RSRfrObuYX6TRctU10AtuKEOxcyadRUmu6UmVegL61fuvA9SeCIKHCzwdS9QwE/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uoAQ58VKfKhYnDa8ozAa5AKpVvFdYXu8EgT1d8-l9MJMhyKVc_oVQoTov8LDpljWEjdABxvSP_RSRfrObuYX6TRctU10AtuKEOxcyadRUmu6UmVegL61fuvA9SeCIKHCzwdS9QwE/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></em></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Yet another elaborately carved and painted side entrance. Sometimes people complain about Singapore being too orderly and clean, but I have to admit that I enjoy seeing these cultural treasures without graffiti tags or other doodles...and knowing they will be quite safe from them even in future. </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A new pictorial tour coming up next week - the festival of Thaipusam will be celebrated on Friday by the Hindu community in Singapore, just in right time for my current South Asia studies! </em></div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-81557563639411727922013-12-08T18:29:00.004+08:002013-12-12T16:54:12.158+08:00Bukit Brown - erasing Singapore's heritage, grave by grave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwaira7BI8sEn6dkAwjnNH2-lNYU7QLdoKlQ2ECTtyVXnBYeAgZtMm4DfZ01xDL8J5Vzlk10AkjbBx5SQcwoftiWpYYFcnRlbtOsXdr7jQg3zAIbRIyl92TpV6aB2NJdRQ1gvHCI7/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwaira7BI8sEn6dkAwjnNH2-lNYU7QLdoKlQ2ECTtyVXnBYeAgZtMm4DfZ01xDL8J5Vzlk10AkjbBx5SQcwoftiWpYYFcnRlbtOsXdr7jQg3zAIbRIyl92TpV6aB2NJdRQ1gvHCI7/s640/DSC_0265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bukit Brown has been on me Singaporean to-do list every since I saw some enchanting pictures of its jungle-covered hills with ornate grave stones for almost a year ago. Somehow, I didn't manage to get there until today, despite a couple of unfortunate attempts, one of which ended up all the way at Woodlands on the other side of the island thanks to the less than adequate GPS in our tiny car. But then, Singapore is a small island.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlT3S7FoQfPob1iV38MSixu03Zpje731PFM7VeJ5b9LovDKG6ETA4jwP7lD11DXZHhinNytHSa2ylF3GO6WZ_LFImJ0IK6iJ9DbqHrR1cS3JcuK02KnBG1OIU7YWqgV1N4CvIRaXx/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlT3S7FoQfPob1iV38MSixu03Zpje731PFM7VeJ5b9LovDKG6ETA4jwP7lD11DXZHhinNytHSa2ylF3GO6WZ_LFImJ0IK6iJ9DbqHrR1cS3JcuK02KnBG1OIU7YWqgV1N4CvIRaXx/s640/DSC_0252.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs68fIGu1FdiQYHP0B12WNcavizn1Im5ADSQ3fV7h09SBMo7aULk-QP7E3CySoO6EElDLpZNW6Gxam0Q9AaCKBODxlavXofzKkSNCGixmytZcO7u-7McAG2b7HquA1Cgnn4WJl0C1Z/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs68fIGu1FdiQYHP0B12WNcavizn1Im5ADSQ3fV7h09SBMo7aULk-QP7E3CySoO6EElDLpZNW6Gxam0Q9AaCKBODxlavXofzKkSNCGixmytZcO7u-7McAG2b7HquA1Cgnn4WJl0C1Z/s640/DSC_0240.JPG" width="412" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The Jade Maiden - the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden are often found standing on either side of a grave. They serve as guides in the Underworld and guide the soul of the deceased to the Western paradise.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a reason unknown even to myself, I have a huge love for old cemeteries. Not are they only soothingly quiet with verdant greenery spilling over their intended spaces and places. Walking among the lichen-clad grave stones and memorials remind of how this all will pass - and how there is nothing we can do about it, but to fulfill our role as yet another link in a long chain. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a simple walk through the winding paths of Bukit Brown this morning, I would like to declare that I have found one of my favorite places in Singapore. Over 200 acres of amazingly lush jungle covering the heart of this tiny island filled with thousands and yet thousands of graves, from the magnificently elaborate to the tiny stones of the paupers, all in different degrees of dilapidation. A real treasure trove for anyone interested in Chinese culture and arts, all carved on the stones and monuments dedicated to the dead.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHvqaIuTasfh48asU8OLULHXieda3OmZS3iVygpjEcq6BYtEoqLFAx4FkcxEDLl4Y8AF0p-r5cBpQBFfamITciQqy4uuaCznAVhF4bH6sFmXY9q-CcKT2N2Qsval9JM0gT2Z5Smqd/s1600/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHvqaIuTasfh48asU8OLULHXieda3OmZS3iVygpjEcq6BYtEoqLFAx4FkcxEDLl4Y8AF0p-r5cBpQBFfamITciQqy4uuaCznAVhF4bH6sFmXY9q-CcKT2N2Qsval9JM0gT2Z5Smqd/s640/DSC_0223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PUYmm9fz7AdBW8hLfFke5LlF1iDafGshrmpqq5205qlC5P5_3ok30kWYhH2jlgqlUdV61Boj8lZkzOcWmV5kkNGIJdj_3rnrrwbckE0Tq9YaYOduzLWEXADcDMEeMgK2cAM6E4d8/s1600/Foo+lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PUYmm9fz7AdBW8hLfFke5LlF1iDafGshrmpqq5205qlC5P5_3ok30kWYhH2jlgqlUdV61Boj8lZkzOcWmV5kkNGIJdj_3rnrrwbckE0Tq9YaYOduzLWEXADcDMEeMgK2cAM6E4d8/s400/Foo+lion.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Another little Foo Lion, ready to scare off evil spirits so that they won't disturb the deceased... very typical for Chinese tombs.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Now, being a tiny island, space is a scarce resource in Singapore, and like many other remaining open spaces, Bukit Brown has been earmarked for residential development in about 30 years time. And already now, a part of it - as the developers say "only" 5% of the graves, have been marked for exhuming, from the way of a new 8-lane highway that will cut through the cemetery in the near future. I was upset about this even before, but after seeing the place, I cannot understand how it has been possible for Singapore's decision makers to take this step. There has been a huge grassroots' movement, thousands of signatures have been collected in order to stop the plans, but with no avail. Even my 11-year old daughter got almost tears in her eyes, wondering how anyone could disturb the dead so, after seeing a small child's grave with a white marker on it telling about its dull destiny. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsFABtkrkUtkk91wbT61tiP9wqC1HikXhC-TEuc_2iaiOjcf7pKGZ4HblPuYJlnFNHxpikr-LkPS-jpP-0DhAtmOuAnQm6oBZ8RVInAO9CVyZZMX1Lg3DCQ1wdRObruFXjDyPNlWE/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsFABtkrkUtkk91wbT61tiP9wqC1HikXhC-TEuc_2iaiOjcf7pKGZ4HblPuYJlnFNHxpikr-LkPS-jpP-0DhAtmOuAnQm6oBZ8RVInAO9CVyZZMX1Lg3DCQ1wdRObruFXjDyPNlWE/s640/DSC_0325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Graves marked with white slats for exhuming. Not even the ever so vigilant foo lions can save them from destruction.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I said already, Bukit Brown in a pearl that should be left as it is for the Singaporean public and in the tending hands of loving historians and amateurs. These lush hills, covered by the silent graves and luxurious greenery, are something that cannot be replicated. There is simply nothing that modern Singapore can build that could come even close in terms of historical, cultural and even recreational values. For us "westerners", <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Cimetière du Père-Lachaise has more famous people buried, but in terms of charm, Bukit Brown plays at least in the same league (I actually find its wild beauty much more attractive).<em> </em>O</span>nce it is gone, it is gone forever - and if the spirits come up from their disturbed graves, I know whom they should go and haunt...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r7KbWnIHtfqFJz43GI0R8SqLTFbo12Vp9f3YiYR2A6Gnm5hDrkUbkYsobQFckRTMTmxByZPe-wbP_9F0_SBwtuMy9lfEg7nVfHbDZTloN71_m-U2t2alp_QpFLybgl5lfzXa8_ZE/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r7KbWnIHtfqFJz43GI0R8SqLTFbo12Vp9f3YiYR2A6Gnm5hDrkUbkYsobQFckRTMTmxByZPe-wbP_9F0_SBwtuMy9lfEg7nVfHbDZTloN71_m-U2t2alp_QpFLybgl5lfzXa8_ZE/s400/DSC_0235.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Many grave stones have pictures of the deceased, and incense and offerings are left on the tombs to please the ancestors and make their life in the spirit world easier. If they are happy at the other side, they might even bless their descendants in this world and make them more successful...</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa4dGz74i2KfoDIZ9tv9XtdCXa4aCSmRjPZmP6utKdYKOgo5spgxd8Xs2JKaFrBXunEsb4l0jbYkuZQBnTPYbNtM9UXO97oYUSC0tcbeSsfshLyl00MKlGOyXBgB15WD6KvKk46pn/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa4dGz74i2KfoDIZ9tv9XtdCXa4aCSmRjPZmP6utKdYKOgo5spgxd8Xs2JKaFrBXunEsb4l0jbYkuZQBnTPYbNtM9UXO97oYUSC0tcbeSsfshLyl00MKlGOyXBgB15WD6KvKk46pn/s640/DSC_0320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<em><u></u></em><br />
<em><u></u></em><br />
<em><u>About Bukit Brown</u>:</em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Bukit Brown was named after George Henry Brown, a ship-owner and trader who arrived in Singapore in the 1840s. The 211-acre site was bought in 1870s by three wealthy Hokkien entrepreneurs, Ong Kew Ho, Ong Ewe Hai and Ong Chong Chew, who all came from the same village in Xiamen in China. They had intended the area as a self-sufficient village for the poorer members of the Ong clan, but in the end, it was only used as burial ground. Some of the graves are even older; a grave stone belonging to Fang Shan from 1833 was found on the grounds in 2011. After the government bought the land in1918, Bukit Brown was opened to serve the wider Chinese community as burial grounds in 1922. </em></div>
<em></em><br />
<em>When Bukit Brown was closed for burials in 1973, it contained about 100 000 graves, making it the largest Chinese cemetery outside China. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEBYpdCICPEmQC88ep_HiTCDh0SucPH4iU2NpveRO0sJcIigTxHI9tnP4VxePUBLsKb1O_Cicof8TupYT82ht4IL1xAsOQkHnpb5EF4LH6v3mQjT7A6jKty_jXV0Ku91aBr6hDcsW/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEBYpdCICPEmQC88ep_HiTCDh0SucPH4iU2NpveRO0sJcIigTxHI9tnP4VxePUBLsKb1O_Cicof8TupYT82ht4IL1xAsOQkHnpb5EF4LH6v3mQjT7A6jKty_jXV0Ku91aBr6hDcsW/s640/DSC_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>Many of the tombs are built in the rounded form of an armchair, the ideal form for a grave for many Chinese, as it gives a sense of wealth, comfort and dignity. In the olden days, only the elite class could afford armchairs, so they symbolize authority and power. By erecting a grave in the armchair shape, the Chinese believed that their ancestors could enjoy comfort, dignity and pride in the spirit world.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><u>Learn more and support Bukit Brown</u></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>About Bukit Brown history: </em><a href="http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1358_2009-07-13.html"><em>http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1358_2009-07-13.html</em></a></div>
<em>Bukit Brown Cemetery - Our Roots, Our Future: </em><a href="http://bukitbrown.org/"><em>http://bukitbrown.org/</em></a><br />
<em>SOS Bukit Brown - do something! </em><a href="http://sosbukitbrown.wordpress.com/"><em>http://sosbukitbrown.wordpress.com/</em></a><br />
<em>Bukit Brown, a place with rich heritage and biodiversity: </em><a href="http://oceanskies79places.blogspot.sg/2011/06/bukit-brown-place-with-rich-heritage.html"><em>http://oceanskies79places.blogspot.sg/2011/06/bukit-brown-place-with-rich-heritage.html</em></a><br />
<em>The Long and Winding Road (beautiful photos): </em><a href="http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/"><em>http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/</em></a><br />
<br />
<em>An update - see a little glimpse of Bukit Brown live: check out a video called "Voices from Bukit Brown" - an independent film team made a whole documentary, I'm checking how to get it online or on DVD: </em><a href="http://vimeo.com/42383883"><em>http://vimeo.com/42383883</em></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUFKDRvfSmrFf8iqtHLHI7qQJR7TnZnoGLx0Wh_vZhyphenhyphen7Pdi5B8tB5yP9my_kzkF-xwSIqW-bw0M8hAP-QFGBSKYFgf2WhlCL1savaYtIuL0EH-hM4gueGwYfmQVz9n-_DUKFddWxN/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUFKDRvfSmrFf8iqtHLHI7qQJR7TnZnoGLx0Wh_vZhyphenhyphen7Pdi5B8tB5yP9my_kzkF-xwSIqW-bw0M8hAP-QFGBSKYFgf2WhlCL1savaYtIuL0EH-hM4gueGwYfmQVz9n-_DUKFddWxN/s400/DSC_0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>My favorite grave guardian - but whom would this cute little creature that looks like a wombat have scared off?</em> </div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-27838516309245410412013-10-28T13:17:00.002+08:002013-12-06T16:25:22.981+08:00Decoding pumpkins, butterflies and Buddha's hand lemons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ycJIYg_Q93JuLeX3Zm9V5rGooePTfbwlbYqxJB7_NK8hg_z72dLA2zA1TvS3eJrOUJqww2ExGrINiNBvlQghrKEoXXpjH6ORlQGilNDTMwrnzLlHwWVoIGwJGQVDuXTL4dILHwEH/s1600/Chinese+antique+wood+carving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ycJIYg_Q93JuLeX3Zm9V5rGooePTfbwlbYqxJB7_NK8hg_z72dLA2zA1TvS3eJrOUJqww2ExGrINiNBvlQghrKEoXXpjH6ORlQGilNDTMwrnzLlHwWVoIGwJGQVDuXTL4dILHwEH/s640/Chinese+antique+wood+carving.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What a timing - look what I found yesterday at one of my favorites "junk" haunts in Singapore, just before I'm having a lecture of symbolism in Chinese art tomorrow on my course at the museum... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even more coincidentally, the lecture will be given by Patricia Bjaaland Welch, whose treasure trove of a book "<em>Chinese Art - A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery</em>" I've often used during the last year to decode my surroundings here in Singapore, from artifacts and imagery in Buddhist temples to decorative motifs on furniture and paintings to porcelain. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Covered with dust, worm spilling and spider webs, I found this little wood carving on the bottom of a cardboard box under many similar ones, though none of them was as lively and skillfully carved. Made of dark wood, it is painted with red, with gilded details that are now almost worn out. Originally, it probably was a part of a cabinet, window shutter, or even door in a Chinese home, that has now probably been demolished and replaced by something more modern. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dusting off the surface to reveal the carved fruits, a fluttering butterfly and an musical instrument between, I suspected that there would be some "higher meaning" that I wasn't able to understand, but felt excited to decipher as soon as I got home to my books. And my intuition was well rewarded, as the carving had a much more lovely message than I would have imagined. Let's take a closer look....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRCb7aeGsOUFaTTPThp40huGxuZTE6VBXOUnPGItWgCXHKLioM3D-H8QbO8vZk7NGB2_IZSkn6VQ3JXN96YnRVcXsDJMyEfiPSjsz8oNCbyJnrp0k3SguXZqnknXDhgMp1arGrgQ-/s1600/Butterfly+and+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRCb7aeGsOUFaTTPThp40huGxuZTE6VBXOUnPGItWgCXHKLioM3D-H8QbO8vZk7NGB2_IZSkn6VQ3JXN96YnRVcXsDJMyEfiPSjsz8oNCbyJnrp0k3SguXZqnknXDhgMp1arGrgQ-/s400/Butterfly+and+pumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A golden pumpkin with leafs and tendrils, a cheeky little butterfly (I love the smile on its face!), and a character reading 'shou'...</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Typically, the motifs and designs in Chinese art and crafts are seldom chosen only to be decorative, but because of the meaning they convey. To make things more layered, a design or motif can have several meanings depending on how it is depicted or what other motifs it is combined with, much like the Chinese characters of writing that can be read in several ways depending on the context. Verbal 'puns' are also typical - the Chinese language is full of homonyms, words pronounced the same than another, but with completely different meaning (and often spelling). So, just to mention of the most common and loved ones, "<em>fu</em>" that means both "bat" and "good wishes", so a depiction of a bat has become a symbol for "good luck". So how does any of this apply to my carving? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Despite its small size (only 14x40 cm), it is loaded with symbolism that Chinese viewers would have understood in the olden days. Starting from the left and proceeding to right, the first motif in the carving is a pumpkin, accompanied by a happy little butterfly and adorned by an almost stamp-like Chinese character dangling by the feet of the butterfly. Naturally, the butterfly could just be happy to see the pumpkin, but for the Chinese, fruits and vegetables that grow on vines and have many seeds (like the gourds, cucumbers and melons) are associated with fertility. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The leaves and tendrils around it, known as <em>wan</em> in Chinese, is also a homonym with <em>wan</em> meaning "10,000", which makes the depiction even more auspicious, adding an expression of "many" to the wish of fertility. The butterfly - <em>hudie</em> - is also a homonym with <em>die</em>, meaning "repeatedly" or "again and again" So combined with the pumpkin here, the butterfly expresses the desire for many births, and for repeated generations of children. And what about the stamp-like Chinese character dangling by the feet of the butterfly? It is the simplified, round form of character <em>shou</em>, representing longevity that can actually be read "live one's full span and die a natural death". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg5M7YxfdjP9lJnp7fFew5OVfJnQHsUX-aaZIgehclTIVb8hqEE4OM1qjc6QQmjA-1GIvpPgGoHzxTb096-CJuAI4Skp5-Sm5r_xXpbgRfG9GiWbmNvhUM9HivQzDGvExb39Rc2HB/s1600/Musical+instrument+lotus+and+ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg5M7YxfdjP9lJnp7fFew5OVfJnQHsUX-aaZIgehclTIVb8hqEE4OM1qjc6QQmjA-1GIvpPgGoHzxTb096-CJuAI4Skp5-Sm5r_xXpbgRfG9GiWbmNvhUM9HivQzDGvExb39Rc2HB/s400/Musical+instrument+lotus+and+ribbon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A five-stringed zither with a gracefully flowing ribbon over it, accompanied by a lotus flower peeking from the leaves of the citrus further to the right...</em></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the middle of the panel, there is a five-stringed musical instrument that reminds of a zither, with a gracefully flowing ribbon over it, and with a lotus flower and a bud peeking from the leaves of the citrus to the right, like they were listening to some music picked from the instrument by an invisible player. Now, in Chinese art, musical instruments often symbolize matrimonial harmony and mutual affection between the husband and wife - not a far-fetched suggestion really when thinking of the melodies provided by their harmonious strings. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Together with the lotus, another symbol for marital harmony, they become the thematical symbol of consistency - and again, in Chinese art, nothing exists in isolation of its surroundings, which means that the overall theme of marital harmony must be the right interpretation of this combination. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ribbon itself, so common that it often is overlooked purely as a decorative element, of course is not so. Ribbons play an important role in emphasizing the auspicious messages of the motifs surrounding it (or like here, under it). They can also tie them together, accentuating their connected meanings. Ribbon - <em>dai</em> in Chinese - has also two phonetic twins: "to bear, bring along", and "generations", so it adds the joyful wish for successive generations to follow - something that again goes well with the overall theme of the carving.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TrZrRCsSFC1sd1ZSJPOftLJmNNPPpsaWkZ6z-k_px6qWF1A6MItWx5DSIJxXs1ysVs5dIl9Q2_3h3Tpk5kmpnnRZ0EIOjd7L-21bIa65Dxzl4IOxHBExMzFXLkb65kKhS7w__g7p/s1600/Buddhas+hand+lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TrZrRCsSFC1sd1ZSJPOftLJmNNPPpsaWkZ6z-k_px6qWF1A6MItWx5DSIJxXs1ysVs5dIl9Q2_3h3Tpk5kmpnnRZ0EIOjd7L-21bIa65Dxzl4IOxHBExMzFXLkb65kKhS7w__g7p/s400/Buddhas+hand+lemon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Two Buddha's hand lemons</em>.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last motif represents two Buddha's hand lemons, hanging among abundant leaves. These inedible fruit (well, you can candy the peel, but that's about it) are said to resemble the hand position of Buddha while he was meditating. So there is a wink to Buddhism, one of the most important religions in China. Also, there's yet another verbal allusion: the similarity of sounds in <em>fo</em> (Buddha) and <em>fu</em> (happiness), and <em>shou</em> (hand) and <em>shou </em>(longevity - which we already met above in the pumpkin picture), create together the favorable combination of "happiness and longevity". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And if I haven't tired you out yet, I still want to say that the more I learn, the more interesting "decoding" Chinese arts gets. Just look what I found in the dusty cardboard box: not only a old wooden carving, but a beautifully coded message of marital harmony with joyful wishes of many descendants and a happy, well-lived and long life. As Patricia writes in her book, the Chinese love auspicious symbols and have a great belief in that pictures function like "lucky charms", encouraging all the good things they depict. Which means that I need to find a place of honor for this little carving in our home so that it can freely "emit" its happy message around! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Most of the information above was taken from Patricia Bjaaland Welch's book "Chinese Art - A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery". If you have the slightest interest in symbolism in Chinese art, do buy this book, it is a beautifully illustrated source of well-researched information. </span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>PS - Please oversee the western spelling of Chinese words - I do not have the correct programs to write down them correctly.</em> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-18865391517762253832013-10-21T14:50:00.001+08:002014-05-29T14:53:42.057+08:00Ramblings from the Sri Mariamman Temple<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvV2O2q1P8FIVNbhcmVF4x70ZLd5S3MRZmO7n1gbce5FqGkR71L7Bxl60Bc9rASKUh69QjXHYJui7E3G26aT2jyDBhIcz7ta_PZXq-lB4944xV-D8f5n7YjvMLSQI0Jv7FcFQkV9/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvV2O2q1P8FIVNbhcmVF4x70ZLd5S3MRZmO7n1gbce5FqGkR71L7Bxl60Bc9rASKUh69QjXHYJui7E3G26aT2jyDBhIcz7ta_PZXq-lB4944xV-D8f5n7YjvMLSQI0Jv7FcFQkV9/s640/DSC_0208.JPG" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A pantheon of Hindu gods, the more colorful, the better - according to the lecturer who gave a tour here, a Hindu temple should appeal to all of our senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, and thought, which is the sixth of our senses.... This is the gopuram, the massive entrance tower leading to the Sri Mariamman temple in the middle of Chinatown in Singapore.</em> </div>
<br />
Long time, no posts... I'm not sure if I've been too busy, too lazy, or just too distracted to write anything for almost six weeks - the longest blog silence since I started this little "blog journal" in June 2008. Early September, I started the so called "Docent training" at the Asia Civilizations Museum, and together with my part time work and other things happening, I just haven't been able to jot down even the smallest of posts here. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJmgqd2JdjjU8RO9pnTX1WpHVrhPcpuN8HOw5j0us70RmQPwKtFe5mMZkd4rT_3fxUWTmHJoNrk5kSpqxvQ7FlTfXcZ2soLsZM-WthS4bXSc-jngxpMgI2VwfZfBX4zqviqQt5PKH/s1600/Procession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJmgqd2JdjjU8RO9pnTX1WpHVrhPcpuN8HOw5j0us70RmQPwKtFe5mMZkd4rT_3fxUWTmHJoNrk5kSpqxvQ7FlTfXcZ2soLsZM-WthS4bXSc-jngxpMgI2VwfZfBX4zqviqQt5PKH/s640/Procession.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>A colorful and loud profession honoring the gods - scented tuberose and rose petals were thrown on the holy man, who was chanting loudly accompanied by small drums and other instruments and shielded by a colorful umbrella... truly an attack on the senses, if you are not used to high levels of noise.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HogajUprrUu-dHCaOfSGv8jPcDw4AM9OAlGITOWXO9Wyzi8OrddG6-YAjX4A3dU76xndh3h9oa8K4JaeFfF3gMMi2JxCDoxyWtpaj7xLMSoPxvSXLVWHh7gq4AQCw5gjoWCLVsX5/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HogajUprrUu-dHCaOfSGv8jPcDw4AM9OAlGITOWXO9Wyzi8OrddG6-YAjX4A3dU76xndh3h9oa8K4JaeFfF3gMMi2JxCDoxyWtpaj7xLMSoPxvSXLVWHh7gq4AQCw5gjoWCLVsX5/s640/DSC_0214.JPG" height="497" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Baby Krisna sucking his toes on a banyan leaf, contemplating the creation of the world... the full story and its meanings are really quite complicated, and would take far too much place here. The background was probably the only white surface in the temple... The Hindu imagery and pictorial language - from the lavish forms and decorations to the gaudy colors - are so extravagant, that my "Scandinavian minimalist eyes" have never really enjoyed them as art, but I still find them interesting from the cultural point of view. </em></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not sure how my studies are going. Despite the fact that I love the arts and cultures of Asia, and was amazingly happy to have been accepted to the program (it is on volunteer base, no specific academic requirements), I've been struggling with the course, many times feeling like a complete failure. Especially the "practical exercises", where you need to "recite" details of given weekly concepts and artifacts in front of your group has been a challenge. You need to do this without notes or seeing the actual object, so I tend to get lost, forget my words in front of the group, and/or just generally feel like an complete idiot, forgetting all beautiful details that I'd written and practiced about them for days before. Even if I'm definitely not an extrovert, I wouldn't describe myself as shy either, and I've held many presentations in the past quite successfully, something that is just not happening now. Also, I actually do have a degree in Art History and love the subject dearly, so my discomfort and general unhappiness about how I'm managing has been a great surprise and a disappointment to me the last six weeks. The group is quite competitive, and I'm often a bit uncomfortable with large gatherings of females anyway (somehow, I've always worked better with groups of men, however competitive they might be), so maybe I'm just having hard time adjusting... Anyway, I'm hanging out there, hoping that things get better with more practice. And even if I'll never be the best of the class, I am still learning a lot and adding to my "capital of knowledge", which will be my reward when the training ends. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVoL9hEnzmhSCSv0zFiSPrq9DQP5jeuJbFHTp8Jcg6JAWuYqwikrUyTR8hAeG8IgrTZShmt4ztsKJtkPYzVHPC5ccmeMF-_frgScrroz8WWhbmkbII9WaSPJjknDtV6SFfmcVvA-g/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVoL9hEnzmhSCSv0zFiSPrq9DQP5jeuJbFHTp8Jcg6JAWuYqwikrUyTR8hAeG8IgrTZShmt4ztsKJtkPYzVHPC5ccmeMF-_frgScrroz8WWhbmkbII9WaSPJjknDtV6SFfmcVvA-g/s640/DSC_0253.JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Just inside the entrance to the temple - a riot of colors and forms, together with gods and sacred animals... Our lecturer told that Hinduism in not pantheistic, despite often being mentioned as such, but that the gods are all parts that together form one eternal god - like drops of water that together make an ocean...The different "gods" just highlight different aspects of the one eternal god, and can be venerated separately according to what feels right for one who is</em><em> praying.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXA5suyFVTaWZ4SvtEGRNYtjts_bwDWpMNtOPcqBh_DAXgu_x9hOJUIUw28IVQNhL5mKcEvDtUeK4dKFeBzXt5NASH2HcxxACj5EsAAWHlLcNIKw_zg7HCdw3QPrOhoPvv-B-AHdD/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXA5suyFVTaWZ4SvtEGRNYtjts_bwDWpMNtOPcqBh_DAXgu_x9hOJUIUw28IVQNhL5mKcEvDtUeK4dKFeBzXt5NASH2HcxxACj5EsAAWHlLcNIKw_zg7HCdw3QPrOhoPvv-B-AHdD/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Goddess Meenakshi, an Avatar of Parvathi, god Shiva's consort, holding a green parakeet, with the ferocious eyes of Kali beaming from above (both Kali and Parvathi are consorts of lord Shiva - the Hindu religious mythology really is quite complicated!). Again, eye-scorching colors and extravagant decorations to wake your senses...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Otherwise, I've been busy at work. The Minister of Economy and Trade from Finland will be visiting Singapore on Wednesday and I've been arranging a seminar for the Finnish Business Community here. So in addition to the studies, you probably understand that I've not been able to do much cultural exploration for the moment and desperately need to get back on track... Until I get going again, here are a couple of pictures from a Docent training lecture at the Sri Mariamman temple in Chinatown. It is the oldest Hindu temple and also a major tourist attraction in Singapore. "Skammen den som ger sig", as they say in Sweden, which means something like "shame on the one who gives up'. That will be my motto for my studies and all other things cultural for the next couple of months. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievvtQJvDqObD0FnyeRdRgvofEaS8t8WsfPd_3VUFVMCYnZ8IdKfdU8kY7d_M441ZQNWA3DiDWhCzLaoQEiwr65MKlCxraW1ttcwGgS6-fvIht_kPa7dInu1RA6row0CreAevOK4Fm/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievvtQJvDqObD0FnyeRdRgvofEaS8t8WsfPd_3VUFVMCYnZ8IdKfdU8kY7d_M441ZQNWA3DiDWhCzLaoQEiwr65MKlCxraW1ttcwGgS6-fvIht_kPa7dInu1RA6row0CreAevOK4Fm/s640/DSC_0250.JPG" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> A holy man in a very pretty pink cloth, watching over visitors inside the inner temple.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicfSnCAvHGmXO9ii_GSgMLSBOxhA6rH5wtp396SKfnPBkA1HIILkMiNDk8QtVBfZQb5oHiPU5YLy9KqRoAJ-JqR7uZDUfujuBNq1CEv11Al6msSBJDZ8pSI7-xd0ROEKBg3O_z5iJ/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicfSnCAvHGmXO9ii_GSgMLSBOxhA6rH5wtp396SKfnPBkA1HIILkMiNDk8QtVBfZQb5oHiPU5YLy9KqRoAJ-JqR7uZDUfujuBNq1CEv11Al6msSBJDZ8pSI7-xd0ROEKBg3O_z5iJ/s640/DSC_0231.JPG" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>All these tummies... Ganesha, easily recognized because of his elephant head, is widely known as the "remover of obstacles". He is also the patron of arts and sciences, and Lord of the Letters and Learning - amongst many other divine duties. Ganesha is an extremely popular deity amongst Hindus, and in Singapore, statues of him are commonly found by the entrance of Hindu homes. For the moment, I could definitely use some little help from him in my studies...</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFIB4vh3Qn-e-QfWSSfB94sqBdHKafZinJfqa6adCRa_y38-P2AI-BcYdMCaLjsdrBoe4fQTF-iewihwedLaWn1Bi2ixdK4UnXoaGIkV9NZchpmzozrIog_tg0FG82KK64oy5m1g6/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFIB4vh3Qn-e-QfWSSfB94sqBdHKafZinJfqa6adCRa_y38-P2AI-BcYdMCaLjsdrBoe4fQTF-iewihwedLaWn1Bi2ixdK4UnXoaGIkV9NZchpmzozrIog_tg0FG82KK64oy5m1g6/s640/DSC_0248.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>And last - Sri Mariamman herself, decked with flower garlands and with incense and other offerings on the table in front of her. On the right, there is even a small ceremonial cradle - this mother goddess is worshipped as the goddess of fertility, and offerings are left for her in hope that she brings rain and prosperity - all quite logical connections really.</em></div>
<br />The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625454006116116876.post-69351361477025506882013-09-04T12:44:00.000+08:002013-12-09T06:29:39.659+08:00Weaving the golden silks of Angkor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3PSbeZIrxxJsKebMrBcltY0SAbKW7vCXO9hQkotM_cv621w_tbEpw4ii_jdAU-5xJvJfoY1BusUpi1XH88jmEjUvUilLqKAgZdzDz_GFPcTuE4q5ACGw9BTTri2HhokcaqCXeA8H/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3PSbeZIrxxJsKebMrBcltY0SAbKW7vCXO9hQkotM_cv621w_tbEpw4ii_jdAU-5xJvJfoY1BusUpi1XH88jmEjUvUilLqKAgZdzDz_GFPcTuE4q5ACGw9BTTri2HhokcaqCXeA8H/s640/DSC_0452.JPG" width="640" /></em></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Golden and fluffy native Cambodian silkworm cocoons attached to their special rearing baskets.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't posted about silk weaving in Cambodia earlier as I thought my pictures weren't good enough for publishing... however, I've bee talking about this with both family and friends many times since our visit there in last October, so I decided to share what I'd seen despite the less than perfect pictures.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here they are, my snapshots from the silk farm and "factory" of <a href="http://www.artisansdangkor.com/" target="_blank">Artisans Angkor</a>, one of the finest silk producers in Siem Reap; a company that not only sells stunningly beautiful silk products, but has also created many job opportunities for young people living in Cambodia's rural areas by reviving production of many traditional handicrafts there. The little factory is just outside the city and geared towards tourists willing to learn how more about the production of traditional Khmer "golden silk", called so because of it's natural, shiny yellow color as it is unraveled from the native Cambodian silk cocoons. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat2H0TBnidx5UTYCBl1heJaH26fmisQAedS1-djnZlwoStxRdbiWiE5_MjbyRvaxSod1N-nFlgE28G9xLDD-RZePPEWigAWkNZhnMGchQ8lT6WBGplWTN6CtkdvG8Lbtht6eP-Jtn/s1600/DSC_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat2H0TBnidx5UTYCBl1heJaH26fmisQAedS1-djnZlwoStxRdbiWiE5_MjbyRvaxSod1N-nFlgE28G9xLDD-RZePPEWigAWkNZhnMGchQ8lT6WBGplWTN6CtkdvG8Lbtht6eP-Jtn/s640/DSC_0447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Rows of white mulberries, grown as food for the silkworms - like pandas, they only eat one kind of plant, the white mulberry (that's why it took so long for Europeans to figure out how to grow silkworms; they didn't know what picky eaters they are...).</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZyVxXnP31SgBz0ipnAGLT6hlZ1N30giboBWOfagKGJMRgbqy5Kl_kP-pLiJeD1PFtXk8nHJq7rnhYw7R9e2pDfQ0yCW2UL6TSiKL5qIQLpDFmIdEuTmrl276B70GEXaxGzNZY3WN/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZyVxXnP31SgBz0ipnAGLT6hlZ1N30giboBWOfagKGJMRgbqy5Kl_kP-pLiJeD1PFtXk8nHJq7rnhYw7R9e2pDfQ0yCW2UL6TSiKL5qIQLpDFmIdEuTmrl276B70GEXaxGzNZY3WN/s640/DSC_0449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The worms are fattened before they reach the cocooning stage.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkeT12lzIC2eLfROTRpQreoUfoaR5tKi77Upy78uqAs1LQ2rhIsikrM92U_LEdiMtu6z-x4884sAOFy9iTE1TyEXvd7055mROIH7Z8VxM3B1GC7rV_X8SQ2KVv_qnm_vAkUrFniks/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkeT12lzIC2eLfROTRpQreoUfoaR5tKi77Upy78uqAs1LQ2rhIsikrM92U_LEdiMtu6z-x4884sAOFy9iTE1TyEXvd7055mROIH7Z8VxM3B1GC7rV_X8SQ2KVv_qnm_vAkUrFniks/s640/DSC_0455.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Worms getting ready to spin their cocoons - poor little doomed creatures (the first picture of this post should actually come after this, with the mature cocoons).</em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Silk has been produced in Cambodia since the days of Angkor, and there are still almost 20 000 active weavers, mainly near Siem Reap and in the southern parts of the country. While silk production declined sharply during the 30 years of war and political unrest, it has been experiencing a revival, with a new generation taking over by learning the complicated process of silk making, from mulberry farming and silkworm rearing to cocoon processing and spinning the thin, lustrous threads into colorful fabrics with intricate patterns so typical for the Khmers of Cambodia. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblfp6R4XfIIxPkR0SFKKOPZuWHud1IDhpB9TPcASiB0g0vOVyuXDxiAaYTPNdRwMCwIPOutLWipRc00MNdmMucH75F6xcPXQXgE3FkJVl26E-ObeimpYcRFGwy_kS6SvhZrptlSgY/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblfp6R4XfIIxPkR0SFKKOPZuWHud1IDhpB9TPcASiB0g0vOVyuXDxiAaYTPNdRwMCwIPOutLWipRc00MNdmMucH75F6xcPXQXgE3FkJVl26E-ObeimpYcRFGwy_kS6SvhZrptlSgY/s640/DSC_0458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Soft silk cocoons, before they are sorted by color.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKI0eSz5SabCTqcg0mPgoWdsYfmpwWD_ye_MeT3VzMCScHtZuPinZnyqWCw_iMnalf1kZNNvroNAPaNZdZwn8dpxK0vSqXw1BxVwz8vmLtvKs_IGQEkayLjZHRGYBybP0ZO4vank6/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKI0eSz5SabCTqcg0mPgoWdsYfmpwWD_ye_MeT3VzMCScHtZuPinZnyqWCw_iMnalf1kZNNvroNAPaNZdZwn8dpxK0vSqXw1BxVwz8vmLtvKs_IGQEkayLjZHRGYBybP0ZO4vank6/s640/DSC_0457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Thousands and thousands of cocoons; the beautifully soft, golden color occurs naturally in the Cambodian silk.</em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsOLj1E3dIyHxJYBG9djdU1l-eTZhUadzbJfYQhwJ7vYad79EY1EoRRAU8mXSH4ixGeDaJwiKjQ0b1xF8xFknNnODrcn5GUdYd-evAMGZ6hIgBnTEzTwawcK_MWlm4e2AbVSa9LoU/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsOLj1E3dIyHxJYBG9djdU1l-eTZhUadzbJfYQhwJ7vYad79EY1EoRRAU8mXSH4ixGeDaJwiKjQ0b1xF8xFknNnODrcn5GUdYd-evAMGZ6hIgBnTEzTwawcK_MWlm4e2AbVSa9LoU/s640/DSC_0460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The cocoons are cooked, and the thin silk threads are separated and spun per hand from the kettles; it takes long time to learn to do this complicated maneuver... </em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia308bTmtvXJpNdoFgygrSUvr3xR7LYesmEiXQLPBpR8zOpDjgHObkEArKvClJdVtXaMg0dfGhCaXrUBo-RMJZbmNQf1m5HoRtx1RtKrzrcc7Xnv7DULcNB_YWGkQPRGphn9GaVDrk/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia308bTmtvXJpNdoFgygrSUvr3xR7LYesmEiXQLPBpR8zOpDjgHObkEArKvClJdVtXaMg0dfGhCaXrUBo-RMJZbmNQf1m5HoRtx1RtKrzrcc7Xnv7DULcNB_YWGkQPRGphn9GaVDrk/s400/DSC_0463.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>A poor little naked silk worm after being cooked.</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX6NrLRxNYU0mTEyYYTTa3CAu1XXZ2mXzd5YIhIdRFs9O5OejL_8yDgjYgKv95YpoWQnpqOYh_U9vy1aP7q527EHCNCKtQrgFXIwcVYs0zqfgbdEHtVQ82jddSrcglNoTvjkdndmv/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX6NrLRxNYU0mTEyYYTTa3CAu1XXZ2mXzd5YIhIdRFs9O5OejL_8yDgjYgKv95YpoWQnpqOYh_U9vy1aP7q527EHCNCKtQrgFXIwcVYs0zqfgbdEHtVQ82jddSrcglNoTvjkdndmv/s640/DSC_0464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I'm not quite sure about the right terminology here... after the first spinning, the thin threads are processed further to produce glossy skeins of silk in many shades of yellow and gold.</em></div>
<br />
Seeing the actual - rather painstaking, if you ask me - process of silk making from the mulberries and worms to the final, stunningly beautiful fabrics, scarfs and clothes was a real eye opener. The level of sophistication of the Asian cultures, producing and spinning these less that hair-thin strands for hundreds of years ago and planning the complicated colorings for the patterns is just mind-blowing - just looking at the dip-dyed silk garn, ready to be woven in a certain, predetermined order made my brain hurt a little. To have figured the technique out (without any computers...) is so telling - only a society of high level of knowledge, sophistication and resources - for spending time producing, using and appreciating them - could have come up with this kind of beautiful products. But then, the visitors, priests and dancers at the impressive temples of Angkor surely needed something accordingly handsome and beautiful to wear while praying to their gods.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvZAJiNJYw-EhwncRwXWbMW4YOKX2fOoWDOG0PkqQb-_M7ogi75D1WrCCz1pqTmHfHxH5xplyFy6yTBJkBIDIHQd_9n4yyL7FnwWLPwIFk33hIluvBNy5zglCA-xZK5BYRkqVHVBl/s1600/DSC_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvZAJiNJYw-EhwncRwXWbMW4YOKX2fOoWDOG0PkqQb-_M7ogi75D1WrCCz1pqTmHfHxH5xplyFy6yTBJkBIDIHQd_9n4yyL7FnwWLPwIFk33hIluvBNy5zglCA-xZK5BYRkqVHVBl/s640/DSC_0479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>The skeins are colored with plant based, natural dyes... here with young banana leafs.</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpLUgRtPQZoAStf28PiqWql67nutQxkmfUMoJiaFjppdKSW4a7DyuhQ9CZoNqc-u6seQOATOvvCeCcpDSoiecDscyAz0GLBApvxE56zImuRvqFCHYI0AHfzZfcBRBCBUfMOBqgUtP/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpLUgRtPQZoAStf28PiqWql67nutQxkmfUMoJiaFjppdKSW4a7DyuhQ9CZoNqc-u6seQOATOvvCeCcpDSoiecDscyAz0GLBApvxE56zImuRvqFCHYI0AHfzZfcBRBCBUfMOBqgUtP/s640/DSC_0482.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Pots of colorful dyes...</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbQ4-3DzSfdKNcDEzTqprwZEN-vbECWFsLG6a67bJ6_39xjMmWevR0VEL4pZ3-xIihc2g382sCmcqZda6YZvuMxGjbbnbYAkcRlgWGB_MAsDt5kuyXR9WXDcedbPWMJjMDEwfUviv/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbQ4-3DzSfdKNcDEzTqprwZEN-vbECWFsLG6a67bJ6_39xjMmWevR0VEL4pZ3-xIihc2g382sCmcqZda6YZvuMxGjbbnbYAkcRlgWGB_MAsDt5kuyXR9WXDcedbPWMJjMDEwfUviv/s640/DSC_0487.JPG" width="442" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The patterns of many of the fabrics are woven, and the thread needs to be colored in a predetermined order for it to form the pattern on the loom. </em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRDUQhdGjxEFQhyphenhyphenwbmcLtViJJYRbVKPoQUDvspk_s9ZsDC9uFkBp7-BsB5Gg2BlmIBav0TadCkgtvX3YtBlDPdNObArctbRKDFxxt-za44LXSz0odL1WG2PfVJC4vTmvn6OZFfICw/s1600/DSC_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRDUQhdGjxEFQhyphenhyphenwbmcLtViJJYRbVKPoQUDvspk_s9ZsDC9uFkBp7-BsB5Gg2BlmIBav0TadCkgtvX3YtBlDPdNObArctbRKDFxxt-za44LXSz0odL1WG2PfVJC4vTmvn6OZFfICw/s640/DSC_0484.JPG" width="640" /></em></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>A display of raw and dyed silks.</em></div>
<br />
When visiting Cambodia, please pay attention and get the real, hand-made silks of the Khmers, and not the cheaper, imported goods flowing in from China to the many outdoor markets and shops - you will not only be supporting a centuries old Khmer handicraft tradition, but also the local communities that educate and employ the young women and men of Cambodia. These beautiful, painstakingly produced silks are more than worth every penny they ask for them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-McCCBxCxDrvFlQnLM1cwbP-Vl3TTjfp0vt4rWrXtcQz0FJQ7DFXGPO9os4zaLuvo2GhcPFkLC12aNODQKdr3t80hnXZJ_lI19LyqhaiCkhGvj31pKmM4r33Cvtp7EfqZbQfSDCz/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-McCCBxCxDrvFlQnLM1cwbP-Vl3TTjfp0vt4rWrXtcQz0FJQ7DFXGPO9os4zaLuvo2GhcPFkLC12aNODQKdr3t80hnXZJ_lI19LyqhaiCkhGvj31pKmM4r33Cvtp7EfqZbQfSDCz/s640/DSC_0507.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> The carefully colored skeins (above) are spun on wooden sticks (below) that are then woven in certain order to form the pattern.</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnQzQ2hjRzq8tYKey8zpKwSUq6kLT6Qs9AJd_HRAO5rd_A3bOqTFgvwxWTnu3zlMhvMl8LgBC_MY3lutMPy9ETrjNm3TDIgrULDJPB5F_9eFgdQjwqBkwOHmGckhwkWg0T2mCU9eq/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnQzQ2hjRzq8tYKey8zpKwSUq6kLT6Qs9AJd_HRAO5rd_A3bOqTFgvwxWTnu3zlMhvMl8LgBC_MY3lutMPy9ETrjNm3TDIgrULDJPB5F_9eFgdQjwqBkwOHmGckhwkWg0T2mCU9eq/s640/DSC_0497.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I just couldn't get my head around the fact that the weavers get the single, dyed threads to form such exact patterns in the end...</em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWksCSXRBQ_N06FqZLYR0j1tZUKpU7Fjb7sOz8xi4TCZatfp8-FcdApmIuQ3hjOv_EPnI9BbZdtmvK1FsKce_XEiPsvl87XH7kqUlHeDQocJ8kMgKtTOOu13JLgrXt2J5zDqUWl_/s1600/DSC_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVWksCSXRBQ_N06FqZLYR0j1tZUKpU7Fjb7sOz8xi4TCZatfp8-FcdApmIuQ3hjOv_EPnI9BbZdtmvK1FsKce_XEiPsvl87XH7kqUlHeDQocJ8kMgKtTOOu13JLgrXt2J5zDqUWl_/s640/DSC_0496.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Like pure magic, the pattern emerges from the hands of the patient and skilled weavers.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPpq-OCxsEhDCq2tWZbSil15PyRZSIBOJL_p6S5KRDGmQ3CCN5eH5hlEKhvbFvHPgy3jQiw4zknhEdCPkgUGlfoh4B30gAEWYq_l2srqSUwwC_nH6o5a86y2WbGU7wuwxzbdqgRP3/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPpq-OCxsEhDCq2tWZbSil15PyRZSIBOJL_p6S5KRDGmQ3CCN5eH5hlEKhvbFvHPgy3jQiw4zknhEdCPkgUGlfoh4B30gAEWYq_l2srqSUwwC_nH6o5a86y2WbGU7wuwxzbdqgRP3/s640/DSC_0419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> <em>A relief depicting a procession of King Suryavarman II at Angkor Wat sometime at the 12th century... all wearing skillfully weaved robes and clothes, early predecessors of the fabrics woven today near Siem Reap and other places in Cambodia.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>See also: <a href="http://www.intercontinentalgardener.com/2012/10/small-notes-from-baphuon-angkor-thom.html" target="_blank">Notes from Angkor Thom</a>, and <a href="http://www.intercontinentalgardener.com/2012/10/travel-notes-from-bayon-angkor-wat-in.html" target="_blank">The Bayon at Angkor Thom</a>.</em> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />The Intercontinental Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419730672738553254noreply@blogger.com4