Goodness, we’re seriously into February, and before my family travels again for Chinese New Year, I better share pictures from the beginning of January. After spending an amazing Christmas and New Year with my sister’s family, the four of us with my sister’s mother-in-law went on to travel to Siam Reap, Cambodia. We were able to visit Angkor Wat twice. All I can say is, “Holy TEMPLES!” Angkor Wat is actually the largest religious complex in the world! These pictures are just from one day’s visit, and we saw so much. This is a picture heavy post, so I’ll quit writing and let the images speak….
I’m happiest in the library! (Proof from our first stop of the day.)
All of a sudden a large group of young monks was amongst us. They were tourists at Angkor Wat just like us. I found this monk to be so breathtakingly beautiful. He was definitely shy, but he allowed me to take his portrait. This monk below served as my translator. He seriously cracked me up! First of all he was so kind, translating for me allowing for the photo shoot that ensued. After all was said and done though, he got out his iPad, went straight to Facebook, and made sure we became “friends” right away. So, amongst my Facebook friends, there is a very kind Buddhist monk among you!!
Within the ancient temple walls, there are young monks sitting about. For a donation, they will offer up a prayer for you. I still have the two threads from my two blessings around my right wrist. I am not allowed to take them off; rather, they should fall off naturally. After a year, I may take them off once I’ve received another Buddhist’s blessing–signified by a new string.
I saved the best for last: my little photographer–I love seeing her in action. She didn’t even know I captured her in her element.
Have you been been to a Buddhist temple?
Stay tuned for day two’s tour of Angkor Wat next Monday….
Great photos! I would love to visit someday.
I hope you get too. It’s quite magical!!
Love, Ann
Hey Kremb! I did visit a few wats in Bangkok, but the experience wasn’t nearly as satisfying as what this post conveys! It looks like you have the place to yourselves! Very peaceful and calming photos…and how is the food in Vietnam?
It’s a huge complex! We had two tuk tuk drivers take us all around, Since it’s so big, you don’t run into many crowds which is nice. The food in Cambodia was very good–kind of like a cross between Thai and Vietnamese. YUMMMMM!!
It was a wonderful trip!
Thanks for stopping by!
Love, Ann
What a great post!! I love seeing these beautiful, exotic, and unfamiliar places. Seeing you and your family emersed in the sites and interacting with the folks makes it feel somehow much more real and human and even has an essence of familiarity. The kind that those monks must feel as they visit these particular sacred, honored places.
I also love seeing all of you just enjoying the wonder of being together, learning about your world and smelling, tasting, and rubbing up against the textures of it. This is such a refreshing change from the more typical fashion blog.
Gigi really is completely engaged in refining her skills isn’t she!? Times to cherish for sure!!
I’m glad you find the change refreshing. I do too. Over Christmas, and during that nice long break from blogging, I made a realization. I travel. A ton. I need to start sharing more of that. Plus, I live in Hong Kong. This is unique. I also need to start sharing that as well. So, you can expect more of the cultural slant as I move forward. I mean heck. I’ve lived overseas for 20 plus years now. This makes me very unique. Right?
;D
Annie
woww, such a magnificent place to visit!, lovely post!
besos
It was truly magical Monica. I hope to post another round this coming week….stay tuned!
Love, Annie