My Mom, P.Ou and I went to Macau and Hong Kong during February 8-11, 2008. We landed in Macau and then took ferry to Hong Kong. We stayed at Tsim Sha Tsui area since it is close to MRT, ferry terminal, shopping arcade and harbor. It was such a tired trip since it was cold, lots of people everywhere because of Chinese New Year, and we had to walk, take MTRs and buses, and also take ferry back to Macau; however, I am glad that my Mom enjoyed the trip.
See photos of this trip at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/MacauHK
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Historic center of Macau
The historic center of Macau is inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006. With our short period of time in Macau, we visited the symbolic of Macau, Ruins of St. Paul’s, Na Tcha temple, St. Dominic’s Church, and Senado Square, of which they are close to each other.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the façade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835, and the ruins of St.Paul’s college, which stood adjacent to the church.
Na Tcha Temple and section of the old city wall stand close to the remains of the church.
St. Dominic’s Church was the first church founded in China in 1587 by three Spanish Dominican priests who originally came from Acapulco in Mexico, now it has been modified into a small Museum of Sacred Art.
Senado Square has been Macau's urban center for centuries and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. It is also shopping area for Macau people and tourists especially brand-name fashion clothings and accessories.
The Ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the façade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835, and the ruins of St.Paul’s college, which stood adjacent to the church.Na Tcha Temple and section of the old city wall stand close to the remains of the church.St. Dominic’s Church was the first church founded in China in 1587 by three Spanish Dominican priests who originally came from Acapulco in Mexico, now it has been modified into a small Museum of Sacred Art.Senado Square has been Macau's urban center for centuries and is still the most popular venue for public events and celebrations today. It is also shopping area for Macau people and tourists especially brand-name fashion clothings and accessories.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
This is one of the most popular temples in Hong Kong. According to legend, Wong Tai Sin is able to make every wish come true upon request. The Main Altar containing Wong Tai Sin’s portrait is where worshippers pray for good fortune through offerings and divine guidance and through fortune telling. The temple is home of three different religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Wong Tai Sin Temple is located at Kowloon. To get there, take MTR, Wong Tai Sin Station Exit B2 or B3.
Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree and Tin Hau Temple
The banyan trees are a favorite with local villagers who come to burn joss sticks and incense papers hoping their wishes will come true. During Chinese New Year, many Hong Kong people come to make their wishes by tying wish-making papers onto the wooden racks beside the trees.
The nearby Tin Hua Temple was built around the time of Emperor Qian Long of the Qing dynasty (1736-1796). The temple’s main hall is dedicated to Tin Hua, the Goddess of the Sea. Many worshipers pray for good fortune by offering incense to the gods, so do our family.
This place is located at New Territories. To get there, take Bus 64K from MTR Tai Po Market Station and get off at Fong Ma Po Stop.
Giant Buddha/ Po Lin Monastery
The majestic figure of the seated bronze Buddha is 34 meters high which sits atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the mountain scenery of Lantau Island. Visitors can climb the 268 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated; however, we decided to take photos at the first step of the platform. The remote Po Lin Monastery has various figures of gods and aspects of Buddhist religion. There is vegetarian lunch prepared by monks sold at the Monastery. To get there, take Tung Chung MTR Exit B and then take bus 23 from Tung Chung Town Center.There is cable car from Tung Chung Town Center but I was not sure it could directly reach there. Tung Chung Town Center is brand-name outlet mall which shoppers will enjoy.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Turkey
During November 23-30, 2007, P.Ou and I went to Turkey. The tour was arranged by Turkish Airlines to visit famous places of Turkey.We departed Bangkok almost midnight of November 23, and November 24, second day of tour, we landed in Istanbul and took domestic flight to Izmir, then traveled by bus to Selçuk. We visited House of Virgin Mary, Ancient city of Ephesus, and stay at hotel close to the Aegean Sea.
Day 3, we traveled to Pamukkale.
Day4, we tool trip to Konya and to Cappadocia.
Day 5, we traveled around Cappadocia, then to Kayseri to took a flight to Istanbul.
Day 6-7, we traveled around Istanbul area.
Please see more photos in Turkey at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/Turkey2007#
Tuba, local guide and Khun Kai Nui who was Thai guide, chef, photographer, and etc.
House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus
The first place we visited is the House of Virgin Mary. It is said that the Jesus Christ asked St John to take care of his mother, and St John brought her to Ephesus and she spent the last years of her life here in a stone house. This place was discovered in 19th century. A German Nun who never left Germany described about this place and the hill of Ephesus in the book published in Germany, therefore, there were scientific expeditions and found this place as described in the book. The shrine is revered by both Christians and Muslims, and the pilgrims visit the shrine, especially on August 15 every year.
City of Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the greatest ancient cities. A Greece city was first built here in about 1000 BC and became the chief port on the Aegean Sea under the Romans which most of the surviving structures dated from this period.
Behind P.Ou was Roman's bathhouse.
Water pipes.
Public toilets.
Temple of Hadrain - The head of Medusa is the most famous bit of decoration on this fine temple built in 118 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian.
It is told to be the first advertisement of the world for The Prostitute House.
Library of Celsus - A technological wonder, with double walls to keep out the damp and moderate the extremes of temperature, it is also perhaps the most beautiful building at Ephesus, finely restored.
The Great Theater - Built into the slope of Panayir Dagi, this is the Roman reconstruction (41-117 AD) of the earlier theater built by Lysimachus. Though huge, with 25,000 seats, its ingenious engineering gives it excellent acoustics. It's still used for performances and special events.
The temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It is said that the temple was destroyed by fire.
Behind P.Ou was Roman's bathhouse.Water pipes.Public toilets.Temple of Hadrain - The head of Medusa is the most famous bit of decoration on this fine temple built in 118 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian.It is told to be the first advertisement of the world for The Prostitute House.Library of Celsus - A technological wonder, with double walls to keep out the damp and moderate the extremes of temperature, it is also perhaps the most beautiful building at Ephesus, finely restored.The Great Theater - Built into the slope of Panayir Dagi, this is the Roman reconstruction (41-117 AD) of the earlier theater built by Lysimachus. Though huge, with 25,000 seats, its ingenious engineering gives it excellent acoustics. It's still used for performances and special events.The temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It is said that the temple was destroyed by fire.
Pamukkale - Hierapolis
Pamukkale means Cotton Fortress, and has been a spa since the Romans built the spa city of Hierapolis around a sacred warm-water spring. The cliff is almost 200 meters high, the spectacular white travertine terrace form when water from the hot springs as they cool they leave thick white layers of limestone and travertine, built up in steps on the plateau. This place is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1988.
On Pamukkale cliff
Hierapolis
Konya - Mevlana Museum and Caravanserais
At Konya, we visited Mevlana Museum in late afternoon, and the guide had to check whether it opened or not since Prince Charles came to visit on that day. Mevlana Museum holds the tomb of Mevlâna Jelaleddin Rumî, founder of the Mevlevi order of dervishes, commonly called the Whirling Dervishes. The Mevlâna Müzesi is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims because Rumî is a saint. His poetic message of peace, love of God and one's fellow creatures, resounds to a far wider audience today than it did over 700 years ago when Rumî preached and taught in Konya, and whirled in ecstasy through its streets. Muslim and non-Muslim pilgrims come from throughout the world to visit his tomb and his relatives. The museum also exhibits dervish musical instruments, including ney, Mevlana flute made of bamboo, antique prayer carpets, korans, prayer beads, and the mother-of-pearl case holds relics of the Prophet Muhammed.
We visited Caravanserais in the evening; it was built during Ottoman period to protect merchants who traveled the caravan routes that crossed Anatolia along the Roman-Byzantine road system.
Cappadocia
The landscape of Cappadocia was created around 30 million years ago by erupting of volcanoes. The columns have been formed in various shapes, such as cone shape, mushroom shape, and elongated shape. It was marvelous, that we experienced flying a hot-air balloon above the landscape.
Scenes of Cappadocia from Hot-air Balloon.
Underground City, Cappadocia
We visited underground city which, it is said that, served as tempered shelter from the Romans attacked. The whole city was constructed underground. These settlements had living quarters, stable wells, ventilation systems, churches, storage rooms, and kitchens.
Göreme Valley, Cappadocia
The Göreme Valley holds the region's greatest concentration of rock-cut chapels and also best collection of painted cave-chapels. Medieval orthodox Christian monks (1000-1200 AD) carved the caves from the soft volcanic stone and decorated them with elaborate Byzantine frescoes. We visited each chapel but I could not take photos since it was dark inside and we had to use no flash otherwise it would damage the paintings. There were large kitchen and storage room, and we could see a large dining table for 50 monks to dine together.
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1985.
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1985.
Istanbul
In Istanbul, there are many interesting places to visit, range from palaces, mosques. churches, museums, bazaars, etc. We had only 2 days here, so we has been arranged to visit the most famous monuments, namely Dolmabahce Palace, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Place, Yerebatan Saray (Basilica cistern), Hippodrome, and Blue Mosque, which are located close to each other. Historic area of Istanbul is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1985.
We caught in traffic during rush hour.
Children do not afraid of foreigner, they know how to wai and say Konichiwa.
P.Ou talked with children about football.
Simit booths are seen around the city.
Grilled chestnut booths are also popular in winter, smell good but no taste.
At Kebub cafe outside Grand bazaar, he showed me how to cut chicken.
We caught in traffic during rush hour.Children do not afraid of foreigner, they know how to wai and say Konichiwa.P.Ou talked with children about football.Simit booths are seen around the city.Grilled chestnut booths are also popular in winter, smell good but no taste.At Kebub cafe outside Grand bazaar, he showed me how to cut chicken.
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