CLIMBING UP MOUNT PHOUSI IN LUANG PRABANG [PART TWO]

[CONTINUATION OF PART ONE]

4th DECEMBER 2016 ~ It is fascinating to know that watching the sunset is one of the favourite activities among tourists. It is a way for you to appreciate nature, just by looking at the blue sky and the clouds, the green mountains far away and the beautiful sun; and that should bring you closer to the Creator.

By the time we reached the top, there were already a crowd of tourists (mostly) gathered at all the possible spaces that could be occupied. Some people were already located at strategic spots so as to get the best view for the sunset. It was a zoo out there so if you are imagining a serene moment when you could be one with nature, that is not going to happen.

I think I could become rich if I sell bottled mineral water here.

I just decided to stay there under the stupa of the temple to watch the awesome view. However, it was quite impossible not to get people's heads or hands with phones/cameras raised high in the air. I think I should be happy with what I managed to capture with my humble compact camera.

people waiting patiently...

the Mekong River

"When I admire the wonders of a sunset

or the beauty of the moon,

my soul expands in the worship

of the Creator."

~ MAHATMA GANDHI ~

the excited people with their cameras/phones

When the surrounding got darker, then only people started moving down the hill to get back to other touristy activities.

This was the temple area that we saw on our way back.

And this was the other entrance/exit that could be used to go up/down the hill.

That should conclude our daytime exploration on the first day in Luang Prabang. Of course I felt very tired (but happy). I must say we did quite a lot after we had arrived in the morning despite the loosely planned schedule. 

[MY LUANG PRABANG TRIP MAIN PAGE]

VISITING CAMBODIAN WAR MUSEUM

12th March 2016 ~ Cambodia was a country that was involved in wars in the 60's and 70's and the visit to this museum told us the stories of the misery the Cambodians had to suffer up until today. It started with the Civil War which then continued with the regime of Pol Pot effort to turn Cambodia into a communist state and finally the war against Vietnam. 

The museum was an open-air premise and most of the exhibits are real war machines and weapons of the past. Do not expect to see a modern museum like the one in Ho Chi Minh city. 

We were with a group of visitors and there was a guide who accompanied us throughout the visit. To be able to understand the significance of the war to the country, you had to listen attentively to the guide. All his stories were all real life experiences, including his own. 25% of Cambodian population were killed and life was really hard for the innocent people of Cambodia and some of them still have to go on with the nightmares even though the war was over a long time ago.

the guide but I could not remember his name

Visiting a war museum always makes me feel thankful to have lived in a peaceful country. We are always worried about not having enough money to buy the latest handphone, or the hike in the petrol price, or canned tuna is now getting more expensive. Have we ever worried what kind of life we will live in if peace is no longer restored? Oh ok, I am getting a tad emotional here.

All in all, the museum was a small but it contained stories of the Cambodian people of the past and the present. Make sure you get a guide when visiting or else you will only be staring at old metal scraps.

"There is no path to peace.
Peace is the path."

~ Mahatma Gandhi ~ 

[MY SIEM REAP TRIP MAIN PAGE]

OBSERVING THE SUNSET AT THE LAKE

This is a small part of the Marine Parade area in Queenstown and people have to walk past this spot to get to the gardens. We were there quite late on the first day there but there were a lot of people hanging around, especially teens. Basically people came here (at that time) to watch the sunset over Lake Wakatipu in the evening, or to watch other people watching the sunset. I guess there could other interesting activities going on here on a hot summer day.

This gate was erected to commemorate the soldiers who died during the many wars New Zealand took part in.

The view of the sunset was simply amazing. And that is another moment in life what we always take for granted. I am already thinking of another holiday escapade. *sigh*

"When I admire the wonders of the sunset

or the beauty of the moon,

my soul expands in the worship of the Creator."

~ Mahatma Gandhi ~