We have touched down in the UK for a few weeks. Time to catch up on jobs to be done.
For the next wee while we will post occasional blogs until we head onto the continent next month.
Category / Adventure!
Grand Palace
We spent our last day in Bangkok at the Grand Palace. The morning was spent researching a family friend in the Royal Archives.
Then, along with several thousand other folk, we wandered the grounds and buildings of the complex in awe at the grandeur and gold.
On our way back to our hotel we stopped by a temple to discover a courtyard with several table tennis tables chocka with school boys who played well. Got thrashed.
City of Angels
We arrived in Bangkok this afternoon and after settling into our final room of this long trip, we took a ferry northwards up the Chao Phraya river to Tha Tien pier where we visited Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon). It is the oldest and biggest temple in the city and known for its huge 46m long and 15m high Reclining Buddha.
It was particularly noisy in the temple courtyards with Chinese New Year celebrations taking place. The relatively quiet space near the Buddha was refreshingly quiet and peaceful.
Doi Suthep temple
Up before dawn to witness the monks receiving the hospitality of those who filled their food bowls and who in turn received a chanted blessing. We were struck by the humility of the monks and the respect of those who cared for them.
Then we drove up the mountain to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep theravada temple in Chiang Mai province. We relished the stillness of the early morning before many people arrived to visit and to pray.
Chiang Mai
We have spent a fascinating couple of days wandering the streets of this lovely, busy yet gentle place, encountering the wildlife, finding stillness in the temples and meeting some of the villagers who live in the hills surrounding the city.
Seventh flag
The Thailand flag is red, blue and white. Red represents the blood of life, blue, the Thai monarchy and white, the colour for purity which is also is the colour of Buddhism.
It was officially adopted in 1917 and can be seen everywhere in villages, towns and cities.
Blue Siam
We have arrived in Bangkok, Thailand and will head north to Chiang Mai this evening.
The hills we flew over before landing shone blue through the clouds. Perhaps we may get to explore something of the hill country during our short visit.
Paths of joy
Met up with a wonderful woman who has fundraised to have a labyrinth put into Centennial Park, Sydney. It is one of the most beautiful labyrinths we have walked. A lovely way to bring into the conscious mind all that we have experienced on our journey thus far.
Good to see and hear cockatoos again and to encounter huge ginger fruit bats in the stand of Paper Bark trees close by the labyrinth.
We spent the afternoon walking from bay to bay along the coast. Impressive surf at Bondi beach.
Icons
Flew west across South Island and the Tasman Sea and landed in Sydney early this morning.
Took a boat trip round the harbour and wandered along Circula Quay to get close up to two iconic structures, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Recognising the strangeness of finding oneself in a different country after a relatively quick flight to Australia from New Zealand.
There is a sense of waiting for our souls to catch up.
E noho rā
Our last full day in New Zealand began at Eucharist in Christchurch Transitional Cathedral. We left there to search out a labyrinth built out of the bricks of a nearby church destroyed in the 2011 earthquake. We walked in thanks and hope and weeded the path as a gesture of solidarity.
We say goodbye (e noho rā) to all we have met on our travels here and leave with deep gratitude for all we have received.
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