In the old Siam capitol of Ayutthaya, there are many interesting ruins that stand as a reminder of the past and some of the events that led to the founding of modern day Thailand. One of the most popular and impressive ruins is that of an old temple named Wat Mahathat. History of Wat Mahathat [...]
Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand is the place that we chose to do an elephant trek. I had been elephant trekking before in Nepal, but my wife had never even touched an elephant so we booked a typical day tour that included an elephant trek and a few other experiences in the area, including bamboo [...]
Today's travel photo is of the ancient ruins of Wat Chai Wattanaram in the old Siam capitol of Ayutthaya, Thailand. About Wat Chai Wattanaram Wat Chai Wattanaram was built in the 17th Century by King Prasat Thong. It was left to ruin after the Burmese defeated and destroyed the city in the 18th Century. The [...]
Wat Pho (Wat Po), officially called Wat Phra Chetuphon, is also commonly known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is apparently the oldest and largest in Bangkok, and is also one of the most spectacular. The Reclining Buddha Near the entry is the site that most people go to the temple to [...]
This week's photo is of a Stupa (chedi) in Wat Phra Kaew (also known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred temple in Thailand, located within the Grand Palace walls. This stupa is "held up" by 20 colourful statues surrounding its base. What [...]
I awoke in the village of Lobuche, Nepal, on a freezing morning. Overnight the temperature had apparently dropped down to under -15 degrees Celcius. Although I had been snowed in two days before in Dingboche, the weather was now perfect. Clear blue skies let the morning sun shine down on the ice capped mountains towering [...]
I started my trek from Tengboche, Nepal early on a chilly Himalayan morning. Visiting the monks at the monastery the day before had given me an even greater respect for this amazing place and its people. I had been awoken early by the ringing of the monk's gongs, which made me want to get up [...]
This weeks photo is of the courtyard inside the old town hall in San Gimignano, Italy. A well preserved, walled medieval town, San Gimignano is known for its amazing towers that were built throughout the town in the 12th and 13th centuries. A Brief History of San Gimignano and Its Town Hall San Gimignano's origins [...]
After spending a day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to the altitude, I was ready to continue my trek to Mount Everest. During my acclimatization day I had climbed up to a viewpoint above the village, where I got unobstructed views up the valley to Mount Everest in the Khumbu region of Nepal. In the [...]
The Piazza Venezia is one of the busiest intersections in Rome. The piazza is named after Cardinal Venezia, who built his palace (Palazzo Venezia) adjacent to it in the 15th Century. At one end of the piazza stands the magnificent Vittorio Emanuele II Monument next to Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum.
