'No man can know happiness without peace'.
Peace only comes when we deal with issues that take up space in our minds. We cannot afford to waste them, as time is short, and it is wise to let go of matters that will only be forgotten in time anyway. But do not leave behind those who have left on their spiritual journey; they will be beside you whenever you think of them and give you their support whenever you ask.
'To my Darling Friend Guilda, my thoughts are with you on your hours of grief'.
March 2014 - My visit to Siem Reap began with a similar order of a guide and driver waiting at the airport to drop me at the hotel Shinta Mani Resort in a central area of town. As I arrived at nightfall, the entrance was grand, with white walls, high ceilings, and dimmed lighting to give it an ultra-modern look, also lit by an alley of candles set on the floor by the columns. Quite impressive! The young man on duty who showed me to my room was pleasant and informative, giving the experience a most welcoming star. As usual, I dropped my case in the spacious room with a balcony overlooking the pool and asked the concierge for the closest restaurant of repute, so he recommended Chanrey Tree and a tuk-tuk for the short ride to get there.
My guide Nack had asked whether I would prefer to rest in the morning (as my cold sounded relatively serious with a chesty cough in order) and go to the Jungle Temple, as he called it; later in the day, I insisted on leaving as scheduled and asked for a wake-up call at 5:00a The hotel organised little croissants and tea/coffee at the entrance lobby, as it was the norm to leave at dawn to watch the sunrise at the temple We drove as the light separated itself from darkness, as though the sky had parted in two, before dawn and reached the Ta Pomh Temple, left to be ravaged by the jungle of overgrown roots of tree Starting that early, the morning mist added to the eeriness of the atmosphere, which somewhat felt belittling, walking as a small creature amongst such giant, overgrown nature.
The fact that barely anyone was around so early added further enjoyment to the solitude. I asked Nak to leave me in a cornered area of the walled temple to meditate as the sun began to shine through the mystic surroundings. We walked through the grounds, and a handful of visitors entered as we were leaving. To have been able to spend a good few moments left all to myself was bliss.
I was dropped back at the hotel by 8:45am, ready to head straight into the self-service of a beautiful breakfast set by the pool, enclosed by the hotel room. I had until 15:00 hour to enjoy the sunshine and a swim, with a light salad lunch before the afternoon pick-up for the next tour.
Peace only comes when we deal with issues that take up space in our minds. We cannot afford to waste them, as time is short, and it is wise to let go of matters that will only be forgotten in time anyway. But do not leave behind those who have left on their spiritual journey; they will be beside you whenever you think of them and give you their support whenever you ask.
'To my Darling Friend Guilda, my thoughts are with you on your hours of grief'.
March 2014 - My visit to Siem Reap began with a similar order of a guide and driver waiting at the airport to drop me at the hotel Shinta Mani Resort in a central area of town. As I arrived at nightfall, the entrance was grand, with white walls, high ceilings, and dimmed lighting to give it an ultra-modern look, also lit by an alley of candles set on the floor by the columns. Quite impressive! The young man on duty who showed me to my room was pleasant and informative, giving the experience a most welcoming star. As usual, I dropped my case in the spacious room with a balcony overlooking the pool and asked the concierge for the closest restaurant of repute, so he recommended Chanrey Tree and a tuk-tuk for the short ride to get there.
My guide Nack had asked whether I would prefer to rest in the morning (as my cold sounded relatively serious with a chesty cough in order) and go to the Jungle Temple, as he called it; later in the day, I insisted on leaving as scheduled and asked for a wake-up call at 5:00a The hotel organised little croissants and tea/coffee at the entrance lobby, as it was the norm to leave at dawn to watch the sunrise at the temple We drove as the light separated itself from darkness, as though the sky had parted in two, before dawn and reached the Ta Pomh Temple, left to be ravaged by the jungle of overgrown roots of tree Starting that early, the morning mist added to the eeriness of the atmosphere, which somewhat felt belittling, walking as a small creature amongst such giant, overgrown nature.
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| Nature defies all |
The fact that barely anyone was around so early added further enjoyment to the solitude. I asked Nak to leave me in a cornered area of the walled temple to meditate as the sun began to shine through the mystic surroundings. We walked through the grounds, and a handful of visitors entered as we were leaving. To have been able to spend a good few moments left all to myself was bliss.
I was dropped back at the hotel by 8:45am, ready to head straight into the self-service of a beautiful breakfast set by the pool, enclosed by the hotel room. I had until 15:00 hour to enjoy the sunshine and a swim, with a light salad lunch before the afternoon pick-up for the next tour.
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| View from my room at Shinta Mani. |
I showered and wore the long, loose pants bought in Hoi An in thin cotton with a shawl over my black t-shirt (a simple rule of respect to be dressed appropriately. We drove off to Angkor Thom, the last city of the Khmer Empire; it ran from 800 to 1400 and, at the height of its wealth and power, was thought to have supported a population of one million people. The fortified city, which runs at 4km x 4km, is accessed through one of five gates, standing 20 metres tall and decorated with stone faces and elephant trunks. The most impressive was the Byron, a creative masterpiece of its architect, King Jayavarman VII, one of that era's most forceful and productive kings.
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| South gate entrance to Angkor Thom |
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| Back entrance from within the walls |
108 statues; 54 on each side represent Gods on the right and Demons on the left.
The site was mesmerising with the 216 strikings, smiling enormous faces reminiscent of the king himself. Although I was listening to Nak (my guide) explain the history behind such magnificence, my mind and visual experience were far more enriching than any words said at the time.
We walked for hours in the heat, which had somewhat died down in the early hours of the evening. The clicking of my right finger on the camera was hitting well into the hundreds.
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| The Byron is set in the middle of the 4kmx4km grounds. |
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| Carvings on the walls represent the activities of the time. |
The site was mesmerising with the 216 strikings, smiling enormous faces reminiscent of the king himself. Although I was listening to Nak (my guide) explain the history behind such magnificence, my mind and visual experience were far more enriching than any words said at the time.
We walked for hours in the heat, which had somewhat died down in the early hours of the evening. The clicking of my right finger on the camera was hitting well into the hundreds.
 |
| Buddha - May your smile be contagious! |
The last part of the visit was the grand Terrace of the Elephants, where public ceremonies of the Khmer Empire were held. Standing there, I could imagine the Khmer kings reviewing vast processions of infantry, chariots, and elephants elegantly braced sadly to go to war; still, it was a grand vision.
Goodness, I am so behind with my blog writing! Yet, I am disciplined in putting my thoughts in the right order. I just got back from an Amazing trip to Seville and simply can't wait to write about it.
I still have to finish Cambodia next, though, later today.
My conclusion about going on trips alone compared to those that involve the company of friends is that I choose my friends as the experience becomes so much more meaningful. Yet, I am super happy to have gone so far in the East alone, as it was exactly what I needed to do.
So, I end this blog with a salute to all my wonderful companions who brought so much enlightenment into my life.
Goodness, I am so behind with my blog writing! Yet, I am disciplined in putting my thoughts in the right order. I just got back from an Amazing trip to Seville and simply can't wait to write about it.
I still have to finish Cambodia next, though, later today.
My conclusion about going on trips alone compared to those that involve the company of friends is that I choose my friends as the experience becomes so much more meaningful. Yet, I am super happy to have gone so far in the East alone, as it was exactly what I needed to do.
So, I end this blog with a salute to all my wonderful companions who brought so much enlightenment into my life.
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