Indochina Adventure (Part 10) – The Temples of Angkor Wat

On By James HandlonIn Indochina Adventure2 Comments

The famous temple of Angkor Wat

Flying into Cambodia I was excited at the prospect of a new phase of this grand Indochina adventure being upon us. I had wanted to visit the Temples of Angkor Wat ever since I had read about them in a ‘Lost Civilisations’ graphical history book way back in the mists of time when I was a gangly and spotty teenager. At the time Indiana Jones was the current smash hit running high at the movies and all things ancient exploration seemed to be in fashion and the flavour of the month. Continue reading “Indochina Adventure (Part 10) – The Temples of Angkor Wat” →

Foto Friday – The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu

On By James HandlonIn Foto Friday1 Comment

The Great Wall, Mutianyu Huairou County

Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, the Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China.Here the wall winds for 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite.

Watchtowers are very densely placed along this section of the Wall with 22 in total along this small stretch alone.The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. It measures 23 to 26 feet high and four to five yards wide.

Amazingly we had the wall almost to ourselves to wander along which as anyone who has visited China will know is almost unheard of!

Foto Friday – Karnak Temple (ca. 1391–1351 BC)

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Karnak Temple

While travelling back down the Nile several years ago we ended our trip at the ancient city of Luxor where the famous Karnak Temples are sited. This ancient temple complex is a travel photographers paradise with endless opportunities for the avid snapper. The immense forest of columns in the Great Temple tends to be at the top of everyones wanted list.

I too, like thousands before me, could not resist snapping away while wandering around inside the inner sanctum, dazed and in a total state of shock and awe at the sheer size and magnitude of the whole place. The vast mix of ruined temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, notably the Great Temple of Amun simply blows your mind away.

See more photos at: http://www.fluidr.com/photos/44720200@N02/sets

Indochina Adventure (Part 9) – Down the Cu Chi Tunnels

On By James HandlonIn Indochina AdventureLeave a comment
My brother-in-law Paul trying a tunnel for size!

After a great day exploring up the Mekong Delta for today we had opted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi played host to 18,000 guerillas during The Vietnam War and they waged a hit and run war against American forces from the 125 miles of hand-dug passageways. Today parts of this tunnel network have been opened up to the public giving a glimpse of what life must have been like for those living through this period in history.

Continue reading “Indochina Adventure (Part 9) – Down the Cu Chi Tunnels” →