Bagan: The Beauty of Ananda Pahto

There is one temple in Bagan which is highly recommended by guides and people there, it is Ananda Pahto, and there are good reasons why – it’s one of the largest, finest and most importantly, the most-preserved temple in Bagan. Coming from the road on the north plain this was the main temple on the east, outside the walls of Old Bagan. It’s very popular so the presence of the vendor stands leading to the Pahto’s main entrance is expected. Beyond them I marvelled at the beautiful white-washed temple with a golden corn-like stupa glimmering at the mid-day sun.

Continue Reading

Fly and Sail Day 3: The Asian Melting Pot Tour in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

I woke up from the faint light emanating from the window. It was already past 5am. I looked out beyond the frosted glass and it was completely blue. The ship seems to be approaching Port Klang, Malaysia slowly through an overnight cruise. Aside from the disjointed snores inside the room, I barely noticed the movement while I was sleeping. We got ready for breakfast as we’ll soon disembark for a short tour around Kuala Lumpur.

Continue Reading

Benguet: A Taoist Bell Church in Baguio

So what’s new in Baguio? Aside from what I’ve written about Baguio lately, there isn’t much really aside from new eateries, events and activities. Most of the new stuff are extending far out of Baguio’s corners. We had time to kill for the afternoon after lunch so we decided to go to this one lesser known landmark that I haven’t been to which they call the Bell Church, found up north of Baguio at the border of La Trinidad.

Continue Reading

Hong Kong: Old to New, Man Mo Temple and Symphony of Lights

We lingered for more than an hour at Statue Square before we crossed the street to the bus stop heading to Man Mo Temple. By now we are used to taking the bus and finding the right bus stops to wait for. What we’re not used to, well at least me, is seeing these large vehicles navigate through some of Hong Kong’s narrow one way roads, just like Hollywood Road. I was looking out on my window as the nearest street to Man Mo Temple was the Ladder Street. And soon I saw Nina from the front signaling us that we’re already here.

Continue Reading

La Union: The Taoist Macho Temple and the Caysasay Connection

Ma-Cho Temple San Fernando

Its east meets west in La Union as we visit two places of worship from two different faiths. It’s not surprising to see the confluence of culture here as the Filipinos are known to be capable of dual faiths. Say for example, some Chinese homes have both the images of Buddha and Christ side by side. While not near each other we look at to sacred images representing each faith in the Taoist, Macho Temple (or Ma Cho Temple).

Continue Reading

Macau: A-Ma Temple Festival and the Chinese Opera

Macau A-Ma Temple

It was time for a rather late lunch coming from Guia Fortress and the Grand Prix Museum. But we didn’t mind eating late since the Macanese Food at Ristorante Litoral was a fitting reward from our little hikes under the sun. As we were about to finish, Joao told us we should drop by A-Ma Temple since there’s a Chinese Opera performing which is part of the week long A-Ma festival being held.

Continue Reading

Singapore: Visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Singapore's Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

I have visited a number of temples already. While some are really grand, they have already aged through time. If their rustic conditions still make them look astonishing. What more if you could see a temple in all its golden age glory. In Singapore, whose major population is Chinese, it’s no surprise to see a temple such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple rise up at the heart of Chinatown. The temple is considered as a living cultural monument inspired by the golden age of Buddhism in China during the Tang Dynasty.

Continue Reading