Picturesque Ban Pilok

A place called Pilok

up by Kanchanaburi

lies pristine beauty.

Of love eternal

with aspiring forever

the bridge as silent witness.

Bright morning sunshine

clear skies and blue still water

perfect place to be.

Up in the mountain

where the door to heaven lays

opens to lost souls.

A blanket of clouds

that cover the greens and browns

  to sleep mid-morning.

From a bird's eye-view

of roads and trails like weaving

a tapestry fine.

A Post Summer Trip

Two weeks passed and school have been as hectic as the last few weeks of school.  While I vowed anew to collaborate with my new students in their learning journey with me, I took some time to de-stress before the children started.  

The weather was just fair, not sunny yet not rainy.  The darkening clouds might looked gloomy in photographs but it wasn't bad at all.  It made the entire trip dreamy- of bed weather and doing nothing.  
I took a welcome journey, a trip to be exact, to the beautiful and bucolic sceneries of Kanchanaburi and Sangklaburi.  In retrospect, 

to associate the gloomy weather for bed weather

to delight in selfies amongst a filed of orangey flowers 

to form a spectacular scenario of earth meets water meets sky

to rest under the canopy with a breathtaking view 

to soothe the senses by the pristine crisp sound of the water cascading through the rocks

to encapsulate the bucolic feel of the countryside of greens

 to remind me of deep thoughts and thinking through the curves and depth of the waterway

to fill our spiritual needs with some prayers and wishes

to talk to God in a way most unique in every culture

Overall, the picturesque beauty that's offered by nature is just the correct ingredient to start the school year with vigour.  When one is needing of zest, the peace offered by the countryside is enough to warrant a needed escapade. 

The Garden of My Dreams

The Flower Es'Senses in Prachinburi is actually a resort but boasts of a garden gallery that is accessible to visitors and guests alike.  Since I did not stay in the resort, I took a chance to see the garden and I was allowed to do so. 

Welcome to Dasada, reminiscent of Singapore Botanical Garden in a smaller scale, but still unique and enthralling. 

The outside is immensely well-spaced by waterways, lakes, lined trees and ornate ones.  As there is no one around, I cannot locate which and what. It was a blind walk, though not to be missed by sight, but to be marvelled because of its beauty. 

Since I cannot have a huge garden like this, I will just settle for a great, big hug from you. 

Have a great, BIG, happy week to everyone!

Monkey Business

Monkeys as subjects.  I have not seen them in close range than now where I get to focus on their human-like behaviour through the lenses.  

All are of my favourites! The colours and immensity of the Vajiralongkorn Dam added to the greatness of the photographs. 

Summer is Over

Summer is over and school started.  Though one significant event/travel did not materialize, it was somehow replaced by other things that also make me happy: short trips and photographs.

Lam Phya Floating Market, Bang Rakam, Lam Phya

Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima

Na Hin Lat, Kanchanaburi

Bang Phlap, Nonthaburi

Bangkok skyscape (taken inside the car)

Burgos Circle, BGC,  Makati, Philippines

And my most awaited and treasured adventure...

White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Puerto Galera Pier, Oriental Mindoro

Each place has a story to tell, weaved in memory and recalled.  And when summer ends, a new season begins.  Thus, a concoction of new adventures will unfold. Enjoy your day!

Land of Hell: A Day in Photo

Disturbing yet thought-provoking.  The mysteries of Buddhism unfolded when I visited the Wat Phai Rong Rua in Suphanburi Province.

Statues of people being punished by breaking Buddhist precepts. 

Some more statues depicting torments for sinners.  While none were explained by signs or labels, the statues were obviously showing despair, anguish, anxiety and dreadfulness.

The tree of adultery

There were two towering sculptures of a man ghost and a woman ghost with very detailed genitalia.

More disturbing displays of human sculptures guilty of sins such as adultery, murder, pride, envy, sloth, lust,  greed, addiction and others. 

But one cannot depend on others for his or her own deliverance, one needs to seek 'salvation' by his or her own doings. 

When a man seeks to gain liberation, to break away from the endless cycle of birth and death, to gain realization and enlightenment, he can only do this by his own efforts, by his own concentrated will power.  (Source: www.budsas.org)