So I'm back after 2 weeks in Asia. The main reason for going away was to participate in the 2007 Golfathon at Mission Hills Golf Resort (see previous blog entry). As golfing vacations/experiences go, it was amazing...I'm already looking forward to next year's tournament! The courses were awesome, the conditions on the 'very wet' side, and my game...well, there's not enough space here for me to digress :)
Along with golf, there was also a 3 night side trip to Cambodia to visit the Ankor Wat complex of temples/ruins in Siem Reap. What can I say. Popularized by the Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie, Cambodia has recently dispatched it's violent history, and although still a very corrupt country, has opened the flood gates to tourism. Unfortunately like many other natural historical sites around the world, I'm thinking mostly of China and the Great Wall and The Forbidden City, the ruins and temples at Angkor are already suffering under the heavy foot traffic of tourists. Many sites are under repair or are roped off for the protection of the sites, and the safety of the tourists. Nothing ruins your day faster than an epic 800 year old temple ruin, with metal scaffolding blocking most of your view.
And of course in addition to golfing and tomb raiding, there were a few days in Hong Kong scattered throughout the start, middle and end of the journey. A little shopping, some wandering around, lots of eating, and my first visit to Macau for an afternoon.
So for some reason all the pics I've uploaded aren't in the best sequence, and since I didn't bother to rename any of the pics this time, reordering them is a task I choose NOT to do. So things will just jump around chronologically and geographically. As always, feel free to browse the images while reading, or if you'd like to see any of the images in a larger size, just click on it.
So who is this mystery girl? I have no idea. She was reading a guide book in one of the window openings and I just stopped and asked her if she'd mind me taking a picture of her. She was reading about the temple she was sitting in. This was from the top (third) floor of the main Angkor Wat temple. Quite a hike up STEEP stone steps...with a very convenient metal handrail installed for tourists :)
Part of the outdoor dining/lounging area at our hotel in Siem Reap. Hotel De La Paix. A sweet package deal from AMEX travel in HK. The cost of the package includes roundtrip flight and 2 nights (the hotel had an additional 3 night pay for 2 special), totalled less than the rack rate for the room for one night alone. Not a bad deal. These were suspended beds/couches with a table in the middle. Pretty cool...quite romantic as well, but not so much when you're there alone with your brother. Haha :)
This is me getting in touch with my feminine side. Lotus flower. The hotel had them everywhere!
Transportation Cambodian style. The majority of Cambodians travel by foot, by bicycle, or by moped/motorcycle. Not too many own cars for personal use as they're quite expensive in comparison to the average Cambodian salary.
Take a friend, or take family...as many as can fit.
Ta Phrom. The temple complex immortalized by Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. I was most excited to see this temple, and probably the most disappointed due to the extensive metal scaffolding and repairs underway. I'm not sure if all these stones had fallen here naturally or if the restoration workers had piled them here?
One of the famous tree and root shots. Ta Prohm is most recognizeable for these huge overgrown fig tree roots. There are other temples like it, but this is one of the only ones that they've left to nature's own devices. The others they've cut the trees and roots down. Understandably, they can't clear this one now cause that's what it's famous for.
My tuktuk driver. Mr. Devang, otherwise known as Number 2820. If you're ever in Siem Reap and need a tuktuk driver, ask for this guy. He's the best! This shot was copied from a colleague at work who took a similar shot. I liked his so much I wanted to try my own. I think his is better.
Bayon. At the centre of the Angkor Thom complex. Most noted for the multiple face carvings. I can't remember how many towers there are, 52? 58? ...but each has 4 faces carved on it, one on each side. Notice the unattractive wooden steps...they were built over the original stone steps that are degrading due to overuse.
Another tree and root somewhere within Ta Prohm.
800 year old temple...who knew they had aluminum ladders back then!!!
Yet more roots at Ta Prohm. People like to pose in weird ways with big tree roots. This guy was pretty normal. No, I don't know him either.
One of the entrances to the Angkor Thom complex. Angkor Thom is the largest temple complex and houses several others within it, including Bayon at it's centre. That wall goes all the way around it. I don't know the measurements, but it's BIG.
Somewhere within the Bayon complex...and more wooden stairs.
Here's a closer look at some of the face carvings. I believe these are sandstone. You can see the lines and cracks between the different blocks of stone. Different coloured stones usually mean they're from different sources, all sandstone though. Drastic colour differences within the same block usually means restoration work. The lighter parts being newer concrete.
A smaller tower at Bayon.
The moat that surrounds Angkor Wat. Most of the larger temple complexes had huge man made moats surrounding them, to protect them from attack. Back in the day they would have been filled with crocodiles and poisonous snakes. Angkor Wat is the main temple, and also appears on the Cambodian flag.
Part of the outer wall surrounding Angkor Wat. Much like Chinese culture, there were 5 doorways into the inner complex. The centre for the royal family members, the next two middle for high officials, and the outer two at ground level for commoners and animals.
From the inside of Angkor Wat. Overlooking one of 4 'pools', but not for bathing, used for catching and draining rain water.
Looking down one of the many corridors inside Angkor Wat.
Yet more strangers. I saw these two at the end of a hallway about to enter, so I snapped a picture. They were even nice enough to think they were blocking my shot and quickly moved out of the way. Little did they know I have paparazzi skills :)
Inside Angkor Wat temple, second floor. I'm pretty sure that basket belongs to one of the grounds keepers.
The main temple of Angkor Wat. There are 5 main towers. From the front you can only see 3. Four corners and one in the centre. Now if I could only remember what they represented. I think it was the 3 Hindu gods? Brahma (creator), Vishnu (maintenance), and Siva (Shiva, destroyer). The other two towers are for their mistresses? I could be mistaken. Our guide was very good, but my memory isn't :)
More of my feminine side. Lotus flowers inside the Art Lounge at Hotel De La Paix. A space dedicated to the arts and features a constantly changing exhibit.
Well this doesn't look like a ruined temple! No it's outside the Wynn Casino in Macau. No I didn't win big either, I didn't even play.
Do I know the name of this street? No. Somewhere in Central (Hong Kong), one of the many street stall areas.
Old technology versus new technology. He's got a mobile phone and some BLING on his wrist, but that sewing machine looks old school to me.
I can't believe I had to wake up at 4:30am for this shot, it's not even that nice! Looking across the moat towards Angkor Wat at sunrise. The typical picture is from within the outer walls, looking across one of the inner ponds. Who needs to be typical? ...besides, the pond was only 3/4 full and covered in lotus pads :)
Just a view of some wavy clouds over Angkor Wat.
Somewhere in Macau. I stopped off in an old building that had some art on display. Not sure why I shot this, I just liked it.
Looking up to the second floor in that very same building.
Looking STRAIGHT up.
Stained glass windows from the second floor.
Part of the Macau skyline. Macau Tower and the Macau Taipa Bridge. Macau is pretty much three little islands...Macau City, Taipa and Coloane.
Somewhere in Macau looking up an alleyway. Did I mention they make and sell great candies and treats in Macau? Ginger candies, nougat, and these tasty peanut and sesame treats. All you need to do is keep walking up and down this one street, back and forth, and eat all the samples they thrust at you :P
The ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral in Macau. Long ago the entire cathedral burned down and all that was left standing was the southern facade. Pretty cool.
St. Paul's Cathedral.
"Street Meat" chinese style.
I wonder how good this guy would do an a Friday night outside "Guvernment"?
Ah Mission Hills. The 18th hole on the World Cup Course.
The main entrance to the Shenzhen complex.
On the ride back from Mission Hills to Hong Kong. I liked this cloud so I took a picture of it.
The typical tourist photo from Hong Kong. I wasn't planning on doing it, but it was a rather clear night and you could see forever. Too bad I left the tripod at the hotel.
A little out of order. From inside an old church in Macau.
Back to the 18th hole on the World Cup Course. This was our final round of the Golfathon, and probably the best weather ALL week...wouldn't you know it!! Yes it was blazingly hot! Some of the smaller homes on the courses...I'm kidding. I think the floorplan showed 9 bedrooms and bathrooms?
Gearing up for a tournament. Caddies and players getting organized. The caddies with the golden vests are called "Golden Caddies", meaning they've been there long enough to gain SUPER status...they just know the course better than the others due to experience...although they ALL know them pretty well. I would've putted the opposite break if it wasn't for some of their "reads".
Shenzhen clubhouse caddy station. This is where you pick up and drop off your caddy and bags. Each aisle is designated for a different course. You check in at the registration desk, then visit the Caddy Master who assigns you caddies, then they bring up their cart and load up your bags. Huge operation, but pretty efficient.
Caddies waiting in line. There's something like 2500 caddies at Mission Hills altogether at both clubhouses. They rotate duties and somedays will be organizers, other days help with groundskeeping and course maintenance.
Bag drop. Whether you're playing out of the Dongguan clubhouse or the Shenzhen clubhouse, they'll have your bags transferred and waiting for you. When you show up for your round, you show them your bag number and they'll find it for you and load it on your cart underneath the other loading area.
Our caddies from the Faldo course (middle and right). The girl on the left just wanted to get in the picture.
Muddy shoes. When you play in muddy conditions, you're gonna get dirty. Harder to see on black shoes though. I should've taken the picture after the next swing...mud explosion all over my legs. Who needs a spa when you can get covered in mud on the course?
Marky, I don't know if you could handle your shoes getting this filthy :) Bags and clubs were fine, the caddies wipe them down after every shot...my clubs have never been so clean!!
Mission Hills Dongguan Clubhouse. Brand new clubhouse opened end of last year or early this year I think. 63,000 square metres of marble and stone. This place is HUGE!! Makes all other clubhouses look like a Port-O-Potty. You can see underneath the caddy garage/pickup area.
Just a random sitting area somewhere within the Dongguan Clubhouse. Does anyone ever sit in here?
Second or third floor at Dongguan? They've got numerous boardrooms and banquet facilities in the upper floors. I think this was an atrium on the boardroom floor.
Storm clouds. This was a typical afternoon scene, accompanied by HEAVY rains and lots of thunder and lightning. We'd usually wait out the rain in the nearest halfway house, along with 10-15 other groups and their caddies. Not sure what course this was overlooking. Not a bad view from that house on the hill either.
Dave and Apple. Yes that was her name. We also met Cherry (sort of normal), Jelly, Rainly and several other "uniquely" named girls. Dave was attempting to apply for a caddy job.
Nick Faldo course. 16th or 17th signature hole? I don't know, I'll have to look it up. Island green. I think I par'd this hole oddly enough. Downhill into a slight wind, PW i think?
The Faldo course is situated on it's own in between the Shenzhen and Dongguan complexes. I believe that's the clubhouse facility they're building for it in the background. This was a really nice course.
First round caddies. Somewhere on the Ozaki course. Nope, can't remember their names. They were pretty fun though. The golden caddy on the right had a pretty good looking swing too.
Olazabal Course. Signature 15th hole. Par 5. The longest and one of the toughest tracks at Mission Hills. I WANT my revenge on this course. Not one of my better swinging rounds, so I'd like to see how I'd do on an average to good day. Seen here from the blue tee box. There's a "few" bunkers on this course, something in the neighbourhood of 155? ...and one or two on this hole. There's also a deep channel cutting across the fairway, messing with your second shot. After a good drive, my caddy handed me 3wood and told me to go for it. I guess she's never watched Tin Cup. I think I cleared it with an ugly shot.
A closer look from down the fairway of number 15. This would kind of be what your second shot would look like, but a little further up the fairway. Note the channel in the fairway you need to clear, and the well bunkered landing area you're aiming for. Great hole.
I have NO idea where this is from. Leadbetter maybe? With some "medium" sized homes overlooking.
IFC Tower, Central, Hong Kong. I think this was the building Lara Croft base jumped from in the movie.
The OTHER typical tourist shot of Hong Kong.
You'll have to tell me whether this shot worked or not. I took a shot of a miniature scale model of the Airport Express Station down at IFC mall. Well maybe not. That's what it's SUPPOSED to look like. It's a normal photograph, but treated in a way that's supposed to make everything look kind of like a miniature model. Sometimes I think it works and other times not.
Walkway to IFC mall at night. I was trying to get the typical night exposure shot of streaking car lights and cityscape...only there wasn't much traffic.
Another miniature attempt. Across the street from SOGO department store. One of the busier intersections around Causeway Bay. One of the two days I think it rained while we were in Hong Kong. We lucked out on the weather.
More artsy stuff. Somewhere on the Hotel De La Paix grounds.
And one more for good measure.
Banteay Srei. This complex is a little farther away from the other main complexes at Angkor, about a 30-40 minute drive from Siem Reap. Made of pink sandstone, this temple has a very distinct look with very intricate Khmer Art carvings.
"Reclamation". Witness Nature's eventual reclamation of all things built by man. Seedlings sprout amongst the stone ruins at Banteay Srei.
A closer look at some of the detailed sandstone carvings at Banteay Srei.
Another closeup of some carvings. Banteay Srei was a Hindu temple. Historically, Cambodian kings were either Hindu or Buddhist, with regimes switching back and forth over the centuries. Many temple carvings were desecrated by successive kings, often carving their religious symbols over top existing ones, in temples built by previous kings of the opposite religion. Buddha sitting with crossed legs vs. Hindu god sitting in Lotus position.
This is Pre Rup. Late 10th century temple. I passed it on the road travelling up to Banteay Srei and thought it looked interesting, so I asked the driver to stop on the way back. Besides myself, there were about 3 other people touring this site in the late morning, and about 10-15 workers doing groundskeeping. It's got a view just above the treetops, and is a recommended spot on some websites for watching the sunset. It's not exactly close to the city so I wasn't interested in coming back for sunset.
Doorway at Pre Rup.
Steep steps at Pre Rup. Many of the temples at Angkor feature rather steep stone steps. This guy was from Australia. He's in another picture somewhere. Sometimes pictures are boring with nobody in them, so you gotta make the most out of strangers you meet...
Groundskeepers keeping Pre Rup looking tidy. How would you like to cut your lawn and do all the weeding with only a machete?
Yup, here he is again. Some of the ground level ruins at Pre Rup.
I passed this while making my way out of Pre Rup and thought it would make an interesting picture. What is it? ...just the ground near the bottom of the temple wall.
A view of Pre Rup from the inside courtyard, first level.
Art Lounge back at Hotel De La Paix in the late morning. Chess is a large part of Cambodian heritage. No intricately carved wooden pieces? No problem, they'll even use bottle caps for pieces. There was a pretty nice photo exhibit called "Chess" showing in the lounge, taken by an emerging Kmher photographer.
Mmmmm...breakfast....or at least part of it. Hotel De La Paix has a pretty nice selection of fresh fruits, fresh juice, cereals and breads...in addition to their menu...
