Pictures

Picturetime!

25 August 2007

Longji village, Guilin province, China

A local Zhuang lady picking the best chillies. She makes a damn good chili paste with it!

29 April 2006

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand

A detail from the top of the temple. The Wat Arun is totally decorated with Chinese porcelain.

23 June 2005

Guiyuan temple, Wuhan, China

Guardian lion is decorated with red ribbons. The ribbons are sold by the temple and good wishes are written on. People can write their names (or the on of their relatives) on the ribbons and hang them up. This is a way to ask for good fortune.

8 June 2006

Yao village, Chiang Rai province, Thailand

Thailand the land of smiles! This lady is part of the Yao minority living in the Northern parts of Thailand. Even I didn't buy anything she keeps on smiling, way to go!

9 April 2007

Measa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai province, Thailand

Ok this is a very ugly picture, but I want to show the picture in the frame. It depicts a white elephant. These are very rare and special and bringers of good luck. According to Thai custom if you find or possess such an elephant you should immediately offer it to the king. So now the present king, Rama 9 got some in his palaces. The whiteness of the elephant is important, because there is a whole gradation of characteristics. Nose, ears, sex, ... all should be white to get the highest qualification.

Nowadays such elephants can sometimes be seen in royal parades.
In the old Thai national flag a white elephant could be seen in the middle.

30 April 2004

St-Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic

Closer home, but what a beautiful city, Prague.

This is a view from one of those fairy-like streets that opens out on the Prague Castle.