Ayutthaya Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา), Thailand (part 2)

part 1

Wat Lokaya Sutharam

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Climbing up the main prang

view from the prang (inside is just a small buddha statue)

another view from the top of the stairs

Ayutthaya Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา), Thailand (part 1)

Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ayutthaya, Thailand and is home to ruins from the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351 to 1767). Ayutthaya is only a one hour train ride from Bangkok and can be done as a day trip though I ended up staying the night,

In Rama Public Park, looking towards Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Suwandararam Rajawaraviharn

inside Wat Suwandararam Rajawaraviharn

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Himeji Castle (姫路城)

Himeji Castle (姫路城) is one of the largest surviving castles in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's definitely one of the best places for viewing Japanese castles up close, and is also surrounded by sakuras.

The castle was closed for over 5 years for renovations, which were finally completed in March 2015. The castle often draws large crowds, especially during sakura season and even more so now due to the long renovation.

Entry to the castle is ¥1000, however the main keep is limited to the first 10,000 visitors each day. You'll receive a pass for the main keep as you enter the castle, the pass is required to enter the main keep.

Line to enter the keep. Even on a rainy day it took 40 minutes.
On a sunny day the wait can be up to 3 hours as everyone is still coming to visit the newly renovated castle.

view from the top of the keep

shrine at the top floor of the keep

interior of the keep

the keep was only used for defense, not for every day living, so the interior is bare even by Japanese standards

living quarters along the castle wall

hallway along the wall

Getting there: Himeji Castle is 1.5 km north of the Himeji JR train station, just walk straight along the main road. There is also a sight seeing bus that will take you within 500 m of the castle for ¥100.
Fees: ¥1000 for adults / ¥300 for children.
There is also a ¥1040 combined Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden ticket (normal fee for the gardens is ¥300). The gardens is right next to the castle grounds and is worth a visit if you have time.

Batad Rice Terraces (part 2)

(see part 1)

there currently aren't any roads to Batad, though one is currently under construction

this is the current path from the road down towards Batad

panoramic view of Batad

close up of the rice plants

Walking through the rice terraces

Batad Rice Terraces

About 15 km east of Banaue, Batad offers rice terraces which are stone-walled instead of mud-walled. The terraces are also arranged like an amphitheater around the main village, creating a much more impressive views than other rice terraces in the area.

Tappiyah Falls (also spelled Tappia)
The falls are a steep 1 hour hike from where you first enter Batad

Batad at night

Banaue Rice Terraces

The rice terraces in and around Banaue are a UNESCO World Site for the rice terraces that were hand constructed about 2000 years ago.

Banaue Viewpoint

Currently the only direct way there from Manila is a 9 hour overnight bus ride through Ohayami Trans, which can be booked online at Pinoy Travels for about 450 pesos each way.
Other lines run to Banaue via other cities such as Baguio, which are also worth visiting if you have the time.

rice terraces in nearby Hapao village

the view from Banaue town center

view of the back of Banaue town center

京都, 日本 (Kyoto, Japan)

Kyoto (京都), just North of Nara, was the former capital of Japan so there's lots of history to see there, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here's a few I was able to visit while there.

Byodo-in (平等院), but over a thousand years ago as a country-side retreat but is now a Buddhist temple.

different angle

somehwere.... i forget where...

The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), one of the most well-known Buddhist temples in the country.

Otawa Waterfall as seen from the wooden deck in the previous picture.

The people are lined up to drink from the water. Each of the three streams is suppose to bring different benefits.

Kiyomizu-dera, from a different angle

a niomon by the Kiyomizu-dera temples

small street by the shops next to Kiyomizu-dera

東大寺, 奈良, 日本 (Todai-ji, Nara, Japan)

Todai-ji (東大寺) is a Budhist Temple complex and consists of several temples and shrines.  A great place to visit for those who are interested in Japanese history and culture, but probably not as interesting for others. The site is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

stone marker outside the entrance

the main entrance gate

central gate that leads to the main temple

 

Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden)

Didn't have time to get interior shots :(

This is the world's largest wooden structure until the 1990s

Deer are considered sacred protectors and many tame deer wander around the area

large bronze bell