Kanchanaburi & Surroundings

The town of Kanchanaburi is located where the Kwhae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers merge into the Mae Klong River. It is the birthplace of the Buddhist monk Phrabhavanavirikakhum, who was born here in 1941. Known to his congregation as 'Luang Phaw Dattajeevo', his work in Buddhist teaching were recognized by the Royal Order but he is perhaps best known for his dedication to the outreach of meditation and Buddhism for world peace.

Kanchanburi was made famous by Pierre Boulle's novel and film of the same name, 'Bridge Over The River Kwai'. In reality there never really was a bridge over the River Khwae Noi, as depicted in the film. That bridge, which was wooden, was built further up river, and destroyed after the war. The bridge you see today in Kanchanaburi, was built during the war, when steel became available. The Allies bombed it during WWII, but the center span was reconstructed post war.

As a POW of the Japanese, my father spent time in Tarsao hospital located near Kanchanaburi. In my novel, "Pursuit of the Golden Lily" Rose begins her journey by lending her father's diary to the Thailand-Burma-Railway Museum...where she meets Jack MacLean! Well, I didn't meet Jack, but we did meet Rod Beattie and his staff. There'll be more about that later when my brother Chris arrives for the official 'handover' of the diary!

One of the highlights of being in Kanchanaburi was getting to meet some wonderful characters... like our driver Cheech'nChong!

He took us on a wild ride through the region that we will never forget! This beautiful gold Buddha overlooked the Mae Klong River, near Kanchanaburi.

We stopped at a small temple and were invited in to meet the head honcho monk, recently arrived from Myanmar. We did try chanting Rama Bolo, but he wasn't impressed LOL!

                      Finally, after all that walking and looking and and appreciating... we flopped down for one of Thailand's most amazing services... a Thai Massage.  Awesome!!!
                       

Temple of the Golden Dragon

The Temple of the Golden Dragon, near Kanchanaburi, is the first temple Rose Jamieson visits on her quest to solve the riddle encrypted in her father's diary. Rose is the protagonist of my novel, Pursuit of the Golden Lily.  It was beyond awesome to step into the landscape of my imagination. Surreal! For those who have read the book, you will understand...for those who will have the opportunity to do so once it is published, you will now have a visual reference to add to your imagination!

Wat Ban Tham (Temple of the Golden Dragon) is a Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple, built six hundred years ago. The exquisitely carved four-headed dragon banisters slink down the length of the steps.

 Up close, the dragon's mouth is impressive. Scary eyeballs! 

               Inside the mouth of the dragon, a series of colorful paintings depict the tragic local legend of a young girl named Nang Bua Klee, murdered by her lover when he discovered she was plotting to kill him.  Sadly, it was Bua Klee’s father who’d forced the poor girl to poison her sweetheart’s food after he discovered she was pregnant. The souls of Bua Klee and her unborn child are believed to wander the temple’s central cave.

As you walk into the central cavern, the sight of the immense golden Buddha statue is breathtaking. Seated on a throne, surrounded by smaller Buddhas, his peaceful countenance bespeaks the reverence emoted by visitors young and old alike.

Never too young....

        The view from the top is well worth the walk up all the steps! Be prepared... it’s hot!

Thais of all ages along with people from around the world were happy to share a moment with us.

 We three traveling girls were overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude to be in this sacred place.

Blessings to all!

Carol (Ruby) Rubin is posting a fabulous collection of her photographs onto a Flikr Album - Pursuit of the Golden Lily - check it out!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolrubin/sets/72157660242414625

Spirit Houses

The tradition of Spirit Houses in Thailand dates back centuries. Originating in Animism, or spirit worship, which was the most common religious practice in the region thousands of years ago, the beliefs integrated easily with Buddhist philosophy. The purpose of the Spirit House is to provide an attractive sanctuary for the spirits, or celestial beings who would otherwise reside in the heavens.
Spirit Houses are placed before homes, businesses, temples, food markets, gardens... basically everywhere people would like to pay homage and respect to the spirits.

Many Thai people pray to the Phra Bhum Jowthee, or Guardian Spirits of the Land.  There are nine guardians - each one offering a different kind of protection. The only two spirits that have permanent houses dedicated to them are the Guardian of the House and the Guardian of the Garden. The other seven Guardians include: the Protector of Gates and Stairwells, the Protector of Animals, the Protector of Storehouses and Barns, the Protector of Forests, Mountains, Fields and Paddles, the Protector of Temples, the Protector of Water and the Protector of Forts and Defense.
While traditional offerings are often flowers, food and beverages, we noticed one had a cigar discreetly placed!! 

Finally here!

The River Khwae Noi, Kanchanaburi

It is humbling to be here finally. To think of all that happened here. To think of all the people who helped to bring me to this place. To think of my father, writing his journal on the banks of this river 73 years ago. The birds are calling as they must have then. The river is flowing as it did then. Life goes on. We are all visitors to this earth. I am eternally grateful to be able to experience these moments.

Bangkok Moments

Arriving in Bangkok can be a little intimidating. It's a BIG city, accompanied by all the hustle and bustle one would expect of such a place. After a 21-hour flight, a surreal eight-hour layover in one of Moscow's three airports, lackluster food and, of course, little sleep, it was inspiring to find small touches of beauty amidst the chaos of city streets. The first being the beautiful welcome greeting referred to as the Wai, which has its origins in the Indian Namaste - in Hinduism Namaste means "I bow to the divine in you."
                                   
The King of Thailand is constitutionally stipulated to be Buddhist, and Buddhism has been established in Thailand for centuries. Our first day was spent visiting several well known temples including Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The gold Buddha statue is so large, it's difficult to take a photo that does it justice. I think this one captures the serenity of his face.

Temples and shrines are busy places, but people find quiet moments for prayer and contemplation...

.... even the smallest among us have time for reflection.

Photo by Ruby

All the things they say about Bangkok being a wild and crazy city are true....but I will add that the people have been lovely... friendly, kind and welcoming. This is a city to visit, to discover and enjoy.

We will have a link to Ruby's Flicker album 'Pursuit of the Golden Lily Journey' very soon. Stay tuned!!

Let the journey begin.....

Setting off from Naples today on the first leg of our journey - first stop Moscow! Then Bangkok. The journey has finally begun and Ruby, Marjorie and I are so excited to be setting off. We'll be posting in the next few days, so please stay tuned.

Thank You!

My Indiegogo campaign has ended. It reached it's goal and then some! My heart is filled with gratitude to EVERYONE who has helped to make this journey happen. I will have each of your names inscribed on a piece of rice paper; I shall bless this at the Temple of the Golden Dragon, then tuck it into a small banana leaf boat and release it on the River Khwae Noi to blend back into the ocean that gives us life. History reminds us of what has happened; that we not forget... the bad nor the good. Imagination, dreaming and envisioning allows us to believe that all can be possible if we dare to to take the first step, and if we are blessed enough (as I have been) to have the support of our community, family and a little luck! My father gifted me with a small brown book filled with his hopes and dreams, his observations and memories of a terrible time. But his greatest gift to me was to never judge a person... not by the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their religion or their beliefs. Despite all his trials, he never, ever said a negative word against the Japanese people. He simply said, "War makes people do terrible things Rose.." It does. In this time of increasing global strife, I will take your loving kindness and support with me as I set off on this incredible journey, adding a little bit of light (along with many others), to a place where great darkness unfolded. Thank you all. Namaste.