Sangkhlaburi day 2 afternoon: walk on the lake and discovery of the submerged temple

Before setting off on our trip we return to our quarters to change (the heat is returning)

The part under renovation spoils the photogenic pleasure of the place a little.

So here we are on the long boat, offering a new view of the entire deck (and our hotel…)

Our little guide in deep contemplation.

To the rhythm of the water.

Above the trees, part of the new temple can be seen.

The village stretches along between the bridge and the new temple.

Our guide.

And here is the famous temple, which is all that remains of the old city, moved to the surrounding hills. Although it is still the beginning of the dry season, the water level is already very low.

As I like comparisons, here is the almost maximum level on the left and an intermediate level on the right.

When we arrived we were assailed by young people selling flowers and candles for a prayer in the temple.

There are only two buildings left standing...

There was a time when the walls were covered with small alcoves, each containing a small Buddha.

A detail.

Although there is nothing left (not much, let's say) the temple remains venerated and a place of prayer.

Site overview.

Return…

…towards the bridge.

A little further on there is a bridge, this one modern, and the river already narrows.

From here there is a superb panorama over the entire valley.

We will still take the time to visit the new temple whose chedi we could see from the river.

Inscription in Thai and Shan (writing close to Burmese but which is different).

Although recent (20 years old), it is already in poor condition due to lack of adequate maintenance (lack of donations).

A little further (barely 1km) is another temple, still
in Burmese style.

There you can see photos of the temple we had just visited earlier this afternoon.

A "tree" worth 100.000 baht! (this is an estimate, I "roughly" counted...) and there were two like that...

In front is a very realistic wax statue of a well-known and important monk of the region, behind in this magnificent ornament of wood and fine gold is his body, surprisingly well preservedé, the Buddhist belief explaining his condition as being because he was able to achieve "nirvana".

In another building.

Passage to the 3 pagodas pass

Having done the "tour" of Sangkhlaburi itself, and while desperately looking for a gas station (there isn't one in Sangkhlaburi itself), we decided to go for a little trip to the border with Myanmar (or Burma therefore). A border post known as the "Three Pagodas Pass".

As it's a smaller, busier town, because it's on the border (even if it's bigger on the Burmese side), I thought we'd have a better chance of finding a station there. In the end, there was a station shortly after a crossroads between the main road we'd taken to Sangkhlaburi and the one leading to the 3 Pagodas Pass, so basically, it was the right move 😉

…that is.

These were very damaged a few years ago.

After renovation.

For today's information, Burma had just changed its flag in October 2010, the current flag has confused more than one person with its very "African" colors (the choice is apparently made by astrologers...), the previous one having simply been burned...

Back in town and fireworks evening

It's only 25 km from the Three Pagodas Pass to Sangkhlaburi, so we were back in town after a short half-hour drive. All that was left was for us to spend the evening, our last of 3.

Back in “town”.

Jitima is taking a painting break.

Meanwhile, two birds are courting each other.

After a late afternoon spent resting quietly, here we are at
a few minutes from 2011.

The rockets are “firing”.

And the lanterns that rise into the sky add “stars” to the
rather dark sky.

And here we are. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

As I write these lines, I can't help but think of Japan, which is going through a terrible event...