Only in crowded, densely-housed Hanoi could you live 300 yards from a lake and not know about it.

In the end I spotted it via Google Maps and learnt it was called Ho Hai Ba.

It was just 50 yards off my route to work and on the Sunday morning when I eventually visited it,  it was absolutely tranquil.

Sitting alongside it is a pagoda.  I recall reading that Hanoi has more pagodas per square mile than anywhere in the world.  It certainly appears true. These incredible buildings would be major tourist attractions in most towns and yet, like the lake, in many cases only the immediate locals know of their existance.

I’ve added the pics to my house and neighbourhood set on Flickr.  Somehow I got lucky and stumbled on a very beautiful, well located, and not especially noisy, corner of Hanoi.

by Cong Thanh

Intrigued: A visitor looks at arhat statues at Tay Phuong Pagoda in Thach Xa Village, 30km west of Ha Noi. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

Neverland: A view from Sai Son Mountain of Thay Pagoda in Quoc Oai District in Ha Noi. The pagoda was built to honour Zen Buddhist Tu Dao Hanh, founder of Vietnamese water puppetry. — VNA/VNS Photo Phung Trieu

The Tay Phuong and Thay pagodas were among destinations Rett Townsley, a third year recreation management student at the Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, visited during a tour of suburban Ha Noi.

“It’s my fifth visit to Viet Nam. I find the people friendly and welcoming. I’ve also travelled to the southern provinces.

“It was interesting to see the Buddhist Tay Phuong Pagoda, which is typical of those in the rural areas,” said Townsley.

The pagoda is renowned for its lacquered wood statues of arhats, considered among Southeast Asia’s most beautiful statues.

It was built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries during the Later-Le Dynasty era on Tay Phuong Mountain in Thach Xa Village, about 30km west of central Ha Noi.

The pagoda features three separate two-storey buildings. Built with bricks from Bat Trang Village, each has unplastered walls. Each roof has eight apexes, which represent living beings, while carving of dragons, phoenix and flowers enhance rafters and beams.

Archways feature a mixture of round and square bricks and the windows are round.

“The pagoda is typical of Orient architecture and Buddhism philosophy,” said Nguyen Hoang Anh, of Focus Travel company. Pagodas are popular with Vietnamese but a mystery to tourists.

“The pagoda attracts visitors because of its long history and arhats”.

The pagoda has 62 lacquered Buddha wood statues from the 18th century. They feature different expressions of Buddha, who reached the peak of the religion–Nivarna.

Sculpture

“The pagoda is a skilful sculpture of Vietnamese people. It’s typical of pagodas in the north of Viet Nam with architecture featuring long roof arches,” said Focus Travel deputy director Nguyen Viet Trinh.

“Tourists can experience country life and learn more about pagodas during trips around Ha Noi. Pagodas are mainly in rural areas where the pace of life suited Buddhists.”

The pagoda is the first stop on one-day trip in suburban Ha Noi. Another stop is Thay Pagoda, 8km from Tay Phuong Pagoda.

The Thay Pagoda, at the foot of Sai Son Mountain in Quoc Oai District, was built to worship Zen Buddhist Tu Dao Hanh, founder of water puppets in Viet Nam.

Built in the 11th century, its small pagodas ha (lower), trung (middle) and thuong (upper) are surrounded by a lake and trees, where Hanh spent his religious life.

The pagoda is the biggest and tallest, and has statues for worship of the Zen Buddhist.

The upper pagoda’s main gate features two 4m statues made of a mixture of clay, honey, egg and chopped paper and were lacquered more than 500 years ago. They are biggest clay statues in Viet Nam.

Most of the statues are made of jack fruit wood, which is popular in northern provinces,” said a local guide, Do Thi Huyen.

Thay pagoda was a place where Zen Buddhist Tu Dao Hanh meditated and died. He began his religious life in Lang Pagoda in Ha Noi.

“Followers flock to the pagoda on the fifth day of the third lunar month when the main festival is held,” she said.

Local people also wash the statue of the Zen Buddhist, who also introduced wresting and folk games to the area.

The Thay Pagoda’s front yard opens to Long Chieu Lake which has a water pavilion in the middle.

The pagoda looks like the head of a dragon while the front yard appears as its jaw.

Two small bridges link the yard to a small islet and a mountain path.

Thay Pagoda is a complex of pagodas. Tu Dao Hanh first meditated on top of Sai Son Mountain, which is home to many caves.

“Cac Co cave is known as a place for young people, who love each other and get together during the Spring Festival,” the guide said.

Townsley made several visits to the water puppet theatre to image what things he saw at the pagoda.

“It’s great break from city life. It’s interesting to see Thay Pagoda, where water puppetry originated. I could have spent more time there,” Townsley said.

For tour information visit www.focusvietnam.com, or email infor@focustravel.com.vn. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

The architecture of Bihar is an amalgamation of several different styles. The first sculptures in Bihar are dated back to nearly 2000 years ago. The beautiful pillars and bronze figures built during Mauryan Empire to Persian Mughal architecture, Bihar is filled with architectural masterpieces.

The major relics includes the pillars of Ashoka and Didarganj Yakshi, it had a distinguishing influence of Greco- Buddhist art of Gandhara. Many priceless Buddhist and Hindu architectural marvels are destroyed by Muslim invaders. The capital city Pataliputra was enclosed of wooden palisade. Pagodas, Viharas and stupas are beautifully constructed. The great university of Nalanda is also constructed in ancient Gandhara style. As time passed the architectural style also changed. The Sher Shah Suri’s tomb itself is an example of Persian architecture taking the place. Other famous structures in Bihar are, historic sites in Sanchi, Makhdum Daulat, Bihar Vidhan Sabha, St. Mary’s Church, Patna Museum etc.

Bihar’s main airport and railway station is in Patna, it is connected to major cities by both air and rail. There are several cultural hotels and general resorts in Bihar.

My tripod was rendered inoperable, the buildings had no lights and the light was fading fast ! Already got the quick shots of the different spots and as we headed to the main feature ( which were the pagodas in the background)
when the security guard comes over and says there was a power trip and the building lights don’t come on until the festive seasons ! Too BAD!!!! Already drove all the way west to scout out some backdrops and ready to grab a nice picturesque landscape shot and this had to happen. The silhouetted pagodas still looked pretty cool tho.. hmm…..

In goes Bucky a.k.a Jonathan Kuah who came along for the scout with his trusty EOS 400D. Exposed for the background and brought Ol’ Bucky back with a speedlite into a silver umbrella.

Lessons learnt: ALWAYS PUT EQUIPMENT BACK WHERE YOU TOOK IT FROM

If ever a place embodied the phrase “appearances can be deceptive” it is the Jade Emperor Pagoda, dedicated to the Taoist deity and ruler of all realms of existence. On approach it seems to have been hidden down a narrow, shabby street as if locals are ashamed of it. From the outside you can see why as it is a disintegrating mess of patchy paint and crumbling brickwork, with the courtyard containing an assortment of scooters and benches dedicated to charitable contributors.

The design is clearly Chinese, with what were originally bright red walls that contrast nicely with the jade green roof tiles. The roof is in a stacked style typical of Chinese architecture and unsurprisingly this is because the pagoda was constructed by immigrants from Canton in 1909 – shocking considering how it resembles a decaying ancient ruin. There is a small turtle/tortoise sanctuary in the corner to protect an animal considered good luck in Vietnamese culture as well as a mini fish pond in the centre that is home to many different fish.

It is to my great delight then, that the interior can offer such splendour. The only light comes from a tiny skylight that allows light to filter in, illuminating the spirals of smoke emanating from incense sticks and lending an eerie atmosphere to the place. This is reinforced by the life-size statue of the Jade Emperor overseeing proceedings. Around the room stand figurines depicting deities of all manner of sizes inspired by Buddhism, Taoism and even Hinduism. To the left is a room inhabited by several female statuettes attending the Goddess of Mothers Kim Hoa, to whom women pray for fertility.

The interior of the pagoda has a strange duality in that it is both magnificent and somehow unnerving at the same time. Still, it did anything but disappoint and cannot be overlooked.

A devotee lights incense

The Xa Loi pagoda on the other hand is a bright and breezy yellow building that looks more like a school than a place of worship. From the outside it is neat and simple and has a slight Chinese style evident in the stacked red roofs and corrugated tiling. This despite having been built in 1956. The main shrine houses a giant, gilded, Indian-style Buddha looking quite regal. The rest of the shrine consists of some vases, and small paintings on the side walls depict scenes from his life. While this may not be the most traditional looking pagoda, it has a pleasant ambience and is nice in its simplicity.

On the outside lies a mini shrine which now – somewhat appropriately –  serves to house several  scooters and motorbikes. One can only wonder whether these belong to the devotees or are items of worship themselves.

The Vietnamese love their scooters as much as they love their Buddha

The French influence is seen in Notre Dame Saigon, a striking, pink imitation of the Parisian building. It is a glorious structure differentiated from its more famous cousin by the two pyramidal tower caps. With a Virgin Mary statue right in front the image almost transports you back to Paris. This effect is further augmented by the style of the streets in the vicinity and the Central Post Office building, designed by Gustave Eiffel, he of the Tower fame. Unlike in Paris however, tourists are not allowed around the main body of the church, and so little impression is made by the interior.

The little known Saint Philippe Cathedral is a more visually stunning building, with beautiful arches and a delicate salmon paint finish. Neon signs snake over the outside wall and when lit up lends the impression of a 1950’s American diner, but that should not take away from what is a hidden gem amongst Saigon’s religious places.

The front of Saint Philippe

Hinduism has look had a connection with South East Asia ever since the Chola Empire’s reaches extended here over a millennium ago. In Saigon the Sri Mariamman Temple (dedicated to the same god as the one in Kuala Lumpur but on a smaller scale) exemplifies this. The Indian presence here has long since waned however, and most worshippers are Vietnamese Buddhists offering prayers in the manner of their faith.

Still to be seen is the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, apparently one of the more impressive ones here. At the moment it is unknown when I will see it due to its inconvenient location, so my review of it will have to wait.

Vietnam is a Communist country, but its constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

!!!

Made it to Hangzhou – a beautiful city with enough quiet to counter the noise. Out of the places we’ve been so far I’d live here. Thankfully, this is where we’ll spend most of the remainder of the trip. Yesterday we walked around the gorgeous West Lake here in town, complete with picturesque pagodas, walkways, and plenty of little boats. Absolutely beautiful!

Today we did some actual classwork. We listened to two lectures from Chinese professors regarding the agriculture in China. Ahem…the purpose of this class. It was a bit difficult to relate to the topic given my own interests being completely different. We went to visit an urbanized village that was extremely wealthy.

To finish off the day we got foot massages for an hour and a half. It was fantastic. Guys massaged girls and vice versa. Ying to the Yang was the reasoning apparently.  The girl working next to me said I was very pretty, which was then translated by the guy working on the other side of her. Maybe it was because I blushed and he thought it was funny or he agreed with her sentiments because I suddenly found myself getting more attention than I was paying for from my masseuse.

As he grinded his hands against feet he would say a bunch of things in Chinese and then smile and the girls working on each side would giggle. He pointed to the watermelon and flower tea saying  “xi gua” (pronounced she gua) and “ju hua cha” (gue way cha) and had me repeat after him. He asked if I had a Chinese name with the help of one of the other guys working. I told him my name and he decided it was good, but he was having trouble saying it. Therefore, he decided to give me a Chinese name – “Xue” (shu-way) meaning snow, which I was told is a beautiful name. He said he wanted me to teach him English (through the other guy). It was all very flattering…but also very embarrassing. Oh my – just a little more Chinese culture I suppose.

Tomorrow we wake up bright and early to go to some village, so I better get some sleep. Goodnight!

At the family pagoda of my Da Lat homestay family, many painted figurines of Buddhist mythology acted out their stories around the grounds.

A famous pagoda in Da Lat whose name escapes me.

There are two primary varieties of Tet cake. One is the northern style; it is square and always has pork and mung beans in it. The southern style is a long, round cylinder (together the shapes represent the earth and the moon) which in this case has been filled with sweet purple bananas and yellow mung beans. The nuns of the Da Lat pagoda served this to us.

This pagoda, in Go Vap District of HCMC, is one of several that I would whip past every day as Vy drove me to school.

The fence of a pagoda in the Mekong Delta show telltale signs of Khmer architectural influence. The open wrought iron fence sections in the wall are lotus flowers.

The temple of the Goddess of the Realm in Chau Doc, near Cambodia. You can see the figure of the Goddess way off in the back there (I took this picture on the sly). People come to this Goddess to pray for good luck, more money, etc. I saw one man playing some sort of game with coins and ivory slabs, where he prayed and marked down the answer. She’s a relatively recent phenomenon, one that I never quite understood (like why did she spring up now and here?). Mostly this is because the Vietnamese sources spent most of their time falling over themselves judging the “gullible fools” who subscribed to this religion/cult/something. Which is dumb, since the Goddess of the Realm is actually more accountable than other religious practices: if you don’t have good luck or make money even though you pray to her, then she doesn’t deserve to be prayed to. I can’t think of any religion that does not include some sort of nonsense, so it’s a bit rich to attack the newcomer for being nonsensical. Oh, and she is fabulously popular: attendants spend most of their time clearing away recently lighted incense, trays of fruit, etc. so that new people can pray.

At the Marble Mountain near Da Nang, you can see China Beach beyond the pagoda. If it was not clear before, when I say that I go to “the beach” in Da Nang, I mean that one. Not that stretch exactly.

Monks and monks-in-training (the boys in grey) chanting at a pagoda in Hue. The large bronze pot looking thing on the table is an instrument that one of the monks hits at the correct moment, while many others hold shakers or bells in their hands. In Buddhism chanting a sutra, or a stand-alone religious text (like the books of the Bible) is used in some sects as a meditation tool. Notice Buddha’s psychadelic head glow.

Thien Mu Pagoda is famous in Hue. The tower’s levels each symbolize a level of the world in Buddhist theology; I believe there are six here, though there are supposed to be seven, but seven was the emperor’s number so the royal family forced the pagoda to downgrade. (I might be wrong on the exact number of floors.)

At Thien Mu there is displayed a car that was important to a moment of recent history: in 1963 in Saigon, a monk drove this car to a public area, got out and assumed the lotus meditation position, and lit himself on fire.

A very well-off pagoda, with rooms of high quality statues of bodhisattvas. Out front you can see a fountain; underneath the giant ball is a high pressure water nozzle. When enough water lifts the ball from its base it is possible to turn it, though it weighs several thousand pounds.

A pagoda near my hotel. Since pagodas are typically open to the public, I decided to walk in one day and check it out. I walked by a room with an old monk watching television, but when I entered the main area it was clear that this was the monk’s personal quarters, not a place for strangers. I beat a quick retreat. Notice the dragons’ wire moustaches.

The pagoda in Hue that gives impoverished old people a nice place to live.

From the beaches of Da Nang this bodhisattva statue is clearly visible. As you can see, she and her pagoda are getting some renovations done, so I was not able to enter it when I biked up to see her yesterday. Still, the ride was gorgeous, going through parts of Da Nang that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise: a town, a beach where fishing boats were docked, and up a gorgeous, well-maintained mountain road.

 

Spring Sunshine, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Taken yesterday with the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.

Chinese gardens have been designed and laid out by feng shui principles for at least 3,000 years.’ Early Western visitors to China were impressed with the quality of these gardens and the elegant pagodas they often contained. In fact, it was frequently the pagodas that aroused their initial curiosity about feng shui. This is because the pagodas were originally erected to increase the feng shui of the surrounding countryside. Small porcelain pagodas are still frequently found as ornamentation in Chinese gardens.

To improve our feng shui in the garden, we can plant trees, add a stream or fountain, or add boulders, walls, and paths to enhance our ch’i and make our environments more pleasant and beneficial. However, we can do much more than this. Start by placing a pa-kua over a plan of your garden. Each direction relates to you.

• The southern part of your plot is related to your fame, standing in the community, and personal power. The colors are red and orange.

* The southeast is concerned with money and wealth. The colors are red, green, blue, and purple.

* The east relates to health. The colors are brown and green.

* The northeast is related to knowledge and learning. The colors are green, blue, and black.

* The north is concerned with your career. The colors are clear (as in water), blue, and black.

* The northwest area is related to benefactors and travel. The colors are white, gray, and black.

* The west is concerned with children, pets, and creativity. The colors are white and silver.

* The southwest is related to love and marriage. The colors are red, pink, and white.

Flowers

We can plant flowers of any color anywhere, but if we wish to activate a certain area of our lives we should plant flowers of the correct color in the correct location of our garden. The size of the garden is not important. It may just be a window box. Simply plant the correct flowers in the right place and look after them.

Many people dislike dandelions in their lawns. However, dandelions are considered highly beneficial in feng shui. They are believed to protect family members from accidents and keep them in good health. They also symbolize money. (For some inexplicable reason my wife will not allow me to use the feng shui benefits of dandelions as an excuse not to mow our lawns!)

Geraniums are also a highly beneficial feng shui flower. Red ones are believed to attract prosperity. Naturally, these should be planted in the southeast part of your garden, but may also be planted on each side of your front and back doors. White geraniums are believed to grant peace of mind and encourage pleasant dreams.

Holly attracts money, making it a good plant to place in the southeast.

Jasmine symbolizes friendship and affection. It should be planted in the northwest or east.

Hollyhock is a symbol of fertility and should be planted in the west and southwest by couples wanting children. Pomegranates also symbolize fertility.

Daffodils should be planted in the northeast to encourage open-mindedness, generosity, and communication. Plant them sparingly though, as too many are believed to dissipate your energies.

Cornflowers enable you to establish and maintain balance in your relationships. They can be planted anywhere you feel you need these energies. The most usual position is in the northwest and southwest.

Roses are usually beneficial. White roses enable you to see the essentials of a situation. Yellow ones encourage intellectual discussions and learning. Red roses symbolize beauty, but can also, if overdone in a garden, be related to vanity and bickering. They should be planted in the south section of your garden. An odd number of rose bushes is preferred.

Tulips, especially red ones, symbolize love. They should be planted in the southwest and east.

Begonias symbolize partnerships and healthy children. They should be planted in the west.

Flowers of any color are regarded as being beneficial and encourage an abundance of ch‘i energy. The best ones to choose are those that contain plenty of flowers and lush foliage. Long-lived plants are preferred as they symbolize prosperity, longevity, and good health.

Don’t forget to include in your garden some of the five favorite flowers of feng shui: peonies, chrysanthemums, magnolias, orchids, and lotus.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees all symbolize different things in feng shui. Apples, apricots, pomegranates, and persimmons symbolize fertility and fruitfulness. Peach trees symbolize friendship, love, and immortality. Pear trees symbolize longevity and prosperity. Plums symbolize youthfulness and vitality. Oranges symbolize good fortune, wealth, and happiness.

Other aspects of your garden need to be considered, also. The main paths in your garden should be in the western side. They should not be in straight lines, but meander. This symbolizes a long life.

Trees should be planted in the east and southeast for strength and protection. Naturally, they can be planted anywhere to act as a screen or to block off a shar.

Streams are highly beneficial and symbolize wealth. If you are fortunate enough to have one, look after it and ensure that the water stays fresh, creating an abundance of ch‘i.

Ponds symbolize success. They should be placed in the south or east, and stocked with an odd number of goldfish. A rockery around part of the pond is highly beneficial, particularly if it contains a small waterfall.

Finally, your garden must be pleasing to you when you look at it. Plant the correct plants for the things that you wish to improve in your life, but also include plants that you simply enjoy. Hide from view any shars coming from outside your property to make your garden a safe, secure haven where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy being in harmony with the earth.

Year of the Ox

Rat
Career: Career and business opportunities abound. You may be offered a promotion to a position of authority, increasing your wealth for this year. You need to be cautious signing contracts but overall when it comes to financial matters this is a good year. Rat’s ability to scurry about gathering food and resources help them survive the troubling economic news. As a Rat your talent is to gather what wealth you can, even the crumbs. But this year to succeed in business Rats must look for where money and time are being wasted and remedy it. They must streamline their businesses and conservatively expand from a position of solid strength (no going out on a limb).

Love: This is a more challenging year on the romantic side for those born in the year of the rat. There can be problems with romantic relationships that require effort on your part otherwise you may end up looking for new love. Be careful not to neglect your partner (which can happen during successful career years) or else you may find your partner is jealous. In relationships, Rats generally don’t pay that much attention, they are too busy with business. This year you need to take the time to consider your partners and friends because they won’t be able to do everything alone. It is also a good year to cultivate new friendships.

Health: This year you must be reminded to spend the time and money to take care of yourself because now you must rely on your energy more than ever. So having good food and taking time to exercise is important. Beware of getting run down.

General: During the leisure hours is not recommended that Rats engage in any risky activities such as rock climbing, parachuting, bull riding, etc. All dangerous sports and activities should be avoided this year.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Rat’s ideally this would be to protect money like the “Gather & Protect Wealth” bell. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as a nugget of actual gold or gold flakes. Like attracts like and so a symbol of wealth in this area will attract more wealth. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Ox
Career: This is a good money year for Ox when you keep your spending in check. Contracts should be read carefully to not let yourself be tied to something that is not your benefit. There is also more support and recognition this year, and a better chance of progress and development in career, but hard work is still needed to ensure this. In business you need to consider that no matter how hard you work your job may not be secure and so taking the time to make the contacts, update the resume and visualize a better job would help considerably.

Love: This is a romance year for Oxen, and auspicious time for marriage and new partnerships. And there can be pregnancies this year. In relationships Oxen are steadfast and loyal but you need to ask yourself whether that loyalty and love is being returned and if not, take steps to meet new people and move forward.

Health: This year you in need to protect your stomach, so eat well and drink plenty of water. Ox tend to take care of others first. This year, for a change, put yourself first.

General: This is the year of the Ox, a year you will look back on happy with the results. This is the year you plant the seeds for the great years to come. The best and the most challenging times are when you are in your own year. During the year many things can change. Figure out what you don’t like about your life and take steps to change that. Oxen, in general, don’t like a lot of change, they are too busy. Your workload is great but the changes that you need to make can be done in small steps between jobs. And this year take special care with your vehicles, keep them in good working order to help avoid accidents.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Oxen ideally this cure would be to protect your job so consider the Success Buddha. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as a pair of lucky Fish. The Chinese word for Fish is similar to the word for abundance and so fish represent having so much money you have leftover money. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Tiger
Career: In business, investments and career Tigers will see some improvement over last year . But Tigers need to keep their impulsive energy in check. Watch overspending which can lead to credit problems. And you should be aware of backstabbing people, especially colleagues. Tigers can get very angry when they’ve been wronged but this year you may have to pull in your claws and hold on to your temper. Keep the bigger picture in mind.

Love: There is lots of opportunities for romance this year for Tigers, even extracurricular romance. It’s important that you look at the big picture and not let your emotions rule your life. This year find new friends and look up friends from the past and build a big circle of contacts.

Health: This year Tigers need to relax more and watch their blood pressure. But in general your health is good this year.

General: A pretty good year for the Tigers, for when you need help others will come to your aid. Tigers have a lot of respect for the slow, plodding Ox energy but they don’t usually copy it. The Tiger stays perfectly still until they see something they want or need and then they pounce. There is much thought and timing that goes into Tiger action. So during the Ox year (the year before the Tiger year) the you need to consider what you want and start making plans. The bigger the goal the better because the slow moving Ox energy gives lots of time to plan. Tigers often share some qualities with the famous Tigger the Tiger and his bouncing energy. Try to be patient this year while the rest of the world takes slow, deliberate steps.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Tigers ideally this cure would be to guard your goals so consider a Diamond Energy Crystal to represent a big, important goal (your prey). Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as lucky Money Cat. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Rabbit
Career: Financially the picture looks pretty good although risks or gambling with stocks can bring big losses. Financially you will have opportunities that make you richer by the end of the year. Consider in business trying to make your current situation better rather than hopping off to a new situation. Rabbits share some qualities with Bugs Bunny, the playful smart-aleck, which may not go over well during a conservative Ox year. So watch what you say in business situations, or you may find yourself under the gun.

Love: Romance is favorable this year. You will be seen as more attractive and charming and this will attract attention. Avoid love triangles, someone always gets hurt. Look to improve existing relationships through your talent at thoughtfulness and generosity.

Health: This is a challenging year for Rabbits in the area of health. A change in lifestyle is needed. Try to give up smoking, do more exercise, and have a better diet, etc. Even little steps could lead to a better life in years to come.

General: This is a good year to learn a new skill or hobby. Don’t let yourself stagnate this year and try to stop worrying so much about others. This is a good year to travel. Rabbits and Oxen have very little in common. Their methods are quite different and so Ox years can be challenging times for the soft spoken, peace loving Rabbit. Rabbits need to exercise a lot of caution in their choices and so this year it is wise to give projects a great deal of thought before investing in them. In years where lots of hard work is needed, as in Ox years, you don’t want to waste your resources on impulsive ideas.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Rabbits ideally this cure would be to protect your health so consider adding the Three Immortals to your dining room. The Three Immortals were three great men of China who represent health, wealth and love. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such a lucky Money Frog. This frog is set by the front door to welcome wealth. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Dragon
Career: While your desire will be to leap into new projects remember it is an Ox year and slow and steady wins the race. Dragon’s are know for their creativity and vision. But in an Ox year it is important to get down into the thick of it and put your ideas to the test. Then you can concentrate on what is really viable and have some strong, measurable success. This year you may buy a house, get a promotion, get a new job, and these sort of changes can bring you lots of luck and success.

Love: This is the year you may get married and/or get pregnant. This is a year of change and you can expect lots of it.

Health: Your health looks good this year. Dragon’s can improve their health this year through conscious eating. That is tasting your food, chewing it thoroughly and dining with good company.

General: This is a fortunate year for Dragon, lots and lots of changes are coming. You will be more productive if you keep in motion. However it is best to avoid gambling this year so take only calculated risks. Avoid people who gossip. The powerful, changeable Dragon understands the quiet strength of the Ox. But as the Ox plows one field the Dragon wonders why he doesn’t plow them all…at the same time. Dragons fly high and so they can see the big picture but often they don’t take the practical steps necessary to bring them what they want. This year it is important to embrace the practical, to manifest on earth whatever vision is floating in your mind.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Dragons ideally this cure would be to protect themselves during change so consider a wind chime that has a yin/yang symbol for balance. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as a string of eight coins. The number eight is very lucky, it’s shape looks like the Chinese word for happiness. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Snake
Career: Influential people will create career opportunities for you. This year use your Snake charm to attract new contacts and supporters for your business success. You need to keep in mind that many people will be changing jobs and starting businesses and they may be of help to you if you stay in touch.

Love: This is a positive romance year, Snakes who have been in relationships for a long time will now finally be able to get married, and Snakes that have been single for a long time will meet someone special for an opportunity of love.

Health: With all this busyness it will be important to take some time to relax, and consider exercises that unite the mind and body such as tai chi and yoga.

General: It is a pretty good year for the prudent Snake as Ox years tend to be years that favor the cautious. There are plenty of opportunities for the person who is working hard and avoiding distractions. Generally you would rather use your mind than sweat through a job and so the methods of the Ox are not always to a Snake’s liking but the loyalty and dependability of the Ox energy is certainly appreciated. The Snake is often misunderstood and people, sensing the Snake’s power, can make life difficult for the poor Snake. But in Ox year’s when so many are having hard times the Snake is a source of strength and wisdom to many and so you can prosper this year.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Snake ideally this cure would be to protect your energy so consider a Chi Energy Boost in the form of an attractive, eye catching charm. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such a Shower of Coins wind chime. Like attracts like and coins attract more coins. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Horse
Career: This will be a much better year than last but beware of overindulgence (especially in spending money). There is the possibility of a new house or a real estate opportunity this year. And while confidence is great to have, make sure that you have done the work too. In Ox years it is the one who gets the field plowed first and best that is honored above the others.

Love: There are romance opportunities but Horses must fight their natural tendency to sacrifice everything to please others. Try something new, try letting others do something for you for a change. And whenever possible strive for balance in the relationship where both parties feel they have given an equal amount. This will lead to happiness.

Health: Generally a good year for health but be cautious around animals that bite.

General: Horses get some relief after the very trying year of 2008. There is still hard work ahead but you will have much more power over your own situation this year. Problems this year tend to come from children and subordinates. Though Horse and Ox live in the same world their experience of the world is quite different. The proud, beautiful Horse is admired for just being while the Ox has to work for his admiration. Because success some years seems to come so easily to the Horse you forget sometimes how much effort you must put forth. Also beware of your schedule. Horses can have an erratic sense of time, unlike the Ox who works sun up to sun down, a Horse might be called to work at midnight to take someone 20 miles and then not used again for days. In conservative times such as these the Horses great sense of business and problem solving can lead it to great success.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Horses ideally this cure would be to protect your power so consider the Power Crystal. Cut glass crystals focus and balance energy. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as a Pagoda Money Bell. Pagodas are symbols of peace and of a sacred space. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Goat (aka Ram)
Career: This year be cautious with money, avoid gambling, avoid speculative financial instruments, be cautious in legal affairs, and keep on the right side of the law. This is a tough year for Goats as their sign sits opposite of the Ox. It will take sure footed steps to keep out of challenges this year. Take extra care to secure your home and your personal property. Make sure to lock doors and windows when you leave, and shred personal information before putting it in the trash.

Love: It’s a pretty good year for romance, there is much harmony between partners, though there may be some physical separation for a business reason. For those Rams looking for love avoid feelings of desperation as they scare away potential suitors.

Health: Health is okay this year, which will be strengthened by having a harmonious home.

General: A challenging year for Goats. Patience will help you avoid problems this year. Things can turn out well in the end if you plant the right seeds, keep your goals in mind and take actions that will lead to those outcomes. The gentle soul of the Ram is always ready to listen, tissue in hand, to those around you who are sad or afraid. You can be so touched by the misfortunes of others that you sometimes can’t rally yourself to push forward. At other times the Goat can be so irritated with others that you end up banging your head against blocks and people. The Goat only wishes for a clear day, a green pasture and time to connect with those he loves. So all this focus on plowing fields will not make much sense to the Goats. This year it is important for the you to balance work with the things you loves to do, so that no day goes by without a few smiles.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Goats ideally this cure would be to protect yourself in this difficult year so consider a Power Dragon. Dragons represent both power and good health. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such a burning a Bee’s Wax Candle. Bee’s Wax Candles represent connecting and being helped by the community. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Monkey
Career: Monkeys this year have better luck in career and education, and there is great luck in careers involving education, or in getting promotions that require an examination. There are lots of travel opportunities this year. There may even be career opportunities in a distant place. But be cautious while signing papers as there could be errors not in your favor.

Love: Romance is good this year, especially with people who were born in foreign countries. Also consider traveling to foreign countries for romantic getaways.

Health: Monkeys do need to be a little cautious about overeating and take care of their stomach and intestines.

General: A pretty good year for Monkey, while some of the fun will seem a little restricted, things go fairly smooth this year. The Monkey doesn’t need the Ox as much as the Ox needs him. His intelligence and creativity could save Ox countless hours in the field but the Monkey can also shun the hard work which is the key to prospering in an Ox year. As a Monkey you want excitement where the Ox wants the familiar. The Monkey wants a strategy where the Ox wants to follow the proven path. There is much opportunity for the clever Monkey this year if he remembers that you can’t push an Ox unless he already wants to go that direction.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Monkeys ideally this cure would be to protect creativity so consider burning incense in this area. The rising smoke of the incense is a connection between earth and heaven. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such a Wish Box that contains your handwritten wishes. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Rooster
Career: You will find someone of great influence who goes out of their way to take care of you. There may be a chance for an import/export business partnership or promotion through a company merger.

Love: There is opportunity to get married, to get pregnant and to move or you may do all three. This is a really good year for romance and so try not to hide.

Health: Your health looks good though there is a tendency to overwork. Meditation and other relaxation techniques will benefit you greatly this year.

General: This is a year of recuperation. You can regain your lost power, lost ground and lost income. You’ll work extra hard this year but there’ll be many joyful events. It is important to face challenges decisively and confidently. Your natural passion and drive will take you to new heights in 2009, you will look back on this year and smile. Both Rooster and Ox are born in the barnyard and yet could not be more different. The Rooster is the king of management, setting the time table, the budget and rounding up the stragglers. He is thinking of a million things while the Ox is focused on one goal at a time. This year is Roosters opportunity to get caught up, to get organized again and to start mapping out the details of the next big project. And Rooster’s tendency towards perfectionism will serve him well in a conservative year like this for when you have less to work with it is best to do it right.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Roosters ideally this cure would be to protect your energy so consider a Lucky Energy Crystal. Cut glass crystals help focus and balance energy. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as a lucky Elephant (with trunk up). Elephants represent the easy removal of all obstacles. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Dog
Career: Introduce yourself to lots of new people, go to new places, even consider renovating a house. This is a creative year for Dogs and creativity will bring lots of luck to career. All the good work you did in regards to your business over previous years will now begin to blossom. That doesn’t mean you can sit back and do nothing but it does mean that with hard work you can grow a tree from a tiny seed.

Love: Married Dogs must be reminded to spend quality time with their partners while unmarried dogs may rekindle old relationships with good success.

Health: Health looks good but avoid the junk food. Ox years are stomach years. Consider that it is better to eat wisely rather than spending money on antacids.

General: Dogs need to be somewhat cautious this year, as hasty decisions will cause you to make concessions. It is best for Dogs to stay flexible and mobile and to leave some time for play. Dog’s can find it challenging during an Ox year. The likeable, social Dog can rub the serious, solitary Ox the wrong way. Both can be stubborn and willful but the Dog needs to remember that he has far more energy and more bounce than any Ox. It is important to use your influence to make the changes in your life that you wish. A few thoughtful words and a gentle nudge will get friends to support what you are planning and you can turn a difficult year into one of your best.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Dgos ideally this cure would be to protect decisions in this difficult year so consider an Angel charm like our Brass Angel with Crystal. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such as hanging a Brass Wind Chime. The color brass, like gold, attract large sums of money. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

Pig (aka Boar)
Career: This is a good year to start a business and even take risks. But avoid boasting to colleagues and competitors as they may gang up against you to make you look bad. This is a good money year but it will take extra efforts to get the money into the savings account instead are running to the mall with it.

Love: Pigs may elope this year or find themselves pregnant. Try to look before you leap. If you have been searching for a relationship try to expand where you’re looking. It is likely you will develop a long-term relationship this year.

Health: Health looks good, try to avoid eating for emotional reasons. Or try to be comforted with a nice salad rather than a slice of cake.

General: Pigs have good prospects this year and the ability to tap hidden resources. While the luxury and home loving Pig may not understand what the Ox is doing out in the hot sun all day the Pig does admire his determination and will welcome the Ox’s return with open arms. The Pig’s energy is about creating a peaceful, supportive home and so as the Pig goes into this hard working Ox year it is important to make changes to the home so the Pig can return to a place of comfort. Pigs will find more harmony if they mirror the attitude of the Ox this year, that less is better and work brings contentment and a quiet dinner and movie at home is far better than an expensive night on the town.

Cures: Add a protection cure to the East part of the house, for Goats ideally this cure would be to protect your home so consider a Protection Mirror. Mirrors reflect negative energy. Add a prosperity cure to the Northeast such a lucky Gold Piggybank and keep feeding that pig. And to balance the home energy sprinkle a bit of sea salt outside the home in the Southwest corner. Ask that all negativity be cleared from this area.

The article is by Donna Stellhorn of fengshuiform.com.  If you have questions please email me at donna@fengshuiform.com

Sir Norman Foster is among the architects invited to put forward proposals for the redevelopment of Mecca. I know he’s a very clever chap – I worked in his office once. The Millau viaduct is a magical feat of engineering, and the McLaren factory design perfectly in harmony with the high-tech activity that takes place within it, but please don’t let him get his hands on Mecca.

Western architecture now dominates the skyline of nearly every major city in the world, burying beautiful temples, minarets, mosques, spires and pagodas amongst soulless steel and concrete skyscrapers.

I really, really do hate to see the glorious architecture of the East giving way to space-age uniformity, as Western modern building design spreads across the face of the world like a plague, in an all-out assault on  traditional local architecture, so that gradually cities totally lose their national identity.

Surely this will not be the fate of Islams holiest place? Please do not this happen.

There, that’s my rant for today.

Today was our second day in Hue.  We took a boat trip up the Perfume river to see the Thien Mu pagoda and Tu Duc’s tomb.  It was a good trip and the pagoda and tomb were interesting, but it really is getting cold here.  It drizzled a bit today which combined with the temperature made us start thinking about buying winter gear.  No one brought much with them because we all assumed it would be relatively warm all through Vietnam.  But it’s not, and apparently the North is colder still.

Tonight we head back onto the overnight train.  Wishes are for rodent, reptile and bug free travel.  Our guide says mice on the trains are quite rare – we must have just been lucky .  This trip to Hanoi is longer than the the last one we took.  It’s about twelve hours long assuming we run on time.  I’ll keep you posted on rodent watch.

This morning we hopped on another bus for the relatively short trip to Hue (pronounced Hway).  This one was only four or so hours long.  It’s still overcast but not raining and it’s definitely getting cooler the further north we travel.  Hanoi and Sapa are going to be chilly.  This afternoon we walked to the Imperial Palace and had a look around. It’s set on quite a big area of land and there are many buildings of the former emperors to view.  Again, large portions of it were destroyed during the war, particularly the Tet Offensive.  Took lots of photos in addition to the many photos I’ve already taken.  We’re heading out for dinner later with the possibility of trying out new regional beers.  Tomorrow we take a boat down the Perfume River to visit a Pagoda and some Imperial tombs.

Éste es mi barco, el Flying Cloud, un clipper fantástico del que construyo un modelo que espero acabar algún día.

Hizo la ruta del Sur entre ambas costas de América del Norte. Desapareció de mala forma, pero su figura, a todo trapo en la imagen, deja claro que fue muy hermoso, sin contar con todo lo que aportó al diseño de los barcos.

Sus hermanos de clase, majestuosos también, se enzarzaron en una carrera frenética por el té, partiendo del puerto chino de Fuzhou, con sus pagodas como testigos.

El botánico Joseph Rock dejó un fondo fotográfico de primera calidad del que podemos ver dos pagodas que me han parecido interesantes, tanto por su estética como por el tiempo en que se fotografiaron. No me he podido resistir a incluir en este caso la pagoda del arquitecto Miguel Fisac, un edificio en Madrid que igualmente ha desaparecido de mala manera.

En los siguientes enlaces podéis consultar algunas cosas sobre los clipper, las pagodas, la ruta del té y el fondo fotográfico de Joseph Rock. 

 MIGUEL ANGEL LATORRE.

- The era of the Clipper Ships

- Lahaina Printsellers, Ltd.

- La gran carrera del té

- Fotografías de Joseph Rock

- Pagoda en Madrid

 Joseph Rock

 Pratyeka

                                                                         Fundación Miguel Fisac

Urban Idade —-:: Arquitecturas perdidas V: Miguel Fisac

Riverside streets that wind about hot city streets, sophisticated pagodas with ornately colored windows and doors, no soot from the traffic, no noise of the highway, just the small shuffle of the monks as they devoutly tend to the needs of us all. Simplicity within extravagant surroundings. Faint incense and a sprawling rooftop that seems to shelter all those seeking refuge from either the world or just merely the heat.

Swastikas mean good things, here

Pagodas lay hidden in betweeen old ramshackle houses and new glass buildings. Red spines of their unmistakable roofs, square, benevolent arches, warm and quiet, no ferocity or sharp gothic towers theatening overhead. Don’t get me wrong, very few things are more beautiful than a big old church.

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