Travel theme: Bright

Ailsa has challenged us to come up with some really bright photos this week, in contrast to the darker image of Halloween last week. Her first pic is of vivid, cheeky hummingbirds, so not to be outdone, here is the brightest and cheekiest little bird I’ve ever come across. He posed for me when we were visiting the Kuranda Birdworld in Cairns.

In the downtown Chinatown district of Singapore, we came across the amazing Sri Mariamman Temple. This richly embellished Hindu temple is a national monument, and one of the main tourist attractions. It was a cloudy day, so doesn’t look so bright in the photo, but can you imagine how it must gleam in bright sunlight?

The ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ in Bangkok is so brightly and ornately decorated.

The Reclining Buddha was crafted to celebrate King Rama III’s restoration (1824 – 51). At 150 ft (46 m) long and 49 ft (15 m) high, it is the largest Buddha image in Thailand. It’s totally covered in gold leaf, and the eyes and soles of the feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

The temple’s official name is ‘Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangklaram Ratchaworamahawihan’; quite a mouthful, so it’s known as ‘Wat Pho’, which rolls off the tongue much more easily. 🙂

See how big these brightly painted statues are. I look like a little pixie down at the bottom. 🙂

I think this temple complex was the brightest and blingiest place I’ve ever visited.

Interestingly, Wat Pho, is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and courses are offered at a school just outside the temple complex.

To see more entries for Ailsa’s bright theme, just click here.