Bryan Wong

 

 I got to explore three unique towns in China for this episode.

I was amazed by the unique and intricate styles of buildings and its wonderful history.

I am more than convinced that every building tell a story of history and reflects the lifestyle of that era.

I am envious of the fact that their descendants are able to touch, feel and see their ancestor’s work and rewards and able to trace their roots.

I am more than convinced that memories of the past need not make way for modernisation.

开平碉楼村镇

Interestingly, when those who left motherland to work overseas made big money, much of the money was sent back to build houses.Houses so big, wealth well flaunted, it attracted bandits who came along and harassed the folks .As a result, towers were built to serve as watch towers as well as a fort to house the males of the household.Only the males were protected as the ingenious bandits knew that only thru ransome , money would come forth.If the family choose not to pay, off comes the ears…

永定/南靖土楼乡镇

Listed as a UNESCO World heritage site, the unique hakka’s architectural wonder showcases the ingenuity the creativity of the Hakkas..

西江千户苗寨

Even though the rest of the world is marching full steam ahead in pursuit of modernisation, this unique tribe show us that traditional values are worth preserving and one’s past denotes and guides one’s future…

a spider,

takes countless hours to weave its web

a place that it calls….. a home.
we,

we take our entire lifetime,

to build ourselves….. a home.

Historians left their mark

for us to learn ………and remember..

we take to the bulldozer

and demolish….. their home. 

alls that’s left

is perhaps a faded picture..or a distant memory.

we will,

in time,

forget our origins..

 and perhaps…

even our homes….

 

Gentle Reminder:

Please switch Off your lights from now till an hour later..or longer if you can..

Play our part to save earth. However small gesture, when all united in one action, the returns are great!!!!!

switch it off with me…bryan

I find that the plaza of the town or city usually spells out in great detail what the town is all about..The way of life..the food..the trade ..the entertainment..All within a square compound , the identity of the town is compressed within one km sq of space that entices the visitors and educates them on the way of live there.This time round, DMW showcases three different plazas,two of which is within Europe and the other,in Asia. Though the plazas in these three countries abides the basic layout of being a plaza and fulfills all the criteria of being a plaza, they are, however, interestingly different in their own unique charming ways….
威尼斯圣马克广场  Venice San Marcos Plaza

Of all the three plazas, i have had the pleasure of visiting Venice’s San Marcos Plaza prior to DMW.. That was about three years ago, i think..and it was in early march and then the weather was still cold.It was a self drive trip and the bunch of us, nine in all, including my mum, had a fantabulous time in italy for a good fifteen days, i think.Anyway, back to Venice, this time time, it would be my second visit to this romantically beautiful city on water.

Personally, i feel that San Marcos Plaza is the heart of the city. This is the spot where international movies were made, where stars and starlets sipped champagne,  have afternoon tea or simply having a cocktail while the pigeons soar up and down in frentic frenzy..

A clock tower looms high and up into the sky, the magnifique church looks down at the square with such old time grace and elegance and the hauntingly beautiful historical victorian barrocian building that frames up the rectangular square seemed all mighty and etheral..as i dug my heels into the stone walkway, the sound of my footsteps echoed through the narrow alleyways that lead into the side streets where more excitement are awaiting…

帕坦广场 Patan Plaza

At one glance, the obvious in architecture stands out brilliantly as we probe into the heart of another plaza, this time round, Patan Plaza in Nepal ..

Intricate carvings are found on the pillars of the buildings , transporting us back to times long ago..

Instead of shopping at the square, i found people watching to be of the uptmost pleasure, as it revealed the many facades of mankind..

Somehow, one of the pleasures that i had on this visit was to sit back and relax..and watch the world goes by..

Innocent children roamed the streets, the plaza became one huge playground..

Nepalese in ethnic robe brings forth a natural wave of beauty and simplicity

I like the beauty and simplicity of Patan Plaza..Here i encountered people in their simplest form..wanting not the lavish lifestyles but enjoying the simplicity of living.. The square has got a life of its own, a life so vibrant and pure..Voices drifted across the square, buddhist chantings filled the air..laughter echoes long and beyond..people strolling, people nodding off on benches..the afternoon breeze lazed across our bodies…smells of incense drifted across fleetingly…. the mind takes a rest..the body readily agreed. In unison.

马德里萨拉曼卡广场
Salamanca Plaza Mayor

Never knew of Salamanca till dmw, was even more astounded to learn that this town houses one of the top university in Europe..This, is Salamanca Plaza Mayor, Spain. 

At first glance, i see a similarity between this Plaza and that of San Marcos..the rectangular square, the architecture..the outdoor cafe.. However, upon a closer look and feeling the square, i am so wrong.. First and foremost, the buildings are of different colour, the ones here are more of sand coloured while san marcos are of grey tones.Secondly, this is a complete rectangle, and the buildings are symetrical and identical..

this combination of a fritter and hot chocolate releases endorphins at an alarming rate..makes you happy at just one bite.! 

   

 one could really just stroll along the streets and shop and watch, for the pace here is really laid back..many historical buildings here to tempt your quest for knowledge and picture opportunities are aplenty..

However, when night falls,plaza mayor takes on a different form and takes your breath away..

The Plaza is where we meet

where news were exchanged

  and the minds go thick..

The plaza is where we eat

where there are good food too many

and our tummy goes weak

The plaza is where we would be

when nowhere else would have us

our moods in a pit

The plaza is what we really need

where the clock keeps ticking

and our lives

forever so sweet….

 The old towns in many countries i  visited struck a cord in my heart, that so much of the past were lost in the passage of time..Fortunately, time stood still but life still goes on in these three old towns we discovered.With its rich history  well preserved and  equipped with a touch of modernisation , they got the best of both worlds…

平遥 Pinyao – China

This is not a film set..this is real life.Life imitates art.Art created and well preserved by mankind. Tha’s why its listed as a UNESCO heritage site..

From the layout of the houses, one recognizes the one nature of mankind: To show off one’s riches and supremecy .The longer your house is, the more affluent you are.This is so because having lots of servants means the center part of the building will be more elongated as that would be their living quarters.One good example would be found in the movie 大红灯笼高高挂, where the movie was made here..

The huge and sturdy walls protects the inhabitants and their culture..what happens inside remains within..

Have walked the extra mile on the walls surrounding the old town..

The town centre is known as the walking street, where all the tourists roam about almost constantly. here you will find  handicrafts of all sorts and places of interest as well as boutique hotels reminiscent of those that you see in period drama..

This abandoned church took me by surprise..

 The magistrate’s office is a must see and setting foot in the prison is…well…different…

Lonesome old folks are seen more often at the perimeters of the town. 

Mode of transportation, besides the one in this picture, would be the electrical ones, like an extended buggy.Cars are not allowed in this town.which, i think, is good. 

When the sun sets, the tourists clears the streets..suddenly, silence sets in…the town goes to sleep..but after a couple of hours, life begins. 

番红花城  Safranbolu

Safranbolu is in Turkey and this town is another UNESCO world heritage site. the architectural style of the the buildings here are of the Ottoman period, which is believed to be the much loved reigned period of all time..This charming town got its name from the saffron flowers, which used to be grown over here. However, now, you hardly find any there anymore..

Interesting layout of the town allows every household with at least one balcony facing the town centre to gain access to the latest happenings when once upon a time, land lines are yet to be available.. The extended balcony popping out from the house is for the ladies to exchange current news(gossip) and watch the world goes pass..

One of the best way to discover this town would be to follow the little stream that goes along the perimeter of the town. Otherwise, cut thru  these winding little lanes amongst houses with high walls and explore..Every corner has a surprise in store for your eyes.. 

The beauty of this charming town is its serenity and ornate architecture.I love the way the buildings are built..with its distinct style and proportion..

these local sweets called lokkum are really sweet and incredibly famous..The turks has got really sweet tooths and after sampling a few of these, i began to understand their love for these deserts… 

The pace of life here is so unlike Istanbul.Everything is so calm, slow and peaceful..Quiet….Balmy…Even the cat lets its defences down..

A brief chat with this lovely old man allows me greater insight into life over here. ..Making shoes for a living, he watches the world go by thru this little cubby hole of a shop… Though he have had the chance to move into the city, he chose to stay put here as he is not willing to forgo the pace and quality of life here to exchange for the bustling and competitve city life…. me thinks he is a wise man..indeed..

The preservation of the ottoman buildings is a commendable effort. Through these old buildings we gain a greater insight into the past and able to “Feel” the life then. With new developments and modernisation, many of the old buildings are torn down just to make way for new developments..Imagine this, a part of history that traces our roots are pulled down for the construction of just another shopping mall. what’s the logic? i just don’t get it.

巴斯 Bath

I was really looking forward to this trip to Bath. Jane Austen’s novel ‘Persuasion” led me to develop a thirst for this town and  amazingly, on the day when we started to film there, it was on her death anniversary..

When the romans were in charge, their penchant for taking baths led them to discover the wealth of mineral springs underneath Bath, whereby till this present day, you visit Bath for a good bath.!

overview of the town

perfectly maniqured garden 

One of the most famous shop in Bath..Sally Lunn. They have the most mouth watering and sinfully devasting bun with clotted cream…

Though these three old towns are ever so different, they are extremely charming in their own way..However, Bath left the deepest impression as one of the stuff i did there was a water therapy known as watsu. With minimal floatation device attached to my body, i left all of me in the hands of the therapists, who manuvered me into various positions in the mineral pool..After establishing the trust factor, i allowed myself to relax and believe it or not, i actually fell asleep in the water. Interestingly, i felt rather emotional after the therapy, which the kind therapist was quick to assure me that it was a common reaction as the whole treatment transports you back to the time when you are inside your mother’s womb, amongst all over benefits..I felt as though i have recovered the memories that i once had and  now i know.. how it felt to be really protected and safe…

perhaps one day,

when you feel the world is closing down on you

and you need a safe hideout

you could go to Bath for a treatment..

However,

if the journey is  far too long

just seek out your mother’s arm

and all,

would be well….and safe.

 To market to market

 to buy a fat pig…

However, these three marketplace that i have been to ain’t exactly a place to get that. .. But, you will find plenty more!

This time round, i will let the pictures do most of the talking….

京都东寺市集  Kyoto

This market ,on a good day, will have hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of stuffs from local delicasies,kimonos,bonzai…….;;;;;;;;;;;

Interestingly, we are not the only visitors…

If i could age like this, make me fifty anyday..

As the marketplace coincides with the festivities of the temple, i got to see this awesome sight of monks walking and chanting by..

伊斯坦布尔大市集 Istanbul Kapali Carsi ( grand bazaar)

 I guess this Grand Bazaar needs no intro, with thousands of shops under one historical roof, your shopping will definitely hit the roof!!!!

Rays of light filtering thru the openings..rather etheral ,me thinks..

Mostly hand crafted stuffs..extremely colourfully exotic..

It is practically a male dominated bazaar as almost all the sales people are..males

Eyes galore…Hang one at your door or your neck and ward all evils away..

With creativity aplenty, blue eyes are now giving way to the colourful ones..However, i like the authentic blue ones better

Besides carpets,porcelain wares and evil eyes, the other goody that got me all preky would be these moroccan inspired lamps..

伦敦波多贝罗市集
London Portobello market

Thanks to Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, Notting Hill is never the same again…

I chanced upon this delectable fantabulous cafe/bakery nestled at the corner of the street and this  i found!!!!!

If you are now presently undergoing a diet of somekind..Please stop here 

If pastry and cakes are a no no, salads could just be the answer..

Revelations in this episode are not so many

  Nothing out of the ordinary…

  But the knowledge that i gained aplenty..

  As i emptied my pockets  rather full of monies..

  Things to buy are many.

  Some are for my mummy..

  Marketplace in the world are aplenty..

  Where people meet and trades are many

  So long as you have a dime or a penny

  You will never go home with your hands empty……

  Shop with me

and you will be happy.

 

I thought of Simon and Garfunkel when i look at the tittle of this episode of DMW.Somehow, i began humming <Bridge Over Troubled Waters> It seemed like an appropriate song for this entry and i would have loved to have this song piped in as you read on.However, pity that i don’t know how to go about  doing this and if you know how to,perhaps you could enlighten me.. before i ramble on, many of you seemed intrigued by the pictures that i have posted and the make of the camera that i am using is by Canon, my loyal G9.. 

This episode of DMW takes us to three rivers that played an instrumental and monumental part in the development of their respective countries.This is not the river of Babylon, but the ganges river in Varanasi India, The River Thames in UK and The Osaka River in Japan Osaka…

 瓦拉纳西河: The Ganges in Varanasi India

Frankly, amongst all the destinations that i went, this had to be the most dreaded one. Unfortunately, i had the opportunity to watch a programme once when i was travelling in Japan and it was about a traveller’s journey to understand the mystery of Death in Varanasi, how the dead bodies were cremated right on the river bank and the intricate details of the whole ceremony, till the last details of how some monks from temples along the river had to clear up floating half burnt body parts drifting along the river. I guess that had a great impact on me and the tone was then set. I am not looking forward to cruise along the river, much less to even touch the water..

However, after 24 hrs in Varanasi, i knew i was wrong. Dead wrong. For when one ran out of excuses, one has to face the obstacles as it was thrown right on one’s face upon which, one is then forced to open his pea brain and understand things , however unpleasant, and after which,when  shed off all denials, began the journey to understand what life is all about and what death entails.This trip has changed me..and i hope that it has made me a better person, in accordance to my own standard  , and i sincerely do hope that you will make time to watch this encounter of mine and share my revelations….

 泰晤士河: THAMES River United Kingdom

Remembered vividly my first visit to London..I was so busy doing the tourist rounds.In hurried steps i conquered the various attraction.Rushing from trafalgar square to picadilly circus ,from sloanne street to oxford street, drinking in the sights of glorious London and washing down a few pints in the quaint little bars tucked away in corners.Nodding to the bobbies and forgetting to bring the brollly..having tea and scones and running through hyde park..oohing with glee and freezing underneath my layers of clothing. The pace i undertook was anything but leisurely..takinga brief stop at Tower bridge just to check if London Bridge is falling down before dashing of to the town of Oxford, regretting my academic inadequatecy as i brush shoulders with the students from The reknown Oxford university. However, this trip to Thames river allowed me, even though the pace wasn’t that much slower, to breathe the wonderful air of the english countryside and stroll along the river..slowly enough to experience the euphoria of discovering the scenic spots in London and getting to know the pleasure of leisurely pursuits.

 大阪运河: Osaka River Japan

Once again i found myself in Osaka, a good many years since my first visit there doing a programme with Shao Guang.Was so focused on the city that i totally ignored the river and the life along the riverside.Perhaps many would have commited the same crime as i did, looking only at the present and not knowing much about how it all began and the heros behind the success. This river in Japan is the gateway to the rest of the world and it is through the dexterity and the ingenuity of the businessman from Osaka that modern trade and amenties were introdued into Japan.The modern affluent world that Osaka now is probably enjoyed its success because of the important role that the river played…

Life begins and ends at the river..No wonder much praises are sung about rivers.We too, have our very own, our Singapore River. Though all rivers are different, me thinks they carry with them the hopes of their people and with every rise and fall of the tide, our lives flows on..

Comes adrift with me,

in search of a beautiful life.