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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Second Day, Floating Temple tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Second Day, Floating Temple

February 8, after an overnight on the ship, I met the driver who would take me to a floating temple that is not well known. I met the driver outside the port and we traveled over an hour in the usual frenetic, mostly motor scooter traffic to the Go Vap district up north. With a little confusion, the driver found where he needed to drop me to go through a temple & shop to walk a short distance to where a boat would take me to the temple. I didn't have the equivalent of 50 cents in Vietnamese dong so I offered a USD & it was accepted. 5 minutes later I & 4 other people were at the temple. I was only the westerner, but of course nobody bothered me or turned me away. The temple is said to contain at least 100 dragon statues, perfect for 2024, the year of the dragon. It had multiple shrines and the usual abundance of gorgeous statues and artwork. It was definitely worth the trip. But if anyone happens to know who "Quan The....." statue represents, please tell me. My Googling was ineffective.

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A one hour ride, 1 USD, 3 minute walk & 4 minute boat ride got me to the Phu Chau (Mieu Noi) Buddhist temple
A one hour ride, 1 USD, 3 minute walk & 4 minute boat ride got me to the Phu Chau (Mieu Noi) Buddhist temple		 Arriving at the temple
Arriving at the temple		 The beautiful dragon as we came up the steps
The beautiful dragon as we came up the steps		 The temple has hundreds of dragon statues
The temple has hundreds of dragon statues		 And a beautiful walkway. Temple is 300 years old but a local stepped in to renovate it in 1992
And a beautiful walkway. Temple is 300 years old but a local stepped in to renovate it in 1992		 Many different dieties were represented
Many different dieties were represented
Entrance to Phu Chau
Entrance to Phu Chau 		I was the only westerner there. I unobtrusively took a few pictures of people there.
I was the only westerner there. I unobtrusively took a few pictures of people there.		 A pagoda outside main portion of temple
A pagoda outside main portion of temple		 Visitors were buying & releasing birds to gain merit
Visitors were buying & releasing birds to gain merit		 Worshipers at (maybe) the Dragon Mother statue
Worshipers at (maybe) the Dragon Mother statue		 Looking back at the tributary of the river from the temple
Looking back at the tributary of the river from the temple
Many different people & creatures were represented in stone, ceramic and wood
Many different people & creatures were represented in stone, ceramic and wood		 Planes occasionally flew over overhead
Planes occasionally flew over overhead		 Every shrine was different
Every shrine was different		 Entrance from behind looking to river.
Entrance from behind looking to river.		 Dragon pillar
Dragon pillar		 More shrines
More shrines
The outdoor but covered kitchen had a long table plus these plates & bowls for the monks
The outdoor but covered kitchen had a long table plus these plates & bowls for the monks		 These flowers were everywhere in Vietnam
These flowers were everywhere in Vietnam		 We had to step around several dogs
We had to step around several dogs		 Turtles (symbol of longevity), eels & birds were for sale so worshippers could release them & gain merit
Turtles (symbol of longevity), eels & birds were for sale so worshippers could release them & gain merit		 This poor guy had a bad case of mange
This poor guy had a bad case of mange		 Goddess statue close up
Goddess statue close up
Gorgeous Phu Chau looking out toward water
Gorgeous Phu Chau looking out toward water		 We found the Lunar New Year brings many people out in traditional dress.
We found the Lunar New Year brings many people out in traditional dress.		 Coconuts for offerings
Coconuts for offerings 		There was SO much red and yellow
There was SO much red and yellow		 Back down to the boat we go as dragon watches
Back down to the boat we go as dragon watches		 On the long drive back to Saigon, we saw the usual motor scooter traffic, including many things being carried on scooters.
On the long drive back to Saigon, we saw the usual motor scooter traffic, including many things being carried on scooters.
Loved these lanterns. I guess I could have bought one for our room on Riviera. We still had another 5 days on board.
Loved these lanterns. I guess I could have bought one for our room on Riviera. We still had another 5 days on board.		 Oceania Riviera from Tan Cang Hiep Phuoc port exit where people meet drivers
Oceania Riviera from Tan Cang Hiep Phuoc port exit where people meet drivers
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