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 |
The beautiful dragon as we came up the steps |
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 |
Many different dieties were represented |
Entrance to Phu Chau |
I was the only westerner there. I unobtrusively took a few pictures of people there. |
A pagoda outside main portion of temple |
Visitors were buying & releasing birds to gain merit |
Worshipers at (maybe) the Dragon Mother statue |
Looking back at the tributary of the river from the temple |
Many different people & creatures were represented in stone, ceramic and wood |
Planes occasionally flew over overhead |
Every shrine was different |
Entrance from behind looking to river. |
Dragon pillar |
More shrines |
The outdoor but covered kitchen had a long table plus these plates & bowls for the monks |
These flowers were everywhere in Vietnam |
We had to step around several dogs |
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 |
Goddess statue close up |
Gorgeous Phu Chau looking out toward water |
We found the Lunar New Year brings many people out in traditional dress, with ing up for the Lunar New Year occurs |
Coconuts for offerings |
There was SO much red and yellow |
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. |
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 |