The Bayon Temple 2010

A pond reflects the temple's facade.

The breathtaking Bayon, which stands at the center of Angkor Thom.

(less edited photograph of the Bayon)

Faces carved into its towers is a distinct feature of the temple.

 "a muddle of stones, a sort of moving chaos assaulting the sky." -Maurice Glaize 

A man, a monkey, and a motorcycle.

Scaly fruits sold near the temple.
They look strange but they're sweet and tart, and good for you!  

Tour of Angkor Thom (a royal city built by the end of the 12th century).  Siem Reap, Cambodia.
September 7, 2010.

Inviting Istanbul 2011

Archway by the Sultan Ahmed Mosque,
popularly called the Blue Mosque because...

...the mosque's interior is decked out with blue tiles.
The mosque is filled with delighted tourists...

...like us!

A pretty door near the Topkapi palace.

My sister with a beautiful wall of Turkish tiles in the Topkapi palace.

The "Kubbealti" or the domed room, where the Ottoman Imperial Council held its deliberations.
Our tour guide said the emperor would listen in
the secret conversations through that golden screen.

My mother's favorite place in Istanbul.  The grand bazaar!
Pictures of the inside in another post.

Tour of Istanbul.  June 2, 2011.

Inside the Barcelona Cathedral

Although the 13th century cathedral was undergoing repairs while we were there,
you can see that this did not take away from its magnificence.
Barcelona, Spain. June 10, 2011.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

view from our hotel window

silhouette of the Rosary Basilica

a mosaic of the blessed Mary

view from one side of the basilica

the grotto of massabielle (meaning the old rock) 

the spring St. Bernadette Soubirous dug up with her hands  

procession of pilgrims from all over the world

the crowned statue in Rosary square

"to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears"

pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.  May 29, 2008.