Ice Trails

With the rather dreary weather and melting snow, I decided to look for some different patterns in nature. While walking over a bridge at Tenney Park, I noticed the intriguing linear patterns created by the ice below.

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Snowy Tiled Patterns

Fondly remembering the beautiful patterns created by snowfall on the tiles of a Buddhist temple in Seoul.

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The Tiles Beneath You

St. Paul's Cathedral, Vigan

The beautiful flooring in several Filipino churches and homes caused me to look down and take notice. Sometimes they had contrasting patterns, while many others were quite unified. The stories that some of the tiles could tell; the faithful that shuffled their feet across the church floor, the wheels paths of childrens' toy trucks, or the pacing feet of revolutionaries.

I first took notice of similar ceramic flooring when in Malaysia, such as at the Perankan Mansion. I was accustomed to looking up, but now, such floor tiles encouraged me to also look beneath my feet.

Paoay Church

Mansion, now a museum in Vigan

Father Burtos Museum in Vigan

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Laden with Snow

Some more winter images of Bongwonsa Temple, focusing on pattern on trees.

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눈 Patterns in the Snow

If autumn leaves and spring blossoms can create beautiful patterns, why not snow? 

An exploration of Bongwonsa Temple, focusing on winter patterns. 

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Geunjeonjeon Throne Room

It is in the Geunjeongjeon throne hall that the kingdom's state affairs took place, including meetings, foreign envoy meetings, and coronation ceremonies. 

Note the painted folding screen behind the throne. The sun and moon represent the king and queen, while the five peaks stand for a mythical place. The Irworobongdo screen displayed the splendor of the Joseon royal court. 

As always, it's important to look up. Look how beautifully decorated the lofty ceilings are decorated.

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Sha Hamdan Mosque

Even though we had already been to a number of mosques, my gracious hosts were eager to bring me to one more - the Chanukah Mosque of Shah Hamdan. Although one of the oldest mosques in Srinagar (originally built 1395, rebuilt 1732), it was easily the most beautiful I had seen here. The beautifully patterned wood sections glowed in the golden late afternoon light. The ornamental Pinjrakari (latticework) on the closed window shutters reminded me of jalis found in Rajasthan. Although each let in light and provided ventilation and privacy, these were created in wood, instead of stone. On a few walls and ceilings were covered with papier mâché designs - so beautiful and yet delicate. Even the graceful wooden pyramidal steeple included ornamentation - a feast for the photographer’s eye wherever the lens was pointed!

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Details of Wat Phra Kaew

A year ago when I visited the Wat Phra Kaew, I only had my little point and shoot. This time I brought my DSLR and zoom lens. Here are a few shots of this famous Buddhist site in Bangkok, adjoined to the Grand Palace..

See more photos and writings on the Wat Phra Kaew 

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