We rebelled in Ho Chi Minh City and refused to go to the network of caves and tunnels where the Viet Cong held out against the forces of the south and the US, sparing ourselves a long drive and crawling through tunnels. This was the advantage of being on a private tour, withour own guide and driver.
Our guide then offered to take us to the Chinese quarter of Saigon, and there she took us to a fascinating temple with wonderful decorations, the
Thien Hau Temple.
Most of them are, as in the picture to the left, high up on the cornices of the building.
Fortunately my camera has a powerful telescopic lens, so I was able to record some of the reliefs for later viewing.
This, I believe, is a portrayal of a goddess who rescues seamen.
The temple is full of busy, crowded reliefs, which are hard to decipher from down on the floor.
I don't know whether the artists who sculpted these scenes were Chinese people from abroad or local. They date to the nineteenth century.
Here's the altar inside the temple.
Some even closer telescopic views of the reliefs.
This picture shows how the temple has been surrounded by the city of Saigon.
The decorations on the bells are a reminder that his temple is not a museum, but a place of worship. I hope these treasures will be preserved safely.
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