The Mango Road

Putting the life back into lifestyle

  • More Travel Features
    • China
      • All along the Watchtowers
      • The Fire Carts of Xishi
      • Walking the Line
    • Cambodia
      • Silk islands of Koh Dach
    • Hong Kong
      • The New Territories
        • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
        • On the Trail of Two Monasteries
        • Ping Shan Heritage Trail
        • Salt, fish and the Battle of Tai O Bay
        • The Green Hub
        • Veggies and Rebellion
      • Tai Ping Shan and Sheung Wan
      • On the Waterfront
      • The waterways of Tai Tam
      • The Tai Tam West catchwater
      • Violet Hill and The Twins
    • India
      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
    • Indonesia
      • Botanical Gradens, Bogor
      • The sweet smell of steam
      • Sunrise over Gunung Bromo
    • Laos
      • Watching the river flow
    • Malaysia
      • The Jungle Line
      • Penang’s Living Art Gallery
      • Climbing Mt Kinabalu
      • North Borneo Railway
    • Nepal
      • High as a Kite
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
      • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam
      • Simian City
      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
  • A Postcard from …
    • Bagan
    • Cambodia
      • Angkor
    • Darjeeling
    • Hanoi
    • Hong Kong
      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
      • Devil beating in Causeway Bay
      • Nong Ping and Big Buddha
    • Kolkata
    • Krakatau
    • Singapore
    • Thong Pha Phum
  • Airports
    • Cambodia – Phnom Penh
    • Hong Kong – Chek Lap Kok
    • Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, KLIA2
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Don Mueang
    • Vietnam – Noi Bai, Hanoi
    • Vietnam – Da Nang
  • Food
    • Tai O Lookout – Hong Kong
    • Beer Republic – Bangkok
    • Glenary’s – Darjeeling
    • Shanak’s – Phnom Penh
    • Som Tam – Some Like it Hotter
    • Chops – Hanoi
    • 80/20 – Bangkok
    • Coliseum Cafe & Bar – Kuala Lumpur
    • Guppy’s – Bangkok
    • Kunga – Darjeeling
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• Features •

Salt, fish and the battle of Tai O Bay
• Features • Hong Kong 

Salt, fish and the battle of Tai O Bay

22nd February 202015th February 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Tagged with the rather grand epithet, the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O, in the southwest of Lantau island, has become something of a tourist attraction in recent years.

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Sukhothai, the cradle of Thai civilisation
• Features • Thailand 

Sukhothai, the cradle of Thai civilisation

8th February 202014th December 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

The Sukhothai era is regarded as the cradle of Thai civilisation. It had originally been a trade centre and part of the Lavo Kingdom which was under Khmer rule

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The Jiayang National Mining Park: Walking the Line
• Features • China 

The Jiayang National Mining Park: Walking the Line

25th January 202013th January 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Only one of the mines remains operational but the steam hauled railway which serves the small mining communities that grew up along its route is still running.

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Kebun Raya, Bogor: Gardens in the City
• Features • Indonesia 

Kebun Raya, Bogor: Gardens in the city

18th January 202024th April 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

He who plants a garden, plants happiness, says the old proverb. When Casper Reinwardt established his botanical gardens at Buitenzorg in 1817 he did just that.

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Simian City The monkeys of Lopburi
• Features • Thailand 

Simian City: The Monkeys of Lopburi

30th December 201910th August 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

It’s early morning in Lopburi, and a monkey has grabbed a bottle of yummy looking yellow liquid and is scampering off along the cables attached to the side of a building.

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A century old sugar mill in east Java
• Features • Indonesia 

The sweet smell of steam: A century old sugar mill in East Java

22nd December 20193rd April 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

With a shrill whistle, a cloud of black smoke and much clanking of steel engine No4, Semeru, with it’s one truck load of passengers chuffed through the gates

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The living Gallery: Art walking in Prnang
• Features • Malaysia 

Art walking in Penang’s living gallery

2nd December 201918th February 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

One of the joys of exploring Penang’s street art is that new works pop up with no announcement while old works fade or are painted over as buildings are renovated

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War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
• Features • India 

War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea

13th November 20192nd December 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Tea arrived in the UK in the early seventeenth century but it had a slow start. It was very expensive and was marketed primarily for its medicinal properties.

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Sunrise over Gunung Bromo and the Tengger Highlands
• Features • Indonesia 

Sunrise over Gunung Bromo and the Tengger Highlands

5th November 201917th August 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Sunrise over Gunung Bromo is one of the earth’s great spectacles. I first saw it, in less than perfect weather conditions, over twenty years ago. Back then there

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Climbing Mt Kinabalu South Peak
• Features • Malaysia 

Climbing Mt Kinabalu via the old Mesilau trail

7th October 20193rd April 2025 The Mango Road 6 Comments Stories

The name Kinabalu is derived from the words Aki Nabalu which, in the local Kadazan language, means ‘the revered place of the dead.’

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Found this impressive butterfly waiting when I got Found this impressive butterfly waiting when I got home the other evening. It's a spangled swallowtail (papilio protenor) resting on the bougainvillea. The wing span is about twenty centimetres. They are actually quite common, I've just never seen one stay still long enough to take a picture of it before. I'm afraid I lack the patience of dedicated lepidoptera shooters.
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#papilioprotenor #butterfly #butterflyworld #butterflies #butterfly #butterfliesofinstagram #spanglebutterfly #swallowtailbutterfly #swallowtail #lepidoptera #lepidopteraofinstagram #insectphotography #insect #insectworld #insect_perfection #insectlovers #insectsofinstagram #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #nature #naturelover #nature_seekers #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict
Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Pin Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping
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#tiantanbuddha #bigbuddha #天壇大佛 #天坛大佛 #lantau #polinmonastery #ngongping #昂坪 #hongkon
Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau #macau #hote Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau

#macau #hotel #casino #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by Ki Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, who reigned from 1629 to 1656, to honour his foster mother whose ashes are interred here. Since its construction, all of Ayutthaya’s Kings made pilgrimages here to attend royal funerals. See stories for another view.
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#WatChaiwatthanaram #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
The wonderfully atmospheric Pat Heung Old Temple w The wonderfully atmospheric Pat Heung Old Temple was built around two hundred and fifty years ago and is dedicated to the worship of Kwun Yum, more often know as Guanyin outside Hong Kong.
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#patheungtemple #temple #kwunyum #kwunyumtemple #guanyin #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
An abandoned spirit house next to an abandoned bui An abandoned spirit house next to an abandoned building building in a rural part of Phang Nga, southern Thailand. The blue wires lead to a socket for a tiny  bulb to give the spirit light during the dark nights but the bulb has since been removed.
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#spirithouse #spirit #home #architecture #abandned #overgrown #buddhism #green #trees #faith #instathailand #onlyinthailand #thailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailandia #ig_thailand #phangnga #wonderfulplaces #raw_southeastasia #southeastasia #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport #globetrotter
The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled vill The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled village in Lung Yuek Tau which was founded in 1744. The houses within have all since been rebuilt to modern standards with electricity and plumbing, but the village still retains its original layout. 
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A central lane leads from the gatehouse to a communal shrine on the rear wall. The houses on either side are tightly packed into narrow alleys but along the inner walls at the back and sides, there is still room for trees, garden areas and small vegetable plots. The moat, which once surrounded the village, has since been filled in to create space for villagers to park their cars.
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#sanwai #walledvillage #exploringhksnewterritories #taifutaimansion #architecture #architectureporn #archıtecturelovers #building #buildingporn #historicbuildings #historicalplace #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #newterritories #letsgosomewhere #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli a Ruishi Lou towers over the village of Jinjiangli about 12 kilometres southwest of Chikan town, Kaiping in southern China. The towers, collectively known as diaolou, were built mostly during the late 19th and early 20th century, though there are a few that date back as far as the 16th.
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The older diaolou were built specifically as watchtowers to guard against invading bandits and to give refuge during floods. The more recent ones still served that function but also served as family homes. These were built by returning emigrants who had made their fortunes in other parts of the world. The designs reflected the newly acquired cosmopolitan tastes of their owners combined with traditional Chinese elements.
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Ruishi was built in 1926 by Huang Bixiu, a villager who had left and made his fortune in Hong Kong as a merchant. It has nine floors each with it's own living space kitchen and bedrooms.
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The Jinjiangli village and it's diaolou along with several other clusters in the region were made UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2007
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#chikantowm #kaiping #diaolou #oldbuildings #building #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #heritage #unesco #unescoworldheritagesite #history #watchtower #village #oldvillage #villagelife #bygoneera #ig_china #chinalife #china #ig_asia #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelgram #mytinyatlas #beautifuldestinations #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
The Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi was originally built The Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi was originally built between 544-548 CE during the reign of Emperor Lý Nam Đế on the banks of the Yellow River. It was moved to Hồ Tây (West Lake) in 1615, due to erosion on the river bank, and underwent major renovations again in 1815.
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The pagoda forms part of the Trấn Quốc Temple which holds the ashes of venerable monks.
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#tranquocpagoda #hanoi #hànội #hotay #westlake #vietnam #việtnam #vietnamtravel #pagoda #temple #nightphoto #nightlights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #dusk #raw_southeastasia #southeastasia #stayandwander #travelgram #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #wonderfulplaces #stayandwander #passionpassport #globetrotter
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Diwali in Kolkata . . . #diwali #festivaloflights Diwali in Kolkata
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#diwali #festivaloflights #diwalidecorations #diwalicelebration #festival #streetsofcalcutta #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #india #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #oldcalcutta #india #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #travelportrait #splendid_people #portrait #portrait_mood #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Pen Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula in southern Lantau. There is not much there, a few houses, one road and no shops. The only public service is an infrequent ferry which calls at a pier on the other side of a short but gruelling hill. This little lagoon forms at high tide. When the tide is out it is occupied by crabs combing the silt and sand for tasty morsels.
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#shaplong #香港 #hikinghk #chimawan #chimawancountrytrail #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as t The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as the Las Vegas of the East, Cotai is a parcel of reclaimed land given over almost entirely to casinos and hotels. The replica landmarks make it popular place with instagram enthusiasts and wedding photographers.
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#macau #macao #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #cotai #cotaistrip
#cotaistripmacau #london #paris #venice #casino #hotels #lasvegasoftheeast #instagrammers
Villages in the Tengger Highlands in West Java are Villages in the Tengger Highlands in West Java are often just a single street strung out along the top of a ridge while fields growing carrots, potatoes, onions, cabbages and more tumble down the hillsides nourished by the fertile volcanic soils.
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#tengger #nature #agriculture #terracedfields #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #naturelover #bromotenggersemeru #bromo #volcano #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife
Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making of Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making off with the catch of the day.
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#egret #easterngreategret #greategret #egretsofinstagram #egrettagarzetta #egretsandherons #catchoftheday #fish #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdstagram #birdwatching #birding #bestbirdshots #birdphotography #birds #birdlife #featheredfriends #birdsofhongkong #birdsofchina #birdsofasia #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography  #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Hong Kong.
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One of the oldest and largest temples dedicated to Tin Hau. It was built in 1266 by two brothers who were salt traders from Fujian province. One day their boat was caught in storms and as they were swept overboard they appealed to Tin Hau for help. To show their gratitude they built the temple on the spot where they came safely to land.
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#tinhau #天后古廟 #temple #天后 #廟 #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha The church built in 1 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The church built in 1622 by the crew of the Portuguese ship São Bartholomeu who, after escaping from Dutch pursuers, vowed to build a church to commemorate the Virgin Mary if they made it back to Macau.

#macau #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macao #church #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in th Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m (28,169 ft), appears to be floating on a cloud
Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong K Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
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#wetlands #puio #lantau #lantauisland #southlantau #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #naturelover #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #hongkongphotography #countrypark #wonderful_places #peacefulplace #bythisriver #estuary #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere
The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang. . . . The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang.
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#mosque #masjid #placeofworship #indonesia #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #ig_world_colors #dusk #nightphotography #nightphoto #nightlights #addicted_to_nights #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #total_asia #lensbible #ig_reddit #redditphotography #canon5dmarkiv
Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong . Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
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#ChingChungKoon #temple #monastery #chinesetemple #shrine #taoism #hongkonghistory #tuenmun #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
This fellow turned up on my balcony Tuesday, he's This fellow turned up on my balcony Tuesday, he's been residing in one of my potted plants since then. It's a bit late in the season really, the neighbourhood insects have already started shutting up shop for the winter, so I don't know what he's going to eat.
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#prayingmantis #giantasianprayingmantis #hierodulamembranacea #prayingmantisofinstagram #mantis #bugs #insectsofinstagram #mantidsofinstagram #bug #mantids #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram
Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau . . #macau # Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau
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#macau 
#urbannightphotography 
#urbanphotography
#cityphotography
#nightphotography
Instagram post 17941133006104276 Instagram post 17941133006104276
Instagram post 17959363538377403 Instagram post 17959363538377403
Evening settles on the sleepy fishing village of T Evening settles on the sleepy fishing village of Tai O at the western end of Lantau island.
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#nightphoto #nightlights #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #dusk #fishingvillage #tai_o #大澳 #香港 #taio #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #countrypark #wonderful_places #bythisriver #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia . While it is not so co Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia
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While it is not so comfortable Ta Prohm is at its atmospheric best during the rainy season. When the greens of the lichens and the browns of the banyan trees contrast with the wet grey stone walls.
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Ta Prohm was founded in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII though construction would have continued well into the 13th century. It was abandoned in the 15th century and suffered centuries of neglect. When conservation efforts began it was decided that the temple, which blends quite beautifully with the surrounding jungle,  would be left largely as it was found. Much work has been done however to prevent the complex deteriorating further and to stabilise it so that it doesn't collapse on visitors.
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Angkor and all its temples are a Unesco Word Heritage site. Parts of the Tomb Raider movie were filmed at Ta Prohm.
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#taprohm #taprohmtemple #angkor #angkortemples #templeruins #ancientruins #ig_cambodia #igerscambodia #cambodia #khmer #beautifulseasia #beautifulplaces #worldnomads #tombraidertemple #globeshotz #thediscoverer #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #doyoutravel #travelforlife #travelsolo #travelgram #lensbible #travelstagram #exploreourearth #travelpics #unescoworldheritage #alwaysexploring
I took this shot many years ago one foggy morning I took this shot many years ago one foggy morning on the Dieng Plateau in Central Java. Back then there were only two rather simple hotels. Early mornings were always wonderfully misty and mysterious but the sun would shine before lunch. In the afternoons it rained heavily.
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#dieng #diengplateau #exploredieng #terracedfields #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #naturelover #indonesigeographic #volcano #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellif
Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus). #wasp #potter Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus).

#wasp #potterwasp #Phimenesflavopictus #waspsofinstagram #bugs #insectsofinstagram #bug #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers #insectlover🐞 #insectlovers🌿
My latest project is now available in bookshops ac My latest project is now available in bookshops across Hong Kong.

Unlike most guidebooks on Hong Kong, this one delves deep into a region that is often ignored yet is replete with ancient monuments and temples, picturesque monasteries, abandoned villages and a network of excellent, well-maintained hiking trails.

Most of the attractions are free or very inexpensive and can be easily accessed using Hong Kong’s excellent public transport systems, details of which are included.
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#hongkong #discoverhk #newterritories #hongkongheritage #hkheritage #discoverhongkong #awesomehongkong #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #heritage #historicbuilding #historicarchitecture #historicalbuildings #historicplace #pingshan #pingshanheritagetrail #ancestralhall #temple #lungyuektau #hongkonggeopark #hongkongcountryside #picsofhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta  #hongkonger #lantau #lamma #cheungchau
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