tiabunna's photos with the keyword: ruins

The (former) Royal Hotel, built in 1883, was one of three hotels in Birdsville. It transferred to the Australian Inland Mission for use as a hospital from 1923 until 1937, then it was used as a private residence for some years. More extensive background information in the PiP. Happy Fence Friday, everyone, have a great weekend.

Taken from the top terrace of Wat Phu, adjacent to the current Buddhist temple. The central causeway leads off into the distance toward where the now-gone city of Shrestapura stood near the Mekong River in about the 5th century. An earlier temple was built here dedicated to Shiva because of the spring (considered sacred) coming from the cliffs behind and the natural lingam-shaped outcrop (obscured by clouds) on the summit. That earlier temple was replaced with the current structures in about the 10th century when the Khmer empire took over the area. In the PiPs (also below): (1) I was pleased to find the spring which was part of the original inspiration for all the developments, still coming from the hillside. (2) A Khmer motif on the cliff face near the spring. (3) I won't claim to be expert on Hindu sculpture and symbolism, but I think this is a Lingam signifying the god Shiva , while (4) this large carved and abandoned rock appears to be a Yoni signifying the goddess Shakti.

From the North and South Palaces (see previous image), the causeway path leads up the mountainside, climbing through the terraces in the background. Images taken on the way (a good excuse for a "breather") are in the PiPs and below.

The two major buildings at the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wat Phu temple complex in Laos are known as the North and South Palaces and sit on either side of the entry causeway. I say "known as" because nobody really knows their original purpose. They were constructed in about the 10th century and very little restoration work has been carried out. More images of some associated details in the PiPs and below.

This is an ancient reservoir ("baray") on the main axis of the Wat Phu temple complex in southern Laos (more information with previous image, via PiP at right). Originally there were more reservoirs, but this is the only one now permanently holding water. See also PiP at left.

Best viewed large. Wat Phu is the name of these temple ruins, now World Heritage listed, in southern Laos. An earlier temple was built here in the 5th century, associated with the now-gone city of Shrestapura and dedicated to Shiva because of the spring (considered sacred) coming from the cliffs behind and the natural lingam-shaped outcrop (obscured by clouds) on the summit. In the 10th century it came under the rule of the Khmer Empire based in Angkor (in Cambodia) and the old temple was replaced in the 10th century with the current structures. Several centuries later it came under Lao control and consequent ongoing Buddhist use. Wat Phu consisted of the causeway, seen at the right, leading between two substantial buildings, the North and South Palaces, then continuing up a stairway (hidden by the row of trees) to a series of shrines and other buildings. The causeway was flanked by several ornamental lakes ("barays", now mainly empty) There are seven stone terraces on the way to the spring at the top. More images to come. It was extremely hot and humid for our visit, just writing this brings it all back! It's a fascinating place though and largely off the 'tourist trail'. Stay safe everyone, HFF and have a great weekend.

Along the road from the previous image. Back in the 1860s gold rush, Chinese miners built a Joss House here - long since gone. Between the fence and the tree stumps are the remains of a stone structure, which has a pit where they apparently roasted whole pigs. The PiP shows the pit. HFF, and have a great weekend, everyone. Explored.

Just a few small renovations required....

Both have been there for a long time!

From an old slide. Macquarie Island was found by sealers in 1810. They promptly exterminated the resident fur seals for their pelts, then began on the elephant seals for their blubber to extract oil. By the late 1800s, there were too few elephant seals for that to be viable, so they began on the penguins. These rusty boilers were "penguin digesters", used to cook countless thousands of King and Royal penguins for their oil. The trade was halted after the Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-13 raised public consciousness of what was being done. The explorer Sir Douglas Mawson began a campaign to have the island declared a sanctuary, though even in 1919 there were efforts (which were opposed) to revive the industry. To quote the photographer Frank Hurley (who had wintered in Antarctica with Mawson and Shackleton) writing in the Sydney Morning Herald of 17 August 1919: "I can only term the destruction there as grim tragedy, the remembrance of which makes me shudder still.... The penguins are mustered like sheep and ...." ... (I shall spare you the details) "....it is one of the most pitiful sights I have ever witnessed..... This wanton butchery takes a toll of some 150,000 birds annually..." These digesters are at a point known as The Nuggets, others are at Lusitania Bay on the east coast. These remains of the "bad old days" were still there in 2005, but they are in areas where tourists are not allowed to land. Maybe appropriately, best viewed on black (press Z).