Day 10 Alright My Son

The morning tour was cancelled because attractions are closing down now due to C -19. No worries, leisurely breakfast and a bit of pool time. Mrs M was grateful as there was still a need to be near “facilities”.

Driver and guide picked us up at 12.00 noon for the 1 hour drive South West into the mountains to visit the My Son Sanctuary.

The guide was a cheeky little chappie, with a personalised knowledge of English vernacular. E.g “do you want to use the little girls house”, “men sweat, women perspire”, “it is cold enough for the monkey to lose its balls”.

Ankor the Guide

My Son is a Unesco World Heritage site and reflects the existence of a Hindu kingdom populated by the Champa people who occupied central and southern Vietnam. The sanctuary that we visited was a place of pilgrimage rather than settlement.

Main staircase and also steps for tiny, tiny people

Rice grinding apparatus used by the caretakers of the Temples

The usual war damage was apparent as this area was, for one week, extensively carpet bombed, destroying many temples and leaving bomb craters as a calling card.

Our guide told us that craters like this one, often filled with deep water led to many deaths by drowning of children whose parents had been killed or were unable to look after them

Battle scars

One of the mysteries that attracted archeologists to this site is the construction method used in building the Temples, which date from 5 and 6 AD. No cement or mortar is used, but no satisfactory explanation as to what makes everything stay together has been forthcoming.

Different colours represent different attempts at renovation

The French, Italians, Indians and the Chinese have all had a go at renovating – some pouring cement between the bricks, others smearing it onto the brick faces

However, further investigation showed this, which seems to work:-

Lots of dragonflies

Inside some of the (safer) buildings, the Hindu deities could be found, plus some very forward thinking.

The first documented evidence on the use of video effects, subsequently popularised by the rock group “Queen” in their seminal work, Bohemian Rhapsody”

Magnifico, oh, oh, oh

Bit of gingivitis

A magnificent site, and well worth visiting adding another layer of understanding about this fascinating country.

How I imagine the same scene would look if I had visited 100 years ago

Very worthwhile tour, and it was nice to see some truly old relics when most of this country accentuates the new.

Mrs M and I caught the courtesy shuttle bus into town and had our meal at one of the restaurants our guide had recommended. Morning Glory II did not disappoint and Mrs M pronounced herself satisfied.