Highlights of Southeast Asia Trip 2001



It took us a month to collect these pictures and it will undoubtedly take you quite some time to look at all of them.  We realize that you don't have infinite time and bandwidth, so we've skimmed what we think are the best 10% of the pictures off the top, and listed the high points of our daily itinerary. Each picture tells a small part of the larger story and as such the pictures are really best viewed in their entirety.  The captions may be confusing out of context, but this should encourage you to take a look at each of the individual days.  Consider this page a "teaser".

Tokyo, Japan 2001-06-20

IMG_1730.JPG 529KB 1200 x 1600 6/20/2001 5:45 AM
Outside the apartment building of our Tokyo hosts, the Bombardes.
 IMG_1736.JPG 504KB 1200 x 1600 6/20/2001 5:46 AM

IMG_1737.JPG 771KB 1600 x 1200 6/19/2001 8:55 PM

IMG_1743.JPG 404KB 1200 x 1600 6/20/2001 5:46 AM

IMG_1757.JPG 506KB 1600 x 1200 6/19/2001 9:38 PM
Note mountain on right side for scale. Snake is approximately 4500 meters in length.
 IMG_1763.JPG 652KB 1600 x 1200 6/19/2001 10:25 PM
Moments later, old woman is lifted off the ground and dropped to her death. An astute viewer will note that one should not feed the white pigeons!

Tokyo, Japan 2001-06-21

IMG_1704.JPG 583KB 1600 x 1200 6/20/2001 11:26 PM
Senso-ji (Buddhist temple to Kannon, the goddess of mercy).
 IMG_1709.JPG 353KB 1200 x 1600 6/21/2001 7:37 AM
Five story pagoda.
 IMG_1746.JPG 603KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 12:11 AM
Eldery Japanese are lined up to be taken to the underworld by pigeons.
 IMG_1762.JPG 705KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 2:07 AM
Start Hamarikyu-teien garden images. Old garden/game preserve.
IMG_1774.JPG 621KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 2:18 AM

IMG_1779.JPG 794KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 2:33 AM

IMG_1784.JPG 573KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 3:41 AM
Note Godzilla for scale. Eric is approximately 9 stories tall.
 IMG_1788.JPG 439KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 3:55 AM

Tokyo, Japan 2001-06-22
IMG_1794.JPG 786KB 1600 x 1200 6/21/2001 9:43 PM

IMG_1810.JPG 752KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 1:44 AM

IMG_1818.JPG 687KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 1:52 AM

IMG_1823.JPG 488KB 1200 x 1600 6/22/2001 7:40 AM
Saigo takamori statue in Ueno-koen park.
IMG_1824.JPG 625KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 2:57 AM

IMG_1834.JPG 472KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 4:16 AM
This woman lost her leg moments later.
 IMG_1838.JPG 535KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 6:00 AM
Tilli and Susie Bombarde.

Kyoto, Japan 2001-06-23
IMG_1842.JPG 467KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 8:02 PM
Cooler Shinkansen we were too cheap to take. Also it didn't go to Kyoto.
 IMG_1846.JPG 647KB 1600 x 1200 6/22/2001 11:39 PM
Largest wooden structure in the world, according to site propaganda.
 IMG_1864.JPG 456KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 12:06 AM
Hair rope.
 IMG_1867.JPG 382KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 12:42 AM
Traditional budget ryokan, the Hiraiwa. Note traditional telephone and television.
IMG_1873.JPG 528KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 3:35 AM
Eric, moments before unsuccessfully hitting on schoolgirls (due only to the language barrier, of course). Note extra large socks that make their legs appear sleek and slender. This fad has already past Tokyo (circa 1999) and is just now peaking in outlying Kyoto. Note, woman in the back who is shocked at the largeness of the socks.

Kyoto, Japan 2001-06-24
IMG_1893.JPG 442KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 10:05 PM
Cemetary below Kiyomizu-dera.
 IMG_1896.JPG 695KB 1200 x 1600 6/24/2001 7:51 AM

IMG_1904.JPG 767KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 10:28 PM

IMG_1908.JPG 941KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 10:33 PM
Sacred waterfall Otawa-no-taki. Water believed to have therapeutic properties.
IMG_1910.JPG 528KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 10:36 PM

IMG_1918.JPG 508KB 1200 x 1600 6/24/2001 7:52 AM
Entrance to the Jishu-jinja love shrine.
 IMG_1923.JPG 597KB 1600 x 1200 6/23/2001 11:30 PM
Cake making machine outside Kiyomizu-dera on Chawan-zaka (Teapot lane).
 IMG_1929.JPG 645KB 1600 x 1200 6/24/2001 12:46 AM
Maruyama-koen park.

Kyoto, Japan 2001-06-25
IMG_1949.JPG 472KB 1600 x 1200 6/24/2001 8:15 PM
Gate to Niho-jo castle, official residence of the shogun.
 IMG_1954.JPG 762KB 1600 x 1200 6/24/2001 8:47 PM
Ninomaru Garden has three islands: Horai-jima (island of eternal happiness), Tsuru-jima (crane island), and Kame-jima (turtle island).
 IMG_1988.JPG 519KB 1600 x 1200 6/24/2001 11:48 PM

IMG_2002.JPG 778KB 1600 x 1200 6/25/2001 12:12 AM

IMG_2008.JPG 707KB 1600 x 1200 6/25/2001 12:54 AM
Kyoto Station, built 1997.
 IMG_2016.JPG 487KB 1600 x 1200 6/25/2001 1:17 AM
We're interviewed about food for a Kyoto Junior College English project. They were surprised to discover we didn't like American food.
 IMG_2023.JPG 818KB 1600 x 1200 6/25/2001 2:16 AM
Zen garden, c.1338: raked stone, moss, geometrical pathway.
 IMG_2057.JPG 568KB 1200 x 1600 6/25/2001 6:59 AM
Organic hippie vegetarian restaurant Eric found on the web; only two seats. Very tasty.
IMG_2058.JPG 444KB 1600 x 1200 6/25/2001 4:21 AM
Isn't more of Japan supposed to look like this?

Bangkok, Thailand 2001-06-27
IMG_2067.JPG 702KB 1200 x 1600 6/27/2001 10:30 AM
Wat Pho, the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok, home of the largest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images. 16th century, completely rebuilt 1781.
 IMG_2068.JPG 441KB 1600 x 1200 6/27/2001 4:11 AM
The aforementioned reclining Buddha, surrounded by scaffolding from a 53 million Baht renovation.
 IMG_2077.JPG 440KB 1200 x 1600 6/27/2001 10:31 AM
We're not sure what these guys were guarding, but there were lots of them.
 IMG_2091.JPG 415KB 1200 x 1600 6/27/2001 10:32 AM
Detail of the tiles.
IMG_2109.JPG 436KB 1600 x 1200 6/27/2001 4:28 AM

IMG_2118.JPG 820KB 1600 x 1200 6/27/2001 4:32 AM

IMG_2143.JPG 683KB 1600 x 1200 6/27/2001 4:43 AM

IMG_2166.JPG 439KB 1200 x 1600 6/27/2001 10:37 AM
Maybe we can redo the exterior of Seraglio like this?
IMG_2180.JPG 393KB 1280 x 960 6/27/2001 7:53 AM
Extended exposures of the intersection near our hotel in Siam Square.

Ayuthaya, Thailand 2001-06-28
IMG_2186.JPG 856KB 1600 x 1200 6/27/2001 11:06 PM
Bright, shiny spirit houses for sale in Ayuthaya. These give the spirits, who would otherwise inhabit the main building and cause trouble, a preferable place to live, and are regularly filled with flowers and food.
 IMG_2193.JPG 574KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 12:46 AM
Next set of pictures taken inside Wat Phra Mahathat, built 14th century and later demolished by Burmese hordes.
 IMG_2206.JPG 647KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 12:54 AM

IMG_2210.JPG 497KB 1200 x 1600 6/28/2001 8:32 AM
One of the few Buddhas with a head, this one also gets a saffron robe.
IMG_2223.JPG 406KB 1200 x 1600 6/28/2001 8:33 AM

IMG_2226.JPG 750KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 1:17 AM
Apparently "one of the most photographed sites in Ayuthaya."
 IMG_2284.JPG 543KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 3:38 AM
We pass them standing still. Note snazzy bike.
 IMG_2307.JPG 358KB 1200 x 1600 6/28/2001 8:40 AM
Three chedis (stupas) in quintessential Ayuthaya style.
IMG_2324.JPG 683KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 5:11 AM
The quite tasty (and tasteful) Chainam restaurant on the Pa Sak river.
 IMG_2329.JPG 575KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 6:37 AM
Haymarket skills pay off.

Ayuthaya to Bangkok, Thailand 2001-06-29
IMG_2330.JPG 569KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 9:11 PM
Wieng Fa hotel in Ayuthaya.
 IMG_2334.JPG 475KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 9:31 PM
Crossing the river by ferry.
 IMG_2338.JPG 574KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 11:28 PM
Note how an almost random sampling of Bangkok unfortunately contains a McDonalds in this picture and a KFC in one of the previous. It's unclear which is worst, Bangkok's pollution, its traffic, or its adoption of American fast food.
 IMG_2342.JPG 468KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 11:48 PM
Grounds of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.
IMG_2346.JPG 605KB 1600 x 1200 6/28/2001 11:50 PM

Georgetown, Malaysia 2001-06-30
IMG_2351.JPG 271KB 1200 x 1600 6/30/2001 9:05 AM
Pictures of our 2nd class sleeper, on the over-night train from Bangkok to Butterworth, Malaysia. The trip took a grueling 22 hours.
 IMG_2361.JPG 453KB 1600 x 1200 6/29/2001 8:23 PM
Thailand / Malaysia border, as seen from the train.
 IMG_2383.JPG 690KB 1600 x 1200 6/29/2001 9:54 PM

IMG_2397.JPG 642KB 1600 x 1200 6/30/2001 1:47 AM
Unidentified Kongsi, or Chinese clan meeting hall.
IMG_2399.JPG 497KB 1600 x 1200 6/30/2001 2:23 AM
Cathay Hotel.
 IMG_2404.JPG 500KB 1200 x 1600 6/30/2001 9:08 AM

IMG_2419.JPG 508KB 1600 x 1200 6/30/2001 4:24 AM
Fort Cornwallis, built from 1808 to 1810 with convict labor.

Penang, Malaysia 2001-07-01
IMG_2427.JPG 474KB 1200 x 1600 7/1/2001 9:31 AM
15 minutes after removing backpack shirt is still drenched.
 IMG_2430.JPG 509KB 1600 x 1200 6/30/2001 11:58 PM
Kek Lok Si temple. Largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia
 IMG_2438.JPG 555KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 12:04 AM

IMG_2440.JPG 551KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 12:05 AM
Ban Po Thar, 10,000 Buddhas pagoda.
IMG_2444.JPG 792KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 12:05 AM

IMG_2483.JPG 980KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 2:30 AM
Somewhat less incredible because he didn't open it himself, this monkey polishes off a can of Coke.
 IMG_2498.JPG 791KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 3:25 AM

IMG_2504.JPG 822KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 3:44 AM
Wet monkey, from a swim in the stream.
IMG_2517.JPG 451KB 1600 x 1200 7/1/2001 5:26 AM
Inside the Cathay Hotel. Note, intensional artsy view of Christy in the mirror.

Penang, Malaysia 2001-07-02
IMG_2529.JPG 499KB 1200 x 1600 7/2/2001 9:02 AM
Statue of Sir Francis Light, founder of Georgetown, outside museum. Unfortunately photography was not permitted within the museum.
 IMG_2532.JPG 691KB 1600 x 1200 7/2/2001 4:41 AM
Snakes are in fact alive. Reputed to be venomous but doped by the incense.
 IMG_2535.JPG 400KB 1200 x 1600 7/2/2001 9:02 AM
This picture cost money.
 IMG_2552.JPG 490KB 1600 x 1200 7/2/2001 6:39 AM

IMG_2553.JPG 521KB 1600 x 1200 7/2/2001 7:14 AM
Northern Indian restuarant. This fellow is cooking dosa. While we ate, everyone in the inside was working like mad, however nothing was visibly accomplished.

Ipoh, Malaysia 2001-07-03
IMG_2561.JPG 539KB 1200 x 1600 7/3/2001 6:06 AM

IMG_2567.JPG 533KB 1600 x 1200 7/2/2001 11:56 PM

IMG_2576.JPG 415KB 1200 x 1600 7/3/2001 6:06 AM

IMG_2598.JPG 421KB 1600 x 1200 7/3/2001 12:15 AM

IMG_2613.JPG 883KB 1600 x 1200 7/3/2001 12:31 AM

IMG_2633.JPG 764KB 1600 x 1200 7/3/2001 12:55 AM

IMG_2639.JPG 532KB 1200 x 1600 7/3/2001 6:10 AM

IMG_2656.JPG 773KB 1600 x 1200 7/3/2001 2:30 AM

IMG_2679.JPG 321KB 1280 x 960 7/3/2001 2:47 AM

IMG_2683.JPG 804KB 1600 x 1200 7/3/2001 3:03 AM
Ornamental garden of the Sam Poh Tong cave temple (aka Turtle temple).
 IMG_2700.JPG 507KB 1200 x 1600 7/3/2001 7:29 AM

IMG_2715.JPG 574KB 1200 x 1600 7/3/2001 6:14 AM

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2001-07-04
IMG_2738.JPG 776KB 1600 x 1200 7/4/2001 3:39 AM
Limestone cliffs housing KL's Batu Caves.
 IMG_2740.JPG 632KB 1200 x 1600 7/4/2001 9:38 AM
Eric ponders the 272 steps leading to the temple.
 IMG_2754.JPG 293KB 1600 x 1200 7/4/2001 3:53 AM
View across the central cavern to the grotto at the other side.
 IMG_2768.JPG 464KB 1200 x 1600 7/4/2001 9:39 AM
The sun finally comes back out; more monkeys visible.
IMG_2783.JPG 239KB 1600 x 1200 7/4/2001 4:15 AM

IMG_2808.JPG 412KB 1200 x 1600 7/4/2001 9:41 AM
Space needle and Petronas Towers.
 IMG_2814.JPG 462KB 1600 x 1200 7/4/2001 6:00 AM
The Sungai Gombak and Sungai Kelang rivers, with the Masjid Jamek mosque central.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2001-07-05
IMG_2845.JPG 952KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 2:41 AM

IMG_2852.JPG 602KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:02 AM
Monkeybusiness!
 IMG_2864.JPG 788KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:20 AM
Hornbill and papaya.
 IMG_2871.JPG 796KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:42 AM
Hibiscus flowers sprayed with a 10% honey solution to supplement the butterflies' regular diet.
IMG_2879.JPG 451KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:49 AM
These guys prefer rotting fruit, like this pineapple.
 IMG_2883.JPG 513KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:50 AM

IMG_2885.JPG 623KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:51 AM

IMG_2891.JPG 975KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 3:55 AM
Butterfly Garden overview.
IMG_2912.JPG 511KB 1200 x 1600 7/5/2001 8:59 AM
The first of many spectacular close-ups from the Orchid Garden.
 IMG_2917.JPG 878KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 4:51 AM

IMG_2923.JPG 413KB 1200 x 1600 7/5/2001 9:01 AM

IMG_2927.JPG 536KB 1600 x 1200 7/5/2001 6:15 AM
Eric struggles to eat fast enough to devour Christy's food while she's taking the picture. This is typical of all our meals: mountains of delicious, cheap Indian food served on a banana leaf. (This all cost us under $4 US)

Singapore 2001-07-06
IMG_2947.JPG 671KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 2:41 AM
The famous Merlion fountain at the mouth of the Singapore River.
 IMG_2950.JPG 492KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 2:54 AM
Scenic view across the Singapore river. Timer better understood.
 IMG_2958.JPG 743KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 3:41 AM

IMG_2962.JPG 681KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 3:48 AM

IMG_2981.JPG 495KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 5:17 AM
Singapore chapter of Hell's Angels.

Singapore 2001-07-07
IMG_3027.JPG 847KB 1600 x 1200 7/6/2001 11:57 PM
Lions. Cubs are just over a year old.
 IMG_3036.JPG 712KB 1600 x 1200 7/7/2001 12:31 AM

IMG_3047.JPG 588KB 1200 x 1600 7/7/2001 9:40 AM
Unfortunately, this guy didn't fit in our luggage.
 IMG_3070.JPG 584KB 1600 x 1200 7/7/2001 1:15 AM

IMG_3100.JPG 654KB 1600 x 1200 7/7/2001 2:54 AM

IMG_3109.JPG 755KB 1600 x 1200 7/7/2001 3:16 AM
Elephant gives Christy a wet, sandy smooch.

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia 2001-07-10
IMG_3145.JPG 488KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 6:04 PM
Borobudur, Buddhist pyramid built 750-850AD, then buried under volcanic ash until 1815. US$25 million restoration 1973-1983. Base 118m x 118m; six square terraces topped by three circular ones, with stairways on each side.
 IMG_3151.JPG 345KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 6:09 PM
Watching the dawn mists at 6am from the top of Borobudur.
 IMG_3164.JPG 223KB 1200 x 1600 7/10/2001 3:19 AM

IMG_3166.JPG 440KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 6:30 PM

IMG_3177.JPG 703KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 6:46 PM
Intricately carved waterspouts channel the rain into gutters on the next level.
 IMG_3180.JPG 476KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 6:47 PM
Near the top, Buddha images and Bodhisattvas dominate the carvings.
 IMG_3197.JPG 829KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 7:00 PM

IMG_3238.JPG 586KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 7:38 PM

IMG_3273.JPG 573KB 1600 x 1200 7/9/2001 9:49 PM
Jalan Malioboro, the main street in Yogya.
 IMG_3314.JPG 461KB 1600 x 1200 7/10/2001 12:23 PM
Listening to lava flow at Mt. Merapi; note volcano behind heavy mist.

Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia 2001-07-11
IMG_3320.JPG 644KB 1600 x 1200 7/10/2001 11:17 PM
We return to the sultan's palace for a Wayang Golek (wooden puppet) show with gamelan accompanyment.
 IMG_3376.JPG 509KB 1200 x 1600 7/12/2001 12:32 AM

IMG_3390.JPG 595KB 1200 x 1600 7/12/2001 12:33 AM

IMG_3395.JPG 498KB 1600 x 1200 7/11/2001 1:28 AM
The Taman Sari, the Sultan's old Water Castle c.1758, is largely destroyed thanks to the Java War and an 1865 earthquake.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 2001-07-12
IMG_3431.JPG 498KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 3:35 AM
Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud, Bail. Children's Gamelan orchestra practicing.
 IMG_3444.JPG 438KB 1200 x 1600 7/12/2001 8:07 AM

IMG_3448.JPG 654KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 3:57 AM

IMG_3453.JPG 817KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 4:16 AM

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 2001-07-13
IMG_3469.JPG 538KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 10:33 PM
This monkey followed us and grabbed at our water bottle. Christy held on to it, and told the monkey in no uncertain terms that it was not food and he was not interested in it. He made a second pass, crawled up Christy's leg and grabbed the bottle.
 IMG_3470.JPG 543KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 10:33 PM
After unscrewing the cap with his teeth, it was clear the monkey did in fact want the water.
 IMG_3499.JPG 618KB 1200 x 1600 7/13/2001 3:31 AM
Wearing the required sarong and sash, necessary for temple decency.
 IMG_3516.JPG 551KB 1200 x 1600 7/13/2001 3:32 AM

IMG_3538.JPG 607KB 1200 x 1600 7/13/2001 3:34 AM
Rangda and unhappy child about to be eaten.
 IMG_3560.JPG 776KB 1600 x 1200 7/12/2001 11:51 PM

IMG_3577.JPG 710KB 1200 x 1600 7/13/2001 3:37 AM
Stairway to Monkeys.
 IMG_3587.JPG 221KB 1280 x 960 7/13/2001 6:20 AM
The Barong-Rangda dance in Ubud. Unfortunately we didn't bring a tripod.

Ubud, Bail, Indonesia 2001-07-14
IMG_3594.JPG 628KB 1200 x 1600 7/15/2001 8:17 AM
Walking was pleasantly challenging, as was dodging traffic.
 IMG_3599.JPG 538KB 1200 x 1600 7/15/2001 8:18 AM
Kites for sale.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 2001-07-15
IMG_3612.JPG 763KB 1600 x 1200 7/14/2001 10:52 PM
Note: extremely scenic!
 IMG_3632.JPG 867KB 1600 x 1200 7/14/2001 11:08 PM

IMG_3651.JPG 715KB 1600 x 1200 7/14/2001 11:38 PM
More devotees.
 IMG_3663.JPG 760KB 1600 x 1200 7/15/2001 2:54 AM

All images Copyright Eric J. Wilhelm
Please contact me if you wish to use them.