Tanzhe Temple Part II

Greetings to all! I am Zoe, Marie's friend and cohort at BNU. I've made a few appearances on this blog, most recently wearing sock-hats. First, Thank You, Marie for adding me as a contributor. Creating my own blog was a task that never went beyond, "I should." And it just makes good sense, on my part anyway, for me to piggyback Marie's efforts, as we are often together, and I am a lazy sort.


I just wanted to add a few more pictures from the trip to Tanzhe Temple:


东观音洞 East Guanyin Cave:

Main East Guanyin Temple from the exterior

Guanyin statue inside

Ribbons with the names of people wishing for sons

Entrance to the East Guanyin cave

Marie getting ready to go inside

As previously mentioned by Marie, we snuck down a path to see another Guanyin statue that was set in the middle of a pond.

Marie about to sneak down the path

Here is Marie skipping down the path, swinging her arms and all.

Marie posing with our gal pal, Guanny

Here is Guanny, being slightly amused, I think.

And here is an aside on the hike up to the Dragon well:


Along the hike there were a couple of caves such as the one shown above. It looks interesting doesn't it? However this one was filled with:

Trash

Marie making the most of the view at the top of Dragon Well

Other kinds of seemingly interesting routes that end in disappointment include a path near Tiger Cave.


The narrow, windy path set among boulders catches your eye. Beckoning, it promises to lead to something spellbinding...


You want to explore! You want to see what the other tourists are too tired to see. Your heart skips a beat as you approach the rustic archway...


A painted stone tiger, tosses his head back, rolls his eyes and laughs in your face.

Although it was disappointing at first to see a simple stone carving, it is precisely the awkward execution and common stone material (instead of say, marble) that is of interest, as these indicate a greater likelihood that this statue has been around for some time.

A random picture of people posing their son on a tree branch. There was some instruction for this kid to lie down, put his face on the branch, etc. This was an attempt to take a memorable and adorable picture. I admit, it did cross my mind to have a turn on the branch and ask Marie to take my picture, but I was too tired.

A wishing pond. People toss coins into the mouth of the fish.


A wishing stand. People attempt to toss coins to hit bells hanging in the holes of the coins. Each coin repres


And finally, when I think of Tanzhe temple -- I get the impression of persimmons...