[RobG]

In these times where people can't travel like some of us tend to, I thought it would be fun to make a thread which was a virtual holiday. The photos could be places where you have travelled and enjoyed, or local sights you think others would enjoy. Anywhere is fine - I'd like a thread which had a mixture of places all over the world! One photo or a virtual tour, either is fine.


I'll start with a virtual tour of the South Island of New Zealand, which I visited in September last year.

We flew into Queenstown.


Skyline Panorama by RobGeraghty, on Flickr


The scenery is remarkable! (The mountains are called The Remarkables)


The Remarkables by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Lake Wakatipu


Picnic spot by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Mirror Lake on the way to Milford Sound


Mirror Lakes by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The Kea, one of New Zealand's native parrots. Sadly, they are threatened by introduced Stoats.


Kea by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Milford Sound


Milford Magic by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Milford - like a lost world.


Milford Sound by RobGeraghty, on Flickr


Milford Sound by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The Takahe is also endangered by the same introduced animals. It's one of New Zealand's few surviving flightless bird species. It shares a common ancestor with the Australasian Swamphen.



Takahe by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

On the way to Wanaka


Crown Range Summit Lookout by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Lake Wanaka


Lake Wanaka by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Lake Hawea


Lake Hawea Lookout by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Look for the tiny people at the bottom of the photo to get a sense of scale!


Human scale by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The Tuatara is a truly ancient creature which actually has three eyes.


Tuatara by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Haast River


Haast River and Roaring Billy Falls by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Temperate rainforest - some areas of the South Island get huge amounts of rain.


Temperate Rainforest by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Blue pools - can you guess where the name came from?



Blue Pools by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Lake world


Lake world by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The road to Lothlorien (psst - a lot of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed in the South Island)



On the road to Lothlorien by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The main street of Arrowtown. It reminds me of some old country towns in Australia.


Arrowtown by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

[sergysergy]

that rainbow! thanks for "the trip"

[RobG]

that rainbow! thanks for "the trip"

Thank you! Milford Sound is an amazing place.

[RobG]

Does anyone have suggestions for other places for a virtual holiday?

Just before the pandemic developed, I visited Japan and amongst other things, visited some of the temples in the 88 temple Ohenro pilgrimage in Shikoku.

The gate of temple number one - Ryozen-ji.


Ohenro Temple 1 - Ryozen-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Lanterns in the main hall of Ryozen-ji


A Sky of Lanterns by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The gate of Gokuraku-ji


Gokuraku-ji Niou Mon by RobGeraghty, on Flickr


The main hall of Gokuraku-ji, temple number 2.


Gokuraku-ji Hondou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The gate of the third temple, Konsen-ji.



The Niou Mon (Deva Gate) of Konsen-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

A statue of Buddha at Konsen-ji


Lotus Flower by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Temple number four, Dainichi-ji


Dai-nichi-ji Hondou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Jizou-ji, temple number five.



Jizou-ji Hondou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

A Jizou statue at Anraku-ji


Happy Jizou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The gate of Anraku-ji, temple number six.


Anraku-ji Niou Mon by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Juraku-ji, temple number seven.


Juraku-ji Hondou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Kuukai, born in the year 773, was the person whose exploits resulted in people following the pilgrimage. He established the Shingon sect which all 88 temples (and many others) belong to. This statue of Kuukai is at temple number seven, Kumadan-ji.



Kumadan-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Many people light incense at a temple when they visit to pray.


Scent of a prayer by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Jumping to the other end of the pilgrimage, this is temple number 80. Sanuki Kokobun-ji is in Takamatsu. The region used to be called sanuki, and the name is retained in the popular sanuki udon noodles.



Sanuki Kokobun-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Hanta-ji, temple number 50.


Hanta-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Meiseki-ji, temple number 43. Kuukai is said to have rebuilt this temple in the year 822.



Meiseki-ji Hondou by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

Ryuukou-ji, temple number 43.


Ryuukou-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

The view from Zenjibu-ji


Nankoku seashore from Zenjibu-ji by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

I'll make this the last of the series, but you can see photos of all the temples we visited on Flickr. I like this message of happiness:

"Always friends, Always happy"



Always friends, Always happy by RobGeraghty, on Flickr