April 7, 2014 · 5:35 am

The Temple of Heaven — Part 1


Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven

In Beijing is yet another must-see stop.  It’s the sprawling complex of buildings devoted to Taoism located at the Temple of Heaven.  There is simply so much to see at this site that I’ll be devoting this week’s scheduled blogs to it, culminating once again in my photographic favorites on this week’s Fun Photo Friday.

The Entrance Ticket Information in Chinese

The Entrance Ticket Information in Chinese

The first structure you’ll notice after entering through the North Heaven Gate is the often photographed Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests.

North Sky Gate

North Sky Gate

This enormous, round, tri-gabled structure is some 36 meters/118 feet wide by 38 meters/125 feet tall.  It sits atop three-levels of stone base with nine steps connecting each tier.  Each tier is enclosed by carved marble railing.

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Visitors stepping into this wooden structure are rewarded with an exploding kaleidoscope of intense colors.

Interior look at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Interior look at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

At the base of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests are two large halls — the west and east annexes.

West Annex at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

West Annex at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Inside the east annex are models of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests as well as other items of interest.

Gold Gift-Set Bells of the Ming Dynasty

Gold Gift-Set Bell of the Ming Dynasty

East Annex Model of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

East Annex Model of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Before we look at a few more of the buildings in this complex, let’s take a look at the people who frequent these grounds.  We were amazed at the number of people who visit this park on a daily basis for exercise, games, and other pedestrian pursuits.

A Segway Knock-off

A Segway Knock-off

Practicing Caligraphy in Water

Practicing Caligraphy in Water

Several groups of people were playing a particularly intriguing game using something very similar to the birdie in badminton.  Only, in this case, there is no net and the “racket” is your feet.  People were batting the birdie with great skill, frequently catching the birdie from behind with a blind back-kick that would send the birdie soaring over their heads to another awaiting player.  It was quite an impressive display.

A Game Similar to Badminton

A Game Similar to Badminton

More on the Temple of Heaven on Wednesday.  Until then here are a few more photos:

Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven

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April 4, 2014 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Olympic Green Beijing


Everyone calls it the Olympic Park, but the official name for the area in which the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games were held is officially Olympic Green.  Below you’ll see the Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing National Stadium (also known as the Bird’s Nest), and other sights remaining at this former Olympic site.  You’ll also see a very large dragon known as Pangu Park.

Doug at the Bird’s Nest
Ursula and the Bird’s Nest
Olympic Green
Bird’s Nest Panorama 1
Pangu Plaza Dragon
Aquatic Center
Olympic Green
Bird’s Nest Panorama 2

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April 3, 2014 · 6:12 pm

More Needless Deaths in Another “Gun-Free” Zone


.45-caliber SIG P220 Equinox with Don Hume H721 concealment holster

On February 25, 1992, the Department of Defense issued Directive 5210.56, which in turn led to Army Regulation 190-14 dated March 12, 1993 and made effective on April 12, 1993.  Those two pieces of paper have in just the past four years and five months indirectly resulted in around 30 killed and upwards of another 50 more wounded — 2009 on Fort Hood, Texas; 2013 at the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia; and yesterday yet again at Fort Hood.

.380 Walther PPK/S and 9mm Walther P99c AS with Don Hume H721 concealment holsters

More deaths once again in yet another “Gun-Free” Zone that isn’t really gun-free because those who intend harm do not care about such designations.  What makes these military “Gun-Free” Zones so silly is that they apply to the men and women whom we train to use weapons in the defense of our country at the same time we tell them that they are not allowed to defend themselves.  These directives and regulations would be laughable if the consequences weren’t ending so tragically.

A trio of .45 ACP weapons

Denying anyone the right to self-defense is indefensible.  Denying that right to a member of the U.S. military is criminal.  It’s way beyond time for this failed social experiment known as the “Gun-Free Zone” to end.

A trio of great concealment weapons — Walther P99c AS, Beretta 84FS “Cheetah,” Walther PPK/S

Regular readers of this blog know by now my utter contempt for the “Gun-Free” Zone, but here’s a refresher for those new to site:

What Does Sandy Hook Elementary School Have in Common with . . .

Hate to Say, “I Told You So,” But . . .

When Will We Rein in these Deliverers of Death?

A Non-Scheduled Blog Post — Here We Go Again

Presenting Another Dozen Sacrificial Lambs to the Altar of Wishful Thinking

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