The one thing this pandemic taught me

2020 brought with it the Pandemic, and left after changing the world, and took with it so many lives.

2021 continues in the same path, in fact it is worse than 2020 pandemic-wise. Almost everyone I know lost someone of their own this year. It is like a nightmare, although I wish it was indeed a nightmare, that way at least once you wake up it’s gone. This nightmare seems to show no signs of relenting, it is there with you every waking, sleeping moment:(:(

With insecurity and uncertainty reaching its highest high, what does one do to feel safe and secure?

The one thing that I learnt from this pandemic is to never ever postpone any plans…if you have the time and the means,  and if you feel good about something, just do it. Don’t let your logical brain think you out of it. You never know if the situation and the circumstances will ever be the same again. 

What I have realised is, Now is all we have, and that’s it. It is good to plan and anticipate a wonderful tomorrow, but we should do what we can Today.

The pandemic has put brakes on my travel dreams. While I continue to remain hopeful about better times ahead when I can start travelling again, I have realised that I don’t have to wait for better circumstances for my other plans to materialise. 

There are so many other things that I have been postponing and neglecting in the past that could have been, and can still be done effortlessly. One such example is keeping in touch with my friends. I have been terrible at it. Even with it being so easy to call or message anyone, I just did not do it that often. It was my mindset of postponing things that was creating a block. 

Face time chats are now so easy, you can reach out to anyone and video chat with them. All I had to do is find some time to make it happen. That’s it!  

The pandemic made me more aware of how things can change within no time.

For me there is no more postponing the things that I can do Now.

Here is my learning from this pandemic:"I live in the Now and make the most of this Now while anticipating a better tomorrow"

What about you? What did you learn from the pandemic? Please write in the comments below. 

I wish all of you a safe and healthy life. And remember don’t postpone anything that you can do today for tomorrow.

 

 

Neak Pean, the picturesque island temple at Angkor, Cambodia

                                                        Neak Pean, Angkor 

We were just about getting over the feeling of exhilaration after seeing the beautiful Ta Som temple that we found ourselves in front of the Neak Pean temple....And what a pretty little temple it is!

Built during the reign of King Jayavarman, Neak Pean is very different from Ta Som, and yet so uniquely beautiful. 

This is what is so special about Angkor, each temple is different! Neak Pean is even more so... what makes it even more unique is the picturesque.surroundings. Adding to the uniqueness is it's location. Standing on a circular island on an artificial island with water body and greenery around it, this temple has a magical and peaceful feel about it. 

You can't enter the temple ...so these pictures are of the outside, but it is mostly the external structure that remains, and that itself is a treat. If you are planning a trip to Angkor, squeezing in some time for this temple will definitely be worth it.

                   On the way to Neak Pean                                                    The first look



                       Look at these beautiful carvings                               The entwined serpents


                                                                                      A little bit of the jungle surrounding the temple

Wondering what we are up to!

 

 

The beautiful Ta Som temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

                                                                           Ta Som

 Our next temple stop after East Mebon was Ta Som . A beautiful temple, smaller in comparison to many, yet so unique in it's own way.

Many of the temples in Angkor may look alike, however there is a certain character and atmosphere that each of these temples have (and that is what lends these temples a uniqueness). Ta Som was built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. The temple was dedicated to the Kings's father Dharanindravarman II (Paramanishkalapada) who was King of the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160 (from wikipedia)

As you will see in the pictures below, the temple is not in the best of conditions with overgrown tress inside the temple, and tress claiming quite a bit of the temple....and yet, it is this atmosphere that makes it even more hauntingly beautiful. 

The last picture is of an Apsara, does it not look like as if she is saying good bye ?

                         Ta Som temple Entrance                                                    This one is so spectacular






                       A panel with carvings



                             What a sight!


More beautiful carvings                                                      So many doors visible in one straight line

      Bye for now:)