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The incessant din, hurtling up from the road below our mountainside homestay, bounced off the eaves into the bedroom, waking me from a deep sleep. Jamie and I dragged our sluggish bodies downstairs for breakfast.

Darjeeling, like most places in the Himalaya, is a Buddhist community. And like the rest of India there is a parade, festival or celebration nearly every week. Today a colourful banner declared, “2600 years of the enlightenment of Lord Buddha".

We gobbled up our toast and drained cups of sweet masala tea before heading out to join the procession.
Orchestral manoeuvres in the alleys

Maroon and orange-clad monks banged drums and cymbals with devoted concentration, or blew as hard as possible on a variety of horns, without varying the note. One instrument was around ten feet long: the business end held by the 'blower' (to call him a musician would be a stretch too far), while at the other end a second man supported two of these gigantic musical pipes under his arms.

As one band receded with its crowd of followers, the next little group arrived. The percussion sections beat out an impressive rhythm, but I tried in vain to identify a melody among the single-layered notes blasting out from the wind sections. To add to the cacophony a few high-spirited young men set off deafening fire crackers down dark, side alleys.
Not all blessings are disguised

Some of the monks carried ornate and colourful statues of Buddha in palanquins. Arranged across two parallel bars they held Him on their shoulders. Devotees, with serious expressions or a surreptitious smile, lowered their heads and threaded their way underneath the icons between the monks.

Towards the end we broke through the throng and joined the worshippers. It was a happy occasion, and away from the bands people walked in silence or chatted quietly as they slowly followed behind the monks. We walked side by side with tiny, ancient crones in tribal dress; young mothers in tight western clothes, holding babies; groups of schoolgirls; bent grandfathers; brightly coloured, swaddled toddlers; and wiry mountain men.

Some devotees carried rectangular prayer boxes brought from the temples. with which they blessed the crowd by touching the boxes to bowed heads. I was blessed, but to the amusement of my neighbours the sharp wooden corners crashing onto my crown made me yelp. Someone was listening because my prayers to not end up bleeding and bruised were answered.
Sweet smelling smoke

The procession lasted until lunchtime and took us on a thorough tour of the eastern 'Queen of Hills'. At small stations along the route we were offered water and orange juice to keep up our strength.

We passed quietly along steep, narrow passages in the town centre where women in open windows, or standing on balconies, gently fanned plumes of incense through clothes lines strung with washing. Snatches of music drifted towards us.

The fragrant smoke filtered downwards in the chilly mountain air, mingling with the damp, earthy smell of this magical autumnal day.

For more tales have a look at www.lizcleere.com
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It's an active Buddhist Temple and a home to the International Zen Centre, located at the base of Bukan mountain short 30 min. subway/bus trip from the heart of Seoul.

Go on Sunday and get a free vegan 'Monk Lunch' between 11.30-12.30 on the ground floor of the main building

After lunch there is an intro to beginners at 12.30 upstairs at the Zen Center. Worth the 30 minutes cross-legged sitting on a cushion :o)

Then to streach out a little, take an easy hike up to the mountain spring. Entrance just before the Temple's - follow the small path on the left, curving towards the right around the hill, (don't go straight on) It's a lovely walk.

I can't think of a more peaceful way to spend a Sunday in Seoul.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22396 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18522 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18522 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18216
Also, tour the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, eat at the Gurney Drive food stalls and sample everything.

Don't try to take out illegal CDs or DVDs. Read The Star. Visit Kek Lok Si temple. Take the cable car, but arrive early: the lines are awful. Walk the canopy walk. Buy a Makansutra food guide. Indulge in a MacWaffle at Red Garden.

Trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18216 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18076 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18076 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17452
I enjoyed a visit to the park near Soyang lake, which is an artificial lake created by a large dam. You can catch a boat (be sure to have your alien card/passport details) and then take a short hike up to a temple.

There is a slightly hidden trail past the temple where you can walk up the mountain and find secluded hermitages and a seven-story stone pagoda waiting to be discovered.

Before you take the boat back, try the deep fried fish in one of the many restaurants - but watch out because the last boat leaves at 6:30!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17452 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17405
Many suggested itineraries are available online, I have visited Kamakura about 10 times, generally with students in tow. Here is an abbreviated itinerary that is a little different.

Train to Kita Kamakura. As you leave the station stay on the left-hand side of the tracks. About one minute to Engakuji Zen Temple (allow about one hour). Be sure to visit the Bell (1301) and adjacent tea room (about 140 steps - look for sign) to the right of entrance. Next walk 250 metres south to the Jochiji Temple (on right). Small and quirky, allow 30 minutes.

Now look for the sign to the Hiking Trail to the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu) at Hase. This takes about 90-120 minutes, the trail is, at times, a little rugged and needs good hiking shoes.

After visiting the Great Buddha (30 minutes) walk to the Hase rail station and take the small, single track train to Kamakura. Now you have time to explore the shops and sites from the station along Komachi Shopping Street to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Make your way back to the station for your return to Tokyo. You have experienced a little bit of the real Japan.

If you run out of time there is a youth hostel in Hase - Tel: 81-467-243390, Fax: 81-467-243390, Email: info@jyh.or.jp]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17401 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17401 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14877 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14877 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13693
Many historic temples, monuments and sites are here, such as the Lions Terrace with the famous statues of the lions, and the House of the Dolphins with amazing mosaics.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13324
In antiquity it used to be a temple dedicated to Apollo. Amazing sunsets can be photographed from here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13324 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12927 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12927 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12332
The Conishead Priory became just that in 1976 when the New Kadampa Tradition sect took over a 19th century mansion and made it their base. As well as the formidable old buildings and picturesque grounds, squatting beneath the Lake District scenery is a huge Buddhist temple.

Guided tours are available only during the summer, though the grounds and temple are open all year round - check the website for more details, or ask at the World Peace Cafe on Cavendish Street in Ulverston.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12332 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10031
Anyone planning on visiting Siem Reap and going to experience the treasures of Angkor needs to know that Angkor Wat is just one of dozens of sites in the immediate vicinity - it is the biggest and undoubtedly the most impressive, but is also incredibly crowded and not particularly relaxing.

Many of the other temples - such as Ta Prom - are far smaller, but also far less busy - when we went to Ta Prom, we had it to ourselves for about an hour, and wondered around Indiana Jones style and were blown away by the serenity and beauty - highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10022
Famed for its dozens of carved faces looking east, west, north and south, The Bayon is perhaps the most enigmatic ancient relic in the entire continent of Asia. Don't forget to examine the story-telling murals that encircle it either.

Even after a few hard days of wat-hopping in the heat and dust, The Bayon is one place that will draw you back to consider its mysteries one more time.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10022