Monastery lodgings

So, as promised, here's the Buddhist temple / pilgrim house that we stayed at overnight. I took this early in the morning and it is overcast and gently raining. It is quite beautiful and serene.

I arrived late last night when it was dark, so could only get glimpses of the grounds once we were past the temple gates.

It's quite surreal, you drive through a seriously industrial area, steel works, coal, trains etc... and then enter this very serene and tranquil space.

Morning revealed expansive manicured lawns and gardens; a large lotus pond with koi; armies of exquisitely carved stone ancient men - in the throes of fighting demons, being enlightened, or even building snowmen. Quite bizarre.

There was no one else around except for a few monks, gliding silently around the temples and grounds in their saffron robes; a few bunnies and dustings of parrots on the wet lawns.

Didn't have time to fully investigate the other places of interest hidden around. There's a huge golden buddha surrounded by golden and red autumnal trees, a 10 storey pagoda and other secret temples! Quite beautiful... Definitely worth a visit. Might even consider doing a retreat one time!

Well back to reality now, back through the smoking steel works and factories and into town to watch the strong ladies and men wrap up the CrossFit championships.