Wat Pho Postcard

Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand, located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Wat Pho Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

Wat Pho is the one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok, and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha. Made as part of Rama III's restoration, the Reclining Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high, decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and the soles of his feet. The latter display 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian styles.

SOURCE:Wat Pho Wikipedia Entry

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcards

Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 1

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 2

The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu. Also noteworthy is the giant dragon statue.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 3

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 4

SOURCE:
Cebu Taoist Temple Wikipedia Entry

Bell Church Postcard

The Bell Church is located at the north of Baguio along the road leading to the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet. There is a large arch at the entrance of the Bell Church with two dragons facing each other. Once you enter the Bell Church, you will get to see the typical oriental architecture. Red is the most dominant color here.

Bell Church Postcard

Within its compound are beautifully designed arches and buildings adorned with flags, bells and dragons. It has a pagoda and landscaped gardens. There is also a lotus pond, and a fish pond. Aside from the main temple, there are pagodas located on top of the hill. On the main altar, stands several gods of the Taoist faith.

Mission San Francisco Solano Postcard

Mission San Francisco Solano was founded on July 4, 1823 and named for a missionary to the Indians of Peru born in Montilla, Spain, known as the "Wonder Worker of the New World." It was originally planned as an asistencia ("sub-mission") to Mission San Rafael Arcángel. The mission is located in present-day Sonoma, California.

Mission San Francisco Solano Postcard

By 1839, the Mission was in ruins and unoccupied. In 1846, European settlers took over the town in what has come to be known as the "Bear Flag Revolt." It was during this time that the Mission was sold to a man who used the chapel entrance as a saloon and stored his liquor and hay in the chapel. The Mission eventually became a parish church serving the Pueblo and Sonoma Valley until it was sold to a private interest in 1881. In 1903, the Historic Landmark League bought the remains of Mission San Francisco Solano. Restoration was completed in 1913. The restored chapel burned in 1970.

SOURCE:
Mission San Francisco Solano

Mission Concepcion Postcard

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was established in 1716 as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais in East Texas. The mission was moved in 1731 to San Antonio. Founded by Franciscan friars, this is the best preserved of the Texas missions.

Mission Concepcion Postcard(PH Wish from Karen Brzezinski)

The current church building was completed in 1755 and is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. It is built in the shape of a cross, with walls that are 45 inches (1.1 m) thick. The mission was closed in 1794, with the property divided among the resident Indians, all of whom has left by 1800.

SOURCE:
Mission Concepcion Wikipedia Entry