Page 35 - Seniorstoday November 2023 Issue

MY SON HOLY LAND or Sanctuary is
another destination close by to HOI AN
towards DA NANG. This place has the
historic ruins of the 13th century. What
we saw were ancient brick constructions,
largely in ruins now. .. But a must see
for people interested in art history and
archaeology. This is a religious centre
of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated
Civilization which swayed over this region
from the 4th to the 13th centuries. We
were pleasantly surprised and proud to Later we visited the popular HOI
see this was the site of an ancient Hindu AN night market and picked up some
Civilization and this among many other souvenirs. Worth a visit, /though we had
ancient sites is being renovated and to haggle a lot. A visit to the old city and
maintained by The Archaeological Survey a drive through its various criss-crossing
of India (ASI). There was a big Shivling streets was necessary to get the feel of the
inside one of the temples and so many local life, the markets and the street food
idols of Lord Vishnu, his various avatars, which are very popular. Of course it’s a
Ganpati and many more deities and non-vegetarian’s delight. I’d like to caution
apsaras. We also witnessed an amazing vegetarians about the aroma of the street
sunset in the backdrop. The walk along food which beckons those willing to try the
forested paths and the ruins is calm and local food can be quite intimidating to strict
soothing, while you hear the chirping of vegetarians, leave alone the sight.
birds one last time before the night sets in. The next day we took a flight to Ho Chi

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #52 | OCTOBER 2023 35