Siem Reap, Cambodia

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

We decided to do a quick four days in Cambodia to see what temples we could visit, along with a bit of local crafts and rocks if we could find any....we ended up finding Cambodian Teak-redwood beads ! Plus an extra find of this incredible raw jade from Burma/northern Cambodia, which were hand carved pieces from this little old man at an out of the way shop. Luv those!

 Instant hospitality in one of the kindest places we have visited....

 

Our Hotel

 

Daily walking in the streets in Siem Reap      

     Dancing over dinner

 Angkor Thom

 

 Carved Dino's in ancient Sandstone rocks of Bayon

 Bayon Temple is one of my favorites, where they filmed Tomb Raider! All the original trees that were growing throughout the temple. Most other temples had had them removed. Cool

 Lions at Angkor Wat

 Angkor Wat

 

Shopping time for me....local markets in Central Market

 

 Cambodian Prayer Beads with local Teak wood. I got a number of them...and plan to build some great pieces from them.

 This was the rarest find in Cambodia. I found a local merchant who carved and made each piece individually. This is northern Cambodian mined jade. You can see the imperfections with the altered white bits.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MALAYSIA; KUALA LUMPUR

This year we ventured out to Malaysia from Thailand for our secondary trip. We went to the city of opportunities. Where there was incredible new culture and lots of international markets. I had to do some sight seeing first with the family, before getting down to business.

 Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 View from to KL tower (Just like the Calgary tower)

 

Night Markets-KL

 

Then we indulged and went up to the top of the Petronas Towers...was views....then it was time to hit China Town and the local Malaysian markets for some stones....

 

 Prenite Large Chunks

Burmese Jade was very commonly sold in the streets in Malaysia

Black Rutile

 Coke Quartz

 Feather Mother of Pearl/Shells

 Triangle Mother of Pearl/Shells

 Garnets (Deep Red)

Globular Howalite

Then it was off to Langkowi Island, Malaysia...for some R&R.

Travelling Stones-Part 3 (Bangkok and Thailand)

THAILAND

On my travels to SE Asia in March. I had already visited Australia via Hong Kong in January/February. I then started my second trip of the year back through Hong Kong and visited Vietnam (See Travelling Stones Part 2-Vietnam with the White Marble), then I did a few days in the heart of Bangkok to do some unique stone shopping as one of the largest markets I had ever been to.  The Chatuchak (or Jatujak (aka JJ) ;Thai: จตุจักร) weekend market and is the largest market in Thailand. I spent many hours just poking through the main section where stones and other items could be found. That had just about everything else there too. It was a good thing I got there early, because by about 1pm, it was so packed, it was like fighting a crowd leaving a concert to get in. I had too much stuff in my bag and left almost 20lbs heavier.

Chatuchak Market: Larger than a few football fields.

First thing in the morning, still getting set up.

I managed to get a few samplers of some of the stuff. The plan is to return again next year and get a few more items if they are popular.

Blue Granite

Serpentine Beads

Serpentine Column Beads

Lapis Lazuli

Tibetan Turquiose Round

Tibetian Turquoise Oval

Serpentine Leafs

Large Turquoise

Garnets

I picked up a few raw stones, and a few pre-cut/beaded stones. One of the best finds was a handful of Lapis Lazuli and Tibetian Turquiose. I also got a few fun Sepentine varieties like some of the     yellow /green columnar and round stones. I had to just try a few of the stones for 2011 Rock line items this year, with none making it to market yet, due to the third big trip of the year to Peru in Oct/November, but I will be making much more in early 2012. See the 2012 ROCKLINE upcoming.

Some of my earliest uses of the stones I got in Thailand are

Tibentan Turquoise Necklace: made from beads from Bangkok JJ Market

Blue Granite Square necklace

Serpentine Stone Bead Necklace:from JJ Market in Bangkok

Lapis Lazuli Stone Beads: from the JJ Market in Bangkok

Travelling Stones-Part 2 (Vietnam and the White Marble)

VIETNAM
   Vietnam was one place that I had to visit in my lifetime, for various reasons, but little did I know that out of the tourist stops that I visited, like Ha Noi and Ha Long Bay. Saigon and the Mekong Delta and Hue, that I would find a little place named Hoi An (near DaNang) where there was exceptional White Marble just in the Mountains. Marble Moutain was a visit I would not forget. I spent a day with freinds visiting the temples and pagodas and seeing some incredible Breccia karstification inside the Mountain caves. Many of the industry around DaNang and this tourist stop was Marble carving and statues. Amazing work. I got a sample from one of the local carvers. I managed to find a small stash back in Hoi An of Marble stone beads and Pendants to bring home and build some Jewellery.

Marble Mountain near Hoi An, Vietnam

Carved and Built Stairs into the caves of the Mountain

Caves and Karstification with Breccia columns

Pure white Marble: I was give a sample

All things were carved from this Marble. Amazing!

I managed to find a small vendor who sold a few strands of the White Marble in their shop. Not a lot and more expensive that I thought.

Marble Beads

 

Stone Pendants

Marble Twisted Beads