The Vien Quang Buddhist Monastery and where I got jacked up by a caterpillar

So, suffice it to say, South Carolina has a lot of surprises, although Vlad insists that this is so close to North Carolina that it really shouldn't count, but regardless;  in Clover, SC, there is a fabulous Buddhist Monastery called the Vien Quang Buddhist Monastery that is open to the public for prayer/visiting, and you know we went.

They are still in the process of building on the grounds, but the location is beautiful, and a lot of care has been put into the temple and surrounding area.  All of the statues have plagues written in Vietnamese on them, as well as providing incense to burn.  Many had fruit and various other offerings set up around them, and it was absolutely beautiful to see.

The base of the main statue at the front entrance.

We parked, paid our respects, and began to wander the grounds, stopping at each temple to admire the artistry and care administered to each.  I wish I knew more about this particular branch, but it made me feel nostalgic for Siam/Siam Reap, in tiny little ways.

Vlad said they had already added a lot on since the last time he had visited, which was apparently during a festival, and you could see them working on various other temple spots along the way.  I'd be interested in returning here once I visit him again, to see the progress/changes that have been incorporated into the site.

New friend that I scared on accident.

We found a bench beside one of the temples and sat for a while.  As with the rest of the trip, the weather was really nice and it was just very peaceful to relax out there.

I also found one of my old friends, from when I used to live in North Carolina!  I have no idea what these guys are actually called, but I used to call them Wooly Bears, and believed they told the weather.  If they were mostly brown, it was warming up, but if they were mostly black, it was going to stay cold for a while.   ...I frankly have no idea where that theory came from, but there you have it.

  There was also a bee that decided to buzz by us at one point, making me jerk my hand (and Vlad throw his water bottle into the water, which he then had to retrieve) and the caterpillar actually bit me.  I don't think i've ever been bit by a caterpillar before, so this was new.  It turned into a big red bump that is still on my finger, nearly two weeks later.

Just some more photos from the complex~