The Sleeping Policeman

Caught asleep on duty, Grand Palace, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Caught asleep at the Grand Palace in Bankok or was he? Maybe he was just bored

The Tired Street Vendor

The Tired Street Vendor, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This guy has obviously had enough of lugging around his baskets of fruit and fallen asleep. As he carries a small stool with him, he obviously makes a habit of it. I can't say that I blame him as the heat in Bangkok can be oppressive and those baskets look heavy.

This is taken at Chit Lom just opposite the Central department store.

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Street Food, Bangkok

Street Food, Bangkok

Street Food, Bangkok, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Street food is everywhere in Bangkok. Vendors are seen all over the city pushing their carts loaded with fruit, curries, kebabs, fried insects etc. These kebabs look particularly appetising - meat, peppers and pineapple.

Standards of hygiene could be better it has to said but the food doesnt seem to do the Bangkokians much harm.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

Roses in Chinatown

Flower/Vegetable market, Chinatown, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Close to Chinatown is the flower market where you can buy mnay different flowers and bouquets. This being Thailand, there are lots of orchids but also roses seem to very popular and very cheap. A large bunch of roses will set you back about 50 baht or about 70 pence.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

Bar in Chatuchak

Bar in Chatuchak, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Chatuchak market other wise known as Jatujak or "JJ" to the locals is an enormous weekend market with thousands of stalls. In fact, much of it is open throughout the week. It is located in the north of Bangkok tends to be very hot and I have also noticed that it seems to get more than ots fair share of thunderstorms. As my wife likes to shop there, I inevitably getted dragged along from time to time but there is a little oasis in the midst of this shopping desert and this is the place in section 26/161 which is fairly close to the edge of the section. A great place to have a beer, it has a great atmosphere and I have seen many a weary tourist's eyes light up as they accidentally come across it. The staff are very pleasant, if not a bit strange. At least one is a katoey (or ladyboy) and another is obviously a Bob Marley freak with dreadlocks. They tend to make up large concoctions of whisly & soda or tequila and lime to sip in between serving their customers. Although the sale of beer is officially prohibited between 2 and 5 pm, it does not seem to be a big issue in this establishment.
Despite being a frequent visitor, I ave absolutely no idea what this bar is called. I must ask next time I go.

Bangkok, Skytrain Security Guard

Bangkok, Skytrain Security Guard, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

THis is the Skytrain in Bangkok which has been open since about 1999. When it first opened it was virtually empty and you could get a seat everytime. How things have changed. It is virtually impossible to get a seat anytime. Still very limited extensions are currently under way and there are more lines planned but this is Thailand so dont hold your breath in the hope that a new line will be appearing soon.

Chinese Temple

Chinese Temple, Bangkok, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Bangkok has a large Chinatown and many of the Thais hail from Chinese descendants so it is not surprising that Chineses temples abound in Bangkok. They tend to be quite small and often somewhat hidden in contrast to the huge Wat's that are the temples of the more traditional Thai form of Bhuddhism.

This temple is on a road running parallel with Silom Road and just behind the Central department store. It is typically adorned with dragons.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

The Robin Hood Tuk Tuk

P1070264, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Seen from Phrong Prom skytrain station on Sukhumvit Road, I presume that this tuk tuk is owned by the Robin Hood pub which is was just passing.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

The Beggars of Bangkok

Child Begging, Bangkok, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

There seems to have been an increase in the number of beggars in Bangkok just lately. The tourist high season is approaching and I am sure there are now more on the streets.

There are different categories of beggar. There are the disabled, some of whom have really grotesque injuries caused by fire, leprosy or other causes. Some have lost their limbs and these are probably refugees from Cambodia. The infirm receive money from tourists and Thais alike, but be careful as they are not always what they seem. I have seen an apparent armless man begging with a cup in his mouth get up and move aware revealing a pair of perfectly functioning arms!

There are women with babies and very young children most of whom must be drugged because they all appear lifeless. These almost always part of an organised crime syndicate aimed at extracting money from the tourists. They are also unlikely to be Thai but Burmese or Cambodian.

There are children begging alone such as this little chap, sometimes they sit with a puppy in an attempt to extract even more sympathy and of course money. They are also at the mercy of unscrupulous operators or even parents. I have sometimes seen them with mobile phones obviously in touch with their minders.

Then there are the genuine homeless or mentally disturbed people who can usually be recognised because they are so filthy. These too arouse my sympathy.

If you are in Bangkok you will have to make your own mind up as to who receives your charity, but I for one will not give money as a reward for exploiting children.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

#3 for interestingness on Flickr

The Classic Thailand Photo - Phi Phi Don Island, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

According to Flickr, this is the 3rd most interesting photo in my collection. Personally I like this photo as for me it epitomises Thailand as a holiday destination. This is taken on Phi Phi Don Island in a particularly beautiful spot. Most people do not see this part of Phi Phi as it is on the north east corner of the island and there are only 3 hotels there. It is very quiet and peaceful.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

Bangkok Monsoon Season

Bangkok Monsoon Season, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

It is the end of the monsoon season and sunshine and blue skies are now with us. It has been a pretty dry monsoon season at least in Bangkok. Other areas have not fared quite so well. Last week, Koh Samui was getting drenched to the extent that over 1000 tourists got stuck there as all flights were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon(Yangon), Burma (Myanmar)

Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon(Yangom), Burma (Myanmar), originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Buma (Myanmar) has been in the news again recently due to the democracy protests there. The monks started it all and this picture is of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon (Yangon). The pagoda is truly amazing and I took many photos while I was there. This photo (although in my opinion not the best photo I have of the pagoda) received more hits on FLICKR than any other photo.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

TIme to reflect

This photo is taken in Hanoi Vietnam. The lake is Hoan Kiem which translated means Lake of the Returned Sword and is named after a local myth. I recently read that the lake is only about one and a half metres deep but there is a layer of 5 to 6 metres of toxic sludge on the bottom. Efforts are underway to clean the lake up which reportedly holds a giant 200 kg turtle.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com

Sleeping in Hanoi

We were recently in Hanoi again and I spotted this woman in the vegetable market fast asleep. Even the flash going in did not arouse her but then again I guess she had been up early to the wholesale market. We once arrived back in Hanoi by train at something like 5am in the morning and saw the wholesale market. It was incredibly busy, with people running around everywhere buying vegetables presumably for sale in the local markets.

See more photos and travel stories at http://kevinhellon.googlepages.com