Bangkok Monsoon Season

Bangkok Monsoon Season, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

As it is that time of year, here is another weather picture, this time of one of Bangkok's iconic tuk tuks during a cloudburst. when it rains like this, it suddenly becomes nigh on impossible to find an empty taxi. As you can see the taxi's in this photo have no "for hire" signs lit. Eventually we got one with some help from one of the locals who hailed it for us.

Barge on the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok

Barge on the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

The Chao Phraya river in Bangkok's busy and vibrant waterway used by many different boats. A frequent site are the barge tows. A tug is used to pull 3 or 4 giant heavily laden barges. This tow is approaching the area near Saphan Taksin. The large building with the golden dome is the State Tower, an apartment block that is well known for the open air restaurant and bar on top fro mwhich there is a fantastic view. The building on the right which ia a similar height to the State Tower remains unfinished - a monument to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Thunderstorm over Bangkok

Thunderstorm over Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

It is the rainy season here in ,which has been characterised of late by hot, sunny days followed by rain in the evening. This shot was taken from our apartment balcony on Wednesday 16/7/08 when we had a particularly spectacular lightning show. The lightning was almost constant for a while and I thought we were in for a huge storm. However, it was all show, as the storm passed close by without shedding a drop of water.

The Boy and the Birdtrap

The Boy and the Birdtrap, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This young boy has shinned up a small tree to hang a birdtrap. The trap was quite ingenious. It already contained a bird which was being used as bait to attract other birds. The trap was constructed with an inner cage holding the bait and an outer cage at the front with a lid. Although I didnt see it in operation, I presume that when another bird was attracted, it went into the front cage to face the bait bird. As the space was quite small, this action would inevitably bring the lid down trapping the new bird. This picture was taken on the east coast of Phuket.

Loha Prasat (Metal Palace), Bangkok

Loha Prasat (Metal Palace), Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This is one of my favourite buildings in Bangkok. It is situated on Ratchdamnoen Avenue next to Wat Ratchanadda. It is called Loha Prasat but also known as the Metal Palace due to its cast iron spires. he building is based on an ancient Sri Lankan temple and was began in the early 19th century by King Rama III, but has only relatively recently been completed.

A Happy Hill Tribe Vendor, Bangkok

A Happy Hill Tribe Vendor, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

These days, Bangkok is full of hill tribe people selling their hats and trinkets. They are everywhere and generally drive me mad as they all have these wooden frogs that make a croaking sound. I have to say that it is a very realistic sound but I just get sick of hearing it. This particular lady was laughing because she saw me take aim with my camera and immediately said "photo - 50 baht!". She started to laugh and didnt actually seem to mind that I took a photo even though she didnt get 50 baht.

Sunsets of Thailand - Surin Beach, Phuket

Surin Beach Sunset, Phuket, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Just another sunset picture this time taken at Surin Beach in Phuket. We often go to this beach for sundowners hoping to view one of the wonderful sunsets that can appear here. This particular evening was not very spectacular until quite late on when this redness suddenly appeared in te sky. It lasted just a couple of minutes before fading away.

Tree Frog

Tree Frog, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Still on the subject of frogs, we met this cheeky little chap in Phuket. We were sat in the garden when I noticed something sliding down a bush. It turned out to be a tree frog who wasn't the slightest bit concerned about being photographed. He posed obligingly for several minutes before disappearing. Even the flash didn't seem to bother him

The tree frog is apparently a nocturnal animal that scours plants and trees in search of insects to eat.

Dead Frogs, Klong Toey Market, Bangkok

Dead Frogs, Klong Toey Market, Bangkok

Dead Frogs, Klong Toey Market, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Thailand is famous for its cuisine and as I have said before, the Thais themselves love nothing better than tucking into a plate of something delicious. However, something delicious, like beauty, Can be the eye of the beholder. Thailand as many "strange" dishes. Fried grasshoppers, beetles and grubs are often seen on carts throughout Bangkok. Frogs (or toads) are also something of a delicacy, as can be seen from this photo. Dead, skinned frogs are offered for sale on Kong Toey market in Bangkok. Next to this, there were hundreds of live frogs under netting, also for sale. In fact, you can just see some on the right of this picture.
I have eaten frog's legs but I am not sure I want to tuck into a full frog. I suppose it all depends on what you are used to.