Sunsets of Thailand - Phi Phi Island

 

Most people that visit Thailand also visit Phi Phi Island mainly on a day trip so not too many people get to see the sunset, except for those staying on the island of course. Phi Phi is much quieter late afternoon once all the trip boats of gone. The lucky few get to stay on a boat and really see the beauty of Phi Phi late afternoon and early morning.

Bangkok Street Seafood

 

Bangkok is famous for its street food which comes in many, many varieties. This is Chinatown, Bangkok and fresh seafood is available on this street market stall.

Sunrise on the Mekhong River

 

This is sunrise on the mighty Mekhong River. It is taken at Chiang Saen, Thailand which is known as the Golden Triangle. The opposite bank is Laos and just to the left, but out of the picture, is Myanmar (Burma).

Fairytale Palace (Wat Rong Khun)

Fairytale Palace (Wat Rong Khun)

It looks like a fairytale Palace but it is Wat Rong Khun which is also known as the White Wat. Located just outside Chiang Rai City, construction began in 1998 and is the realisation of a dream by Chalermchai Kositpipat who is one of Thailand's most famous artists.

The Sultan Ahmed (Blue Mosque) Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

The Sultan Ahmed (Blue Mosque) Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Built between 1609 and 1616, the Sutan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey is better known as the Blue Mosque on account of all the blue tiles that adorn the interior. It is still used as a mosque but is one of the iconic buildings of Istanbul and is visited by millions of tourists eac year.

Llynnon Mill, Llanddeusant, Anglesey

 

Llynnon Mill in Llanddeusant is the last working windmill on Anglesey. On this particular day there was no wind, which is unusual for Anglesey, so the sails were not turning.

Sailing in Phan Nga Bay, Thailand

 

Phang Nga Bay is sandwiched between Phuket to the West and Krabi to the east and is one of the world's most beautiful cruising areas. It is famous for the limestone karsts that abound in the area, the most famous of which is now known as James Bond Island after after in one of the films.

Remembrance Day

 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.

Temple of Apollo, Side, Turkey

 

Another shot of th Temple of Apollo, Side, Turkey, this time taken at sunset. The area is crowded at this time with people trying to capture that special photograph of the sun setting behing the temple.

Kyrenia Harbour, Northern Cyprus

Kyrenia Harbour, Northern Cyprus

Kyrenia, known as Girne in Turkish is located on the northern side of Cyprus that is controlled by Turkey. It is an old city with a castle and an old harbour. Ferries from the new port run to and from Turkey on a regular basis.

Manavgat Waterfall

 

The Manavgat waterfall lies on the river of the same name in Antalya Province, Turkey. They are a popular tourist attraction.

The Nostalgic Tram, Istanbul

 The Nostalgic Tram, Istanbul

This tram runs along Istiklal Caddesi in the Beyoglu area of Istanbul between Taksim and Tunel. Istiklal Caddesi is a an otherwise pedestrianised shopping street. The trams are always full and run very slowly (due to the pedestrians). Children are often seen hanging off the back of the trams.

Alanya Harbour, Turkey

 

Alanya possesses a deep water harbour allowing visiting cruise ships to dock alongside. It is also home to a number of dat trip boats many of which are decked out as pirate ships. This is one such ship returning with a boat load of tourists.

Temple of Apollo, Side, Turkey

Temple of Apollo, Side, Turkey

Turkey is amazing for its ruins. There seems to be vestiges of the past everywhere and many of the sites have not been investigated due to lack of resources. This is the Temple of Apollo in Side, an old Greek settlement lying between the cities of Alanya and Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

Tower Bridge, London

 

This famous landmark was opened on 30th June 1894 by the then Prince of wales who later became King Edward VII. The bridge connects Southwark to Tower Hamlets.

The Big Wheel

 

This ferris wheel was located in Windsor near the river and I am sure provided a tremendous view over the River Thames and Windsor Castle.

Cloudburst

 

Spectacular cloud formations were around on this mainly sunny day in Anglesey. This is Llanddywn Island near Newborough.

Red & Green - Adenium Flower

Adeniums are very popular flowering plants in Thailand. They are very easy to grow and come in different colours, mainly pinks, reds, whites and combinations of these colours. They are often trimmed frequently and their stems become thick and bulbous resembling a Bonsai tree.

Gamelan - Bali musical ensemble

 

These are Balinese men playing in the Gamelan, the name given to a musical ensemble. They are playing at a temple during the Galungan festival.

Flower pickers

 

These women were harvesting flowers as it was the Balinese Galungan festival. The flowers are used in offereings to the Gods during this important festival.

Food & Drink Carts, Denpasar, Balio

 

Wandering around the streets of Denpasar in Bali, I came across these 2 carts, one supplying drinks, the other food. This photo has been manipualted by selectively adding a texture and a vignette. The colours was also enhanced a little.

Balinese Man

 

The Balinese are very fond of their headgear and can be seen wearing it all the time. Sometimes it is very plain but at other times it can be made of attractive batik as worn by this man,

Dawn in Sanur Bali

 

Sanur is the oldest tourist beach area in Bali and is very mature and established. Known for it sunrises, this photo was taken at dawn before the sun rose. It was very still and the sky was clear as this boat was silhouetted by the coming dawn

Phang Nga Bay

 

Phang Nga Bay is that wonderful cruising area lying to the east of Phuket and the west of Krabi. It is a sheltered area with many small islands with sandy beaches and enticing coves as well as some spectacular scenery.

Wat Tang Sai

Wat Tang Sai

Wat Tang Sai is a beautiful buddhist temple little known by foreign tourists but often visited by Thais. It sits atop Thonchai mountain near Baan Krut (often spelt Krud, Grood or Grut) in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
The whole complex is called Pramahatart Chedi Pakdepragard. Th name was chosen by the King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhunibol Adulyadej. The construction of the Pagoda began on the occasion that the King in 1996 reigned for fifty years. The name refers to and celebrates the cremated bone relic of the Lord Buddha and the life of the King of Thailand who is very much loved and respected by the Thai people. On the roof there are 9 small pagodas, one main pagoda in the middle and 8 small pagodas around, which represent the current King, His Majesty King Rama IX.

Dancers at the Erawan shrine, Bangkok

 

The Erawan Shrine (Thai: ศาลพระพรหม, San Phra Phrom) is a Hindu shrine in Bangkok, Thailand that houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma. A popular tourist attraction, it often features performances by resident Thai dance troupes, who are hired by worshippers in return for seeing their prayers at the shrine answered. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erawan_Shrine)