More Sino Colonial Architecture in Phuket Town

There are a number of streets in the old part of Phuket Town, that feature this type of architecture. Many of the buildings are gradually being restored but this one is still in its original state, complete with Chinese lanterns and Chinese characters. This photo has been manipulated in Photoshop by overlaying a texture to give it more of an "old" feel.

The Thais are well known for their predilection for food. It seems that they are ready to eat at any time and the streets are filled with delicious temptations from fried bananas to full meals such as the dishes that can be seen in this shot. It seems that wherever there are likely to be people there are always some food stalls.

Ealry Morning in Cha Am

 

This is Cha Am beach, or at least just one part of it. very early in the morning. The sun had only just risen and was casting this lovely warm light everywhere. As can be seen it was a very calm day. Cha Am is near Hua Hin and ia a popular destination for Bangkokians at the weekend. There are also several hotel blocks and condominiums on the beach.

A Poor Man in Bangkok

A Poor Man in Bangkok

This guy was squatting in the gutter near Pak Klong Talat which is the large flower and vegetable market in Bangkok. He had found something to drink and held a back of rather unappetising rice in his hand. As you can see his shirt was way to big for him. Thailand is a relatively rich country for South East Asia but there are still many social problems.

Yong Ling Beach, Trang Province

Yong Ling Beach, Trang Province

Trang Province is a relatively undiscovered part of Thailand with several beaches such as this one at Yong Ling. There are also a number of islands of the coast which offer spectacular beaches. Prices in this part of Thailand are still cheap due to the lack of tourists.

Bangkok Traffic

Bangkok Traffic

Bangkok traffic is notoriously bad with many a snarl up on the roads. Having lived there for several years, I cannot help but think that traffic problems would not be so bad if there weren't so many taxis on the road. Another reason for long queues are the traffic lights which are often controlled by the police. They are never synchronised and often they stay green in one direction for many minutes. Yet another source of a jam is the stopping of all traffic to allow free passage of some important person such as royalty or the Prime Minister. One of the joys of living in Bangkok!

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The Royal Pavilion, Hua Hin Railway Station

The Royal Pavilion, Hua Hin Railway Station

Hua Hin has a royal palace which is a favourite place of the both the current and previous monarchs of Thailand. As Hua Hin lies on the main railway line between Bangkok and the south, the king used to travel by train to and from Hua Hin. This is the royal pavilion which sits at one end of the the platform.

Hua Hin, Thailand - Storm Approaching

Hua Hin, Thailand - Storm Approaching

This is Hua Hin taken from the small promontory in front of the Hilton hotel and overlooking the small bay where several fishing boats are moored. The pier like structure is infact a number of seafood restaurants that are built out into the sea on stilts. There looks to be a massive storm approaching which has formed on the hills behind Hua Hin that form the boundary with Myanmar but the storm moved away and Hua Hin remained sunny.

Hua Hin Travel Guide

Staying Dry in the Rainy Season

Staying Dry in the Rainy Season

Phuket Town in the rainy season and th elocals resort to many things in order to try and keep dry. Using an umbrella is a common sight.

A Break in the Storm

Phang Nga Bay from Phuket after the storm had just passed over.



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Specially for the tourists, there are lots of these decorated cyclos in Malacca, Malaysia. They seem to be very popular with the hordes of day trippers that come to visit this World Heritage site.

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Sino Portuguese architecture in Phuket Town

Sino Portuguese architecture in Phuket Town

Phuket Town is noted for its Sino Portuguese architecture which manifests itself in several streets in the centre of town. Here is a fine example which has been renovated.

The Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are a magnificent sight as they stand proudly shimmering in the Malaysian sunlight. The towers were once the worlds tallest buildings but have since been eclipsed by buildings elsewhere. They can be seen from all over Kuala Lumpur.

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The Stylo Hairdressing Saloon

This rather stylish hair dressing saloon in Kuala Lumpur caughts my hair. It was housed in a very old building but had this wonderful window, You can just catch a glimpse of the barber and his customer through the window.

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Art Deco Architecture in Kuala Lumpur

Art Art Deco Architecture in Kuala Lumpur

 

The Lee Rubber Building on the corner of Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in Kuala Lumpur is a fine example of Art Deco srchitecture. Built in the 1930's, the building has been restored to its former glory. Reputed to have been the headquarters of the Japanese secret police during the war, the building has also served as a bank but is now home to the "Popular" bookstore.

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Art Deco Complete: The Definitive Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s

Storm over Phang Nga Bay

 

During the rainy season, storms scurry around Phang Nga Bay depositing heavy rainfall wherever they pass. This is one such storm.

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A misty morning in Hoi An, Vietnam

 

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Beaches of Thailand - Koh Rang Yai

Beaches of Thailand - Koh Rang Yai

Koh Rang Yai is a small island in Phang Nga Bay just a short distance from Phuket. It has a sister island - Koh Rang Noi. For me, Koh Rang Yai is the epitomy of a tropical island with its beautiful beach lined with palm trees. In the high season, it is quite popular with speedboats returning from Phi Phi and there is also a small resort on the island, which nevertheless does not detract from the sheer beauty of the island.

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Low tide rocks

 

Bang Tao Bay in Phuket, Thailand. Taken in the early morning sunshine at very low tide. Most of the beach is sandy but this is a rocky corner at the south end of the bay.

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Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) traffic

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon has nightmare traffic consisting mainly of scooters and motorbikes. There are thousands of them scooting about the city. It all makes for a very interesting time when crossing the roads as there seems to be a never ending stream of them leaving you no choice but to venture across the road in a slow but determined manner hoping that the bikes will pass either side of you.
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A foggy morning in Hoi An

 

I was up early in Hoi An one morning in order to try and capture the sunrise. Unfortunately, it was foggy so instead I captured one or two "foggy" shots.

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Songkran Water Festival Phuket, Thailand

 

This is what Songkran, Thailand's water festival is all about - getting wet. This is taken in Phuket and is a typical scene in the villages around the island. Groups of mainly, but not always, youths croud into pick up trucks armed with drums of water. They then travel around soaking people and getting soaked by others. If you are out and about on April 13th each year you have virtually no chance of staying dry as no-one is spared.

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Sunsets of Thailand - Nai Yang, Phuket

Sunset at Nai Yang, Phuket, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

We had a friend staying with us and decided to go for sundowners at Nai Yang beach. We were rewarded with the most fabulous sunset I have seen in a long time. The best colours came well after the sun had gone down as you can see.

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Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This is Koh Hong which literally means island with a room. It is one of the most visited islands in Phang Nga Bay as hordes of tourists in kayaks paddle around to view the lagoon inside the island. There is a second Koh Hong on the Krabi side of Phang nga Bay which is less visited and in fact much more interesting but both are beautiful.

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Sunrise at low tide over Ao Po

Sunrise at low tide over Ao Po, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Ao Po is the name of both the bay and a small muslim fishing village on the east side of Phuket. This is the very long pier from which most of the tourist boats depart from to explore the islands and caves by canoe in Phang Nga Bay.

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Garden fence lizard (Calotes versicolor)

Garden fence lizard (Calotes versicolor), originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

I snapped this cheeky little chappy in my garden in Phuket. He has been running around there for quite some time. These lizards change colour (a la chameleon) and I have seen him turn red.

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Preparing the nets

Preparing the nets, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

These guys were straightening out their fishing nets on Nai Yang beach, Phuket just as the sun was setting before sailing off into the sunset for a night's fishing.

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Feet Up!

Feet Up!, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Chicken and vendor both have their feet up as the vendor shares a joke with her neighbour. Taken in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam.

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The Fruit Seller

The Fruit Seller

The Fruit Seller, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Taken in Hoi An, Central Vietnam. This vendor was struggling to turn her heavily laden cart around

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The Fruit Market

The Fruit Market, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Vietnam's markets are a blaze of colour and full of interesting people, fruit and vegetables. They are a treasure trove for any photographer.

Stillness

Stillness, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

I got up early one morning in Hoi An to try and catch the sunrise. Unfortunately I chose a day when it was very misty. No sunrise pictures but one or two interesting "foggy" shots

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The Smoking Lady

The Smoking Lady, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Taken on the market in Hue in Central Vietnam, this lady was smoking a rather large cigarette which was obviously home made. Quite what it contained I am not sure. The markets of Vietnam are a rich place for taking photographs as there are lots of interesting characters and also many colourful fruits and vegetables.

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Chinatown, Bangkok

Chinatown, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

One of the oldest parts of Bangok is Chinatown. It is also one of the most interesting parts. Almost anything you can think of can be bought there and there is lots of hustle and bustle. This is Yaowarat Street, the main artery of Chinatown. A tuk tuk driver stands waiting for his next fare.

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