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)

Chinatown, Bangkok

Chinatown, Bangkok

Chinatown, Bangkok is in the old part of the city and is quite large. It is a centre for all sorts of commerce with many shops and markets. Many activities are carried out, literally on the streets. Here oil drums and engine parts are piled on the pavement making it necessary to walk in the road.

The green waters of Koh Racha

The green waters of Koh Racha, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Koh Racha, a.k. Koh Raya is an island to the south of Phuket and is surrounded by realtively deep waters. The water is incredibly clear and the island is a favourite spot for snorkellers. The waters around the island are also a magnet for the daily fishing trips to catch tuna, sailfish, dorado and other game fish.

Sunrise from Galle Fort, Sri Lanka

 

Taken at dawn from Galle Fort, the historic 17th century Dutch style fort. Considered to be the finest example of a European fortification in south ans south east Asia, the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Classical Thailand

 

This is a classical photo of Thailand. Along with tuk tuks, people think of long tailed boats when they think of Thailand. This photo is taken on a very small island called Koh Naka. The name of the boat is also the name of a small resort on the island. This is really a "get away from it all" place nad is truly beautiful. A texture has been overlayed on this photograph with the aim of adding an artistic touch and also to try and make it a little different from all the other excellent long tailed boats photos that are around.

Sunrise at Ao Po pier

 

Taken this morning. Ao Po is on the east side of Phuket. This is the pier where many tour boats leave for Phang Nga Bay.

Bangkok Street Vendor

 

The treatment given to this photo is known as split toning which seems to give a much better effect than the original colour version. Split toning can use any colour as a later photo will indicate.

Tuk Tuks in the rain

Tuk Tuks in the rain

This is an example of HDR photography - High Dynamic Range produced with the aid of a program called Photomatix.

Triptych

 

According to Wikipedia "A triptych (pronounced /ˈtrɪptɪk/ TRIP-tik, from the Greek τρίπτυχο, from tri- "three" + ptychē "fold") is a work of art (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and folded. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works. The middle panel is typically the largest and it is flanked by two smaller related works, although there are triptychs of equal-sized panels."

Well this is my first attempt at one of these works of art featuring photos taken in my garden at home in Phuket.

Dawn over Phang Nga Bay

 

Low tide in Phang Nga Bay and the sun is just rising over the mangrove mudflats. This is a spectacular time of day but you do have to get up early to catch it. Still, it is worth it!

The Kissaria, Essaouira, Morocco

The Kissaria, Essaouira, Morocco

The Kissaria is a street in Essaouira with shops selling silver. Essaouira is famous for its blue colour. Boats and houses and all painted blue.

Dawn at Khuek Khak Beach, Khao Lak

 

Another shot taken at dawn on Khuek Khak beach in Khao Lak, this time converted to black and white

Cruising in Phang Nga Bay

 

The rainy season is just about over and there are now some days when the weather is just beautiful. One of the best ways to enjoy the day is to cruise in Phang Nga Bay where the scenery is spectacular.

Khuek Khak Beach, Khao Lak, Thailand

Khuek Khak Beach, Khao Lak, Thailand

Khao Lak was devastated during the 2004 tsunami but has now resurrected itself and is still a favoured destination for those seeking a beach resort. The beaches are long and beautiful and Khuek Khak is no exception. The sun had just risen shen I took this photo.

Clouds - Khao Lak

 

Just dawn and the very low tide that morning had left behind a very wet sand which picked up the reflections of the very cool light in the sky. A lone fisherman stands dwarfs by the massive cloudbank on the horizon. Khuekkhak beach, Khao Lak, Thailand.

Kawasaki Man

 

This guy was ony sat by the side of this motorbike as it did not belong to him. He was in fact, eating free food distributed during a Chinese festival in Bangkok. The use of HDR brings out the vibrant colours in the motorbike.

Beaches of Thailand - Sam Roi Yot

 

Sam Roi Yot beach is a little known beach in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province of Thailand. Sam Roi Yot is also the name of a National Park in the area. This was taken mid afternoon when the cloud formations were attractive

 

Porth Wen in Anglesey.

A bicycle in the north east Thailand town of Chiang Khan

 

Chiang Khan is a small town in the north east of Thailand, sitting on the banks of the River Mekong. The town features many old wooden (teak) buildings and has become something of a tourist place. Nevertheless it is an interesting place to visit.

Sunsets of Thailand - The Mekong River in Nong Khai

The Mekong River in Nong Khai

The Mekong River, for much of its length, separates Thailand from Laos. Here at Nong Khai, in the far north east of Thailand there is a promenade alongside the river overlooking Laos on the other side. The sun had just gone down and the lights had just come on.

The Vietnamese Drink Vendor

Taken in Hoi An, this lady was selling drinks. I took the photo primarily because I loved the colour of the wall behind her. The photo has been adapted in Photoshop by adding a texture to it just to give it a different feel. I still think the background is a beautoful colour of green.

Ao Po Pier, Phuket

Ao Po is on the east side of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay. This pier is where most of the tour boats for James Bond Island and other parts of Phang Nga Bay depart. The pier itself is quite long because, as can be seen, the tide goes out a long way.