Songkran 2012

Songkran, which is the Thai New Year, was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends, neighbors, and monks. These days it has become a huge water festival where the objective is to soak as many people as possible. Held at the hottest time of the year, it provides welcome relief from the heat.

The Grand Palace,Bangkok

It is some years since I last visited the Grand Palace in Bangkok, but I did so today.it has lost none of its splendour, and is absolutely a "must see" when visiting Bangkok.

Hoi An SLideshow

Hoi An on Fotopedia

Kanchanaburi - Get drunk for 10 baht

On a trip to the northern parts of Thailand, we stopped off in Kanchanaburi for the night. Visiting the local hostelries, we came across this bar which offers local drinks for 10 baht each. For that, you get a shot of the local spirit (with such exotic names as Pornthip and Black Cock) with soda or neat if you prefer. A scotch whisky will cost you 20 baht. As you can see from the sign on the right, you also get free ice.

Sunsets of Thailand - Bang Tao Beach, Phuket

Bang Tao beach is a very long stretch of beach on Phuket that is some 8 kilometers long. This picture is taken at the southern end of the beach where the fishermen morr their boats. Phuket sunsets are very varied and the colours can be fantastic as in this shot. To see more sunsets of Thailand, type "sunsets of thailand" in the search box.

Twofaced in Marrakech

It is difficult taknig photos in Morocco as many of the locals either ask for money or just do not want you to take their photo. Pictures of locals are always a good way to get the feel of the place and I took to shooting from the hip to try and get photos without being noticed. It was not entirely successful and it was noticed by some of the locals. However, I do like this picture of a girl with a face on her t shirt, carrying bread on her head. The low angle also goves the photo extra interest.

Lake Mapourika, Westland, South Island, New Zealand

Leaving Franz Josef and heading north up the west coast of the South Island in New Zealnd, we came across this beautiful lake. Called Lake Mapourika, this lake is obviously used for watersports and fishing. The jetty provided a perfect photo opportunity.

The Art Deco Irish Pub

Napier is a town on the North Island of New Zealand that was devastated by eartquake in the 1930's. As a consequence, many of the buildings there are in Art Deco style. This large building is actually a hotel called the Masonic but it features an Irish Pub called "The Rose".

Lake Mapourika, South Island, New Zealand

Just north of Franz Josef Glacier is Lake Mapourika. It was a beautofulo calm morning when I stopped here to take this photo. New Zealand is full of lakes all of which have their own beauty.

The Coromandel Peninsular, North Island, New Zealand

The Coramandel Peninsular is a very popular holiday destination for New Zealanders from Auckland, especially the lower part of it which is easy to reach. The more northern area above Coramandel town is far more remote with many untarred raods which restrict the access somewhat. It is nevertheless a beautiful area.

Playing Backgammon

Playing Backgammon

These two old boys were whiling away the time in Famagusta, North Cyprus by playing Backgammon. This is a popular pastime in this region.

Wat Phranang Sang, Thalang, Phuket

Wat Phranang Sang is the oldest temple in Phuket although it is not known exactly how old it is. The temple was a rallying point for Phuketians defending Phuket against Burmese invaders in 1785. The templ also houses 3 tin buddhas which are one of the most important histporical artefacts of Phuket.

Waiotapu, Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua is famed for all the thermal activity that takes place in the area. Waiotapu is one such park where there is lots of thermal activity to see in cluding the Champagne Pool pictured here.

Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand

 

This lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook. It is close to the township of Fox Glacier in Westalnd, South Island, New Zealand. It had been a wet day and then all of a sudden the clouds cleared and Mount Cook came briefly into view allowing me to take this picture.

Sunrise at Hooper's Inlet

 

The Otago Peninsular is located on New Zealand's South Island near the city of Dunedin. It is a beautiful area full of inlets, bays and beache. Hooper's Inlet is one such inlet. I set up my camera and was prepared to wait for the sunrise but was immediately treated to the spectacular colours of the rising sun reflected on the clouds.

Sunrise over the Mangrove

 

This is Phang Nga Bay at sunrise. There are many places where there are mangrove trees and they make an interesting focal point for any photograph. Phang Nga Bay is flanked by Phuket to the west, Krabi to the East and Phang Nga Province to the north.

Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

 

Phang Nga Bay is a World Heritage site. The scenery consisting mainly of limestone scarps is both beautiful and spectacular. especially on a sunny day. It is a very popular tourist event to hire a long tail boat or join one of the many cruises for a day trip to see the area and canoe through the many caves that can be found in the islands.

Sunsets of Thailand - Nai Yang Beach, Phuket

 

Another sunset - this time taken at Nai Yang Beach in Phuket. A long tailed boat came along just at the right time to make an interesting photo. Nai Yang is near the airport on the West coast of Phuket and features some spectacular sunsets.

Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey

 

This is Llanddwyn Island in Anglesey. Although it is called an island it id possible to walk across the sandy spit to it at most times. Only during very high tides does it actually become an island. It is a beautiful place to visit on a nice day.

Sunsets of Thailand - Surin Beach Sunset, Thailand

Sunsets of Thailand - Surin Beach Sunset, Thailand

Sunsets make great photographs and this sunset was no exception. Taken at Surin Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Wat Chong Klang, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Wat Chong Klang, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Wat Chong Klang is located in the centro of Mae Hong Son by Lake Chong Kam. It was built in the 1860's and enshrines a bBurmese buddha image.

Llanbadrig Church, Anglesey

 

"Llanbadrig" means St Patrick. The church dates back to 440 A.D. and is such is the oldest Christian site in Wales. It is also the only church in Wales to be dedicated to St Patrick. The church can be found on a remote headland near Cemaes in Anglesey.

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.