Waiting for the Tide

Waiting for the Tide, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Friendship Beach lies on the East coast of Phuket in Chalong Bay (Ao Chalong). The tide goes out a long, long way to reveal a vast expanse of sand. In the background is Koh Lon. The strip of blue water in front of the island is the main channel to Chalong Pier which is where most of the fishing trips go from, along with speedboats to Koh Phi Phi.

Fish are fun!

Fish are fun!, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Klong Toey Market in Bangkok is one of the largest meat, fish and vegetable markets of its kind. It is a bustling place with lots to see from exotic fruits to live frogs (see an earlier post). The market is very busy especially early in the morning which is the best time to visit to catch the real action. This mother and son seem to enjoy their work.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

I have posted a photo of the floating market before but, as it is one of Thailand's biggest tourist attractions, I thought I would add another one.
Sometimes it becomes so busy at the market, that the boats can hardly move as was the case here.

One Night in Bangkok

One NIght in Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

We have a terrific view from our balcony and I have taken many photos. This is one I took recently on a clear evening just after a particularly spectacular sunset. The tall building to the left is the LH bank with the Banyan Tree Hotel to the right. The HSBC bank is the building on the far right.

There are more and more tall buildings appearing in Bangkok, and with each one that is finished there is an addition to the light show.

Fruits of Thailand - Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Pitaya or Dragon fruit as they are commonly known are grown on a cactus like plant. They are readily available in Thailand but are grown mainly in Vietnam. This variety is known as the Coata Rica Pitaya. Other varieties have white flesh inside. The fuit is native to Mexico and South and Central America.

Klong Kids

Klong Kids, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Bangkok is criss crossed by canals and it is fascinating to take a boat trip and witness the daily life around these canals. There are always kids swimming but this group were having great fun and just loved having their picture taken. I just love the happiness in their faces from the cheeky grin of the boy on the left to the pure delight in the little girl bottom right.

Beach Bar, Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Beach Bar, Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Bars come and go especially in Thailand. This beach bar appeared on Bang Tao Beach on day so we duly encouraged it by buying a couple of beers. However, when we next went to Phuket, it had disappeared without trace but there is always another bar!

Prow of a Long Tailed Boat

Long Tailed Boat, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This picture was taken on a beautiful sunny day at Nai Yang Beach in Phuket. All long tailed boats in Thailand feature this type of ribbon decoration on the prow as it brings good luck.

Fruits of Thailand - Rambutan

Rambutan, Bangkok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Rambutan were first introduced into Surat Thani in the 1920's and it has become a very popular fruit. The red and green fruit is peeled to reveal a succulent, tasty white flesh with a seed in the middle. The fruit is round or oval and 2 - 3 inches long and is in season in July and August. It is part of the same family as lychees and longan and is believed to be a native of South East Asia

Fishing Boat, Patong, Phuket

Fishing Boat, Patong, Phuket, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

At the southern end of Patong Beach there is a fishing community that was totally destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. Most visitors to Patong probably do not know of its existence. Luckily ,most of the inhabitants escaped and the community has been rebuilt. This is just one of the many boats moored in this creek.

Beaches of Thailand - Kamala Beach, Phuket

Kamala Beach, Phuket, Thailand, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Kamala is one of Phuket's many beaches lying to the north of Patong Beach and to the south of Surin. Kamala was very badly hit by the 2004 tsunami but has now recovered to boast new hotels and shipa and even a short promenade. Kamala is also home to the very well known cultural theme park Fantasea - http://www.phuket-fantasea.com/

Pride & Admiration

Pride & Admiration, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

I spent the weekend in Phuket early one morning I wandered early down to the southern end of Bang Tao where the fishermen keep their boats. At 7:30, the place was a hive of activity with boats coming in from a night's fishing, others casting their nets in the shallows and also many of the older folk just sitting around watching the activities. I came across this guy who was plucking fish out of his net together with his grandson, and asked him politely if I could take his picture. He duly stood to attention, but I noticed the look of pride and admiration in the eyes of his grandson. His face is the real picture - not a great photo but really a picture with a great story.

Sunsets of Thailand - Bangkok

Bangkok Sunset, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

It is not only the beaches that get spectacular sunsets in Thailand as this shot taken in Bangkok will testify.

Surfing Ashore

Surfing Ashore, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

The fishermen of Chennai go out at about 3am in the morning returning around 7:30 am. During the monsoon season there is quite a bit of surf and these boats come in very fast.

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.