HellonEarth - Photoblog

The Samlor Driver

2009-10-05T11:40:00.001+07:00

The Samlor Driver, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Samlor s or 3 wheeled bicycle taxis are still to be found outside Bangkok. This guy was waiting for a customer in Samut Sakhon. They generally hang around the market there to take the locals and there market purchases home. Most of them seem to be older guys but they must be fit to do the job they do.

Hands at the White Wat

2009-09-22T10:50:00.003+07:00

Hands at the White Wat, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Look closely and you will see that this is not a B&W photo. Taken at the White Wat near Chiang Rai, this fascinating sculpture is by the side of the bridge leading into the wat. I dont know the significance of the hands or the red fingernail

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Sunrise over the Creek

2009-09-16T11:00:00.003+07:00

Sunrise over the Creek, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

small creek in Bang Tao plays host to a number of fishing boats especially during the south east monsoon season. Dawn was bright and sunny on this day but it wasn't too long before I was huddled under a tree trying to keep myself and my gear dry. At least I kept my gear dry if not myself and arrived back home looking slightly bedraggled.

See many more photos of South East Asia by clicking HERE

Wreck at Dawn

2009-09-10T09:30:00.003+07:00

Wreck at Dawn, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This old wreck of a fishing boat must have seen countless dawns as it slowly rots away at Layan in Phuket. I imagine that it will survive for many years to come disintegrating bit by bit from the effects of weather.

See many more photos of South East Asia by clicking HERE

Beaches of Thailand - Friendship Beach, Phuket

2009-09-09T14:34:00.002+07:00

Friendship Beach is hidden away on the south eastern corner of Phuket. The water here is very shallow and dries out at low tide.

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A Phuket Sunset

2009-09-09T08:46:00.002+07:00

A Phuket Sunset, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

We were cruising back to our marina from Nai Harn on Phuket and it had been a beautiful day which was followed by an equally beautiful sunset. Sunsets in Phuket can be very spectacular and this one was no exception.

See many more photos of South East Asia by clicking HERE

Bangkok Street Food

2009-08-31T14:32:00.002+07:00

Street food is everywhere in Bangkok and is often delicious and extremely good value.

See many more photos of street food and street food vendors by clicking HERE

Chijmes, SIngapore

2009-08-27T09:13:00.002+07:00

Chijmes, Singapore, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

The chapel in the former Convent of the Infant Jesus, built in 1903. The cloisters now house a host of restaurants

Emerald Hill, Singapore

2009-08-20T10:47:00.002+07:00

Emerald Hill, Singapore, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Emerald Hill in Singapore is famous for its Chinese Baroque architecture. It is generally a quiet residential area except for several bars that poulate the Orchard Road end of the steet.

Clear view over Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

2009-08-07T14:21:00.003+07:00

Clear view over Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

It is not that easy to get a good picture of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong mainly because the pollution is so bad. However this was one day when the smog cleared to reveal a stunning view from the Peak. The Peak is 552 metres above sea level.

I'd rather be.....................................

2009-08-05T13:56:00.002+07:00

I'd rather be....................................., originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

...............in my case, sailing in Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi.

Where would you rather be?

The Old Teak House

2009-07-22T16:04:00.002+07:00

The Old Teak House, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

In Thailand, houses used to be built out of teak wood. This is one of those properties lying on the other side of the river to Bangkok in Thonburi. It is close to the Santa Cruz Church which was built by the Portuguese and which will be feaured here shortly. It is in rather a dilapidated state but must have been quite something when new despite the rather incongruous corrugated tin roof.

The Potter

2009-07-17T13:46:00.002+07:00

The Potter, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Taken on a recent trip to Koh Kred which is an island in the Chao Phraya river famous for pottery produced by ethnic Mon people.

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Beaches of Thailand - Palm Shadow, Surin Beach, Phuket

2009-07-15T09:28:00.003+07:00

Beaches of Thailand - Palm Shadow, Surin Beach, Phuket, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Just back from Phuket where we had some very mixed weather. This was (as can be seen) a beautiful day on Surin Beach.

Made me think of Cat Steven's song Moonshadow

"I'm being followed by a moon shadow
moon shadow-moon shadow
leaping and hopping on a moon shadow
moon shadow-moon shadow"

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The Chestnut Roaster

2009-07-01T14:53:00.003+07:00

The Chestnut Roaster, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

It was an extremely hot day (as most are in Thailand) and this guy was roasting chestnuts in Koh Kred. As you can see the heat was pretty high on the fire. Koh Kred is an island in the Chao Phraya river about 20 kms north of Bangkok which is really fampus for its red, unglazed pottery

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The Clock Tower, Lumphini Park, Bangok

2009-06-29T17:07:00.002+07:00

The Clock Tower, Lumphini Park, Bangok, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Another photo of Lumphini Park. The Chinese style clock tower was built in 1925 for a trade fair. It rings every hour and can be heard quite some distance away.

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Waiting for a Fare

2009-06-26T11:59:00.002+07:00

In some parts of Thailand, samlors as the three wheeled bicycle taxis are known are still quite common. You never see them in Bangkok anymore, but venture a little further afield and there are plenty around, although I have to say, that the drivers tend to be old, so it could be, that they are a dyeing breed. They are not particularly used by tourists but by the locals. Indeed, in Samut Sakhon where this picture was taken, we were the only foreigners around.

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Skytrain Approaching Chit Lom Station

2009-06-16T11:16:00.002+07:00

Skytrain Approaching Chit Lom Station, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

The Skytrain in Bangkok has been open since 1999. A 2 stop extension over the Chao Phraya river to Wong Wian Yai has recently opened and work is under way to extend the line from On Nut towards Samut Prakan. Originally, little used, it is now packed both during the week in the rush hours and also by shoppers at weekends. This HDR shot was taken from Chit Lom Station.

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Bangkok Tuk Tuks

2009-06-15T17:01:00.007+07:00

Bangkok Tuk Tuks, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

This picture was shot in Thonburi which is West Bangkok, near to Wong Wian Yai railway station. Tuk tuks are an icon of Bangkok andI have quite a few photos of them as they do make for a photogenic subject. There do not seem to be as many of them as there were a few years ago but are still relatively plentiful.

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Bangkok Mosque

2009-06-11T17:18:00.003+07:00

Bangkok Mosque, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

I know the name of this mosque but it just escapes me at this precise second. About the same distance away behind my back as I took this photo is a catholic church which has been built in Thai wat style. There always seems to be religious harmony in Bangkok which I guess is down to the predominantly Buddhist population. This is so contrary to the sad events in the south of the country.

A Monk in Thought

2009-06-09T14:41:00.002+07:00

A Monk in Thought, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Living in Thailand, one becomes accustomed to seeing amber clad monks about the place. As well as in the wats (temples), they are often seen early morning collecting alms (food mainly). They can also be seen somewhat surprisingly, browsing the electrical and computer stores in Bangkok (Pantip Plaza is a famous computer mall where they are often seen).

This particular gentleman was spotted in a small village outside of Chiang Rai in the north of Thailand. He was with a group of other monks who all arrived in the back of a pickup truck. He just looked a little sad and preoccupied, not even noticing I was taking his photo.

The Garden of Eden.......................

2009-05-28T09:25:00.002+07:00

The Garden of Eden......................., originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Actually no, just another photo of Lumphini Park, Bangkok which, as I have said before, is one of my favourite places in all of Bangkok. So many improvements have been made to the park in recent years and it is looking just great. I especially appreciate the new plantings, such as the one portrayed, that have taken place in various corners of the park. It remains, an oasis in this busy city

Anyone for a Banana Fritter?

2009-05-27T08:45:00.002+07:00

Anyone for a Banana Fritter?, originally uploaded by HellonEarth2006.

Here is another of Bangkok's street vendors. This one is ser ving banana fritters which are delicious and a favourite of both Thais and Farangs (foreigners) alike. This picture is taken on Sukhumvit Road very clowe to soi 12.

2009-05-25T14:44:00.004+07:00

When I lived in the UK, I used to love to grow petunias in hanging baskets. They really were one of my favourite flowers. I havent seen much of the petunia since I have been in Asia until I came across some hanging baskets in Chiang Rai. Beautiful as always, I have given these the fine art treatment.

Hold on to your Hat - There's a Storm Coming

2009-05-22T10:15:00.001+07:00

A rainstorm hit Bangkok last night just as I was waiting for the Skytrain at Phloen Chit Station. The security guard seems to beon his walkie talkie saying " hold on to your hat there is a storm coming". The rain can be clearly seen coming down the tracks.