Lost Duckie!

Just a fun little shot today that I captured in the deserts of the UAE a while ago. It's my little rubber duck lost in the desert, away from any oasis.. Will it survive?

Today's post is early and different because I have to catch a bus to Bangkok for another visa run. I'm not really looking forward for a 10hours bus drive and a plane back & forth to Malaysia.

Will keep on posting from Bangkok in the next few days! Cheers!

Golden Chedi

If you dare to wander a few meters outside Khao San Rd when visiting Bangkok (or if you are not in bed with a hangover), you'll spot at the end of Tanao street a chedi peaking from behind the trees. This is the temple called Wat Bowon Niwet.

Surprisingly, far from being the most visited by tourists, Wat Bowon is regarded as one of the most important temples in Bangkok. Built in 1829, it was actually two different monasteries separated by a canal:  Wat Mai to the north and Wat Rangsee Suddhawas to the south. It was later incorporated into one temple during the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925).
His Majesty Bhumiphol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the present monarch, stayed here for a short time during his ordination in 1956.

Pictured here is the chedi of the temple. A chedi, or more popularly known as Stupa in English is a spire like structure containing Buddhist relics and used as a place of worship.
The shape of the chedi represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. His crown is the top of the spire, his head is the square at the spire's base, his body is the vase shape, his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace and the base is his throne.

The entrance to the temple is free making it a good place to visit when short on time after staying on the "Khaotic" Khao San Rd.

Thai Spirits [HDR]

Thailand is a Buddhist country, but Animism is also omnipresent and interwoven in daily prayers and religious ceremonies, especially in rural parts and the North.
Spirits and ghosts live everywhere in Thailand. Unlike in western culture where they are mostly feared and  banished, Thai people pay a particular respect to them.
Flowers, incense, or food is placed in front of shops, on the bows of boats or in front of Buddhist icons. Brightly-coloured ribbon is wrapped around trees or other objects. These are all offerings to the spirits that reside there.
One common feature representing Spirit worship seen in most parts of Thailand is the "Spirit House" called San Phra Phum in Thai (roughly meaning Abode of the Land's Guardian Spirit).
These Spirit Houses usually made of teakwood or concrete are often in the shape of small temples or Thai style houses raised above the ground on a pillar. Inside can be found little figurines or an image of Phra Chai Mongkol, an angel like figurine, often gilded, and holding a sword in one hand and a money bag in the other.
Each day fresh flowers & food as well as lit candles & incense sticks are placed either on or close by the Spirit House to ensure that the spirits maintain karma and protection.

In this photo I took in Chiang Mai, gauze ribbons in assorted colors are tied around an old bodhi tree. Next to it lies a Spirit House, which strangely is placed on the ground instead of a pillar.

I have found a new interest in this tradition so more info will come in the future concerning Animism and Spirit Houses. Enjoy!

Saturday Market food stalls (stools?)

In Chiang Mai, every Sunday takes place the famous "Walking Night Market" on Th Ratchadamnoen, offering a taste of provincial culture, cheap bargains and reminding the itinerant merchants stopping in town to sell their goods.
Usually the street is packed with both locals and tourists making it hard to move around.

Less known however is the "Saturday Walking Market" on.. as you guessed.. Saturdays on Th Wualai. It attracts less tourists and is more enjoyable to walk around. It is located in an older street outside the "Old city" walls.
Of course, I have to admit, what I like most in these markets is the variety of local food you can find almost every 10 steps! My taste buds are grateful every weekend and my stomach curses me all night long.
Some people would avoid eating street food from fear of poor hygiene. I think it's an excellent way to discover local culture and I've never fallen sick from any kind of food during my 10-month travel.

What do you think? Would you be afraid to taste food from a merchant like in the photo above?

The broom lady

In Thailand, you can find and buy almost anything on the streets. I saw this lady selling brooms in Chiang Mai while walking back home from lunch with my girlfriend. I wanted to get a nice shot of her but she kept walking too fast even with all those brooms!
I just had to use my telephoto lens to capture her from far as she was heading towards a bar.
I liked the balance between the lady with her merchandise and the bar bottles out of focus in the background. I wish that sitting girl was not in the shot as it creates distraction but hey... It was a spontaneous candid shot.

Do you think she might be a witch?

Thai Sunset [HDR]

What I really missed in my 20+ years living in the UAE are beautiful dramatic cloudy sunsets. There's an average of 5-6 cloudy days per year in the Emirates so I've had my share of blue bland boring skies.
Now that I am in Thailand, and it's rainy season, I often experience beautiful sunsets worth stopping and taking a shot of... if it's not pouring down of course.

I also haven't posted any HDR shots for ages too. Unlike the big flashy over-saturated I'm-on-acid-looking HDR photos many people seem to post, I prefer more subtle use of this technique to bring out contrasts in the photos. Some more will follow soon. Hope you enjoy!

Buddha Statue

Thailand has a prevalence of Buddhism that ranks among the highest in the world. 94.6% of the population are Buddhists. The Thai calendar is also based on the Eastern version of the Buddhist Era which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
Each city has many old magnificently decorated temples that I love visiting. Each temple hosts also a few Buddha statues.
Some temple "etiquette" to follow when visiting temples:

• Wear modest clothes. No shorts, tank tops, mini-skirts, flashy jewelry.
• Take off your shoes before entering a temple.
• Keep your head lower than the Buddha statues.
• DO NOT touch the head of a Buddha statue, climb over it, take a photo with it.
• Do not point your feet at Buddha images or anyone else.

In other words, be respectful and don't do anything you wouldn't do in worship place of your own confession.

Tuk-Tuk line

Yes, it is completely impossible for anyone to avoid the tuk-tuk calls when walking in Thailand. No matter the hour, place or weather. They are everywhere and will take you on a temple tour for 10 baht / 0.3$ (and many shops on the way to get a commission).

So when you see a line of tuk-tuks on Khao San road in Bangkok, all waiting to jump on you with the "tempting" offers, either run for your life... or simply mention them that you are deaf!

Sidewalk Kitchen

This restaurant (The Green House) is one of my favorite on Rambuttri Rd, parallel to Khao San Rd. in Bangkok, Thailand.
As most restaurants in the area, it is open on the street and half the tables are actually on the sidewalk. In Thailand, sidewalks aren't used for walking. They are overtaken by street vendors and restaurants while pedestrians share the street with tuk-tuks, bikes and cars.
This mini kitchen is where the "Thai food" is prepared as it is less complicated to prepare than western food. I suppose they also have another one back inside where all the pasta/pizza/burgers/sandwiches and juices are prepared.
I was sitting not far from the cook and I couldn't resist taking a photo with the beautiful light from the setting sun.

And I ate well!

Tuk-Tuk?

In Thailand, no visit is complete without a tuk-tuk ride.

Tuk-tuks are motorized rickshaws, three-wheelers mainly found in South-East Asia. While walking in the streets of Bangkok (or anywhere else), you will ALWAYS bump into someone offering you a tuk-tuk ride or a tour of the city for a ridiculous price. Most of the time in touristic places, it is best to avoid these tours as the driver will just take you to commercial streets where you will be tempted to buy products you don't need (they get commission...).

But tuk-tuks are also a fast and easy way to get around town, if you are not afraid for your Life that is!

So.... tuk-tuk? tuk-tuk? 10 baht!