I love going on jaunts around Bangkok and, invariably, I’ll find myself in one of the parks in the city. Sometimes, I plan to go there, but other times I’ll wander through on my way somewhere. It’s so lovely to see all that green hidden amongst the concrete, and, even though you can still see the buildings all around, it really feels like you’re miles away.
So, let’s take a wander through Lumphini Park…
In 2016, park officials removed some of the 400 water monitors living in Lumphini Park because they have been damaging plants and scaring people, some of them are over 10 ft long!
Jogging anyone? Lumphini Park, just like most others in Bangkok, is a popular place for people who wish to exercise once the sun starts to sink and it gets a little cooler! Although, these enthusiasts were out enjoying themselves at 3.40pm!
What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon, canoeing on the lake, right in the middle of the city!
“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” Deepak Chopra
There aren’t many people around, it’s far too hot yet, but this means I get the place, almost, to myself!
I hope you enjoyed today’s wanderings. Join me for the next one soon! 🙂 In the meantime, check out my Top 6 Parks in Bangkok!
I haven’t been out with my camera much recently, I haven’t felt that motivated, but, thankfully, I am over that lack of motivation and the last two weeks, I have been clicking merrily away, but more of what I’ve been getting up to will follow shortly. In the meantime, I was just sifting through my photos when I came across some photographs of my favourite building in Bangkok; MahaNakhon Tower. I love all kinds of architecture and over a period of 2 years I took loads of photos of the different stages of its construction.
These were taken in October 2015, it’s almost finished, but not quite. I love the pixelated effect.
This was 2016. If you’re ever in Silom or Sathorn, you can’t help but notice Bangkok’s tallest building looming up towards the sky.
MahaNakhon was completed late 2016, but, even now, I just can’t help myself taking photos of it, or pointing it out to whoever I’m with if I’m in the area. I love the bold structure against the blue of the sky and I love the way the clouds are reflected in the windows of the tower.
As a photographer, I love looking for interesting shapes, angles, and colours. It’s amazing what you can see when you train your eye to find things.
And there is just plain crazy!
And to add to my little obsession, MahaNakhon are in the process of building an observatory which should be completed sometime this year. They say, “Unique architecture. Unrivalled experience. Offering dramatic 360 degree panoramic views across the city, the visitor observatory will open daily, providing soaring double height indoor spaces and a rooftop viewing platform from the highest point in Bangkok. Stand on the sky, with MahaNakhon’s skytray, a cantilevered glass balcony extending outside the building, enabling each guest to walk on air.”
And there’s gonna be a roof top bar! Drink anyone?
What are your obsessions?
For more photography of this unique building, check out my previous posts! 🙂
Back in 2008, I toured the north and south islands of New Zealand and one of the most amazing things I did was to hike across an active volcano, otherwise known as Mount Tongariro. Feeling a little hungover, as was the norm back then, I started on the hike across Mount Tongariro National Park. I had five layers of clothing on, it really was that cold, and it took about eight hours to cross from Whakapapa Village to Ketetahi. The scenery was dramatic with snow-covered mountains rearing up into the sky all around our little hiking party.
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
At ground level, there were mountain springs flowing with cold clear water, and the greens and browns of plants growing up out of the melted snow.
Mountain spring, Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
About halfway through the hike, we passed Mount Ngauruhoe, otherwise known as Mount Doom, which, for me, was a real highlight. I’m a die-hard fan of The Lord of the Rings, and I couldn’t stop myself from climbing just a little way up and getting the guide to take my photo.
Mount Doom, New Zealand
We hiked on through dove-white valleys, the wilderness that lay ahead unseen, concealed by the brilliant white all around. It was blissfully quiet, but I could hear my fellow hikers chatting in the distance. In fact, it was a good job they were there because I could easily have gone missing, never to be heard from again.
Mount Tongariro, New ZealandMount Tongariro, New Zealand
I trundled on and started to make my way upwards. It was such a struggle, the snow made it very slippy, so I had to wear crampons. It was incredibly cold and the higher I got, the windier it got. Eventually, I found myself at the summit of the mountain. The effort is always worth it!
The summit of Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
At the top of Mount Tongariro, I got three hundred and sixty-degree views and it felt like I was on top of the world. The clouds were lower than the summit and it seemed otherworldly. It was peaceful, even though I wasn’t alone, and I took a moment to stand there, looking at that perfect scene in front of me and thought of all the things I had done up to that point.
Mount Tongariro, New ZealandMount Tongariro, New Zealand
On top of that mountain, I felt elated and overjoyed I was there. It was one of those moments that made me realise all the decisions I had made about my life were the right ones and I was definitely living my life to the fullest.
After a while, it was time to continue on my hike. The way down was bloody difficult because the slope was so steep and, instead of snow, I had hot rocks to contend with. Not just hot rocks but slippery hot rocks. The easiest way to do it was to inch my way down, much like when you’re on skis. I tried that, but any small movement would send a cascade of rocks down the mountain taking me with them. The next tactic was to slide down on my backside, but before I could even manage to get in a position to do this, I slid, fell on my arse, and ended up in a heap with five other people.
The way down, Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
We started to laugh, every little movement sending a few more rocks downwards, and us another inch from where we sat. Eventually, we managed to pull ourselves together and made it to the bottom unscathed.
The whole hike was amazing, and the last part of the journey to Ketetahi Road was through a small forest which, compared to the strenuous hiking I had just tackled, was easy. But, I was so intoxicated with joy that I skipped and ran through that forest until I reached the end.
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
The hike had taken around eight hours through a wilderness which had stirred my heart at every turn. Mind you, my body was singing a different tune over the next few days because I ached all over, but it was one of the best days out I’ve ever had.
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
Mount Tongariro, New Zealand
This is one of my tales from my new book which is on the way to being published 😉
On the last round up of what’s happening on the streets of Bangkok, I took relatively few photographs. But here they are. We’ve already said goodbye to 2017 and welcomed 2018 in with open arms!
Happy New Year to you!!
I hope 2018 brings joy and good fortune with everything we do!
The French Embassy is located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and in the grounds of the embassy is the residence of the French ambassador, Gérard Araud. Usually, I only get a glimpse of this charming colonial-style building from the river as the boat surges on by but once a year, in September, the ambassador open his doors to the public as part of the European Heritage Days initiative. This initiative was started in 1984 so everyone could enjoy free visits to various sites in order to appreciate and learn about cultural heritage. It also raises awareness of citizens to the richness and cultural diversity of Europe, in particular.
The ambassador’s home from the outside
The house was built around 1830, and in 1856 it was rented by the customs department to the French trading mission, before being awarded to France by King Rama V in 1875.
Photograph of the original house
There are guided tours available in different languages but the number of people is limited. However, you are free to wander through the house and grounds between 10.00am and 4.00pm. The tour includes lunch which you can enjoy in a seating area on the ground floor of the house.
The spacious back garden
On the day I visited, I just missed a tour and I didn’t want to hang around waiting for the next one, although the lady told me I could go back and join the next one, but I was happy just to mooch around on my own.
So, let’s see what’s inside.
The seating area on the veranda
The reception room
The living room with a few of the ambassador’s collectibles
The dining room
The dining table ready for dinnerThe menu from 1913
Another dining room
The book collection
The Bangkok Times
My favourite, some old photos and newspaper clippings of meetings between two nations
For relaxing
The swimming poolSome more snapshots and knick knacksChill out zone at the back of the house
This garden is amazing and I can just imagine sitting by the river with a glass of wine. I wonder if the ambassador does that? 😉
Fantastic river views
Places like this in Bangkok just amaze me. I hope you enjoyed the tour 🙂
Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I love trees! I love anything to do with nature, but trees are one of nature’s beauties. And what’s not to love about them?
They have many different colours
Mount Lofty, AdelaideMount Lofty, Adelaide
Some grow up from the forest floor, giving the forest diversity
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
Some are weather beaten or their leaves eaten by insects and other animals, so they provide food, not just for the animals, but as they deteriorate they provide nutrients for the forest
Khao Kheow National Park
Khao Kheow National Park
Mount Lofty, Adelaide
Some may have died…
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
…but they still have their place where they once grew
Chonburi Mangrove Nature Reserve, Thailand
Chonburi Mangrove Nature Reserve, Thailand
Some grow together to create a forest of natural columns
Mount Lofty, Adelaide
They create a leafy paradise in parks…
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
.. and on river walks
Along the River Torrens, Adelaide
They grow tall and colossal, like mythological titans
Khao Kheow National Park, ThailandDandenong Ranges, Melbourne
Some of them are ancient and have seen centuries and history unfold in front of them
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Their branches grow like lightening-forks or reaching arms
Khao Kheow National Park, Thailand
Khao Kheow National Park, Thailand
Adelaide Botanical Gardens, Australia
They provide shelter and shade to other living things
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
They stand dignified as we pass by, engrossed in our own thoughts, walking under the arches they have created
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne
There are those trees that grow out of water
Chonburi Mangrove Reserve, Thailand
And those that grow in towns and cities
Bangsaen, Thailand
Lumpini Park, Bangkok
They are fruit bearing
Khao Kheow National Park, Thailand
And they produce leaves of different colours, shapes, and patterns
I recently read a post about beachcombing by Global Housesitter X2 and it reminded me how much I love it. When I went travelling in 2008, wherever I went I would take time to stroll up and down the beach in search of things that had been washed ashore. Beautiful shells, interesting pieces of driftwood or coral, anything that would catch my eye. The only thing was I had to be careful how many things I collected as it was so easy to get carried away and have at least 1kg or more added to my already full case. Even before this, many years ago, I would beachcomb when I was on holiday and I collected hundreds of shells and small stones, all from different countries, all different colours and shapes, which were taken home and placed in a large glass jar.
The beginnings of my new collection
I remember once, my girlfriends and I took a trip to Puerto Banus in Spain and we had spent the day on the beach where I went in search of more treasure, so I could add to my collection at home. I found this pebble, it was big, I’d say about 7-10 inches across, but it was so beautiful, smooth and black, I couldn’t resist it, so in my bag it went. At the end of the holiday we got ready to fly back to the UK and I put the pebble in my hand luggage, not really thinking about it. When my bags were scanned to board the plane, the woman at security asked me to unpack my bag and I remembered my lovely pebble was in there. She wanted me to hand it over. I looked at her, as if to say, “please can I keep it?” but, not saying anything, she gave me a look that said “really?!” Not wanting to be the person that got arrested for having a large, potentially deadly weapon (pebble) in my bag, I, sheepishly, parted with it.
So that particular find never made it home and, when I moved to Thailand, the glass jar, by this time brimming with my beach finds, was handed over to my parents who kept it in their conservatory. I thought it was still there until a few weeks ago when I casually asked my mum if they still had it. “Oh no,” she said, “we had to throw them away because the shells had started to smell.” I couldn’t expect my parents to continuously wash the contents of the jar for me.
The beginnings of my new collection
I know there are more important things in life, but, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. But, not to worry I have the beginnings of a new collection right here in Thailand. And, back home, even my mum and dad have indulged in my treasure finding hobby for themselves, but their little stash never leaves the garden.
