The Changing Seasons post, hosted by Su at Zimmerbitch.
Still in lockdown, we had to find new ways to amuse ourselves and my brother Trev came home with his hair dyed blonde! I didn’t even notice at first! It was a shock, but I thought it suited him.
Hair dye number 1
We took to calling him Slim Shady. Now, will the real one please stand up!
The Real Slim Shady?
Trev then decided he was going to go one step further and dye his hair all the colours of the rainbow, so I ordered some hair dye. This is how it turned out. Rocking the rainbow bro, and his tribute to the NHS. Thank god it was temporary and washed out!
Hair dye number 2
The rest of May was all about the memories.
2008 saw me in Sydney where I spent the most amazing day at Circular Quay with one of my besties – Trudy.
Sydney with Trudy
Back in 2010, I was in Thailand and I caught up with my good friends Doyle and Mel on Koh Tao as they travelled around the country.
Koh Tao with Doyle and Mel
In May 2014, Chris and I were out in Bangkok and we met Jesse for the first time at the bar. We ordered food from one of the best Indian restaurants in Bangkok, sadly no longer there, and our new friend paid the bill.
In 2017, Chris and I went to a favourite hang out – Soi Nana – and had a few drinks in 23 Bar & Gallery, Cho Why and Wallflowers.
In Chiang Rai, I took a trip to the White Temple. I wasn’t sure how to get there because I was in the middle of nowhere and I hadn’t seen any people, let alone taxis. But, I needn’t have worried because the lovely Son, the owner of the homestay, called her driver to take me there.
I imagined the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) to be located in a forest setting, far from any towns or cities, so I was surprised to find it was a long way from any forest. After driving for around 20 or 30 minutes, we came to a crossroads with rows of shops on either side and on the opposite side – the White Temple. Not exactly, how I imagined it. Still, it was one of the most beautiful temples I’d ever seen.
Wat Rong Khun was built by Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997 as an offering to Buddha. He says, “Only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop my project. I believe the work will give me immortal life.” The construction work continues and it should be completed by 2070 – a lifetime’s work!
It’s very unique with a white exterior which represents spirituality rather than being focused on material things.
Every inch of the temple is covered in fragments of mirrored glass which make it dazzle in the sunlight.
On either side, there are reaching arms of those who were tempted by desires in life. The idea is that if you can cross the bridge (go through life) and forego these desires, you will achieve happiness.
At the other side of the bridge, you will come to the “Gate of Heaven” guarded by statues of Death and Rahu.
In front of the main temple, there are more interesting statues as well as other intricate architectural features.
You’re not allowed to take photos inside the temple, but the decor changes. Instead of images from Buddhist mythology, you are now faced with demons and images from the current era. Characters from famous films and modern-day idols like Michael Jackson. It’s all very strange and not something you see every day in a Thai temple.
In the temple grounds, there are other buildings.
All of the buildings in the complex are white apart from this golden one which houses the rest rooms. The gold colour symbolises the body.
There are other interesting things that may catch your eye.
It’s also a place for people to make merit and remember lost souls.
To make a wish.
To enjoy the nature.
Or to take a break in the shade.
If you are ever in Chiang Rai, go and experience the White Temple for yourselves. It really is a beauty!
I had a couple of more things on my itinerary. I took a taxi to town and had lunch right next to Chiang Rai’s clock tower – constructed by Chalermchai Kositpipat again!
My final destination was Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong.
As this temple is at the highest point of the city, you’ll get lovely views from up there.
I got back to the homestay and had an another relaxing evening, my only company were the insects who had come out for the night. After my day exploring, it was soothing to listen to their sounds in the dark night. It made such a wonderful change, my usual night time sounds were the beeping horns on the busy Bangkok roads.
In June 2018, I spent a wonderful 4 days in the north of Thailand, I went to Chiang Rai.
I’d wanted to go to Chiang Rai for ages, not only to visit the White Temple, but also to see Phu Chi Fah (the Sea of Mist.) I later realised that I was going at the wrong time of year to see the mist, the best time is around February. So, apart from the White Temple, there wasn’t much else I planned to do. For this reason, I wondered whether it would be best to stay in the town or somewhere in the countryside. In the end, I chose to stay at Ban Lom Jen Homestay which is about 12 kilometres outside of the city.
It was the best decision I could have made. I found myself in such beautiful surroundings.
With not a soul in sight.
When I arrived, the owner, Son, greeted me and showed me to my room. She told me that this was the first day of the season and I was the only guest. Could this day get any better?
I dumped my bags and took a short walk to explore my surroundings.
The Kok River was nearby, so I walked along the path taking in the beauty of the place. It was so peaceful.
To add to the serenity, this huge, white Buddha statue was a lovely sight.
The lovely colours of the countryside – all different shades of greens and browns.
This was my first time in Chiang Rai and I was amazed at how beautiful it was – and I hadn’t gone any further than across the road from my accommodation. I couldn’t wait to see more. I returned to my room and ate satay chicken and drank a couple of bottles of Singha beer. After dinner, I sat outside and wrote for a while before picking up my book. It was so peaceful sitting there as day turned to night. All I could hear was the sounds of the insects. It was a really good start to my trip.
I was so taken aback at just how stunning Chiang Rai was, it inspired me to write a couple of posts about what I saw.
As you may have gathered, I am quite the culture vulture and when I lived in Bangkok, I used to go in search of it. My favourite place to go was the Bangkok Art & Cultural Centre or BACC.
I used to love the art and photographic exhibitions that were held there and just before I left Bangkok, in 2018, I took one last trip there.
On this particular day, I’d gone to see an art exhibition by Oleg Shuplyak called Imaginarium – check out his amazing paintings in the following posts..
Whatever exhibition was on, I loved wandering around the BACC looking at all the photos and paintings, but I also loved people watching. Lots of people, like me, went there to enjoy all the different types of creations.
There are 9 floors in the BACC, each with something different to see. It could be the main exhibit or other art and photography offerings on display.
There are also resident artists who have a space to work on pottery or painting.
And then there was me, watching, learning and absorbing everything around me.
I have written about my previous visits to the BACC and when I return to Bangkok on holiday, this will be one of the first places I visit.
One of the best places to visit in Bangkok is the Ancient City or Muang Boran Museum.
Muang Boran – The Ancient City
Muang Boran is the brainchild of architect Lek Viriyaphant (1914-2000) who wanted to create a space where people can learn about Thailand’s past as well as keeping the culture of Thailand alive.
The Old Market Town
Lek started his project in 1963 by building replicas of important structures that once existed in different parts of Thailand. There were some places that had been reduced to ruins, so Lek transported these ruins to the site of the Ancient City and used them in the construction process.
Prasat Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear) Sisaket
The park is in the shape of Thailand and it is home to beautiful temples, palaces and statues galore from the Northern Region..
The year was 2015 and I’d been living in Bangkok for a few months. I used to love wandering around the city taking photos and writing about what I’d done.
I was doing some research to find out if there were any castles in Thailand when I came across a map, produced by the European Union National Institutes for Culture in Thailand (EUNIC), that had information on European heritage. I started reading and decided that I was going to start my own little project for Talkingthailand.
I made a list of the places I wanted to find and started to explore the city. I was really interested in the history behind them. I also love walking, so I thought it would be a good idea if I could combine both of these things and create a book so people could learn about the history and go in search of these places for themselves.
As someone who loves taking photographs, I always wanted to hold my own photo exhibition and my idea was that I could exhibit photos from my book.
I already knew of just the place. Dialogue Coffee and Gallery – a small Indie cafe on Phra Sumen Road. I knew the owner, Narin, because I had already reached out to him to have a copy of my book on show. Narin told me that anyone could display their work in the art and exhibition space upstairs. Anyone, who wasn’t well-known that is – enter me!
On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage
After discussing the details, the date was set. I was really happy, but soon realised I had less than a month to sort everything out. At least this gave me a kick up the butt to get on and do it!
There are 47 places of interest that feature in my book and I knew the gallery space at Dialogue was too small to hold them all. The first thing I did with my faithful assistant, Chris, was to go back to Dialogue to measure the space. I’d already bought some frames, so I knew how big the photos would be. We returned to Chris’ house and replicated the space with a tape measure and books to try and work out the spacing between the frames. Once we had finished our makeshift gallery, I knew I had room for 11 photos, so I bought the rest of the frames.
The next thing I had to do was get the photos printed as 20×30 inch prints. This was easy as there was a photo shop near my home who did an excellent job. I also had postcards and bookmarks printed for sale. Other items such as a price list and information cards for each photo were created by me and printed at home.
A few days before the exhibition opening night, Chris and I transported the 11 framed photos and other items over to Dialogue to set up. Much to our pleasant surprise, our dry run in Chris’ living room proved to have been worthwhile. The photos were hung in the places we’d planned!
It took more or less the whole day to hang the photos in their designated spaces, to lay out all the postcards and bookmarks for sale, and to make sure the space was as perfect as we could get it!
A few days later, we returned to Dialogue all suited and booted for the opening night!
About me
We arrived, had one final check to make sure everything was in its place (and the photos hadn’t fallen down), started the music up from Chris’ laptop, and waited for my guests to arrive.
On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage Exhibition
I’d already invited people I knew, so at least I would have a few people there. To my surprise a few folks came who had just popped into the cafe and realised there was an exhibition going on.
Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
I even managed to sell a photo and a couple of books. So, all in all, a very successful evening.
My exhibition ran from 3 – 25 November 2017 and all too soon it was time to return to Dialogue to take down the photos.
I am immensely proud that one of the things I wanted to do had become a reality. It was a great experience and one where I got to put skills to use such as creativity, organisation, and collaboration. I couldn’t have done it alone though and, thankfully, I had my trusty assistant, Chris, to help every step of the way!
The photos that made the cut..
Ananta Samakhon Throne Hall
Chinese Clock Tower
East India Company Offices
Democracy Monument
King Rama V Statue
Memorial Bridge
Ministry of Defence
Santa Cruz Church
Wat Benjamabophit
Wat Ratchathiwas
And, just for fun, the videos we recorded of me trying my hardest to explain what my exhibition was about!
Here are more photos of European Heritage in Bangkok:
2018 is a distant memory and it’s over 1 year ago since I left my beloved Bangkok. So, it’s time for a little reminiscing. I hope you enjoy my tales of 2018!
January
I started the year in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka with my friend, Mark. We had a great time partying, exploring and, the best thing, releasing baby turtles into the sea.
Baby turtles starting their journey in life
Once back home in Bangkok, I met up with Chris for a few welcome home drinks.
Welcome home drinks. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Chris and I also went to the Chinatown Fair on Soi Nana – a favourite haunt of ours. Alleyways filled with stalls selling clothes, bric-a-brac, and food. People everywhere, music playing – it’s a great atmosphere.
Chinatown Fair 2018 – Soi NaNa. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
I went to W District with my friends from work – Nigel, Alexis and Steve. We had some food, we had some drinks and we had good chats and, if my memory is correct, I do believe I got rather drunk and had to leave.
February
Chris and I regularly met up on Sundays to enjoy a few drinks – which we fondly named – The Sunday Sessions.
Sunday Sessions. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
My photo exhibition – On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage – was held at 23 Bar & Gallery. My friends and I had a fabulous time at the opening night. The setting up was fun too. Chris & I arrived, set up the exhibition in all of an hour and spent the rest of the afternoon drinking free beers and eating free pizza – courtesy of the owner of the bar!
On The Trail of Bangkok’s European Heritage by Gill Morris
Chris features a lot during my time in Bangkok and, throughout my last year living there, we enjoyed many nights together. We ventured to Cheap Charlies – a quirky little bar which used to be on Soi 11, but had made the move further out of town to Soi 50.
Cheap Charlies Bar. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
We had a pyjama party at Chris’ house one day. We had pizza, drank a lot and watched Netflix. It was a lot of fun.
Pyjama Party. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
March
Chris declared one of our Sunday Sessions was in honour of the snow in the UK! (I knew I liked him for a reason – he’s crazy (in a good way)).
Snow Day Margheritas. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
We had many a funny night at Zinc 101 – a bar on Soi 101/1. Pizza again – and this one is called the Gary Pizza?!?!? Delivered from the restaurant up the road! On Fridays at Zinc 101 they had Pressure Hour. Between 7.00pm and 8.00pm the toilets were barred, so no one could go. The price of drinks was reduced and they remained so for that hour. Unless, that is, someone had to relieve themselves. If they did, the cheap drinks stopped for everyone! Pressure or what?
Zinc 101 – Gary Pizza. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
And Devilish Chews & Brews where the wines were large and we got fed for free sometimes. Sunday night cocktail catch-up: this was meant to be a quick, non-heavy session with just the one Bramble or Radler. Then it turned out a Long Island Iced Tea was just about the only thing on the cocktail menu that wasn’t sold out – there went the responsible plan, then! (Chris’ words) Hee hee! 😉
Devilish Chews & Brews. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
April
Over on Sathorn Soi 12, another of our favs – Le Cafe des Stagiaires – where we spent lots of time too. As you can probably tell, most of our jaunts involved alcohol! We loved this place because you could sit on the street under a canopy of trees. It felt like you could be anywhere in the world. We loved the Ceviche and the happy hours!
Le Cafe des Stagiaires. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
I went to Italy to meet my mum and dad. We had such a great time together. We went to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican City. We drank and ate in some lovely restaurants, walked for miles and, the best thing, we enjoyed each other’s company for the few days we were there.
St Peter’s Basilica, Rome
Chris and I used to go to the same bars and restaurants. I am a creature of habit and when I find somewhere I like, I always return because I know the food and drinks are good. Chris was always saying that we should go somewhere new, so when I got back from Italy, we found ourselves in Escape at Emquartier Mall. The drinks were overpriced, but we had a fun night as always.
Escape, Bangkok
May
Another Sunday Session and this time, we got a tad inebriated and after a margarita, pisco sour, and gin sour, and before a Pimm’s we ended up booking a day trip to Krabi! Just for lunch! It was ridiculously cheap – 20 quid return! It was one of the most spontaneous things we’d ever done, so we celebrated by pouring ourselves another large drink!
Sunday Sessions (number 18!). Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
A fabulous meal at Eats Payao over on Yenakart Road. The most delicious Khao Soi and the best Thai food I have ever had. Followed by a few drinks at nearby rooftop bar – Cactus.
Eats Payao & Cactus. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
June
We enjoyed the food and drinks at Eats Payao and Cactus so much that we went there again 2 days later.
Eats Payao. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
July
Sometimes, we’d go to 101/1 and eat on the street – Pad Krapow Moo (Pork and rice) washed down with a few cool beers.
Soi 101/1 for Pad Krapow Moo. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Other times, we’d venture further away from home and go to W District – a night market with lots of different restaurants, food stalls and bars surrounding the seating area. This time, we had a Vietnamese dish called Banh Mi which is a baguette filled wth veg, meat and coriander. It doesn’t look that nice but, trust me, it is delicious.
Banh Mi @ W District. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
We went back to Zinc 101 with one of my work colleagues – Cherry.
Zinc 101 with Cherry. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
I met up with 2 friends from the Czech Republic – Lucie and Stefan. I met them in Cambodia on a TEFL course in 2009. We have been friends ever since. We had a lovely lunch together on Soi Rambuttri.
Meeting up with friends
Chris and I took our day trip to Krabi – for lunch! We flew there early in the morning, ate and drank our way through the day until it was time to fly back in the evening. We had “one for the road” back at Devilish to have a debrief about our fun and fabulous day. This was one of the best days I ever had whilst living in Thailand.
Day trip to Krabi – for lunch
One of our favourite pastimes was eating, cheaply, on the street. Back on Soi 101/1, we stopped for noodles – all of 35 baht (86p). There is just something about eating on a busy, noisy road. You can’t hear each other speaking sometimes, but it’s a small part of what makes Bangkok, Bangkok!
Streetside noodles. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Back at Zinc 101 on Soi 101/1. Once we had been to this bar once, it quickly became our local go to place. We went there so much, we didn’t even have to ask for our drinks because the bar staff knew what we both drank!
Zinc 101 again. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
August
Some more new places! We had planned to go to Le Cafe des Stagiaires again, but it was closed! It never closed, so we were more than disappointed. Instead, we went to Di Farina, Charm Eatery and Smalls all located in Sathorn. Our nights out were always full of fun and laughter wherever we ended up. And I think this was the night when I left Chris to his own devices. After necking 11 (different) drinks, he (we) were more than a little merry, but he didn’t want to go home!
A night of new places. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
September
I met up with Mark and Chris at Monsoon – another of my favourite restaurants. I tried oysters for the first and last time. I didn’t like them at all. At least I tried!
Oysters at Monsoon. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Invariably, during the rainy seasons, Chris and I would be out and we’d get caught in the torrential rain, so we’d have to stay in the bar! (That was our excuse and we were sticking to it!)
Sheltering from the rain. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
Another night out, another new place on Udomsuk Road – ศาสตร์ สุรา (translated as alcoholics 🙂 ). Jokingly, I was always saying to Chris how much better Udomsuk was than 101/1 because everytime I went home on a bike, it was buzzing with noise and laughter coming from the bars and restaurants. When we arrived, it was closed, so we had a beer in a place on the opposite side of the road until it opened. We had a few beers there before scuttling back to 101/1.
ศาสตร์ สุรา. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
October
I went to the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre to attend an art exhibition called Imaginarium by Oleg Shuplyak. His paintings are fabulous – paintings within paintings. What looks like an eye or a mouth turns out to be a bird or a house or a person! It’s just fabulous!
Imaginarium by Oleg Shuplyak
November
Although I had a regular teaching job at AUA, I sometimes got extra classes and I had been going to Nestle for a few months. November was the time when I had to say goodbye to my students at Nestle. I loved going there twice a week and teaching them English. It was such a pleasure to help them learn the language and I was genuinely sad when I had to leave them.
Teaching English @ Nestle. Photo Credit: Soraya Boonsangsawang
Chris and I took several trips around the city to revisit them one last time together. We took a trip to Banglamphu by boat on the Saen Saeb Canal..
Canal trip along the Saen Saeb Canal. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
We went to Santi, an Indian restaurant on Soi Rambuttri..
Santi Indian Restaurant. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
We had drinks at Korbua – a lovely little canal-side restaurant which I’d found a few weeks earlier..
Korbua
A wander round the streets of Banglamphu trying to locate a Buddha statue..
Searching for the Buddha
A quick beer in Phra Nakhon Bar & Gallery with some cool views..
Phra Nakhon Bar & Gallery with views of Wat Saket
And ended the day in Superflow on Khao San Road. We had such a fabulous day together and we walked over 17,000 steps revisiting some of our favourite places and going to some new ones too.
Superflow. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
December
This was the month I left Bangkok for good. Although I was sad to be leaving, I was determined there would be no tears and that my last month would be full of laughter and joy. I had a leaving do with work at Monsoon. When the time came, it was horrible to say goodbye to the people who were my colleagues but had also become my friends.
Work leaving do @ Monsoon
We went to Silom Soi 4 for one last time. There are lots of gay bars and clubs in Silom, but our favourites were Balcony, Telephone and Stranger. Over the years, we had many a funny and drunken night in all 3 places.
I said goodbye (again) to Patrick and Andrew, my friends at Devilish.
And final goodbyes (several times over) with my Chris…Back at Zinc 101, much to the surprise of Furn, one of the staff we had befriended. We had told her a couple of times that we wouldn’t be back, but we had to – just one last time.
Chris, Furn & Me @ Zinc 101 – one last time. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
The final farewell was the day before I left and it was the one I was dreading the most – saying goodbye to Chris. We spent as much time as possible together as my departure day grew nearer. I had butterflies in my tummy for weeks before, and as the time went on those butterflies turned to a feeling of dread – dread that I was leaving Bangkok and everything I love about the place, and dread because I would be leaving my friend – I (we) felt sick! I went round to Chris’ house and we managed not to cry. Instead we laughed and joked as usual and he presented me with a parting gift. A cocktail shaker, in memory of the hundreds of drinks that we had enjoyed at this house, a box full of little mementos of our times together, and a card with a few heartfelt words.
Our last day together. Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
It was heartbreaking to leave Bangkok and I still think about it and miss it every single day. Even now, some days I wonder why I left, but I hope to return there for a holiday at some point. In any case, I am on a new journey and who knows where I will end up!
I spent the last few days of 2018 in my second favourite country – Sri Lanka. Back in Hikkaduwa, I met up with friends, ate delicious Sri Lankan curry, and explored some more.
Hikkaduwa – a wonderful place to do whatever you want
Writing this has put me in a melancholic mood, but I wouldn’t be without these fabulous memories. 2018 was a blast and I am grateful and happy that I got to share these wonderful times with all the incredible people that I have in my life!
When you think of Blackpool, it might conjure up images of a busy seaside resort with plenty of people enjoying their time there. Whether that’s at the Pleasure Beach or having fun in the amusement arcades – it’s a busy place.
But, on a chilly May day last year, I found a more serene town with a whole heap of photographic subjects.
There were gulls in the sea water pools chilling..
Or flying down to take a seat..
Or pondering its next move..
There were people walking, going about their day..
There were empty beaches..
And piers..
North Pier
Close up
Blackpool’s iconic tower..
Blackpool Tower
And, finally, the Comedy Carpet – one of the largest pieces of art in the UK..
Comedy Carpet
I hope you enjoyed these images of a very serene Blackpool town 🙂
