Let’s face it, there are plenty of things you can do to have fun. You can go to a concert, go on holiday, go shopping or arrange a party for friends, but everything is so expensive these days. The cost shouldn’t stop you in your quest to have fun, but if most of your salary is spent on bills what can you do? It’s important to have fun though. Having fun makes your life that much happier and more memorable, so don’t worry about a thing, here are 9 ways to have fun without spending money.
Draw a
picture
There are
endless subject materials in the world around us, you don’t even have to leave
the comfort of your home in order to draw. Grab a pencil and paper, look around
for something interesting and create your own drawing. It doesn’t matter if
your artistry skills aren’t up to scratch, the fun is in creating your own
masterpiece.
My Art
Write
Ever wanted
to put pen to paper and write something? Do it! Write about what you’ve done
that day, write about a favourite book or movie or simply write down your
thoughts. Start a blog and really get those creative juices flowing. You never
know, it might be something that you continue with and make it part of your
life.
Write something
Go for a walk
in the park
Leave the car at home and take a walk around your local park. Not only is it good exercise, but the sheer joy of walking, surrounded by trees and ponds, as you listen to the chirping birds and watch the squirrels scampering around is one of the simplest pleasures in life. And it’s completely free. Being outside in the fresh air makes you feel better too.
Beautiful nature – right on your doorstep
Bird
watching
This might not be an obvious choice, but bird-watching is another way to make the most of the great outdoors and have fun at the same time. You don’t have to go far, birds are everywhere! Remember to take your camera because half the fun is taking a photograph, but the other half is finding your subjects!
Backyard birds
Photography
challenge
Get out and about with your camera. You don’t have to have the latest model, you’re phone will do. Set yourself a challenge for the day and go out and see what you can find. Look for the small details, choose a colour or photograph one subject in different places, like doors or windows. It’s amazing what your eyes can see when you really open them and take in your surroundings.
Photographing the details
Listen to
music
Listen to
your favourite music and play tunes that you haven’t heard before – the shuffle
option on your playlist is good for that. Music has a way of lifting our
spirits, so kick off your shoes and dance around your living room like no one
is watching. As the song goes – the best things in life are free!
Listen to music – Source: Max Pixel
Learn
something new
Ever wanted to learn something new? A language? History? Philosophy? Learning doesn’t cost a penny, not if you take advantage of the wealth of information on the internet. It’s all right there at your fingertips and it’s free, so choose a subject and educate yourself. Not only will you develop your own knowledge, but you’ll be exercising your brain too!
Learning is fun – Source: Pixabay
Go on a
walking tour of your hometown
There’s no better way to learn about your hometown than to walk around it. When you go abroad, you’re a tourist and you spend time learning about your destination and taking lots of photographs, so why not do this in your own back yard and discover something you didn’t know.
Walking tour of your hometown
Do some
exercise
Exercise makes us feel good, but all that sweating and hard work might seem far from fun. To combat this, try hula-hoop dancing, belly-dancing or some other exercise that is upbeat and makes you smile. It feels a lot less like exercise, but it’s still great for your body and mind.
Preparing for big changes, especially if you know they’re coming takes some planning – not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. My big change was leaving Thailand for a new life in Spain, so here’s how I prepared for it.
Change is good
We all know change is good for us, but when it comes down to it, it’s sometimes easier to remain in our comfort zones. That warm place where everything is hunky dory, you’re having a ball and living your life happily. Why upset the apple cart when it’s like this? For me, change is a challenge and something that will give me new opportunities to help me develop and grow into the best version of myself.
Delapre Park, Northampton – Summer
Delapre Park, Northampton – Winter
That’s why I decided to leave my Thai life for a new life in Spain. It hasn’t quite worked out how I planned and I find myself back in my hometown but everything happens for the best, for a reason – right?
What it’s all about
Get out of your comfort zone and make some changes, particularly if you’re not happy with your current situation
If it doesn’t work, take a step sideways to reassess before you make your first move
Decide if this is what you want
I finally made the decision to leave my home in Bangkok. It’s a decision that didn’t come easy, Thailand was my home for almost 10 years and I honestly thought I’d stay there forever. I was vocal about this move a year before I left and I told my family and closest friends that I was planning on leaving, but I had to be sure that it was what I wanted.
It was a massive step for me, I never thought I would hear myself actually say that I wanted to leave, but I want to be closer to my family and friends and to be able to see them more regularly. Although everyone loves me being close and I love seeing them, I could not have moved just for this reason. I simply have to follow my own path. It’s my life and I intend to live it the way I want, so I’m happy. Life is far too short to be anything else.
Follow your own path in life
What it’s all about
Make
sure it’s what YOU want. It’s your life and you must do what makes YOU happy
Save money
For me, this was an obvious must-do when I was planning to leave Thailand. There were flights to book, things to ship home, hotels to book, and the list goes on. I frantically saved my money for almost a year before I left, so when I arrived in Spain, I could take time to explore before starting work again.
Save your cash
Living in Thailand, it’s a lot cheaper to live, so saving money each month was easier for me, but wherever you are there are ways to put aside money for your bigger plans. And that’s the key thing. If you’re planning a big move that should be bigger and more important than buying clothes, going out all the time or whatever else you spend money on. Work out how much money you realistically need to survive each month and as soon as you get paid, put the rest away and don’t be tempted to spend it. If you do, ask yourself, do you really need the thing you are about to buy? Probably not! Plus, another advantage from saving is that if anything unexpected happens, you’ll have money in your bank to deal with it.
What it’s all about
Think
of your end goal and imagine your new life
Make a pros and cons list
If you’re like me, you’ll love making lists. I have to-do lists, shopping lists, lists of blog posts I’m going to write about – I just love a good list. There weren’t any exceptions before I moved countries – I made a pros and cons list.
Pros and cons list
These kind
of lists are great if you’re unsure about something. They help you focus and to
see whether you have more things in favour of your decision or more things
against.
Some of my
pros:
New
start
New
places/country to explore
New
job
New
people
Closer
to friends and family
Good
weather (pleasant days rather than profusely sweating from the humidity)
Some of my
cons:
More
expensive
No
Chris ( a really good friend of mine who I’ll miss terribly because for the
past 4 years he has been such an influence and a big part of my life)
The
unknown (also exciting)
No
job
If your cons list is bigger than your pros list, then it may be wise to rethink your decision (or add a few more pros) 😉
What it’s all about
Think
about your decision by making a pros and cons list. It may help to make things
clearer – either way
Do your research
Unless you’re returning to your home country, it really does pay to do some research about your new destination, even if you’re just going on holiday it’s good to know about what you can see and do in a country.
But, moving
to a new country requires more research into things like the cost of living, accommodation,
visa requirements, schools, career prospects etc.
Do your research
I decided I
was moving to Spain, but I’d only been to Marbella and Ibiza before, so I
really didn’t know which region I was going to go to. I found Valencia and the
more I read about it I realised that this might be the place for me. For one, it’s still very Spanish,
unlike its more touristy neighbours of Barcelona and Alicante. There are
hundreds of museums, art exhibitions, and an impressive arts and science
centre. There’s an old river bed that runs through the centre of the city which
has been turned in a park, and there are miles of coastline with stunning
beaches. Plus, hiking and skiing in the mountains, natural swimming pools and
an efficient metro system to get around. Sounds idyllic, right?
It was! Valencia is a beautiful country and I can still see myself living there, but knowing what I know now, I probably should have gone and did my research there. Yes, I looked into accommodation before I got there, but it wasn’t until I was in the city that I found out it was much more difficult to find somewhere to live.
Valencia
I also
found out that hardly anyone speaks English which only added to my stress levels
when I was there. I learned a few words of Spanish, but not to the level that I
needed it. The fact that people don’t speak English usually presents itself as
an exciting challenge for me, but I guess this time it was just too much on top
of the emotional strain of moving to a new country.
Learn the language
What it’s all about
Do
extensive research about the ins and outs of your chosen destination
Learn
the language to ease you into the way of life
Have a plan B (and C and D)
Planning is
good, it helps us to prepare or look forward to things. However, it’s all very
well having a plan in the first place, but what if something unforeseen happens
and your plans go out of the window?
I’ve always
been a planner! Whether that’s planning a holiday, something to do at the
weekend, or moving countries – I simply love planning.
I planned to leave Thailand at the end of last year and I planned to make a new life in Spain. I left Thailand, as planned, 🙂 spent 10 days in Hikkaduwa, 10 days in the UK, and I was soon on my merry way to Valencia.
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
I stayed at
a hotel for a week and I hoped that I would find an apartment within that time.
I didn’t! Because I don’t have income in Spain, the landlords were asking for a
lot of money up front, so I came back to the UK to reassess things and rethink
my next move.
However, even before I arrived in Valencia, there was something else that prompted me to make a plan B – BREXIT! Who knows what will happen with that, I think even the people in charge are clueless! In any case, when the UK leaves the EU next month maybe I (and countless others) won’t be able to live in Europe as easy as we can now. I prefer to remain positive and think that not much will change, but let’s see!
Be positive
So, my plan
B was (is) to live in the UK and make my base here. Then, if I work remotely I
can still travel to other countries to visit and/or work from time to time.
What it’s all about
Always
make a plan B, C…… in case your first plan doesn’t work out the way you thought
it would
Keep
a positive mind that everything will work out just fine – it’s worked for me on
several occasions in the past
Pack well in advance
I’ve had a lot of practice with packing. I’ve done it several times – I went travelling for 10 months, I left for a life in Thailand, I left Thailand to return to the UK for 2 years, I returned to Thailand, and more recently, I left Thailand for a life in Spain. Surprisingly, I find packing for short holidays more difficult that full-on “moving to another country” packing!
But, each
time, I started packing well in advance of my departure date. It was stressful
enough making all these moves, so the earlier you start to pack the less
stressed you will feel with this part of the process.
Pack well in advance
It’s not
just about packing your suitcase (s). It’s also about getting rid of all the
stuff you accumulate and it’s astonishing how much of it you actually collect!
Of course, it’s a joy to put roots down in your chosen home, but when it comes
to leaving, you can’t take it all with you however much you want to. So, you
have to be as ruthless as you can – a skill I have honed over the years.
When I
started packing up for my departure from Thailand, I began with throwing things
away as I moved about my apartment – little things like jewellery, clothes, and
things in my drawers that hadn’t seen the light of day since I put them in
there. The bigger things took a bit more thought and planning.
I wasn’t getting rid of my books this time! I’ve done this before and I regretted it. I love my books and I’d built up a small collection since I’d arrived back in Thailand in 2014. So, my ruthlessness waned somewhat! I wondered how I was going to take them with me, especially with the restricting weight allowance that airlines give you. A friend told me about Send My Bag – a worldwide luggage shipping service. Their website is easy to use and you can find out up front how much it is going to cost to transport your stuff between countries. I shipped 2 boxes full weighing around 22 kg each filled with my prized possessions. It cost much less than if I’d sent them through the postal service and my boxes arrived home within 3 days!
My prized possessions
Then there were my clothes. It was easier to be merciless and I happily chucked away items that I hadn’t worn in a long time, those that didn’t fit anymore, or simply because many were not suitable for the European weather. I found a second hand shop in Bangkok that takes old clothing and recreates them into unique products. This provides employment opportunities for the people who live in the slums of Bangkok and financial help to the second hand shop.
Book bags
Pencil cases
Toy elephants
What it’s all about
Start
packing with plenty of time to spare
Use
Send my bag for cheaper shipping costs
Find
a local charity shop to donate old clothing items
The little
things
When you’re moving to a new country, you need to take care of the little things too.
To do checklist
All the planning and preparation to leave Thailand served me well. Now, I’m in the throes of preparing for my next move! 🙂
What measures have you taken to prepare for a big move in your life?
Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2019 will bring joy, happiness, and new adventures!
I arrived back in the UK in time for New Year and saw the beginning of 2019 at my brother and sister-in-law’s party with a family and a few of their friends. It was fun, although I was in bed not long after the clock struck midnight – those damn whisky shots!
After a few more nights in my hometown, I arrived in Valencia full of hope and excitement. This was to be my new home!
I have never been to Valencia before, but the more I read about it – it seemed to be right up my alley. Lots of art and culture and plenty more to explore!
El Micalet, Valencia
I had given myself a week – thinking back, that was a little overambitious – but a week it was and I wanted to find a place in that time, so I could start my new life.
I found a place, a lovely triplex in Malvarrosa – close to the beach – and it was with excitement I told the guy I’d take it. However, his agent told him to ask me for 11 months rent (7,150 EUR) upfront because I didn’t have income in Spain. That was the end of that!
Malvarrosa, Valencia
Then, I found another agent who took me to look at more apartments, but, again, one wanted 6 months deposit, plus his fee, plus 1 month’s (bail) payment – making a grand total of 6,000 EUR. I told him I didn’t have that much money, so forgot about that!
I found out that it is illegal to ask for any more than 2/3 months as a deposit, but there has been an influx of people renting apartments in Valencia and not paying their rent, so many of the landlords are asking for these ridiculous amounts up front. I get it – they are only trying to protect their properties etc., but who has that kind of money to pay up front!? I don’t!
I was only in Valencia for 2 weeks, and for most of that I was stressed, upset, and very frustrated. There were tears, on several occasions. I was sleeping for 12 hours a day, comfort eating, and not doing any exercise!
So, I made the decision to go back to my hometown to reassess and get more money behind me. If I’d stayed in Spain, I would be penniless, not to mention, fat!
My bottom line was “what the hell have I just done – why did I leave Bangkok?”
Even the language was a problem – not many people speak English in Valencia. I was glad that my friend was there because I found it all very intimidating – believe it or not, more people speak English in Bangkok! I’m not shying away from learning Spanish, far from it, and that’s another thing on my list of things to do back home!
I spent the last few days in Valencia getting to know the city. My friend and I went to the City of Arts and Sciences. A stunning complex with several futuristic-type buildings, dedicated to the arts and sciences. (I will write about this at some point)
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia
I took a stroll around El Carmen, whose small lanes and alleyways are adorned with street art. It was great to just wander and see what I came across.
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
Street Art, El Carmen, Valencia
On the way to meet my friend, I came across Torres de Serranos – one of Valencia’s old gateways. I climbed the steps for some awesome views.
Views from Torres de Serranos, Valencia
Views from Torres de Serranos, Valencia
Views from Torres de Serranos, Valencia
I really enjoyed Valencia, apart from all the stress, and it’s a place I can see myself living. I’ve simply taken a sideways step to get me back on track.
Plaça de l’Almoina, Valencia
River Turia, Valencia
I’ve given myself 6 months to get back to where I was! And, if my motto is correct I shouldn’t have any problems!
Everything works out OK in the end! 🙂
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
December was a major life changing month. I left Thailand forever! It’s a decision I made over a year ago, and the time finally came when I would pack up my life, into 2 boxes and 2 suitcases, and leave my home for the past 10 years.
I spent the month packing, visiting old places, and spending time with my BFF, Chris. I said goodbye to my work mates and friends who have crept into my life over the years – and that was tough enough, but it was saying goodbye to Chris that was the most heart-wrenching.
Me and 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!
It’s not like I am never going to see him again, he’s leaving too, and I’ll see him in Europe before long, but we spent so much time together, he really was (is) a big part of my life.
We managed not to cry as we said our goodbyes, I wanted our last few days to be full of joy and happy memories. But, there were tears and I knew exactly the point I would start crying – when I was on the plane taking off!
As we sped down the runway, I was pressed up against the window, tears rolling down my face as I watched Bangkok disappear from view. Once I couldn’t see it anymore, the feeling of dread I’d had in the pit of my stomach disappeared and I started to look forward to my new life.
I spent the next 10 days in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka where I passed the time working (yes, I am a fully fledged full time writer now!), lazing on the beach and enjoying the most delectable Sri Lankan curry (5 times in the space of 10 days!)
Sri Lankan Curry
Then, I flew to the UK for the next 10 days and spent time with my nearest and dearest before flying to Valencia where I planned to set up a new home and get on with the next chapter of my life!
That was the plan at least, but that’s another story!
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
I started the month of November with a friend of mine who was in town for a few days and it just happened to be my week off.
We had a fabulous time together and we went to some really nice restaurants and bars in the evenings. Places that I never usually go to – so it was a real treat.
Views from Vertigo and Moon Bar, Bangkok
I also took a trip to Muang Boran – or Ancient City– somewhere I have been meaning to go for ages. The park is shaped like Thailand and covers some 200 acres. It’s full of monuments and temples from every corner of the country. It’s too big to walk around, so I hired a golf buggy which was fun! I still never made it all the way round, but I saw a lot!
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
The park is full of trees, plants, lakes, decorative bridges, and statues of everything imaginable. Some of the structures no longer exist in Thailand, so this place acts like an open-air museum of things that once were. It’s a really fabulous day out!
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
The best part was a temple at the top of some stairs which gave splendid views across the park and Bangkok.
Muang Boran (Ancient City) Bangkok
In other news, one of my favourite restaurants is returning. Hemingways was my go-to place to have lunch and enjoy their all day happy hour! Sadly, it was replaced with a sterile looking hotel that nobody cares about – except those money grabbers! Anyway, it’s re-opening, but I no longer live in Bangkok, so I’ll just have to wait until I go back for a holiday! It looks like they are trying to re-create it as it was before.
A work in progress
How it will look in January 2019! Source: Hemingways
I entered Exodus’ 7 world wonders competition. I had to choose 7 places from a list of given destinations and whoever wins gets to go to these places – 1 every year over a 7 year period! Here’s hoping!
Exodus’ 7 World Wonders Competition
My favourite building in Bangkok – Mahanakhon finally opened their observation deck on floors 74-77. I planned to go there before I left, but I didn’t have time, so another thing to add to my list when I return!
Mahanakhon, Bangkok
My friend Chris and I took a final day out in Banglamphu. To get there, we took the boat along the Saen Saeb canal all the way from Bangkapi to Pathumwan. We got a taxi the rest of the way and once in Banglamphu we walked over 11 km trying to look for a small street full of Buddha statues – which Chris had seen somewhere. We weren’t successful, but it was fun trying.
Saen Saeb Canal, Bangkok
Buddhas in Banglamphu
We had Indian food at Santi, one of my favourite restaurants in that area, followed by a few drinks at a couple of bars. In Superflow, we sat and enjoyed the resident band for over 5 hours wholeheartedly getting involved with giving them requests for songs! It was such a great day out – we always have a fabulous and fun time when we are together.
Santi Indian Restaurant, Bangkok. Source: Chris Wotton
And here we are half way through December already!
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas! 🙂
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
At last, the rainy season is behind us and now we are looking forward to the best season of all – the cool season. Warm days, cooler evenings, and less humidity. It really is the best time to be in Thailand. Have we seen any evidence of this? Not even so much as a sniff! Hopefully it will get cooler as the days go on. One can but hope!
In October, I went to the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre to see an exhibition called Imaginarium, by Oleg Shuplyak. A very talented artist who paints pictures within pictures. Most of them are of the faces of famous people from history, which are not always apparent when you look up close. I had to stand back before I could make the faces out. He has, very cleverly, hidden features in his paintings – a bird, a house, even a person turns out to be part of the face. You could, and I did, stand there for a long time, giggling each time another part of the painting becomes apparent.
Imaginarium by Oleg Shuplyak
I also went in search of street art which was part of the Pipat Banglamphu Street Art Festival. It was such fun to wander around the streets following the map. There were 12 pieces of art and the walk took me along main roads, and down small, leafy alleys, hidden from tourists and filled with friendly locals. Some of the locals said hello and asked me where I was from, but all of them were curious about why I was there – made apparent by their stares. I went down the wrong way in places, by-passing them more than once, which only added to their curiosity. It was so nice to explore new places (even though they were just a stone’s throw from the busy Banglamphu area.)
Pipat Banglamphu Street Art Festival
Pipat Banglamphu Street Art Festival
Pipat Banglamphu Street Art Festival
The rainy season was in full swing in October and I went out one day to give some old clothes to a charity across the other side of Bangkok. Once I had done that, I got on a motorbike to take me to my favourite place for lunch. No sooner had we set off, the heavens opened and torrential rain soon flooded the busy streets. I was soaked to the skin, so I gave up, got off the bike and sheltered in a nearby market until the storm subsided. Once it did, I walked the rest of the way to the restaurant – the rain hadn’t quite stopped and I looked like I’d just got out of the bath, fully clothed! I didn’t mind that so much – it’s nice walking in the rain sometimes. 🙂
Caught in the rain!
By the time I got there, I was hot and sticky, drenched, and my shoes were filled with water. It didn’t take long to dry off and I enjoyed the rest of my afternoon watching the changing colours as the day became evening. The simple pleasures in life are the best ones! 🙂
The changing colours of the day
The changing colours of the day
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
In Rome, a great way to explore the city is on foot. I did exactly that with my parents, earlier this year. We spent our days visiting the main sights, like the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Vatican City and, in between, we walked along the streets where we happened upon a few of the city’s wonderful piazzas – each one different, but every one charming. So, here’s my guide to the best piazzas in Rome.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona was my favourite, if only because it was the first one we found. We’d just been to the Vatican and we’d walked through the streets and just came across this beautiful square. With street artists selling their creations, tourists vying for the best spot to take their holiday snaps, and locals chattering over an ice-cream – it’s a vibrant place with a fabulous atmosphere. There are hints of the past all around with its Baroque-style churches and palaces, and 3 impressive fountains which date back to the 16th century. It’s a real pleasure to sit in one of the restaurants, with a glass of wine over lunch, and just lap it all up.
Piazza della Repubblica is at the top of Via Nazionale and not far from where we were staying. Now a busy roundabout, this piazza is full of history. The shape is semi-circular and part of the piazza was once part of the Baths of Diocletian, as is the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and Martyrs. In the middle, the obligatory fountain – The Fountain of the Naiads. The fountain was built in 1870 and its 4 statues of the Naiads were built in 1901 by Mario Rutelli. You can see the Nymphs of the Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, and Underground Waters. In the middle, there is a statue of Glaucus, who was supposed to have saved many a sailor from the force of storms at sea. Around the outside of the piazza, the porticos that can be seen were built in the 19th century to commemorate the buildings that stood long ago.
The day we came across this piazza, we were on a mission to explore Rome by metro. We had already been to the opposite side of the city at Piazza del Popolo and we had made our way to the Spanish Steps. We took the metro to Vittorio Emanuele and found ourselves at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele or Piazza Vittorio. Surrounded with portico-ed buildings, this piazza is the largest in Rome. In the middle of the square is a green space known as Giardini Nicola Calipari. It’s a shame that it was a little run down with overgrown grass and the fountain not working, but it serves as a place to rest your feet for 5 minutes if you are exploring. We were lucky on the day we visited because there was a colourful Hindu festival going out, so we stopped for a while to watch before heading off in the direction of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
On our last day in Rome, we’d walked over the Tiber River to Isola Tiberina and we had walked back through the streets until we got to the delightful Piazza Campo de’ Fiori. The name means “field of flowers’ which dates back to when the area was nothing but meadows throughout the middle ages. The streets leading onto the piazza are all named after trades – Via dei Balestrari (crossbow makers) and Via dei Guibbonari (tailors) etc. These days there is a bustling market which sells fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and meats, but, in the distant past, it was used as a horse market. Campo de’ Fiori was also used as a place for execution and many a poor soul was burned there. The philosopher, Giordano Bruno among them. Bruno became posthumously renowned for the concept of free thought and new scientific points of view. You can see the statue of Bruno in the middle of the square.
Enter through the gateway that is Porta del Popolo and you’ll be greeted to a large circular space with fountains and one of the tallest Egyptian obelisks in Rome. The name means “people’s square” which is fitting because it is a place where people can congregate and enjoy each other’s company. Piazza del Popolo was designed in the neo-classical style by Giuseppe Valadier and it links onto the Via Corso which used to be an ancient Roman road called Via Lata.
There are many trees here, making it one of the most attractive piazzas in Rome. The Fountain of the Obelisk is in the middle with its 4 attending lion statues. The Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of Rome between the Tiber and Aniene flank either side.
We stood and watched some young Sunday morning footballers in action amidst a chattering audience, before climbing the steps to the Pincio Gardens where we could look get a good look at the piazza from our vantage point.
This little piazza is overshadowed by the well-known Spanish steps that lead down to it, but if you wander around there are little gems to be found. John Keats House has been turned into a museum or there’s Babington Tea Rooms which have been in business since 1893. In the centre of the piazza is the Fountain of the Longboat and hundreds of tourists taking photographs of the famous steps.
Walk away from the throng of people and you’ll find people selling chestnuts or street cafes in the nearby Piazza Mignanelli which is a continuation of Piazza di Spagna. There you’ll find the Column of the Immaculate Conception with its statue of the Virgin Mary at the top and statues of David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Moses at the base. The column was erected by the city’s firemen and, every year, the fire department places flowers on the monument with the motto: Flammas domamus, donamus corda or we stop fires, giving our hearts.
This charming piazza was originally jam-packed with shops until Pope Eugenius had them all removed and the area paved in the 15th century. In the shadows of the pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda has always been a hive of activity. A traveller passing through in 1819 described it as:
“Being distinguished (from other parts of Rome) by the gay appearance of the fruit and cake stalls, dressed with flowers and lighted with paper lanterns”
Another traveller, Charlotte Anne Eaton, thought the complete opposite:
“Surrounded by all that is most revolting to the senses, distracted by incessant uproar, pestered with a crowd of clamorous beggars, and stuck fast in the congregate filth of every description that covers the slippery pavement. Nothing resembling such as hole as this could exist in England, nor is it possible that an English imagination can conceive a combination of such disgusting dirt, such filthy odours and foul puddles, such as that which fills the vegetable market in the Piazza della Rotonda at Rome”
Each to their own I guess, but maybe Ms Eaton should have stayed in England!
Thankfully, there wasn’t any disgusting dirt or filthy odours when we sat on the steps of the fountain admiring the beautiful Pantheon and watching the world go by.
The piazza’s fountain, called the Fontana della Pantheon, was built by Giacomo Della Porta in 1575 and has a red marble Egyptian obelisk rising up from the middle. The obelisk was originally built by Pharaoh Ramses II and, after it was re-discovered in 1374, it was moved to Piazza della Rotonda in 1711.
Most people come to Bangkok for its food, its temples, its vibrant nightlife, and its general laid back attitude to life. And why not? It’s a fabulous place for first-time visitors to be introduced to Thailand. But, before long, the chaos, the traffic, and the constant battering of your senses starts to get to you and it’s time to move on.
If you dare to stay a little longer, you realise there’s a whole lot more to the capital than meets the eye. You really have just scratched the surface of what there is to see here. If you’re interested in more sedate activities and getting off the beaten track, delve a little deeper and go in search of these 4 heritage homes in Bangkok.
M.R Kukrit’s Heritage Home
Hidden in the back streets of Sathorn is the former home of M.R Kukrit, or Mom Rajawongse Kukrit (1911-1995), Thailand’s 13th Prime Minister. Not only was he involved with politics, but he was also a prolific writer and artist and his home pays tribute to his passions. You can still see many of his personal artefacts, including books and paintings. The Department of Fine Arts decided this house should give the impression that it’s still lived in, with everything laid out as it was when Mr Kukrit was alive. As well as 5 beautiful teak buildings, which are of traditional Thai design, there’s a lily pond, a garden with lots of green shrubs and colourful flowers, a lawn and pavilion at the back. It’s a little slice of peaceful heaven.
The Bangkok Folk or Bangkokian Museum is another little gem, concealed from view in Bang Rak. It was the home of the Suravadees, a middle-class family, who lived there in the early twentieth century. The house was inherited by Varaporn Suravadee who, before she died, intervened with building work that was planned next door and raised money to stop it in the hope that she could preserve her museum for people to continue to learn about her family’s past. The folk museum is full of relics – old photographs, medical equipment, magazines, even a couple of things that date back to King Rama V’s time. It really is a treasure trove of wonders.
Bangkok Folk Museum, Bangkok
Address: 273 Charoen Krung Road, Soi 43, Bangrak, Bangkok,10500
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Kamthieng House Museum
This museum was built in 1848 in Chiang Mai by Mae Saed, great-granddaughter of one of the rulers of the Lanna Kingdom. The structure was taken to Bangkok and reassembled and it’s now located in the gardens of the Siam Society. It was opened in 1966 by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Kamthieng House is a traditional Lanna house – raised on stilts and made of wood – with tools and items that were used in the Lanna way of life. There are also videos throughout the house telling the story of how day-to-day life played out in a Lanna village. Be warned though! It’s believed that the ghosts of the past still roam the house.
Kamthieng House, Bangkok/Source: Wikipedia
Address: 131 Asoke Montrii Road, Bangkok, 10110
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Jim Thompson’s House
More centrally located, is Jim Thompson’s house, a series of beautiful wooden structures which are full of his possessions. Jim Thompson was an American businessman and architect who came to Bangkok in the 1940s. He established the Thai Silk Company and, as a keen art enthusiast, he made many trips around South East Asia to collect an abundance of art pieces. He travelled far and wide, and in 1959 he built this house to live in and to show off his collection. Unfortunately, Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1967. His body has never been found, but with all the wall hangings, statues, and antiques inside, you can get a feel for what kind of man he was.
Jim Thompson’s House, Bangkok/Source Wikipedia
Address: 6 Soi Kaseman 2, Rama I Road, Bangkok, 10330
Hours: Daily, 9.00am to 6.00pm
It really is fun to explore Bangkok! There are so many fascinating things to see, but it’s the less well-known attractions that are really worth hunting out. If you would like help finding them let me know 🙂
Salvador Dali is one of my favourite painters, not only for his surrealism and imagination, but it’s so much fun to look at his paintings. Talk about tricking your mind – he definitely succeeds in doing that. Swans Reflecting Elephants is a classic optical illusion.
Swans Reflecting Elephants – Salvador Dali/Source: www.dalipaintings.com
You’re looking at 3 swans on a lake, but their reflections turn into elephants – the clue is in the name! Look at it some more and you’ll suddenly realise that the tree trunks behind the swans are reflected as the elephants legs. Move your eyes away from the central focal point and see what else you can find. Can you see the man? The first time I saw this painting, I was blown away. The creativity and vision to be able to produce a piece like this is more than a little impressive.
I love Dali’s work, so imagine my excitement when I went to see an art exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre a couple of weeks ago.
Let me introduce – Oleg Shuplyak – a very talented artist from Ukraine and his Bangkok exhibition – Imaginarium (great title, don’t you think?)
Imaginarium by Oleg Shuplyak
Since 1991, Shuplyak has been showing his work at exhibitions across the world and he is a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. I’d never heard of this artist before, but he’s definitely on my radar now.
Self-Portrait
The reason I compare Shuplyak to Dali is because he (Shuplyak) is best known for his optical illusions – an element that Dali used in his paintings. His paintings are portraits of famous people with hidden images – the hidden elements are very Daliesque!
Imagine – John Lennon
Every piece of work is very bright and colourful with so much detail and, of course, his trademark “painting within a painting.” Like with Dali’s paintings, the first time you look up close, you can see certain elements, but the more you look and widen your focus across the whole canvas, more things become apparent. People see things differently, and I couldn’t see the faces at first, but after stepping back they immediately popped out of the painting. Once your mind focuses on one thing, it’s difficult “not” to see it. That’s the beauty of this kind of art.
I found myself smiling more than once at this guy’s sheer brilliance. I scrutinised the faces and what was a mouth or an eye, turned out to be a bird or a house.
Hemingway
I kept chuckling to myself too because as I was looking at the fine details and the paint strokes, I’d move my eyes to the right and I could suddenly see…. well what can you see? It’s really fascinating.
Double portrait of Van Gogh
It really was fun to see his creations and to challenge myself in trying to find everything that was hidden. Just like Dali was, Oleg Shuplyak is a brilliant artist. Their work has been, and is, such an inspiration for other artists that follow. It was so pleasing just to be able to see this work and to appreciate the talent that has gone into creating such wonderful pieces.
It’s not only portraits he succeeds in hiding. This is one of my favourites!
Time keeps ticking on and I can’t believe another month has passed. Hopefully you have all enjoyed September as much as I did.
My friend Mark was in town. He used to live in Thailand before embarking on a digital nomad lifestyle that has seen him living in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Bali. He’s back in the UK now before heading to Spain and then who knows where. While he was in town, I met up with him for a good old catch up.
Friends together after a long sojourn
I started reading The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, a fabulous read about India’s underbelly. It’s unputdownable! That’s all I’m saying – you’ll have to wait for my review on Goodreads
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
The newsroom, a.k.a Facebook, reminded me of one of my favourite tunes – For an Angel, by Paul Van Dyk. I saw him play one New Year’s Eve at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. It was a memorable night, if only for the smart arse who decided to climb up the tent’s scaffolding, just at the stroke of midnight. Paul Van Dyk stopped his set until the idiot was brought back down to earth by security – at which point PVD punched him in the face for spoiling his set! (Or so the story goes!) Just a few days later, I was in New York with my boyfriend at the time and we went to a club where Paul Van Dyk was playing. In true cringe-worthy style, we made our way to the DJ booth and planted our NYE tickets (which we’d kept for this purpose) against the screen. PVD looked up, smiled, and gave us a thumbs up. The things you do when you’re a clubber!
Last week, I decided to go out for lunch at a restaurant that sells the most delicious Thai food. For me to even say that, let alone go to the other side of town from where I live, the food must be that good. I got off the skytrain and walked the rest of the way, so I could take some photographs. I’ve been to this little restaurant before and the Khao Soi was just as good as I remembered.
Khao Soi with seafood Photo Credit: Chris Wotton
My photo walk took me to Chong Nonsi Bridge…
Chong Nonsi Bridge, Bangkok – always good for a photograph
…across Sathorn Road…
Sathorn Road, Bangkok – with the busy roads either side of the old canal that was used in the past
…along Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Road…
Love the Graffiti in these little alleys
Covert photography
Reflections
Buddha Fountain
…along Chan Road…
A thriving community
…and into Yen Akat Road.
The Local Fire Department
Bangkok is full of these old canals
Leafy avenue – Yen Akat Road – so quiet, it almost feels like a different place. This Banyan tree is just one kind of tree along this little lane
It’s the rainy season here in Thailand at the moment and we get rain most days. Sometimes it hammers down for hours on end, but mostly it’s just a brief shower followed by the relentless heat once more. In the space of three days, we went from afternoon stormy skies…
Before the rain comes the blackness
…to gorgeous morning blue skies without a cloud in sight (we like those the best)…
Perfect weather
…to blue skies with a few clouds (They’re OK)…
Nearly-perfect weather
…to pink evening skies. It really is wonderful to witness the changing face of mother nature.
Gorgeous pink sunset
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join me and the others in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic)
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
