Monthly Archives: February 2010

northern Thailand – Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai is small town in northern Thailand, famous for the many activities one can do. From elephant riding, trekking, rafting, visiting the tiger zoo to enjoying the many markets and strolling the old town.

And of course you cannot skip the many temples in the old town. When I left for Asia I was thinking that all the temples will look mostly similar. Yet I couldn’t be further away from the truth! It’s such an amazing variety, that I never suffered from “temple fatigue”.

The days I spent in Chiang Mai were split between a short trek to an elephant camp – were I enjoyed riding the huge beasts (great fun), visiting the main city and going to Doi Suthep (one of the larger temples in Thailand and definitely a sight to behold). Today’s photos are from the Chiang Mai proper, with elephant pictures and Doi Suthep coming the next days.

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see the rest of the gallery continue reading northern Thailand – Chiang Mai »→

leaving Laos

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This is the last photo gallery from Laos – images from Luang Prabang street life, temples and life on the river. The last pictures are taken from the airplane, leaving for  Siem Reap. Previous galleries from laos can be found here and here.

Enjoy the photos. Laos is an amazing destination, with friendly people, beautiful places and a certain French air. Also some of the best coffee I ever drank (second only to Vietnam’s finest).

Laos is one of the smaller countries in the region, yet it managed to really amaze me. Luang Prabang has a relaxed rhythm and the best night market I found. A real pleasure to stroll around stalls with handicrafts, even if not buying. The old colonial French buildings, and the large number of French signs, give an air of unassuming sophistication. I have never seen so many beautiful guesthouses, cafes and restaurants in such a small town. It’s no wonder that Luang Prabang is on the UNESCO heritage list. Last but not least, walking on unpaved roads, exchanging ‘goodmornings’ with young monks and schoolchildren, and enjoying fruit juice in a plastic bag (delicious by the way) has a certain charm, lacking in the larger cities of the region.

For a holiday away from holiday place, Laos is a wonderful choice.

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see the rest of the gallery – continue reading leaving Laos »→

Luang Prabang – Laos

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alms giving to monks

alms giving to monks

For some Laos is the “real” Asia. Of course, every country is very real. From the BTS in Bangkok to the hill tribes to relaxed Laos to  crazy traffic in Hanoi. Looking for the “real” Asia (re: rice fields, fastest vehicles being bicycles and a very slow life) means ignoring the places and people in-front of you. And enjoying the differences between the countries and peoples is a whole part of my (great) experience I had In Asia.

Having said that, once you step out of the plane in Luang Prabang you feel that time slows down a bit. Life gets a bit more sluggish, the traffic IS made up mostly of bicycles and life seems more relaxed (at least for the tourists).

At one point I got scared by a car horn. One gets used to quietness, and starts to appreciate it (more-so in retrospect as after Laos I went to Cambodia with crazy Phnom Penh).

Enjoy some of the photos I took in Luang Prabang.

night market in Luang Prabang

night market in Luang Prabang

See the full photo gallery… continue reading Luang Prabang – Laos »→

happy birthday…to me and my blog

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IMG_8755.jpgWell, doing a bit of cleaning around the blog I discovered that I started writing and posting photos exactly last year. First post – a ‘hello world’ kind of message – was posted on Jan 31, 2009. So, with a delay of 4 days – happy birthday to my blog!

I wonder what the second year will bring – more photos for sure – but what else? Last time I traveled I found that it is pretty hard to blog ‘on the road‘ so probably travel posts will come once I return home. A lot of people asked me how much a specific trip did cost (there is a general idea that traveling is extremely expensive) or how I organize things (when I …err….organize). Maybe this kind of information would be helpful / interesting.

I am also playing with a few idea in my head regarding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ I travel – so maybe some posts on these themes. It’s going to be an interesting year…I think.

Any comment with suggestions on themes will be appreciated. Not necessarily put in practice of course.

Hanoi

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Following the last post – and as a sign of my re-found travel itch – here are some photos took last year in Vietnam. I spent only about 5 days in Vietnam, of which 3 were in Halong Bay (I put some pictures on my blog). The remaining 2 days were spent in Hanoi – a big yet beautiful city. With a crazy traffic (a bit more crazy than the rest of SE Asia).

I was lucky to spend the weekend there, so all the parks were full with people enjoying the late autumn. Lots of photo opportunities!

Here are some of the photos, and as I process more I will continue to upload. Enjoy!

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continue reading Hanoi »→

beginning of spring ?

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After a long period of freezing under the snow and quietly longing for the weather in Asia, it seems we are nearing spring. Finally.

And so I start again to fret about new destinations, new travels, new adventures… Maybe I will not leave very soon (or who knows?) however I started again to look over guidebooks and most importantly over pictures I took last year.

And so – expect to see a new set of pictures coming soon!