Gallery 4

And another set - I am quite enjoying the process!

1. Above: Wat Phrathat Pha Sorn Kaew, Phetchabun Province, Thailand

Wat Phrathat Pha Sorn Kaew (Temple on the Glass Cliff) is another of those huge wats that you can see from miles away, a white dot right across the valley as you wend your way towards it. When you get there, you see that it is made up of five Buddhas nested in lotus position. Apparently, it represents the five Buddhas who have visited earth. It is a fairly new wat, only begun in 2004, but clearly very photogenic for its uniqueness - from all angles. Once there you are on the threshold of several national parks, both in Phetchabun and Loei Provinces; they will likely be your next stop.

2. Above: The Maha Nakhon Building, Bangkok

The Jenga-esque Maha Nakhon Building has a glass tray on the 78th Floor. At 314 metres it is the highest observation deck in Thailand. You can look 360 degrees all round or you can look straight down to pick out a train approaching Chong Nonsi BTS station. Before taking up the latter option make sure your knees are up to it, plenty of people are on the cusp of fainting just by looking over the parapet! The glass tray is advertised as a ‘premium attraction’ and priced accordingly!

3. Above: George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Penang is renowned for its street art; in fact, you can make an itinerary in George Town just by wandering round taking pictures of walls. Wander is perhaps not the right word, because it is often too hot for casual walking, and there may be a queue for the wall photo snap when you get there. But the bright sunshine does give a chance for the old colonial buildings to strut their stuff, often repainted in pleasing hues, and re-fashioned as modish restaurants and coffee houses.

4. Above: Windsurfing, Makuhari, Japan

Down the road from where I lived in Japan was a coastal stretch which was good for a walk, cycle or a coffee. Occasionally the wind would get up and the windsurfers would appear right on cue (everyone checks the weather in Japan every morning, so they know what to wear when setting out from the house). Full marks to those guys tearing back and forth in the freezing sea, with Fuji-san cheering them on some 160 kms away across the bay. Photos backlit for added fun!

5. Above: Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is almost everyone’s favourite destination in Vietnam. Although it is practically ‘touristed out’, there is still enough charm to see you through a few days. Going for a stroll with the evening lanterns reflecting on the river, I am always reminded of the film of the Quiet American (2002 version). The setting for the murder of Alden Pyle was next to the Thu Bon River in Hoi An as an approximation of what night-time by the Saigon River in the 1950s would have been like. The atmosphere adds to the tension leading up to the deed, not just the riverside lighting, but also the film's period music.

6. Above: Hakone, Japan

Hakone, west of Tokyo is a mountainous area by Lake Ashi. It offers trekking, hot springs, fumaroles, ropeway trips, boat rides and a skywalk. You are almost always in sight of Fuji-san as well. On this particular occasion it was bitterly cold, especially on the col connecting two cable-car rides. Most folks were huddled in the souvenir shop to escape the wind and the -10c degree windchill factor. Oddly enough the black ice-cream (volcano special) was doing a roaring trade.

7. Above: Bang Saen, Chonburi Province

The ‘Day that Flows’ is a festival in Bang Saen which takes place during Songkran. The main feature is a sand sculpture competition of spectacular proportions. Forget the bucket and spade, these guys are pros with elaborate constructions that look like they were designed using CAD. Bang Saen is a Thai resort in Chonburi Province which is usually packed at weekends anyway. Dismiss thoughts of trying to park anywhere near the beach or your day definitely won’t flow.

8. Above: Bangkok Bank Cycle Fest, Pattaya, 2019

I did briefly think about having a go in the Over-65 category at the Cycle Fest but felt that I wasn’t quite fit enough. Having stood at the side watching the riders chug by, it was the right decision. I say ‘chug’ but it more like ‘whiz’ for many of the teams fielding ‘proper’ riders. The 90 kms course required tackling a fairly steep hill multiple times and it was this that seemed to separate out the teams, some working together the keep a struggling rider in contact. There were average Joes cycling as well, but their aesthetic didn't tend to attract the camera lens, whatever the calibre of their bike!

9. Above: Yangon, Myanmar

The last time we were in Yangon we decided to visit a pagoda by the river as there was a three hour wait for the next flight. We hadn’t reckoned on the traffic though, the journey with the airport taxi took an hour just to cross town. Botataung Pagoda is especially famous amongst Thai people for some reason. The entire queue seemed to be Thai, chattering excitedly as they patiently waited their turn for a personal blessing before lodging an appropriate Thai baht donation.

10. Above: Ho Chi Minh House, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand

Ho Chi Minh’s house during his 1928-29 exile year in Thailand is just outside Nakhon Phanom near the border with Laos. The house is maintained by the original Thai family who welcome visitors – often busloads of Vietnamese. The great-great-granddaughter (I think) was very happy to talk us through the history of the house, luckily having Thai translation to hand. She wasn’t impressed with my Vietnamese though, or was it hers that was the issue? Nobody knows for sure what Ho was up to that year, but I could imagine many dead-of-night meetings with runners crossing from Vietnam via Laos.

11. Above: Suphanburi, Thailand

Wat Pa Lelai tells the epic tale of Khun Phaen and Khun Chang is a long gallery of huge paintings. Well worth the visit as the plaques are also in English. Part of the wat has an exterior with a kind of popcorn effect too. Not far away at Wat Phai Rong Wua is a Hell Garden - a macabre theme park of demons and sinners and crude depictions of eternal punishment. The statues are just grotesque and portray all manner of hideous fates. Don’t take the kids whatever you do!

12. Above: Nan, Thailand

People do go on about Nan being an under-appreciated provincial gem. It borders Laos and offers the mountainous terrain and remoteness that appeals to more adventurous sorts. It has a long history which is reflected in its fine ancient wats and city wall (which is so well preserved that it looks like it was built last year). When I was there it was opening up post-pandemic, kind of half-open and not quite sure which way to go. Tourist businesses were like - yes-no-yes, oh I don’t know! There were no discernible tourists either, making the decision to open up or not rather tricky.

13. Above: Ayutthaya, Thailand

Ayutthaya is such a photogenic location with ruins, temples and riverside settings all vying for your attention. Sunset at Wat Chaiwatthanaram is an obvious one to aim for but have you got the legs? At the end of the day when the light fades fast in the sub-tropics you have literally minutes to capture your shot before it has gone. Dashing back and forth through the temple grounds to frame a particular part of the antiquities in a new light or in silhouette, sure was a challenge. A moment’s hesitation and the twenty-minute dusk has gone, you will have to have another go tomorrow.

14. Above: Mt Fuji, Japan

The perfect symmetry of Fuji-san draws your gaze whenever you spot it. Speeding by on the bullet train, flying overhead as you come in to land, spying it across the bay, or simply exiting Kawaguchiko Station. It is mesmerising, just one of those places in the world where you stand and gawp and quietly appreciate your absolute good fortune for just being there. This was a cold day out via a bus from Shinjuku Station, then the circular hop-on, hop-off bus round the lake. Fancy waking up and being able to say, ‘What shall we do today – this being a Sunday and all?’ And ending up staring at Fuji-san.

15. Above: Chiang Khan, Loei Province, Thailand

There is also a glass walkway 20 kms west of Chiang Khan in Loei Province. You put on your curtain material overshoes and glide along on the glass as you make your way round. It isn’t the highest example in the world, but it is high enough for some kind of queasy rating. It also offers a great view looking over the Mekong River - blue water on this occasion.

16. Above: The Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya, Thailand

Work began on the Sanctuary of Truth in 1981 and is still going on – chip, chip, chip… When you wander round you can’t help but be agog at the intricacy on display in any direction that you look, especially upwards. It is a hard-hat visit now in groups, timed according to your language choice and guide. Guided by a worker, you can take up a mallet and chisel have a go yourself, thus being able to make a small claim to the splendour. A very small claim if we are honest!

17. Above: Suzuka, Japan

The Formula One racing track at Suzuka is one of the old classics, built in a figure-of-eight (the race track goes under a bridge). It is rather remote though and the huge F1 entourages take up all the local accommodation. You have to stay in Nagoya or Osaka cities and commute – that’s no biggie, mind - the Japanese are very good on transport! Needless to say, the crowds are very enthusiastic which makes for a great atmosphere. Many are in Ferrari garb, to the point that you feel as though you are intruding on a private, red-themed party. A glum one if Ferrari don’t do very well in the race.

18. Above: Wat Huay Pla Kang, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Driving north out of Chiang Rai you soon pick up on Wat Huay Pla Kang. The statue of Kuan Im, the Goddess of Mercy, is visible from a long way off. Once you get there it is obvious that it will take a while to get round as there are teams of car cleaners in the carpark – they know you won’t be back for a good forty minutes. Even with a golf-cart ride to the base and a lift to the seventh floor of the statue, it is an hour plus before you return to your gleaming car.

19. Above: Hellfire Pass, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

The ANZAC Day dawn service at Hellfire Pass was very well attended, with many tour groups from Australia making up the estimated 1,200 numbers. The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is expertly curated, being funded by the Australian and NZ governments. The location of the service is held at the Konyu Cutting down the bank and lit up by replicas of the original oil lanterns. Staff said be there ready for the 5 am start, but we could hear movement from 3 am onwards as people headed out of the nearby resort. Joining in at that time made for a very long day; solemn to be sure, but memorable, nevertheless. One that has probably been on the list for many of the attendees for some considerable time.

20. Above: 100-Year-Old Chinese Market, Pattaya, Thailand

The 100-year-old Chinese Market not far from Pattaya takes place every Saturday. There is some craft ware on sale, but it is mainly an opportunity to sample all the food options. How or why a Chinese community was established there 100 years ago one can only guess at, as it is not near anything. It has the quality of endurance though; these photos were taken just after reopening following the two-year covid lockdown. As you can see, a resilient and vibrant community is in action. What they do during the other six days of the week wasn’t obvious though. Normal jobs for most, I suspect.