Our Holiday in Asia / Unser Urlaub in Asien 

Esaan, Laos and the celebrations in Bangkok

Hello people!

Have at last managed to catch up and get the photos from our last CD online - the last photos on it are from a month ago, but we haven't filled another CD since then (yet) - more coming up soon!

ESAAN / NORTHEAST THAILAND

Typical landscape in Esaan - flat with lots of rice paddies, buffaloes and thatched bamboo huts - a traditional farming area and maybe the most untouched area in Thailand by tourists:




A traffic (or should I say cattle?!?) jam in Esaan:


A typical Esaan cow:


...and typical Esaan sausages - apparently not as good as the Austrian ones, according to Alexander:


A particularly beautiful temple on the lakeside in Khon Kaen - surrounded by the sound of wind chimes hung around it and with beautiful views over the surrounding area:


One of many Chinese temples, indicating the influence and wealth of the local Chinese immigrant population:


Another beautiful and very peaceful temple on the outskirts of Khon Kaen:


A really nice bar in Khon Kaen:


Wat Kaek, an eccentric park in Nongkai full of religious statuary built by Luang Pu, a Lao spiritual leader of his own Buddhist-Hinduist sect, who was very popular in Esaan:


A shop selling all sorts of household articles on the roadside:


Sunset over the Mekong river in Nongkai:



LAOS:

The border to Laos - our trip there ended up being far too short. After the disappointments in Cambodia and Vietnam and our prolonged stay in Phuket due to various illnesses we decided to cut the trip over the border (necessary for our Thai Visa) to only two days - unfortunately, as we really liked it there and want to go back on our next long trip to Asia!


Our first Beer Lao in Laos - very enjoyable! On the Mekong riverside in Vientiane:


Fields and palm trees in Laos:


Nature cures for sale on the streets of Vientiane:


Talat Sao Market - a colourful experience:


The Patuxai in Vientiane - the Lao equaivalent to the French Arc de Triomphe:


..and it's view over the capital city - surprisingly rural, it felt more like a small town than a city:


River restaurants in Vientiane:


One of many markets in Khon Kaen - yellow everywhere in advance of the celebrations for the Kings 60th anniversary of succesion to the throne:


Live frogs being sold:


...and pig's heads:



BANGKOK:

One of many arches set up for the King's celebrations:


Fireworks behind the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo - one display of several - and the crowds gathered to pay tribute to their beloved King:




Empty streets - cleared to allow some of the international VIP guests to pass - typical!


"Our" alleyway - where we paid to sit on a small ramshackle balcony over the river, along with many others, to watch the Royal Barge Procession - an amazing experience!


The riverbanks were lined with loyal subjects dressed in yellow:


A couple of the 52 beautiful royal barges rowed in time by 2082 oarsmen and accompanied by an eerie Boat Song:

...and more photos!

So, getting there, slowly but surely! The next lot of photos:

KANCHANABURI

Hellfire Pass - one of the cuttings where so many WW2 allied POWs and Asian forced labourers died at the hands of the Japanese:


Hammer & Tap Cutting:


A typical Thai spirit house at Sai Yok Noi waterfall:


The Thais love getting there photos taken with "Farangs" (white people) - like this one at Sai Yok Noi on the Death Railway:


Duck's heads at a local market - mmmhh!!! (NOT)


The Wang Pho Viaduct on the Death Railway - quite spectacular (and a little scary)!


Cocktails in a bar at Kanchanaburi - the atmosphere was lovely but the service bad!


Dancing on the streets for a monk's inauguration:


The infamous bridge over the River Kwai:


Party rafts on the River Kwai - floating nightclubs!



BANGKOK

Another temple in Bangkok - they're all so beautiful!


One of many cloth shops in Pahurat - the Indian quarter:


A typical eatery in Chinatown:


A Benz in the chemist's - unusual garage!


The Bug & Bee Restaurant:


...and Alexander & Mark (vegetarian!!!) eating the beetles!


So, that's all of the photos I have here - more coming up soon (at the next rain shower). We're in Hua Hin at the moment - met up with Sarah's sister Rebecca and two of her uni friends on Thursday and are heading down to Samui tonight - hoping for less rain there. We're noticing a monsoon storm at the moment which is a shame, especially as we don't have much time left here!

Back online

So, back on the internet again - here are the next lot of photos:

KANCHANABURI:

Thailand Burma Railway Centre - a very informative and modern museum about the Death Railway:


Alexander has been trying all the local specialities - fried frog wasn't a favourite though!!!


Erawan National Park - beautiful!


Erawan Waterfall...


...where the fish feed on the farangs (western tourists)!


Market in Kanchanaburi - another local favourite...


We visited many caves in the area, but this was by far the narrowest - down on your knees and crawl!!!


...nice inside though...


A new monk being inaugurated - party, live music and dancing on the streets:


The tiger temple near Kanchanaburi - a sanctuary for tigers released from captivity or orphaned:


Many other animals live free-roaming at the tiger temple where they are fed and cared for, like these buffalo:


Sai Yok Nationmal Park:


The rafts - a paradise in the jungle:




Drinks at the waterfall:


...and a shower:


Relaxing evening on the rafts:




The Daowadung Trail - slippy and dangerous...


.. and leading to an amazing cave, with no tourists apart from us:


Rafts at Sangkhlaburi - quiet and peaceful:


The Mon Bridge connecting the Thai and the Mon communities at Sangkhlaburi - the longest wooden bridge in Thailand - impressive:


X1/9 Thai style:


Pest control:


The 3 Pagodas Pass / Border to Burma:


How the locals live:


Monks shopping:


What's that!?!

...Violins burmese style!!!

The Mon Bridge and Pagoda at Sangkhlaburi:


A boat trip on the reservoir was a lovely way to end our time in Sangkhlaburi:


The "Underworld", as they call it - the remains of Old Sangkhlaburi, which was flooded when the dam was built - only the ruins of the old temple remains:


A large part of the death railway was also flooded:


Local Favourites Restaurant:


...selling a fabulous fermented tea salad:

...and here's the next lot!

So, catching up slowly, sort of. We're in Khorat at the moment, and have been enjoying Isaan so far, a lot more than expected, actually. We're here for a few days and hope to visit some beautiful Khmer temples and the Khao Yai National Park, apparently the first and best one in Thailand, as well as some more handicraft villages... and do some shopping!!! Meeting up with Ryan, our Australian friend who we met in Chiang Mai and several times in Vietnam, in the next few days, as he is living and working here now. And Rebecca, my sister, is coming with friends next week, as is Claire (a schoolfriend) - it's all go here in Asia!!! Here are the next lot of photos:

PHUKET:

Market:


Fun in VIP nightclub:


...and the aftereffects - too much party!!!


A lovely day trip to Coral Island with Noi, the manager of VIP, and her friend:




Alexander caught a (jelly)fish:


We saw Nemo!!!! And even the dogs wanted us to stay:



BANGKOK:

Hairdressers on the railway platform:


Suan Lum Night Bazaar:





OK, it's almost 3 a.m. and time for bed - more next time!

Photos from Phuket and Krabi

Hello people!

We're in Isaan at the moment, and as internet is so cheap and fast here and the weather not so great today (rain is a relief from the amazing heat here though - usually 40 degrees Celsius!), we decided to take the opportunity to catch up on some photos ... so here are some more from Phuket and Krabi!

PHUKET:

Viewpoint over Kata Noi and Yai bays - both beautiful but quiet:


Kata Noi beach:


A chimney at Wat Chalong where the gods were being thanked with firecrackers - very loud:


Fresh seafood at Rawai Beach - nice here, mostly locals, but the litter problem spoils a great atmosphere:


Snorkelling coconuts:


Monkey in the park at Phuket town - enjoying a stolen ice cream:


Boat comparison near Phuket town:


Shrine with loads of elephants at Phrom Thep:


Sunset from Laem (Cape) Phromthep:


Sunset on Patong Beach (the busiest):


Patong at night - Bangla Road, the party mile:




Rainy Season in Phuket:



PHANG NGA BAY (Day trip from Phuket):

Phang Nga Bay:


Kayaking in and around the islands of Phang Nga Bay, with all their beautiful lagoons and caves:






Bats in the caves:


James Bond Island (The Man with the Golden Gun):



KRABI:


Ao Nang - a nice wee beachside town, but not for sunbathing - no parasols or deckchairs allowed in the whole region!




Longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay - only accessible by sea:


Hat Tham Phra Nang - the most beautiful beach yet... and the most expensive - 42000 Baht per night, that's about 1000 Euros / 650 pounds!!!! Amazingly clear water and white sands though, a beautiful day trip - for 100 Baht (2 Euros) round trip!


Monkeys on the beach:


Kayaking at Ao Thalane - a lovely day between mangroves and limestone cliffs:






Monkeys swimming in the mangroves:


Mother and baby - there were lots of them!:


They were jumping between the kayaks and climbing all over us as if we were trees:


Sea kayaking:


... and mud kayaking:


A very special flower - apparently the largest in the world!


Some more beautiful flowers:


Buffaloes bathing in mud pools by the road:


One of many prawn farms:


Wat Tham Seua - a hilltop temple with amazing views and 1327 steps leading to it!!!


... and some of them were BIG steps!


We made it!!!


And the panorama really was worth it:


The Canyon behind the temple was like the deepest jungle and full of meditation huts and caves:




Even the monks use Singer sewing machines here!


A BIG Tree - with Lek, a Thai-American who accompanied us through the gorge:


Amazing hot springs in the jungle - dreamlike!!!


Sunset in Krabi:


A lovely wee coffee shop in Ao Nang - small but sweet:

More photos for shopping

Hi people!

Here some more photos...

The groovy bottles:


Salt and pepper pots in Alessi design:


T-shirts (a few examples):


Billabong shorts:


Table setting Asian style:


Anybody wishing anything just get in touch and we will see what we can do!

Shopping!

Hi people!

Here at least some of the photos of the things we have found on our travels which might interest you - cute wood and glass vases:





Will get more online as soon as we have our next CD - should be in a day or two. Also photos fromour time in Krabi, more from Phuket and the Kanchanaburi are - all beautiful places. We just got back from Kanchanaburi a few days ago and really enjoyed our time there - it is much less touristically developed than many places in Thailand, the landscapes are beautiful and the atmosphere great - and food good and particularly cheap in comparison. More infos soon...

Caught up at last!

Hello people!

At last we have had time to catch up on our photos - have been in Phuket now for 3 weeks due to diverse illnesses (nothing serious - just the results of too much party with friends over the Thai New Year and Easter period) and so been able to relax and get all of our photos online... so here they come!

Erawan Shrine in Bangkok:


Shark's fin soup in Chinatown, Bangkok... and no, we didn't go in!


Border crossing to Cambodia - loads of Cambodians waiting to cross to Thailand - and us going in the other direction...


The boat from the border at Koh Kong to Sihanoukville, the up and coming beach resort of Cambodia:


Beach again at last!


Help, where's the winter!!!!


Mantis prawns for breakfast...


Native children enjoying the sand...


...and us enjoying the sunset


Party after dark - fire-child!


Arrived in Phnom Penh - and the traffic is amazing!


Building site in PP


Butcher's stall at the market in PP


...and a motorbike parts stall...


Toul Sleng Museum - evidence of Cambodia's tragic past (Khmer Rouge security service's secret prison):






Temples in Phnom Penh:


The riverside in Phnom Penh - our favourite place here:


Vendor selling lotus flowers as offering for the shrines and temples


Sunset behind the Royal Palace:


Nightlife in Phnom Penh - the girls from the Shanghai Bar:


On the way to Siem Reap - Cambodia's countryside


The market in Siem Reap




A day at the temples in the Angkor complex - starting at sunrise (the crowds rushing to Angkor Wat):


Typical postcard picture of this amazing building - that really deserves it's status as one of the 7 wonders of the world:


Our transport round the temples - and our driver:


Bayon:




The elephant terrace:


The East gate of Angkor Thom - featured in the film "Tomb Raider" with Angelina Jolie....


Ta Prohm - one of the temples where the jungle has been left to take over...




...and Angkor Wat again, in the full of the day:


Public transport in Cambodia (Dornbirner Stadtbus)...



Arriving in Vietnam:
Life on, in and around the Mekong River:


Fishing


Laundry...


Chau Doc (near the border with Cambodia):


Our first night in Vietnam - in a small village near Chau Doc where the only people speaking English were themselves tourists!

Sunset from our guest house on the hill - which was otherwise grotty:


The Women's Temple, centre of the day's festivities - the whole village was full of market stalls, etc.:


Offerings for Buddha and the spirits:


Typical vietnamese boats - our transport to the floating fishing villages and Cham (ethnic moslems) village:


Fish farm:


Our homestay in the small village of Phong Dien, near Can Tho (further down the Mekong Delta - 2nd night Vietnam)


Boat eyes for safe sailing:


Floating market in Can Tho - the poles show what each boat has for sale:


Reunion with the Aussies (Ryan and Andrew) we met up in Chiang Mai (North Thailand) - pure chance!


Menu in Vietnamese... with some unusual options!


Arrived in Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City - the traffic here is even more shocking than in Cambodia! They all drive at once, nobody ever stops at traffic lights or crossings, pure anarchy / chaos!!!!


Asia's favourite - rice rice and more rice!


Beautiful lacquerware for sale at the market:


Saigon by night:


Travelling northwards - the amazing dunes at Mui Ne:


Rice paddies:


Typical roadside restaurant - filling up the sauce bottles:


Typical vietnamese costume - and school uniform:


Propaganda signs for the communist state:


Pigs trotters for sale - yum!!!!:


Lady sewing:


Dried lizards - the vietnamese really do eat everything!!!!


The Aussies again.... we just can't get rid of them!!!! Met up again in Nha Trang, by chance of course - and in Hoi An as well!


Restaurant table after a typical vietnamese meal - looks like a rubbish tip!


4 island tour from Nha Trang - a real highlight! The only tour where we DIDN'T get ripped off in Vietnam!!!

Lunch buffet on the boat:


Floating bar with free flowing Vietnamese wine...


Our 3-day tour of the world-famous Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage Site rapidly being destroyed by the Vietnamese themselves... very sad.

Leaving Halong harbour - along with hundreds of other boats, most of them more impressive than our own:


Viewpoint on Titop Island - where 2 members of our tour got left behind for 2 hours!!!!


One of many islands...


Sungsot Cave:


View from the cave entrance:


Bad weather coming up over the bay...


Sunset before our night on the boat:


Fishing village - they live here all day every day:


Sunset over Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba island - where we had been kayaking:



Back in Bangkok - fun with 4 english teachers on Khao San Road (condom inflation):


Arrived in Phuket... and a storm's brewing:


Sarah's new taxi service in Patong:


Songkran (Thai New Year) on the Bangla Road - wet wet wet!!!!


Weapons loaded and ready to head into the fight:


Dinner with Austrian friends and Thai ladies:


Easter Sunday - beer beer and more beer - a traditional Austrian Easter!


... and the results...


Sunset on Patong Beach:



Hope all is well with you all back home (and of course with those of you lucky enough to be travelling too) - send us some snow, it's hot down here!!!

New Photos

Hello people!

At last, a few more photos! We're still over a month behind, I know, but we've had a busy month, travelling through Cambodia (10 days) and Vietnam (2 weeks) and then partying with 3 Austrian friends for the last 10 days. Cambodia and Vietnam were both beautiful but not to be recommended - we had so many problems with being ripped off, etc., and the dirt and rubbish in Vietnam were disgusting!!!! Anyway, we survived and are now in beautiful Phuket, enjoying some time out relaxing on the beach and admiring the amazing landscapes. So, that's enough of that - here are the photos:

Market in Chiang Mai:


Chickens for sale



Rafting from Tha Ton to Chiang Rai on the Mae Kok River - beautiful & relaxing!


River life:


Unusual water buffalo (check the horns!)


Bonfire by the river - so romantic!


More wildlife - what am I?



Arrived in Chiang Rai - mobile market stall:


Border to Burma in Mae Sai


Golden Triangle - Chiang Saen:


Hilltribe children posing for a photo at the Golden Triangle viewpoint - lovely costumes, if touristy:


Opium museum - brand names


Newest Mercedes model...


3 buddhist monks


Protests in Bangkok against Thaksin Shinawatra after he used his political power for his own financial gain


Vendor with tattoos at Chatuchak weekend market:


Hammock - check it out Tom!



That's all for now folks - will get back online again soon with some more titbits about our travels. Hope all is well with you all - would love to hear from you too.

...and more photos...

OK, here are some more from our trip round the North of Thailand...

A monk collecting alms in the early hours in Mae Hong Son


Early morning mist in the Mae Hong Son area


Hight-tech weaving


Visiting the long-neck Karen tribes near Mae Hong Son - a mixed experience as we weren't sure how much the women themselves were profiting from the entry fees paid by visiting tourists - felt a bit like visiting a human zoo. We bought handicrafts from them though, so they could at least profit from our visit in that way.


Once we turned a corner and came face to face with this... thankfully we were driving slowly and carefully so no problems for us.


The roads had recently been improved for most of the loop so made for enjoyable driving - the old parts were full of pitholes though, so we were thankful for the road work going on


Sunset in Mae Sariang - a small and quite village in stunning surroundings


Rice farming is the main source of income in this rural area


Weaving village near Doi Inthanon


Chedi (Buddhist temple) near the top of Doi Inthanon


The highest point in Thailand - the peak of Doi Inthanon



So, must stop and get some dinner before everything closes - it's our last evening in Cambodia today, off to Vietnam on the Mekong river tomorrow morning.