The Land of Smiles

The land of smiles, what Thailand is also known as. And the truth is, it is true! It is not the first time I have set foot in Thailand but this is the first trip to Bangkok with my wife and her friends.

All around Bangkok you are able to see care free people. Most of them seem to not have any worries in the world. People from all walks of life will live happily and without worries, no matter how their situation is.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is easily accessible via its international airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Nearly all major airlines will land there. Transportation between the airport and city centre is easily available and relatively affordable. There are options to travel as a VIP in posh limousines or a standard public taxi. The journey from the airport to the city centre is relatively smooth, on the highway.

However, traffic changes as you get nearer to the city centre. The roads seems to get narrower with the build up of traffic. Things get worse with slow and sometimes standstill traffic within the city centre. The traffic condition will be horrendous when bad weather gets involved. Traffic jams can last for hours on end.

Getting around Bangkok by BTS train is highly recommended if you are not up for walking. However, the best way of soaking in the local lifestyle is by walking around every nook and cranny of Bangkok. Do beware of sleazy alleys though.

Weather wise, Bangkok is hot and humid all year round with a few months of wet weather with occasional floods at the surrounding areas of the city. However, be prepared to get wet during the Songkran Festival which happens in the mid of April. It is also known as the water splashing festival. Everyone and anyone will be splashed with water. Buckets and buckets load of water.

The people of Thailand are predominantly Buddhist. Temples are scattered all over the country and also within the capital. You can see many people praying at temples and altars which are set up at companies or even shopping complexes. Prayers are done amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

 

Besides all these, Bangkok is also famous for its night life. But then, that will be another story for another day...

All images taken using Olympus E-3 with ZD 14-54 f2.8-3.5 Mk II lens.

Phuket, Thailand

The island of Phuket in Thailand, famous for being a hub of foreign holidaymakers as well as one of the hardest hit areas during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Nonetheless, life has to go on and it was more than 6 years after the tsunami that I made a trip there with my wife and her family. It was my first time being there and in this blog entry I would like to share its beautiful landscape captured through my aperture...

 

The rest of the pics can be viewed here. All images taken using Olympus E-3 with ZD 14-54 f2.8-3.5 Mk II lens.

Bali, Indonesia

I took a trip to Bali, Indonesia with mom-in-law, wife and her 2 friends end of September 2010. It was my first time there and have spent 3 nights. We stayed in Ubud, away from the bustling area of Kuta to enjoy a more relaxing trip.

We got ourselves a driver for the trip and he brought us around the island and visited a few places such as Tegallalang to view the layered paddy fields, Kintamani to view the active volcanoes of Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung as well as Danau Batur, Uluwatu, Sukawati, Tanah Lot, Royal Palace and last but not least to good food around Bali.

The weather was not that good during the trip as it was very cloudy the whole day and poured heavily at night. We only got a bit of sunshine in the morning before noon. However, the atmosphere of the trip was amazing with great location, relaxed surroundings and excellent company.

I would make another trip there again in the near future...

Kuta at night

Typical road in Bali

Layered paddy fields at Tegallalang

Side view of the layered paddy fields of Tegallalang

Luwak Coffee in green pot with other types of coffee and tea

Gunung Batur and Danau Batur

Uluwatu

Uluwatu in a different perspective

Dirty Duck

Sukawati

Offerings

Babi Guling

Royal Palace

Everybody on the trip at Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot up-close

The rest of the pics can be viewed here. All images taken using Olympus E-3 with ZD 14-54 f2.8-3.5 Mk II lens.

Paris, France

As a photographer, it is always a blessing to be able to travel abroad and capture the wonders of that country. I'm considered very fortunate to have travelled  to quite a number of places in Europe. I will be updating the places I've visited in pictures as time goes by. As a start, I bring to you the Eiffel Tower during the day and night.

Photos taken using Olympus C-750UZ.