Archive for 'Travel'
This page is just collection of some snapshots of our 3 days driving from Bangkok to Chiangmai. The further north we go the nicer it gets. Too bad we didn’t have a lot of time to stop anywhere for too long. Here are what we have managed to see. Hope you enjoy it.
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When it was all getting too much in Shanghai or China, we needed an escape to somewhere ‘quieter’ . The quickest and shortest way back to civilisation and social network is Hong Kong. It is a fusion of the east meet west. Quick and quirky but efficient and organised.
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Being back in Kyoto is like meeting an old friend. There was a warm sensation of familiarity, cosiness and friendliness engulfing us as soon as we reached Kyoto Station. Japan is generally much nicer when comparing with city like Shanghai but Kyoto takes it to another level. There are stronger senses of history, art and culture yet it is blended well with the modern lifestyle. That makes it more interesting for me.
Follow the trail
The morning we set to head down south, the sky opened up and it was chucking down with rain. Leaving the rainy Tokyo and the intensity of the city behind, we took the Hikari Shinkansen down south to Nagoya where we transit to local JR lines. The cloud disappeared within 15 minutes into the ride. The sky was dark blue and it’s going to be a great day hiking.
Japan, We are back!.
We have been waiting for this trip for quite sometimes now. In fact, since leaving Japan the last time. What a beautiful, photogenic, culturally rich and friendly country. We didn’t have time to plan the trip as thoroughly as last year so part of the schedule is kind of made up on the spot and not as tightly packed as before. That’s the spirit of this trip.
If there is any city you should visit while in China, Suzhou is probably one of those ranked at the very top. It is famous for silk, canals and gardens. Yes, garden which the design principle greatly influence the Japanese which later has developed into Zen Garden.
A walk around Shanghai Dongtai road antique market and Wanshang Huaniao Market.
Having been to 200 over cities around the world, lived in 6 cities over 3 continents. I would say Bangkok is still ranking quite high up on the list of my favourite place. It has a special charm to it not because it is well developed but on the contrary, because it is gritty, edgy and a confuse city. One minute you are on a roof top bar and thinking the city is very modern and advance. The next, on your way back walking pass street vendors selling papaya salad from his modified bike with sidecar next to the gutter.
Chiangmai
North of Thailand is always a really nice place in my opinion, cool weather, relax and polite people and great landscape. It is a perfect place for photography and photographer who is looking for a relax holiday. To add to the richness, the city has a lot of temples and ruins juxtaposing to the modern development indicating what was once a capital of Lanna Kingdom. The south, in contrary, is more about islands, beaches and diving – less culture more nature, depending on your lifestyle but it certainly is for me. I used to come here very often as a child for Songkran festival (Thai New Year) and still remember how much more cultural it was, than celebrating it in Bangkok.
Huangshan or Yellow Mountain is in Anhui province, China. In terms of height is not the tallest mountain in China, but it has a high cultural significant to the ancient Chinese art and literature. When seeing this mountain in the fog, you can understand how it inspired and change the style of Chinese painting.