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Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

October 24, 2017 by David Herd

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai Province Sacred site

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep, this temple is often referred to as “Doi Suthep” although this is actually the name of the mountain where it’s located. Perched on top of the mountain 15 kms from the city. 

You have a choice

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Climb the 300 steps to the top or take the tram. I compromised by taking the tram up & walking down. 🙂

At peace among the trees

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Our driver told us there were 2,200 temples in Chiang Mai province. 

Lots of gold here.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep 

Featuring a photo of the new King.

Lots of Thai people paying respect.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

As well as Thai there seemed to be a lot of Chinese tourists.

 Lots of steps

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Lots of steps & it was a very hot day, like most days in Thailand. 🙂

A view of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep 

The view from the Temple.

Posing with the bell.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

My friend Steven Bates & I taking a photo opportunity at the Chiang Mai Province Sacred site.

Naga decoration

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Background on Thailand: A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. 

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Steve has found a new friend.

More elephants

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Magnificent animals, magnificent statues. 🙂

Shame about the advertising.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

The signs do seem out of place here.

It’s a long way down.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep 

As I said earlier I took the steps. 🙂

I really like this shot. 🙂

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

The children look great in their traditional clothes.

Coffee time before heading to our hotel.

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

The coffee here is quite famous, sadly I prefer Starbucks. 🙂

Asia’s best coffee

Chiang Mai Doi Suthep

Is the claim, this nice lady ran the coffee shop.

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Four Aussies Chiang Mai

October 18, 2017 by David Herd

Our Hotel was in a great location

Four Aussies Chiang Mai 

Four Aussies Chiang MaiFour Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure, our hotel the Dusit Princess is the white building on the left. Without a doubt this is the very best location in Chiang Mai.

A terrific hotel in the very best location in Chiang Mai, book through THIS LINK for a discounted room rate.

 Across the road from our hotel

Five Aussies Chiang MaiBurger King & Hard Rock Cafe are there if you don’t want to eat Thai food. 🙂

Of course sometimes it rains.

Four Aussies Chiang MaiWhen it rains in Thailand it really rains. 🙂

 Opposite the Dusit Princess.

Four Aussies Chiang MaiOnly 50 meters up the road is the famous night market.

 Entrance to the night market

Four Aussies Chiang MaiNot just a night market but lot’s of bars & restaurants, many specializing in live seafood.

Forty winks

Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure

Relaxing at the night market.

LadyBoys everywhere. 🙂

Four Aussies Chiang MaiIt looks like Patrick has found some soul mates. 🙂

Of course if you want a massage

Four Aussies Chiang MaiThere are many available not as suspect as this one. 🙂

 Three Aussies

Four Aussies Chiang Mai AdventureHere are 3 of the 4 Aussies on this trip besides Patrick, Steven & Justin Bates & yours truly David Herd.

Patrick is around 200 cm tall. 🙂

Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure He returned to his home in Singapore for his 51st birthday on October 8.

 Le Meridien Hotel

Four Aussies Chiang Mai AdventureAnother great location, for a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure      Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure

The Meridien has an excellent Italian restaurant.

So many food outlets

Four Aussies Chiang Mai AdventureIn fact I’m doing a separate blog on some of the great Chiang Mai restaurants we found, including David’s Kitchen & Whole Earth which were both excellent. 

Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure

Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure We flew Nok Air return from Bangkok & I must say it was an absolute pleasure, the best budget airline I have flown with.

Dusit Princess good rooms & great location

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

A terrific hotel in the very best location in Chiang Mai, book through THIS LINK for a discounted room rate.

Thanks for visiting my Four Aussies Chiang Mai Adventure photo blog.

       Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

October 18, 2017 by David Herd

You gotta love a pink elephant. 🙂

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai 

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand, Wat Ban Den is the most impressive I have ever seen. It was totally renovated in 1998 after the new Abbott Kru Ba Tuang raised huge amounts of money from people all over the country.

Work is still in progress

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

 As you can see from the first 2 photos work is still in progress. 🙂

Incredible works of art

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

The detail and the beauty really takes your breath away.

They could be twins. 🙂

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

Patrick Taylor is an Aussie living in Singapore, he loves having his photo taken & is fully certified selfie expert. 🙂

The Tigers are here.

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

 Everywhere you look there is another fabulous statue.

Totally spectacular

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

As I said before Wat Ban Den is the most impressive Thai Temple I have ever seen. 

Absolutely brand new.

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

It’s a huge credit to Abbott Kru Ba Tuang & all the generous Buddhists who donated money to completely renovate the original structures as well as adding new.

Magnificent dragon

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

This would be a great location for an Asian version of “Game of Thrones.” 🙂

Renovated in 1804 & 1998.

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

 In  1804, Kruba Thueang Natsilo, a former abbot, also had the temple renovated. It became far more exquisite with Lanna-style architecture. The abbot intended to turn it into a beautiful place of worship with religious teachings. He hoped this would attract more people to the temple so that they would have a chance to learn about the religion. 

Ring the bell folks. 🙂

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

 The temple stands prominently on top of a small hill and can be easily seen from afar.

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

As you can clearly see this Temple is a photographer’s dream.

Attention to detail…

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

 Perfection is everywhere you look.

My favorite shot

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

 I think I captured a special moment here.

Reach for the sky

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

Surely this has to inspire you? 🙂

Patrick & I enjoying Wat Van Den

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

As you can see Pat is a very tall happy character.

I have found a new friend.

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand

Many thanks for visiting my Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai Thailand photo blog.

The Dusit Princess

Remarkable Temple Chiang Mai

A terrific hotel in the very best location in Chiang Mai, book through THIS LINK for a discounted room rate.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                     Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

September 1, 2015 by David Herd

Japan

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC 

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC New York starting with Japan, I’ll list the 5 countries in alphabetical order rather than by personal preference. The photo above is  Shabusen at the Ginza A terrific restaurant for Kobe beef, go at lunch time for special prices. Check out my first post in this series here.

The train system is fantastic, from Tokyo it’s a 40 minute trip to Yokohama or 3  h0urs by bullet train to beautiful Kyoto.

One square meter of land in the Ginza center is worth more than ten million yen (more than 100,000 US dollars), making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. It is where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee and where virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence. To me Tokyo is all about food, food and more food, interestingly the Michelin guide has Tokyo comfortably ahead of Paris (10 three-starred restaurants), New York (7) and London (2), with a total of 350 establishments making it into the guide this time around.

 Kabukicho                        Harajuku girls                                   Tokyo

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

     Kabukicho is an entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Kabukicho is the location of many host and hostess clubs, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and is often called the “Sleepless Town.”   Make sure you check out my post called “Piss Alley”.

I don’t know any other person who has travelled more than I during the last 20 years. Perhaps I can provide you with a few ideas on where to go for your next holiday.

Thailand

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

  I sold my home in Australia October 20th 2011 and have have been living in Thailand since then. My first trip to this great country was in 1980, however it wasn’t until 1997 when I started visiting 2 or 3 times each year. In the early days Koh Samui was a favourite destination, however in my opinion progress has not improved the island, it was far better before all the modern gold shops etc moved in. These days I prefer Koh Chang near the Cambodian border & of course Bangkok is fantastic with so many great bars, restaurants & shopping malls.

              Chiang Mai                           Pattaya                            Chao Phraya river

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Chiang Mai tiger warning, the sign could not have been clearer. It was placed a metre from the cage which was at the rear of the zoo away from the other tiger enclosures. It simply said “danger, don’t go past this sign”. Looking back I have done many stupid things in my life and this certainly ranks highly in the “stupidity stakes.”

Naturally I ignored the warning and moved past the sign and put my camera lens through the wire to get a clear shot of the magnificent beast sitting quietly in the pond two meters from my lens. Within one second of taking the photo there seemed to be an explosion in front of me and suddenly I jumped backwards totally soaked with water.

I could barely hear my brother’s raucous laughter from several meters away due to the rapid beating of my heart. The 240 kilo beast had lept from the pond and hit the wire full force with all his four giant paws. My luck held as did the wire, which without exaggeration saved me from being torn to pieces.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

I e-mailed the tiger zoo and inquired about this particular tiger. They told me his name was Tone, he weighed 240 kilo and was far too dangerous to allow the public to get close, he was just used for breeding.

United Kingdom part of my Travel tips five great countries photo blog.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

So many places to see & so much history. I travel there most years making London my base, then visit cities & towns all over the country either by train or car. Apart from London some of my favourite places are Brighton, Bath, Glasgow & Bradford on Avon. The photo above is Gold Hill is a steep cobbled street in the town of Shaftesbury in the English county of Dorset.

      London pubs                      Lands End                  Hyde Park

 Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC  

Travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here. London Underground’s Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital, so look for accommodation around Earl’s CourtGloucester Rd or Knightsbridge. For more information click here.

United States of America

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Another huge country offering everything from snow capped mountains to desert, beaches & exciting cities. New York of course is everyone’s favourite however hotel costs are so expensive. I really enjoy Miami with the wonderful Cuban influence, but I must say the last time I was in San Francisco I was quite disappointed by the high numbers of beggars on the city streets.

Miami                                San Francisco                           New York

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Car hire and internal flights are reasonably inexpensive. In Los Angeles I always stay in Santa Monica where I enjoy the restaurants and Venus beach.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC Vietnam

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

 Ho Chi Minh City is Honda heaven, it is quite a shock when you see the number of motorbikes on the streets, crossing the road seems like a game of Russian roulette. My main memories of this wonderful country are the beautiful ladies and the terrific food. My first visit was twice in 2003 then 12 years later in January 2015. Halong Bay is a magical experience, make sure you stay overnight on one of the many boats, it’s an experience you will never forget. Vung Tau and Nha Trang are two of my favourites places in this great country.

Hoi An                             Chill Sky Bar                      HCMC 2015

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Warning, when catching a taxi in Saigon stick with Vinasun or Mai Linh for clean honest low priced taxis. Many other companies are rip off merchants who will try to rob you.

Don’t under any circumstances use the company below.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC New York

Thanks for visiting my Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC photo blog.

            Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.         

Pattaya Hilton

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Hua Hin popular resort

September 25, 2013 by David Herd

Nice town south of Bangkok

Hua Hin popular resort

Hua Hin popular resort

Hua Hin popular resort combines the attractions of a modern holiday destination with the charm and fascination of a still active fishing port. While most other Thai holiday destinations cater mainly to foreign tourists, Hua Hin Thai resort is a holiday destination for foreigners and Thais.

Besides it’s great 5 mile long beach Hua Hin provides the highest density of world class golf courses anywhere in Thailand while it’s yet virtually undiscovered as an international Golf destination. Green-fees and other costs are currently among the lowest in the world while course maintenance and services are superb.

Fishing boats

Hua Hin popular Thai resort

 

Besides it’s great 5 mile long beach Hua Hin provides the highest density of world class golf courses anywhere in Thailand while it’s yet virtually undiscovered as an international Golf destination. Green-fees and other costs are currently among the lowest in the world while course maintenance and services are superb.

Hilton Hua Hin Thai resort

Hua Hin popular resort

In 1928, the late King Rama VII built Klai Kangwon Palace which remains until this today an official royal residence. It is still frequently used by members of the royal family and is open to the public for visits.

Hua Hin Thai resort continued to develop in its own leisurely way, with the added attraction of an 18-hole golf course, and as a fishing port. The Railway Hotel, today’s Sofitel Central Hua Hin, was built by the State Railways of Thailand in 1923 in the architectural style of old Siam.

Many of Bangkok’s rich and famous built their own beachfront summer homes to the north and south along the curving sandy bay, enjoying leisurely family weekends in a resort which has maintained its unique identity.

Packing up the tiny shrimps.

Hua Hin popular resort

The guys here are preparing the tiny shrimps for the market.

David Herd shovelling shrimps.

Hua Hin popular resort

Well known for my generosity, here I am pitching in and shoveling shrimps.  😆

Hua Hin popular resort Master & apprentice.

Hua Hin popular resort

Father & son prepare the nets.

The quintessential night market.

Hua Hin popular resort

As in 100,000 other Thai villages here is your quintessential night market, the goods on sales rarely vary too much. However everything is cheap and the food is fresh and authentic Thai.

Fresh seafood at the market.

Hua Hin popular Thai resort

Fresh seafood is always a good choice.

My brother Warren with a monster shrimp.

Hua Hin popular resort

Barbecue shrimp does not get much better than this in Thailand.

Hua Hin popular resort

Hua Hin popular resort

My brother Warren & I waiting patiently for the seafood feast to arrive.

Once again we ordered too much. 😳

Hua Hin popular Thai resort

As usual we ordered way too much, I’m a big eater however Warren has the appetite of an ant so we could only get through about half of the food on the table.

Hilton Hotel Hua Hin Thai resort.

Hua Hin popular Thai resort

Hua Hin Thai resort is located 190 km south west of Bangkok on the gulf of Thailand, about a two hour 15 minute drive.

Hilton Hotel

Hua Hin popular resort

A great location but above my pay grade.

Seafood restaurant on the beach

Hua Hin popular resort

Where are all the people? It si now 2016 and many of these buildings have encroached on public land and may be removed.

Here comes the sheriff

Hua Hin popular resort

On patrol. 🙂

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Thanks for visiting my Hua Hin popular resort photo blog.

 


                        Please check out these fabulous posts  
Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos