Category Archives: Fooding & Bars

Thailand, Amphawa: Romhub, the unusual market of Mae Klong

Posted on June 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Here I am on the road

to the town of Amphawa, just off the plane and the traffic near Suvarnabhumi, the Bangkok airport.

On the way, we stop at the Romhub market in the small town of Mae Klong. At first I didn’t understand why (I was not really awake): I heard something about a train crosses the market.

Okay. The heat is overwhelming, I feel like liquefy me. I surf between umbrellas and under the covered part of the market. Further, I can see the rails of the train, between fruits and vegetables, fish and meats, and a thousand things…

When of a sudden, the rythm of this part of the market changes. The traders are busy, moving their goods and rolling them covering each side of the rails (picture below). Customers have vanished. And the few tourists are excited. Everyone is waiting. When the famous train casually arrives. So slow!

But the picture is rather unusual and hypnotic. At the last minute, I jumped on one of the side, like everyone. The train barely passed us, the activity has picked up again. In less than 5 minutes, the market has taken its original look! Those who slept resumed their nap. Those who bought continue their shopping. And the heat is more and more overwhelming.

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND (all my posts) and Twitter. And in few days you could also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!

Departure to Thailand: Sawadee Ka Bangkok!

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

DESTINATIONS

Thaïlande, Amphawa: Romhub, l’insolite marché de Mae Klong

Posted on June 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

A peine sortie de l’avion,

puis des embouteillages près de Suvarnabhumi, l’aéroport de Bangkok : me voici en route vers la ville d’Amphawa.

Sur le trajet, nous nous arrêtons au marché de Romhub, dans la petite ville de Mae Klong. Au début je ne comprends pas bien pourquoi (pas trop réveillée) : on me parle d’un anecdotique train.

Ok… Il fait une chaleur écrasante, comme l’impression de me liquéfier. Je zigzague entre les parasols, puis sous la partie couverte du marché. Et plus loin, discerne des rails parmi les fruits et les légumes, les poissons et les viandes et une et mille choses…

Quand d’un coup les commerçants s’activent. Déplacent leurs marchandises, roulent leur bâche en se plaquant contre, de chaque côté des rails (photo ci-dessous). Les clients, eux, se sont volatilisés. Et quelques touristes sont aux aguets, excités. Tout le monde attend. Lorsque arrive nonchalamment le fameux train. Du 2 à l’heure!

Mais l’image est insolite et plutôt hypnotique. Moins une, je dois moi aussi me plaquer contre une bâche. Le train nous a à peine dépassé que l’activité reprend de plus belle. En moins de 5 minutes, le marché a revêtu son look initial! Ceux qui dormaient, ont repris leur sieste. Ceux qui achetaient, continuent leur courses. Et la chaleur est de plus en plus écrasante.

Suivez mon voyage Travel Different Thailand dans ma rubrique THAILANDE (tous les posts) et sur Twitter. Vous pourrez aussi dans quelques jours, découvrir mes autres photos de ce voyage sur le Facebook de l’Office du tourisme thaïlandais et le Facebook de l’ambassade royale de Thaïlande en Belgique. ENJOY!

Autres articles :

Départ pour la Thailande: Sawadee Ka Bangkok!

Thaïlande, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

DESTINATIONS

London Shopping, Art and Bar

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

Here is my ultimate London shopping, art and bar review: check my spring summer issue! For new comers: my city walks are one of the hallmarks of my blog (you can find all the city walks, full of exclusive address and tips in DESTINATIONS). I walk for hours and hours to capture, watch and take the pulse of the city. This time, I start to Piccadilly Circus, where was my hotel. Not really my usual London, I’m definitely more Portobello and East End than Soho or Covent Garden. Pictures 2 & 7: incredible, after so many trips to London, I’d never been to the National Gallery! I’m a big fan of the Tate Modern and the Victoria & Albert Museum (coming up post and if you like contemporary art, check my interview with Gilbert & George). In the picture 2, this piece of art (in gold or it looks like gold) of Elmgreen & Dragset is placed in front of the National Gallery. Honestly I don’t like it and I don’t dislike it, let’s say it intrigues me a bit. Picture 3: don’t miss the Radio Rooftop Bar, located on the top floor of the ME London (a newly opened hotel). For a drink or dinner with a panoramic view of the city … hoping you have a better weather than me (LOL!). Picture 4: totally by chance, on the side of Mayfair, I found in the lobby of a company’s building, my favorite work of the Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos! I had the great opportunity to visit her workshop few years ago and see one of her famous giant sandals under construction! Small world! Picture 6: the most iconic London department store, Liberty! Beautiful wooden interiors, in addition to excellent fashion selection and home selection, the place has lots of character. A must do, I had the chance to photograph a famous London based blogger there. Pictures 8, 9, 4 & 1: Anglomania! In Soho, a poster of the theater that displays a show about the Queen. Picture 9: I’ve always been impressed with all the mix of colors, patterns and materials of the English. Unique! Beautiful or not beautiful, that is not the question! Picture 1: beautiful Burberry‘s window in Regent Street. Where you must stop by the huge store of Anthropologie, if you want to shop for your home. Very nice design both contemporary seriously boho, a little regressive (LOL) and very colorful (plates, bowls, candles, furnitures …). In the store, I also like the great wall covered with plants. Picture 10: This small pedestrian street is full of shops and leads to a nice place a little apart, with some (crowd out) terraces, St Christopher Place. Enjoy!