Tag Archives: Travel

Thailand: The Arrival @ Cheio Larn Lake

Posted on July 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

Still in the South and Surat Thani surroundings, early in the morning we took the road to the Ratchaprapa Dam, north of Khao Sok National Park. After visiting one of the spectacular views of the dam, we win the pier for Chieo Larn Reservoir (pictures 1 & 2). 10-11am and the sun is very strong (not good for pictures), in canoes we ship for 1 hour raft ride to our hotel with floating bungalows. The wilderness is breathtaking, it is simply awsome! It made me remember of my first trip to Thailand, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi etc … Huge rock pythons, composed of limestone cliffs emerging from emerald lake. Wow! The place is called Little Guilin. The forest is super thick. We are in one of the few places in Thailand and Asia, where it remains the primary forest. I am really impressed. As the feeling of being “alone” (of course with my traveling companions, lol!) in the world. You feel small, tiny in this magnificent setting! Just when we crossed a unique canoe (pictures 4 & 5)! I realize that we are sailing from the tops of mountains is crazy (pictures 7 & 8)! The white marks on the rocks (pictures 3 & 6) correspond to different levels of water. A “paradise” vision by approaching our raft hotel nestled in the wilderness, the concept is so thrilling! I’ve never slept in a floating bungalow,). And you, have you ever slept in a flotting bungalow in the wilderness?

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND. You can 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!

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

Thailand, Chumphon: The Return of Fishing in Pak Tako

DESTINATIONS

Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram: The bouddhist Meditation Centre

Posted on July 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

Arriving late in the afternoon at Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram, a famous Buddhist meditation center located in a forest, my camera is low bat! But thanksfully I can use my modest smartphone: sorry for the quality of the pictures! Suan Mokkh literally means “The Garden of Liberation”. First Vision: Thai and foreign people, all dressed in white, wandering here and there among the monks in a natural setting. Paths, inscriptions and altars amid lush vegetation … Created in 1959 by the Thai monk Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, the monastery is dedicated to meditation. Thailand, with a population of 66,720,153 inhabitants in 2011 (Wikipedia), there are between 200,000 and 300,000 monks (Wikipedia) and 32,000 temples. Picture above: we follow the monks into a building nestled on top of a hill and filled with paintings. Pictures 2, 6 and 7: this facetious energetic monk made us a quick presentation of the foundations of Buddhism. And explained principles such as finding the right balance. He also told us some excerpts from the life of Buddha. And with lots of spirit and emphasis, he commented some paintings (made by the monks of the monastery), as the “Human arragement by Flowers” (picture 4) that I find it quite confusing. I listen carefully. Sometimes I loose the point: some explanations are in Thai. I also try to interpret other reliefs and draws, when the guide ask us to go back to the van. We have to hit the road to the last stop of the day: the city of Surat Thani, where we will spend the night. Sarah, big up to you ; )

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND and Twitter. You can 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!

Visakha Bucha Buddhist Celebration Near Amphawa

Thaïland: On the road from Amphawa to Chumphon

DESTINATIONS

Thailand: Visit of A Silk Workshop

Posted on July 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

Like in a road movie, today the road seems endless!

I’m really tired and we roll, roll … again and again in the direction of the famous Surat Thani town. And we often stops.

After a long lunch break on a desert beach, where I met a small community of fishermen: here I am in a silk workshop. I really enjoy the visit, I do like natural materials, workshops and crafts!

The first silk workshop I visited, was in Kyoto. There was the old weaver master who makes the kimono and obi silks for the Emperor of Japan. I was impressed cause he is a living legend, but very humble man too. He taught me the first looms in Japan, came from Lyon (France).

After crossing a shop (last picture), I arrived in a rather large yard, facing a carved bird cage and fifteen or twenty looms under a courtyard. At first glance, the workshop can seem a bit messy. And most of looms are busy. By women only of every ages.

An all-female world! Mixing the deafening sounds of looms with the ones of the individual radios and fans of the workers. The women are silent and focused in their work. Every move is executed with precision. Sometimes a smile appears. There is a bit of greenery in the back of the court.

Each loom customised by a weaver, expresses her personal world (picture 3). I wish I could stay longer. Spending a day with these women to better discover their work (picture 1) . How do they weave, what are the floss silk used, the machines and their technique? Who are they?

But once more I’m the last one and I have to hurry to jump in the van. Cause the rain finally falls! Fortunately it won’t last…