Tag Archives: Travel

Thailand: A Beach between Chumphon and Surat Thani

Posted on July 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

Early this morning, we left Pak Tako to Surat Thani.

A long road and little sleep the night before. Along the way we stop to have lunch on a desert beach. A seafood restaurant (picture 2): too bad for me, I do not like seafood, lol! Huts and threatening sky. Stray dogs and cats and too many mosquitoes! I decide to explore lonely one side of the beach.

Fantastic light giving an emerald reflection to the sea, the tide is low. On land, post card’s palm trees and conifers. Far away, empty canoes ripple on the surface of the water. Opposite, a small fishing community. I have the feeling of walking into a movie set. Light wind, the sky is covered like waiting for an impending tropical storm.

Always impressive, the sky turns black at once, no rain yet. I go to the boats first (picture 3), and then to the fishermen sitting in a large hut covered with palm leaves. Men, women and children are busy unraveling the threads. Exchange of smiles, I show my camera to ask if I can take pictures and portraits.

I appreciate when people photographed are complicit and forget my presence. Sometimes there are meetings and great energy, as in this group. As always the best meetings are those due to chance. I barely had time to make some shots that other journalists arrive (!). It starts to rain, I have to leave in the direction of the restaurant. Many thanks to this small community for their hospitality!

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!

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

Departure to Thailand: Sawadee Ka Bangkok!

DESTINATIONS

Thailand, Chumphon: The Return of Fishing in Pak Tako

Posted on July 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

Still in Chumphon.

After the boat tour of the estuary of Pak Tako, we decided to attend the return of fishing. A short drive to the fishing warehouse to follow the action.

The boats are unloaded immediately by organized teams. At first glance, it seems that there are a lot of people. But very quickly you realize that everyone has a very specific task, in order to optimize the whole process.

Fishing is mainly composed of crabs (pictures 2, 4 & 5) and anchovies (picture 3). Each boat is specialized in shellfish or in anchovies. And while these traditional boats may seem craft, I am impressed by the quantity fished: 3 tonnes of anchovy today!

Smiling, the boat owner told me that it is a daily average. Time to shoot some more portraits. And we have to hit the road, tight schedule.

We will have many stops till Surat Thani, including the visit of a silk fabric and a Bouddhist meditation centre. The last two pictures: the Pak Tako beach. During the rainy season, throughout the day the weather is a mix between rain and heat.

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

Visakha Bucha Buddhist Celebration Near Amphawa

DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

Posted on July 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

For the third day I am in Chumphon.

During my first trip to Thailand, I have already stopped to Chumphon on my way to Koh Samet. This time I woke up at dawn to get to the estuary Pak Tako. A 5 minute drive from Tusita Resort & Spa.

The beach is large, palm trees, a wreck and low tide. Some pictures and mosquito bites, waiting for the traditional boat in which we visit the estuary. Timidly the sun rises. Beautiful light with golden reflections through threatening clouds, the sky cleared. This is the beginning of the rainy season. And the bottom of the air is already heavy, tropical weather.

The boat is late (ahora misma, lol). Finally sat in the front “seat”, I gradually discovered each bank. Pristine luxuriant nature on one side (pictures 5,8 & 10). Fishermen’s wooden houses on stilts, boats, fishing boats and warehouses on the other side. Gently life resumes and we meet here and there a fisherman or older women drinking tea (pictures 4 & 6).

No noise except for few boat engines. I like watching the conch of traditional boats. Everything seems immutable, like a ritual that is repeated again and again, reassuring. Time slows down. A peaceful feeling without crowds or tourist. The estuary is small and the boat is fast enough. And we decide to attend the return of fishing in the warehouses. We reach them by road in less than 5 minutes. To be contunued…