See the World Differently
Exhausted, overheating and with hefty rucksacks on our backs, we tramped along Khaosan Road. We had just arrived in Bangkok, it was nearly midnight and all we could think about was finding our guesthouse and getting some sleep. The vendors on Khaosan Road, however, had other ideas. The street was thronging with drunken tourists. Badly […]
“Body lean back!” “Hmpf!” Thwack! My conversations with Nok were rather short and repetitive though I have to admire his patience. After a week of intensive training at a Muay Thai Camp in Thailand, I was finally leaning back enough to get some real power into my Thai kicks. Muay Thai has a fearsome reputation […]
“What do you think of Thai diving so far?” Chris enquired as we waddled across the dive platform, dripping wet and keen to get out of our gear. “Hmm…” came my non-committal reply. As we de-kitted, we discussed the merits of our first dive in the Similan Islands. Diving at Koh Tachai, the most northerly […]
The crocodile stretched its jaws wide, wrapping its teeth around the brave man’s head. On another poster, a couple reclined on cushions alongside a fearsome looking tiger. Along with the animal shows and bizarre photo opportunities, we could have taken a ride on an elephant. The elephants were on hand, each waiting patiently with a […]
Krabi is a well known stop on the tourist map of Thailand. Ask anyone what there is to do in Krabi town however and nobody seems to know. Railay Beach was repeatedly recommended to us along with canoeing tours and hot springs. The closest of these attractions is a 45-minute boat ride away. So, what […]
At the heart of the Grand Palace in Bangkok lies the most sacred temple in Thai Buddhism. Inside the main hall, Wat Phra Kaew, the translucent green statue known as the Emerald Buddha sits atop a golden pedestal. Each tier of the Buddha’s pedestal is smothered in gold and adorned with glittering statues, silver branches […]
Splashing across the wet concrete at Khlong Toei Market, we regretted our choice of sandals and wondered if wellies would have been more sensible. We stopped suddenly as another stall holder sloshed a bowl of fetid water across our path. Browsing the seafood section, we passed piles of whole prawns and live crabs with their […]
My masseuse pulled my toe and it popped. I winced, particularly averse to cracking joints. “OK?” he queried, noticing my reaction. Responding in a truly British fashion, I lied and told him I was fine. He continued pulling the rest of my toes. Twisting the middle of my foot, there was another almighty crack and […]
“Tee! Tee! Tee!” yelled the crowd in unison every time their favourite fighter landed a successful knee. When their fighter landed a powerful kick, a chorus of “Ohay!” erupted across the stands. The punters in the audience were on their feet yelling and waving their arms. With these vigorous hand gestures they placed and updated […]
Clad in the ubiquitous checked shirt of a floating market vendor, the woman deftly sliced the bananas. She dropped them into the sizzling pan of oil that occupied the centre of the boat. Minutes later she scooped crispy fritters from the fat and transferred them to a plastic bag. Hooked to the end of a […]