Belated congratulations

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Mike

Just a quick post to congratulate Richard and Sophie from Morgan Safari on their arrival in London. I met these two when we were camped next to each other on a beach in Western Australia, when they were nearing the end of the Australian leg of a Sydney to London journey (via South Africa) and I was about a third of the way through my round Australia trip.
Although I actually did more kilometres than these guys during my zig-zagging lap around Oz, most of the roads they travelled would have been a lot, lot, lot rougher and more dangerous than anything I travelled, so well done guys !
(now, have you got itchy feet yet ? started thinking about your next adventure ? LOL )
So if anybody is contemplating an overland trip through Africa, or just want some armchair adventuring, hop on over to their blog at MorganSafari.com.

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“Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky …..”

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Mike

Fireworks over Chao Phraya river, Bangkok So, how was your New Years Eve ? I had a relatively quiet night, with a couple of cans of bia Singh (Singha beer) down at the river while waiting for the fireworks display, and a couple more at my local bar when I got home. There are several 5 star hotels down by the Chao Phraya river here in Bangkok, and they all put on a fireworks display from barges moored outside the hotels (as well as many other places around the city). If you’ve got the spare cash a river view room would be the best option to watch, or an expensive river cruise, or just go out and stand on the nearby bridge as I and several hundred others did….and when there is no more room, just park (and double, and even triple park) your car on the highway …never mind the traffic flow !
I got there around 10.45 and the walkway over bridge was nearly full then, but got a spot near the middle to set up my camera. As it turned out, that was not the best spot for photos but better than nothing. The fireworks barges were in a direct line from my spot so all the fireworks seemed to come from one point, if I go again next year I’ll try and get a spot at the end of the bridge, at an angle to the boats so that the barges and fireworks are staggered across the frame.
As it was, a bit of work with Lightroom’s adjustment brush to reduce the overblown highlights from the barges and I think I got some reasonable pictures :

Fireworks over the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Fireworks over the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Fireworks over the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Fireworks over the Chao Phraya river, Bangkok

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Bangkok’s amateur models

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Mike

xmasmodels2013-4 A few days ago, in a post about the festive season lights here in Bangkok I mentioned that there were several girls dressed up in “Christmassy” outfits and posing for the photographers. They might have come with one guy, friend, boyfriend or husband, but if somebody else pointed a camera at them they were not afraid to turn on a megawatt smile and strike a pose for other photographers. Somehow I could n’t imagine that happening back home !
The girl on the left, all dressed up in her winter woollies for the Bangkok “winter” (think about 20C !) was a teaser, so here are some more :

xmasmodels2013-11

Pretty lights, pretty girls, and lots of cameras !

One of the cosplayers who had swapped her anime costume for a Christmassy one ...but not her mask.

One of the cosplayers who had swapped her anime costume for a Christmassy one …but not her mask.

As I mentioned in the previous post, some of the cosplayers were also there but in Christmassy costumes instead of their usual Japanese anime/manga outfits, like this girl ..at least I assume it’s a girl beneath the mask ?

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Santa, armed and dangerous !

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Mike
WTF !!

WTF !!

Only in Bangkok !
I don’t know if this is a reflection on the current political climate here in Bangkok, or just a complete lack of understanding of Santa Claus ?
He seems to have an admirer though !
santa2013-2

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Joy to the world

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Mike

This gallery contains 20 photos.

As Thailand is a Buddhist country, they do not really celebrate Christmas and the main holiday is New Year. So Christmas Day is just another working day here, but there will be 2 public holidays for New Years Eve, plus … Continue reading →

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Thai protesters viewpoint in English

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Mike

For anybody who is interested in the politics of the current protests this lady gave a speech in English at the main protest stage ( and later got a Molotov Cocktail thrown at her house)

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