HellonEarth - Photoblog

Gateway to Two Worlds: Exploring Mae Sot, Thailand

2026-10-18T08:37:38.227+07:00

Nestled in the mountainous terrain of Tak Province in northwestern Thailand, Mae Sot is far more than a typical border town. Separated from Myanmar by the Moei River, this vibrant city serves as a vital economic crossroads and a unique cultural melting pot where Thai, Burmese, Karen, and Shan traditions seamlessly intertwine.

A Crossroads of Culture and Commerce

For generations, Mae Sot has functioned as the primary overland gateway between Thailand and Myanmar. The opening of the Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridges cemented its status as a bustling hub for international trade, famous for its vibrant gemstone and jade markets, timber heritage, and lively border bazaars like the Rim Moei Market.

Unlike Thailand's more heavily touristed regions, Mae Sot offers

an authentic, unpolished glimpse into cross-border life. Walking through its streets reveals a fascinating architectural and cultural eclecticism: golden Burmese-style stupas stand alongside Thai temples, and bustling morning markets fill the air with the rich aromas of traditional Burmese tea leaf salad, mohinga, and northern Thai specialties.

A Sanctuary and a Mosaic

Beyond commerce, Mae Sot has a profound humanitarian hist

ory, serving as a long-standing sanctuary and home for communities displaced by conflict across the border. This dynamic demographic has infused the town with incredible resilience, culinary diversity, and a deep sense of shared community.

Surrounded by lush mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, and hot springs, Mae Sot is also a gateway for nature lovers and adventurers looking to explore a lesser-known side of Thailand. It stands as a compelling destination where history, trade, and diverse human stories converge on the edge of the kingdom.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission, Contact: kevinhellon@gmail.com

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Echoes of the Market: A Journey Through Mae Sot

Balance and Tradition: The Street Vendor of Mae Sot

Market Rhythms: Childhood and Commerce in Mae Sot

Rhythms of the Border: The Rickshaw Rider of Mae Sot.

Serene Steps: Buddhist Nuns on a Mae Sot Street

The Tools of Trade: A Hardware Stall in Mae Sot

Quiet Footsteps: Heritage and Daily Life in Mae Sot

Two Wheels on the Border: Cyclists in Mae Sot

Beddgelert: A Historic Village in the Heart of Snowdonia

2026-10-03T10:50:07.077+07:00

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) in North Wales, Beddgelert is one of the region’s most charming stone-built villages. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, lush forests, and peaceful riverbanks, it serves as a quintessential Welsh escape and an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Legend of Gelert

The village takes its name—which translates to "Gelert’s Grave"—from the famous 13th-century legend of Prince Llywelyn the Great and his faithful hound, Gelert. According to local lore, Llywelyn returned from a hunt to find his baby's cradle overturned and Gelert covered in blood. Believing the dog had attacked his child, Llywelyn drew his sword and killed Gelert. Moments later, he heard the cries of his infant beneath the cradle, safe beside the carcass of a giant wolf that Gelert had slain to protect the child. Filled with remorse, the prince buried his loyal hound outside the village walls. Today, visitors can follow a scenic path along the River Glaslyn to visit Gelert's Grave stone monument.

Key Highlights & Attractions

Historic Bridges & Confluence: The village center is defined by historic stone bridges crossing the confluence of the River Colwyn and River Glaslyn. The iconic, ivy-draped two-arched stone bridge offers classic landscape photography views.
St Mary’s Church: Located near the river, this quiet, historic stone church stands on the site of a 6th-century Augustinian priory, showcasing centuries of local history and peaceful churchyard paths.
Welsh Highland Railway: Beddgelert station is a key stop along the restored heritage steam railway, connecting Caernarfon to Porthmadog through the dramatic Aberglaslyn Pass.
Outdoor Exploration: The area offers direct access to scenic walking routes, ranging from gentle river strolls to challenging hikes up nearby peaks such as Moel Hebog and Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).

With its traditional slate-roofed cottages, vibrant floral displays in summer, cozy local pubs, and deep-rooted Welsh heritage, Beddgelert remains one of the most beloved destinations in North Wales.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission, Contact: kevinhellon@gmail.com

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Red begonia flowers and Beddgelert village green

Arched bridge Beddgelert

St Mary's church and graveyard

Bench with mountain backdrop, Beddgelert

Stone cottages by the River Glaslyn

St Mary's Church, Beddgelert

Footbridge over the Colwyn River, Beddgelert

Confluence of the rivers Colwyn and Glaslyn, Beddgelert

Stone cottages by the River Glaslyn

Flowers and footbridge over the River Colwyn, Beddgelert

Rocky riverbed Beddgelert

Beddgelert Station

Rocky riverbed Beddgelert

The village green, Beddgelert

Wooden parkbench in a shaded village green

Bangkok Street Vendors: The Heart of Thailand's Street Life

2026-09-28T13:01:01.135+07:00

Bangkok's street vendors are an essential part of the city's character, bringing colour, energy and flavour to its busy streets. From early morning until late at night, pavements and roadside stalls are filled with vendors selling everything from freshly prepared Thai food to clothing, flowers and household goods.

Food is at the centre of Bangkok's street-vending culture. Woks sizzle over open flames as vendors prepare pad Thai, spicy papaya salad, grilled meats and fragrant noodle soups. Fresh tropical fruit, coconut drinks and sweet mango sticky rice offer tempting treats to passing shoppers and commuters.

Beyond the food, street markets provide a fascinating glimpse into everyday Thai life. Locals stop for breakfast, office workers collect lunch, and visitors explore the bustling stalls in search of souvenirs and traditional crafts.

Despite the challenges of working in a crowded city, street vendors remain an important part of Bangkok's economy and cultural identity. Their stalls bring communities together and preserve generations of culinary traditions.

For photographers, Bangkok's street vendors offer endless opportunities to capture authentic scenes of urban life, with colourful displays, dramatic cooking fires and the constant movement of one of Asia's most vibrant cities.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission, Contact: kevinhellon@gmail.com

The Balinese Galungan Festival

2026-09-25T16:11:03.842+07:00

The most significant Hindu religious festival held in Bali is the Galungan Festival, which takes place every 210 days and lasts for a total of 10 days.

The festival is based on the legendary defeat of the tyrannical King Mayadenawa by Lord Indra and represents the triumph of good over evil.

The festival begins on Galungan Day and concludes on the tenth day, known as Kuningan Day, when the evil spirits return to the heavens.

The festival is celebrated by wearing traditional Balinese clothing, through family reunions, and with family visits to the temple.

During the festival, roads are lined with Penjor — tall bamboo poles adorned with coconut leaves, flowers and fruits. The Penjor are said to resemble the tail of the Barong, a symbol of goodness, as well as the sacred Mount Agung, and they represent prosperity.

The Barong is a mythical creature representing good in the fight against Rangda, the demon queen. The Barong is paraded through villages, going from house to house to ward off negativity and restore balance.

A special feature of the festival is the performance of the Gamelan, a musical ensemble dominated by percussion instruments such as metallophones, gongs and drums. These performances take place throughout the festival.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission, Contact: kevinhellon@gmail.com

Portraits of porters, Khlong Toei Market, Bangkok, Thailand

2026-02-02T23:43:00.003+07:00

The Khlong Toei market is the largest wet market in Bangkok. It is open daily for the sale of fish, seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables and other, sometimes exotic, products such as live chickens and frogs. There are hundreds of stalls and vendors, and customers attend daily to buy the freshest produce at the lowest prices. Often, customers are seen with a porter in close proximity, carrying their purchases in a large basket on a trolley. The porters, both male and female, can be found in strategic locations, waiting for business.

All photos are copyrighted and may not be published elsewhere without express permission.

Car photos for sale on Fine art America - Classic British Sports Cars - 2

2024-06-14T09:31:00.007+07:00

Car photos for sale on Fine art America - Classic British Sports Cars -1

2024-06-14T09:17:00.012+07:00

Back to the UK, Amsterdam and Portugal

2022-07-25T15:04:00.001+07:00

Cornmarket, High Wycombe

Today we set off (or rather tomorrow at 10 past midnight) on our way to the UK to see our daughters and meet our prospective son-in-law and also his parents. Our tickets were booked with Emirates back in 2020 and we elected to keep them instead of getting a refund. As it has turned out this was definitely a good idea as equivalent tickets are now 50% more expensive! We are lucky to be travelling Business Class, first on a Boeing 777 and then on an Airbus 380. It is our intention to take full advantage of the delights on offer. We will arrive at 12:30 pm and be taken to Katie's apartment in High Wycombe by the chauffeur service of Emirates to be met by Katie's newly acquired cat Luna!

Of course, we are looking forward to seeing Katie and later in the week Natalie who is arriving for the weekend from Amsterdam. A couple of weeks later, Natalie will return with Tim her fiance, who we will meet in person for the first time. We have spoken on Facetime and we are very much looking forward to seeing him in the flesh. We are also looking forward to a BBQ at Tim's parent's house in Princes Risborough. Currently, Natalie and Tim are in Italy looking at potential wedding venues for next year and we are keeping our fingers crossed that they find something suitable.

We will be going to Amsterdam for a week or so to see Natalie and Tim and they're newly acquired dog Pretzel! Animals seem to be in vogue although I think Ann and I may have enough with each other. We will meet up with them again in Portugal in September before returning back to Phuket in October.

Hua Hin Railway Station

2022-03-28T12:26:00.000+07:00

Main station building, Hua Hin railway station

Constructed in 1926 of wood and brick, this beautiful station replaced the original station built when the line was opened in 1911. The red and cream painted station and its grandiose, Thai architectural style Phra Mongkut Klao Pavilion has become symbolic of Hua Hin, The Pavilion was originally located at Sanam Chan Palace in Nakhon Pathom and was moved to Hua Hin in 1974 in order to operate as a Royal waiting room.

Construction of a new dual-track high-speed line is currently underway to replace the current single-track railway and this includes the construction of a new elevated station in Hua Hin. The new station is being built in the same colours as the existing one but, as yet, I have been unable to discover what will happen to the old one although I am sure it will be preserved in some fashion.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT KEVIN HELLON

Phra Mongkut Klao Pavilion, Hua Hin railway station

Main station building, Hua Hin railway station

Booking office, Hua Hin railway station

Assistant station master sign. Hua Hin railway station

Station Master, Hua Hin railway station

Train Guard, Hua Hin railway station

Train passengers, Hua Hin railway station

Passengers waiting for the train, Hua Hin railway station

Signal box, Hua Hin railway station

Front entrance, Hu Hin railway station

Rear view of Phra Mongkut Klao Pavilion, Hua Hin railway station

Hua Hin to Home

2022-03-19T12:35:00.002+07:00

After 6 weeks on the road, we decided that we would try and make the trip back home in one go. 7 and a bit hours of driving later, we eventually made it home in a very dirty car after having travelled approximately 6,300 kilometres on our road trip. We have very much enjoyed our trip and there have been some notable highlights along the way. Much of it we have seen before but there are always some pleasant surprises in store on such a trip. We have probably exhausted this area now and so will not do it again (except for Bangkok). However, there are some other areas that we would either like to do for the first time or repeat for a second time.

Road Trip Thailand, Hua Hin to Phuket

One dirty Mitsubishi Pajero

Thank you for following our blog and travels.

That's all folks!

Hua Hin

2022-03-18T07:01:00.000+07:00

Hua Hin was the first beach resort in Thailand mainly because the King at the time built a summer palace in the area, It became a place to visit for the rich and famous of Bangkok due to its Royal connections and is now a destination, not only for foreign tourists but also for Bangkok's hoi polloi, especially at weekends.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, we were in the habit of holidaying in Phuket and did so for many years, except for 2004, the year of the tsunami when for some unknown reason I persuaded the family to try Hua Hin for a change. They were not that keen when we arrived and they tried to persuade me to move on to Phuket but I held firm and we, thankfully, were saved from the tsunami.

In the 1920s the railway came to Hua Hin and an iconic, impressive railway station was built together with a Royal pavilion or waiting room for the Royal Family. Changes are now underway as a new dual railway line to the South of Thailand is under construction to replace the current single track. This includes a new elevated station for Hua Hin.

The Royal Pavilion, Hua Hin

New station under construction, Hua Hin

The old railway station, Hua Hin

The Beach, Hua Hin

We had decided to stay 2 nights in Hua Hin and a visit to Father Teds, an Irish Pub, confirmed we had made the right decision as on Wednesday night the Bangkok Beatles were playing. We have been watching this band play for around 15 years in various Irish pubs in Bangkok and were delighted at the opportunity to see them again so we booked a table. Just as well we did as the place was packed to the rafters.

The Bangkok Beatles in Hua Hin

Chai Nat to Hua Hin

2022-03-17T15:40:00.000+07:00

Thailand Road Trip, Chai Nat to Hua Hin

Wishing to get to Hua Hin as quickly as possible, we set off early for the trek south, going via Ratchaburi in order to avoid the heavy traffic (and toll roads) of Bangkok. We, therefore, arrived in good time and had a little walk around before visiting the famous night market for dinner first having a drink in the Ko Bar, where were serenaded by a surprisingly good musician, before eating dinner in the Rot Fai restaurant. Rot Fai is the Thai word for railway and Hua Hin is famous for its railway station (more of this in the next post) which is on the main route from Bangkok to the South of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Hua Hin Night Market

Singer/ guitarist, Koh Bar, Hua Hin

Koh Bar, Hua Hin

Mae Sot to Chai Nat

2022-03-16T07:31:00.000+07:00

We had 3 nights at the Centra Hotel in Mae Sot which we enjoyed very much, It is an old hotel that has been modernised to provide high standard rooms and benefits from a large swimming pool which we took full advantage of as temperatures soared up to 39 degrees. On our last day, we went to the Rim Moei market which is directly on the border with Myanmar. The border is closed, as it was in Mai Sai, and this usually vibrant area is a shadow of its former self with many shops and businesses having closed down. Pre-covid, many Burmese used to cross the border on a daily basis. both legally and illegally, to work in Thailand although the conditions of their employment probably left a lot to be desired. In the past, we have watched the Burmese floating across the river on innertubes to get into Thailand whilst the Thai authorities apparently turned a blind eye. Before leaving I made a quick early morning visit to the morning market.

Morning market, Mae Sot

We are well and truly on our way home now with several long drives in front of us. Today, we are travelling first East towards Tak and then South to Nakhon Sawan province for an overnight stop.

Road Trip Thailand, Mae Sot to Nakhon Sawan

The first part of the journey delighted us again with fabulous mountain scenery in beautiful weather. The road was an excellent dual carriageway that snaked across the mountains so it was not quite the same as the tortuous single carriageway bends on previous days. We made excellent progress to stay the night near Chai Nat in one of our less salubrious, albeit very clean and very cheap accommodations. We drove into Chai Nat and had a very good dinner at a restaurant on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. This river is formed at Nakhon Sawan from the confluence over the Nan and Ping Rivers and flows through Bangkok into the Gulf of Thailand.

Mae Sot

2022-03-13T08:14:00.000+07:00

Mae Sot is a border town and has grown enormously since 2 bridges were constructed across the river to Myanmar. Trade with Myanmar is the one of the most important businesses in the area and is mainly responsible for that growth along with the influx of migrants and refugees from Myanmar. It is known for its teak and gem trading and also has a certain notoriety for drugs and people trafficking. It is a fascinating city with huge ethnic diversity. Walking around the morning market in the centre of town, one can see so many different types of people going about their business. It is a proverbial melting pot of religions and ethnicities. The variety of people is matched via the variety of fresh produce on the huge market and it is one of the cheapest markets we have ever seen. There are also many temples and mosques in the city but the most outstanding is the Chinese temple belonging to the Chan Thak Foundation.

Mae Sot morning market, Tak Province

Chinese Temple of the Chan Thak Foundation, Mae Sot

Wat Manee Praison, Mae Sot

Later, that evening, we discovered a very nice restaurant called Getthava. The food is excellent, has some interesting specialities such as tea leaf salad and Chinese sausage fried rice. The cost os those 2 including steamed rice, pork and tofu clear soup and a pork stuffed omelette came to 255 THB! Unbelievable good value.

Dinner in Getthava Restaurant, Mae Sot

Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang and Mae Sot

2022-03-12T06:11:00.000+07:00

Thailand Road Trip, Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang

Today we began to head south on the third and, for us, the final leg of the Mae Hong Son Loop. Due to the distance and the bendy nature of the road from Mae Hong Son to Mae Sot, we felt we had to stay one night in Mae Sariang even though there is not much there. We had used the same accommodation before so we knew that it was ok.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast, we were on our way once again, this time to Mae Sot where we would spend 3 nights.

The first stretch of this journey took us on the type of road we had become familiar with over the last few days - relentless bends through mountainous terrain. We remembered the first time that we drove along this road in 2009 when it was very rough, narrow and quite hair-raising with little protection. There were also many roadworks as improvements were underway. Despite the twists and turns, it is now a very good road with appropriate safety barriers. The scenery is much greener and more thickly forested than we had seen on previous days and quite beautiful, especially as we drove through the Mae Ngao National Park. As we zoomed down a mountain, we glimpsed a coffee shop that appeared to have a splendid view over a fertile valley so we quickly did a U-turn. Both the coffee and view were worth the stop, and thoroughly refreshed, we ploughed on towards Mae Sot. We reached the point where the road meets the Salween River which also forms the boundary between Thailand and Myanmar. As we drove along the parallel road, we were treated to glimpses of this lovely river and the towering, foreboding hills of Myanmar on the other side. There are frequent army control points along this road and there is also the huge Mae La refugee camp that is currently home to some 50,000 Karen refugees. On either side of the refugee camp are army control posts controlling the inhabitants' movements and providing protection from any possible incursions from across the border. Eventually, we reached our destination which was the Centra Hotel.

Coffee Stop, Mae Hong Son Province

Mountain scenery, Mae Hong Son Province

The Salween River border between Thailand and Myanmar

Pai to Mae Hong Son

2022-03-10T07:28:00.001+07:00

Road Trip Thailand, Pai to Mae Hong Son

This was another tortuous journey over the mountains on another sector on the famous Mae Hong Son Loop. We were, however, rewarded by some magnificent scenery as we first climbed up the mountain followed by a rapid descent via some hair-raising hairpin bends. As a reminder to be careful, we passed one truck in the middle of the road, lying on its side after obviously taking one bend too fast and losing control. The police were already in attendance and fortunately, the occupants were sitting by the side of the road looking slightly dazed but relatively unharmed. We arrived at the Fern resort which, I am glad to say, met with our unanimous approval as it has 2 swimming pools and is set in a huge area of land comprising of gardens intermixed with various agricultural crops such as rice, onions and lettuce. The resort has a beautiful restaurant where we ate a typical Thai dinner.

Mountain view, Mae Hong Son

Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham, Mae Hong Son

Fern Resort, Mae Hong Son

Dinner, Fern Resort, Mae Hong Son

Pai and environs

2022-03-08T08:56:00.000+07:00

Pai is the darling of the Thai backpacker route, although there are not too many around at the moment. Nevertheless, we are sure that we are the oldest backpackers in town! This is a peaceful place nestling between the mountains on the Pai River and its quiet, laidback attraction is easy to see. At this time of year, the biggest drawback is the smoggy atmosphere as it is the burning season, a time when the farmers across South East Asia burn the stubble in the rice fields and contaminate the atmosphere. You can see the lack of clarity on the hills in some of the photos below. Nearby, there is a Yunnan village comprising of former members of the Kuomintang (Chinese National Party) who were defeated by the Chinese communists and subsequently fled to Thailand. There are other similar villages in remote regions of Thailand and this one has turned itself into something of a tourist attraction. Close by there is also a Lisu Hilltribe village whose members still wear mainly traditional dress.

Santichon Yunnan village, Pai

Lisu Hilltribe women, Pai

Wat Phra That Mae Yen is in the mountains close to Pai

Cattle in typical farmland, Pai

Farmworker harvesting shallots, Pai

Chiang Mai to Pai

2022-03-07T12:56:00.007+07:00

Road Trip Thailand, Chiang Mai to Pai

The road from Chiang Mai to Pai is innocuous enough in the beginning, with some 30 odd km of dual carriageway heading directly north. Even when you turn off left towards the distant mountains, the road gently glides through many villages but, there is a reason why it takes almost 3 hours to do 132 kilometres and it starts to become very apparent as you start to climb the mountains. The sheer number and tightness of the bends is amazing and actually quite tiring. The road is one section of the famous "Mae Hong Son Loop" considered by the biking fraternity to be one of the world's best motorbike routes with 1864 bends on its 650 km route. It felt like there were 1864 bends on the one stretch we did!

We changed our hotel booking to The Quarter and on arrival, we were glad that we did as the hotel is very conveniently located a few minutes walk from downtown Pai (if you can call it that!) and is quite lovely with a good swimming pool that, considering the heat (38 degrees), is very welcome. Our lunchtime arrival meant that we had time for a walk around before returning for a swim and then out again for dinner and to the market.

Swimming pool, The Quarter, Pai

Cafe/restaurant Pai

Night Market, Pai

Chiang Mai

2022-03-06T08:02:00.000+07:00

From what we have seen the residential areas of Chiang Mai are back to normal with restaurants and bars open. This cannot be said for the tourist areas of the city that are currently ghost towns. We are staying at the Dusit D2 which is in the heart of the Night Bazaar area. This is an area that used to be crammed with street vendors and tourists but, unfortunately no more. The same can also be said for the old town within the city walls. There is barely anyone there and it all looks so sad. Recovery will take a long time.

Today was rather hot and we ventured out to the Hmong market and Chinatown before looking at yet more temples until the heat became too much and we found a German beer garden for some liquid refreshment.

Hmong Market, Chiang Mai

Chinatown, Chiang Mai

A monk checks his phone, Chiang Mai

The Three Kings monument, Chiang Mai

Ice lolly vendor, taking a break in the heat

German beer garden, Chiang Mai

Thai couple wearing Hmong costume

Wat Muentoom, Chiang Mai

Wat Loi Kroh, Chiang Mai

We had dinner in the Red Lion British pub, a long-established hostelry in Chiang Mai, that we have visited on just about every occasion we have been. Subsequently, we jumped in a tuk-tuk (always fun!) to the Saturday Evening market in Wua Lai Road. The market is similar to the Sunday evening market but in a different location and sells food, handicrafts, hilltribe goods, silver, clothes, etc. and more food!

Tuk-tuk fun, Chiang Mai

Wua Lai Saturday evening market, Chiang Mai

Glass blower, Wua Lai Saturday evening market, Chiang Mai

Wua Lai Saturday evening market, Chiang Mai

Lampang to Chiang Mai

2022-03-05T08:15:00.002+07:00

Thailand Road Trip, Lampang to Chiang Mai

Another short-haul through the beautiful, forested mountains of Lampang to the city of Chiang Mai, famed for its temples. It lies on the banks of the Ping River a major tributary of the Chao Phraya that flows through Bangkok. It is the second-largest city in Thailand., founded in 1296 as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom and its name translates to "New City". We have, of course, been before and have very happy memories of the area with our girls from about 1993. Ann loves the shopping here and I quite like the temples.

Ann shopping, Chinag Mai

Hmong Hill tribe woman, Chiang Mai

Street hawker, Chiang Mai

Chinatown Gate, Chiang Mai

Local transport, Chiang Mai

Free tea and coffee, Chiang Mai

Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai

Wat Pan Ping, Chiang Mai

We had a chance to meet up with some friends, who once lived in Bangkok, but Martin and Yvonne have now been living in Chiang Mai for about 8 years. We visited their apartment for a glass of Prosecco before Martin marched us off to a nearby Italian restaurant for some great food.

Yvonne, Martin, Ann & Kevin, Chiang Mai

Lampang

2022-03-03T08:10:00.000+07:00

Lampang is otherwise known to the Thais as "Horse Carriage City", as horse-drawn carriages are still a regular means of transportation here. It is the third-largest city in Northern Thailand and together with Phrae was a centre for harvesting teak from the forests that abounded in the province. The logs were dragged to the Wang River, on the banks of which Lampang sits, by elephants for transport to Bangkok. Sadly the forests are now depleted of teak. The horse-drawn carriages are really just a tourist draw now, but they are clearly a symbol of the city, and, of course, we could not resist an hour's trip for 400 baht with a driver together with his apprentice. We actually thoroughly enjoyed the trip, stopping at a museum with old logging memorabilia, an old farm that had many old carriages and, what else, a temple of course!

Statue commemorating loggers, Lampang

Horse and carriage, Lampang

Old carriages, Lampang

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao Sucha Daram, Lampang

Our accommodation in Lampang was an old teak house called the Riverside Guest House and although not fully populated with the usual creature comforts, it was clean and rather quaint.

The Riverside Guesthouse, Lampang

View from our balcony over the River Wang, The Riverside Guesthouse, Lampang

As a testament to its teak processing past, the city is full of fascinating, old, teak buildings and other interesting architecture. Street artists have also been at work.

Old teak house, Lampang

Interesting architecture, Lampang

Street art, Lampang

A note on the weather. A week or so ago, we were privately complaining about the weather which was rather grey and cool (25 degrees) for the time of year. Looking at the forecast for Chiang Mai which is our next destination, we can expect temperatures of 39 degrees. How can we possibly complain! Even here in Lampang at the moment, it is bloody hot at 6pm!

Phayao to Lampang

2022-03-02T07:52:00.001+07:00

Road Trip, Thailand, Phayao to Lampang

Another short trip today to Lampang. This is another city like Chiang Rai and Chiang Saen that used to be part of the Lanna Kingdom that was overrun by the Burmese before being incorporated into Siam (Thailand).

The previous day, we visited Chiang Kham which is very close to the Laos border. There are many ethnic Tai Lue people, originally from China living here who are believed to have migrated 2 centuries ago. In actual fact they are indistinguishable from the Northern Thai people unless they are wearing traditional dress.

Wat Sam Muang Ma, Chiang Kham

Traditional Tai Lue house, Chiang Kham

Wat Sam Muang Ma, Chiang Kham

In Phayao, we found a restaurant on the lake that we liked so much we went on both evenings we were there. So Good lived up to its name with extremely good food presented in generous proportions at a very reasonable price. (Much cheaper than we can find in Phuket).

So Good restaurant, Phayao

Phayao Lake

Chiang Rai to Phayao

2022-02-28T08:20:00.000+07:00

Thailand Road Trip, Chiang Rai to Phayao

It is a short hop to Phayao from Chiang Rai. Phayao city is in the province of the same name and nestles beside a large freshwater lake that the local authorities have taken full advantage of, providing a long promenade with various objet d'art and beautiful flowers. Many of the locals seem to spend much of their time fishing as many fishing rods are on display. The lake is also a source of freshwater prawns and we were intrigued to see one guy up to his neck feeling for the prawns with his feet before delving under the water to capture his prize.

Promenade by Phayao Lake

Fisherman on Phayao Lake

Promenade by Phayao Lake

Chiang Rai

2022-02-27T08:31:00.003+07:00

The Clock Tower, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Mengrai (hence the name City of (Meng)Rai) is the northernmost city in Thailand and was formerly the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Under Burmese rule for hundreds of years, the territory finally became part of Siam in 1786. We visited the famous Wat Rung Khun (The White Temple) and the lesser-known Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple) which is also known as the Temple of the Dancing Tiger. The temples are totally different but both are magnificent in their own way. The excitement for Ann was yet to come as Saturday evening is when the city holds its Walking Street Market. Apart from the food stalls(there is always food wherever you go in Thailand!), there are many stalls selling clothes, plants, handicrafts, jewellery and many other items. On previous visits, it has been difficult to negotiate the street as there have been so many people, but this time, although there were just as many stalls, it was much quieter. Needless to say, Ann made several purchases!

Wat Rung Khun (The White Temple)

Wat Rung Khun, Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple)

Wat Rong Suea Ten

Saturday Walking Street Market

Food, glorious food! Chiang Rai Saturday Walking Street Market

Chiang Rai Saturday Walking Street Market

Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai

2022-02-26T08:40:00.002+07:00

Road Trip, Thailand, Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai

A beautiful day today and we were in no hurry to leave the Bansaeo Garden and Resort especially as we had only a short trip of about 1 hour into Chiang Rai city. We have enjoyed our stay here but there is still plenty to look forward to on our trip.

View from Bangsaeo Garden Resort over the River Mekhong

We arrived at our hotel the Nakaraj Princess well before 12 but were still able to check-in. We stayed at this palatial hotel on our last visit to Chiang Rai and Ann loves it.

Nakaraj Princess Hotel, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is home to our favourite ribs restaurant, a place we discovered several years ago and one that we have visited on each occasion that we have been in the city. It was as delicious as usual and the ribs were only THB 499.

Full rack of ribs, Ribs & Co Restaurant, Chiang Rai