Vibrant ıs a good way to describe Turkey's biggest city. A total of 16 Million call ıt home, but really the chaos is organized and quite civilized.
So far we've watched a very poorly played UEFA Cup game at a small bar off İstiklal Caddesi, fınally enjoyed our first Hammam experience (or I should say Turkısh Bath), seen the two most beautiful mosques Aya Sofiya and the Blue Mosque, as well as the Topkapı Palace and generally enjoyed thıs fabulous city.
Our plans for tomorrow include a boat trip down the Bosphorus and another trip into the Grand Baazar to fınally puchase a nargıla, something we have been talkıng about doıng since Morocco. We'll be finishing the trip off with dinner at the 360 restaurant, reputed not only for its Modern Turkish food, but all its view of the Old City.
Have to say we are pleased wıth the length of time we planned for this trip and are really having a great time, I will write more once we are back to the land of Engish keyboards!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Back on the Road
I really must put up some of the pictures of the remainder of our time in Thailand. Note to self.
After 10 days in Belfast we are heading out again. It was very nice to cook meals, clean and really all of the stuff you get to do at home, but we said we would get to Turkey, so off we go. We'll be in Istanbul by this time tomorrow. Just a week this time, but on our way home the plan is to stop over in Edinburgh for a long weekend. We're just in time for sporting events galore. Not only does the UEFA Cup take place tomorrow in Istanbul, but the last of the Seven's Rugby season finishes up in Edinburgh on the last weekend in May.
We'll not be heading to the game tomorrow, but we've got tickets for the 30th. After watching the Hong Kong matches in KL, we're looking forward to some live rugby.
Plans for the week? Well, I think we are ready to hit the tourist track again. Smaller bags are packed and we're already looking forward to warmer weather and less rain. I will be sure to update over the next little while.
After 10 days in Belfast we are heading out again. It was very nice to cook meals, clean and really all of the stuff you get to do at home, but we said we would get to Turkey, so off we go. We'll be in Istanbul by this time tomorrow. Just a week this time, but on our way home the plan is to stop over in Edinburgh for a long weekend. We're just in time for sporting events galore. Not only does the UEFA Cup take place tomorrow in Istanbul, but the last of the Seven's Rugby season finishes up in Edinburgh on the last weekend in May.
We'll not be heading to the game tomorrow, but we've got tickets for the 30th. After watching the Hong Kong matches in KL, we're looking forward to some live rugby.
Plans for the week? Well, I think we are ready to hit the tourist track again. Smaller bags are packed and we're already looking forward to warmer weather and less rain. I will be sure to update over the next little while.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Flight of the Gibbon
Voted the number one attraction in Chiang Mai by visitors (or at least that is what they say on their poster) is the Flight of the Gibbon. Tom and I, yesterday, got to pretend that we were those gibbons, swinging freely through the trees.
An eleven o'clock pick-up had us up in the much cooler tropical forest 45 minutes outside of Chiang Mai. Harnessed up and helmeted, we headed for the treetops. With 15 stations including zip-lines, rope bridges and abseils, New Zealand designed course (originally set up for scientists) took us well into the afternoon to complete.
It was totally worth the approximately fifty Canadian dollars we spent on it. Zooming through the trees from platform to platform supervised by friendly and very safety aware Thai staff was amazing. The pictures will come as soon as well get back to Belfast (they will not include the shots that Tom took from below as I abseiled down).
After a lovely Thai lunch (included in the price), which we enjoyed with a hoard of wasps, we took a short journey up the road to a waterfall. Tom and I took off on the steep climb to the top. Half way up the torrential rains started. We did manage to get down after 30 minutes in a small covered rest spot. It was a great day that left us tired and in bed by nine.
An eleven o'clock pick-up had us up in the much cooler tropical forest 45 minutes outside of Chiang Mai. Harnessed up and helmeted, we headed for the treetops. With 15 stations including zip-lines, rope bridges and abseils, New Zealand designed course (originally set up for scientists) took us well into the afternoon to complete.
It was totally worth the approximately fifty Canadian dollars we spent on it. Zooming through the trees from platform to platform supervised by friendly and very safety aware Thai staff was amazing. The pictures will come as soon as well get back to Belfast (they will not include the shots that Tom took from below as I abseiled down).
After a lovely Thai lunch (included in the price), which we enjoyed with a hoard of wasps, we took a short journey up the road to a waterfall. Tom and I took off on the steep climb to the top. Half way up the torrential rains started. We did manage to get down after 30 minutes in a small covered rest spot. It was a great day that left us tired and in bed by nine.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A Bit about Kanchanaburi
One of the first things I noticed when Tom and I arrived in Kanchanaburi was a lack of western women around the place. There were however an over abundance of Western men, mostly older western men.
Now, this being a town of historical significance, frequented by those interested in the history of WWII and for those looking to pay their respects to family members who, in serving their countries, ended up as prisoners in this place, I did realise that more men would possibly be interested in visiting. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the laid back atmosphere and what I experienced in the town, but, something did bother me about the place and I noticed this even more last night as Tom and I sat at a bar enjoying a couple of cold beers as the rain poured down around us.
In high school, I read a magazine article in French class concerning prostitution in Thailand. The details in that article combined with others I had read concerning the environmental problems, pollution and the continual opening up of Thailand's Islands, which had all once been a national park, made me wonder if I ever wanted to travel to such a place. Well, I am happy I did, and I being here did make me realise that a lot is being done to combat not only the air pollution, but to encourage people to think about what they are doing to their environment.
When it comes to prostitution, well I have been to Amsterdam, I've walked down and had a drink on Patpong Road in Bangkok, and sure, it bothers me to a certain extent, but I am not going to loudly voice my opposition to it. As long as those involved are safe from harm. However, it is another thing to not only have it so obviously thrust in your face, to see very young and beautiful Thai girls with unfortunate looking much older men, and then to be sitting at a small bar and have an English man in his sixties tell me about how many of the girls at the brothel across the street he had been with and how many more were on his list. Kanchanaburi seems to be the place to go if you want to meet very lost men with low self esteem.
Another English guy (they weren't all English, just those we bumped into) Tom met had been in the town four weeks. Over the course of his first week, he met a girl, bought a house worth 60,000 pounds and it being Thai law, put it in her name. He arrived home one day, shortly after the purchase to find the locks changed, the house empty and sold. Hasn't seen her since. How stupid can one person be.
All that being said, we are happy to be back with the backpackers and 5-star holiday goers in Chiang Mai. Haven't seen much yet, but plans are in the making.
Now, this being a town of historical significance, frequented by those interested in the history of WWII and for those looking to pay their respects to family members who, in serving their countries, ended up as prisoners in this place, I did realise that more men would possibly be interested in visiting. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the laid back atmosphere and what I experienced in the town, but, something did bother me about the place and I noticed this even more last night as Tom and I sat at a bar enjoying a couple of cold beers as the rain poured down around us.
In high school, I read a magazine article in French class concerning prostitution in Thailand. The details in that article combined with others I had read concerning the environmental problems, pollution and the continual opening up of Thailand's Islands, which had all once been a national park, made me wonder if I ever wanted to travel to such a place. Well, I am happy I did, and I being here did make me realise that a lot is being done to combat not only the air pollution, but to encourage people to think about what they are doing to their environment.
When it comes to prostitution, well I have been to Amsterdam, I've walked down and had a drink on Patpong Road in Bangkok, and sure, it bothers me to a certain extent, but I am not going to loudly voice my opposition to it. As long as those involved are safe from harm. However, it is another thing to not only have it so obviously thrust in your face, to see very young and beautiful Thai girls with unfortunate looking much older men, and then to be sitting at a small bar and have an English man in his sixties tell me about how many of the girls at the brothel across the street he had been with and how many more were on his list. Kanchanaburi seems to be the place to go if you want to meet very lost men with low self esteem.
Another English guy (they weren't all English, just those we bumped into) Tom met had been in the town four weeks. Over the course of his first week, he met a girl, bought a house worth 60,000 pounds and it being Thai law, put it in her name. He arrived home one day, shortly after the purchase to find the locks changed, the house empty and sold. Hasn't seen her since. How stupid can one person be.
All that being said, we are happy to be back with the backpackers and 5-star holiday goers in Chiang Mai. Haven't seen much yet, but plans are in the making.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Another Temple, but this one is Home to some Large Felines
The River Kwai, home to the famous POW built bridge and now a chilled out backpacker hangout. We arrived yesterday and automatically felt more relaxed, almost like we were back at Rawai. It's also nice to be back to the cheaper prices, that means meals for a few dollars, beers for a buck and massages, if one so desires, for about five.
The food is, of course, as delicious as always. Tom's noodle "salad" tonight was a lovely concoction of deep fried noodles, potato, tofu, garlic and ginger. He still talking about it, and I believe it will be continuously mentioned in the future.
On another note, we did some sightseeing today. Having seen all of the Australians, young and old, celebrating last night, commemorating ANZAC Day, we thought it only right to pay our respects to those to served and were held here during WWI.
Close to the River, and the traveller section of town is located the largest of several cemeteries in this area. Beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth it exists as a lovely memorial to those who gave their lives while under Japanese interment. Right next to the cemetery is the Railway Museum, which chronicles the events which took place throughout the occupation, and the building of the railway.
After lunch we took a truck journey, 40km down the road to the Tiger Temple, an animal sanctuary that is becoming quite the media star. Having been featured on PBS, CNN and Discovery Channel this is a must do for all travellers to Kanchanaburi.
Included in the entry fee is a picture session with the Tigers (38 are in captivity, the first having be brought in as cubs to the monks nine years ago when they were found abandoned by their parents, who were most likely killed by poachers)and a tour around the property which houses numerous local species. International volunteers come to help out at the large sanctuary by feeding, excercising and working with the animals. It really is a great initiative.
The food is, of course, as delicious as always. Tom's noodle "salad" tonight was a lovely concoction of deep fried noodles, potato, tofu, garlic and ginger. He still talking about it, and I believe it will be continuously mentioned in the future.
On another note, we did some sightseeing today. Having seen all of the Australians, young and old, celebrating last night, commemorating ANZAC Day, we thought it only right to pay our respects to those to served and were held here during WWI.
Close to the River, and the traveller section of town is located the largest of several cemeteries in this area. Beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth it exists as a lovely memorial to those who gave their lives while under Japanese interment. Right next to the cemetery is the Railway Museum, which chronicles the events which took place throughout the occupation, and the building of the railway.
After lunch we took a truck journey, 40km down the road to the Tiger Temple, an animal sanctuary that is becoming quite the media star. Having been featured on PBS, CNN and Discovery Channel this is a must do for all travellers to Kanchanaburi.
Included in the entry fee is a picture session with the Tigers (38 are in captivity, the first having be brought in as cubs to the monks nine years ago when they were found abandoned by their parents, who were most likely killed by poachers)and a tour around the property which houses numerous local species. International volunteers come to help out at the large sanctuary by feeding, excercising and working with the animals. It really is a great initiative.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Temple Time
The last time we were in Bangkok we had just spent two months in North Africa and we just so excited to see an actual western mall that we did nothing touristy expect visit Jim Thompson House (a lovely place).
This time we spent a day taking in a couple of the Temples, as well as the magnificent Royal Palace. Despite the heat and the need to dress respectfully in long pants and closed toe shoes we spent a half day wandering around the well maintained grounds at the riverside in Bangkok.
I had been to the Palace and Wat Pho, home to the giant goldleafed reclining Buddha when I was small. Unfortunately all pictures of that first visit no longer exist, or there was no film in the camera, I don't remember exactly. Now, Tom and I have many photos of the day.
Since our day as tourists we've just been wandering the malls of Bangkok trying to figure out what to do. We're really looking forward to flying home to Belfast and putting a bit of regularity back into our lives, so that is distracting us a bit from what Bangkok has to offer.
Tomorrow we head to Kanchanabiri and the famous River Kwai by bus. We'll be staying on the river, and with plenty of outdood adventuring on offer, its bound to get us more excited about this, the end of our time in South East Asia.
This time we spent a day taking in a couple of the Temples, as well as the magnificent Royal Palace. Despite the heat and the need to dress respectfully in long pants and closed toe shoes we spent a half day wandering around the well maintained grounds at the riverside in Bangkok.
I had been to the Palace and Wat Pho, home to the giant goldleafed reclining Buddha when I was small. Unfortunately all pictures of that first visit no longer exist, or there was no film in the camera, I don't remember exactly. Now, Tom and I have many photos of the day.
Since our day as tourists we've just been wandering the malls of Bangkok trying to figure out what to do. We're really looking forward to flying home to Belfast and putting a bit of regularity back into our lives, so that is distracting us a bit from what Bangkok has to offer.
Tomorrow we head to Kanchanabiri and the famous River Kwai by bus. We'll be staying on the river, and with plenty of outdood adventuring on offer, its bound to get us more excited about this, the end of our time in South East Asia.
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