Today's weather;
A decent cloud cover reigns over Samui. It will take a while for the sun to burn through this. Current temp at 7am is 26.2C.
Yesterday saw clouds covering the sky until mid afternoon, when the sun finally cracked the cover and it turned sunny for the remainder of the day. Max temp reached 32.5C.
Camille
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Goodbye to July 2008
Goodbye to July 2008
It's that time of the month again, the end of another month, July 2008!
It's been a bit of an on/off affair this month. There were a few days with rain and overcast and on the other hand a nice amount of days filled with sunshine.
Since July is part of a small monsoon in the Gulf of Thailand, it's not that strange that there are some wet days amongst this month. Next month, August, should see loads of sunshine again!
Thanks for following my blog this month!
If you would like to help me, you can do so in various ways, you can vote for my blog at Thai Stars, my blog is ranked at a lowly 122nd spot! Alternatively, feel free to make a donation by using one of the PayPal buttons.
You can also keep posting comments on my articles, that's also highly appreciated.
Camille
It's that time of the month again, the end of another month, July 2008!
It's been a bit of an on/off affair this month. There were a few days with rain and overcast and on the other hand a nice amount of days filled with sunshine.
Since July is part of a small monsoon in the Gulf of Thailand, it's not that strange that there are some wet days amongst this month. Next month, August, should see loads of sunshine again!
Thanks for following my blog this month!
If you would like to help me, you can do so in various ways, you can vote for my blog at Thai Stars, my blog is ranked at a lowly 122nd spot! Alternatively, feel free to make a donation by using one of the PayPal buttons.
You can also keep posting comments on my articles, that's also highly appreciated.
Camille
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
31st July, 2008
Today's weather;
There's a fair amount of overcast which will take the sun a bit more effort to burn away, in contrast to previous days. Current temp at 7 am is 26C.
Yesterday was a nice, sunny and warm day with a bit of drizzle in the early evening. Max temp reached 33.2C.
Camille
There's a fair amount of overcast which will take the sun a bit more effort to burn away, in contrast to previous days. Current temp at 7 am is 26C.
Yesterday was a nice, sunny and warm day with a bit of drizzle in the early evening. Max temp reached 33.2C.
Camille
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
30th July, 2008
Today's weather;
Another sunny day is brewing up, a light cloud cover, being a sitting duck for the sun. Current temp is 26.3C.
Yesterday turned out to be a nice sunny and hot day! Max temp reached 32.7C.
Camille
Another sunny day is brewing up, a light cloud cover, being a sitting duck for the sun. Current temp is 26.3C.
Yesterday turned out to be a nice sunny and hot day! Max temp reached 32.7C.
Camille
Restaurant Ahmad Khan, Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru.
Restaurant Ahmad Khan located at Jalan Permas 9/7, Permas Jaya. (N1°29.842' E103°49.554')I am one of the regular customer for this 24 hours restaurant. The environment here is pretty clean, if compare with others mamak shop around JB.
Foods are average, but the roti canai is good!
This is the First mamak shop at Permas Jaya provided free Wifi services. Also the first mamak shop at Johor Bahru provide Air-con non-smoking area for family or non-smokers. Most of the tables which loacted close to the wall or pillar are provided with the AC230V power socket for notebook users. (Charges is MYR0.50 per hour)
As you can see from above....there are also many customers sit across the road.I'm usually visit here during night time. Last night was pack with notebook and others gadgets around this mamak shop! It was too crowded! So, because of my curiosity.....I try to see what they do on their notebook computer.....
What i got here :-
* Working with bunch of documents beside.......(looks like insurance agent)
* Checking email.
* Chatting....
* Me? blogging.....
* Watching youtube short clips
* Play online game with their PSP.
* Scanning through his/her photo album
You can see the above normal situations happen at most of the Wifi area.....
PSP online gamers.....(please don't misunderstand, err....we are not gay.....)Another different category below :-
* Bring their notebook computer, plug-in the power......watching DVD movies!!!
Friends, you 'DID' it!! I already notice that you OWN a ACER Notebook Computer! And I believe the others customer also feel the same.
Start A blog to let the world know that you OWN a computer and show off that IT can play my DVD movie!
And last advise from me, your volume was TOO loud and disturb others customer beside you!
Beside this, it's worth visit this restaurant..... :)
MY TRIPS - Home
Monday, July 28, 2008
29th July, 2008
Today's weather;
It looks a lot nicer today, still overcast but not as heavy and the sun has been caught peeping out. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday was a dry day with lots of overcast though, max temp reached 31C.
Camille
It looks a lot nicer today, still overcast but not as heavy and the sun has been caught peeping out. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday was a dry day with lots of overcast though, max temp reached 31C.
Camille
Sunday, July 27, 2008
28th July, 2008
Today's weather;
It's overcast again this morning, no wind and dry at the moment. Current temp at 7 am is 25.7C.
Yesterday saw overcast all day long. It remained dry until around 6 pm when a hard but very short shower hit, followed by an hours long drizzle. Max temp reached 32C.
Camille
It's overcast again this morning, no wind and dry at the moment. Current temp at 7 am is 25.7C.
Yesterday saw overcast all day long. It remained dry until around 6 pm when a hard but very short shower hit, followed by an hours long drizzle. Max temp reached 32C.
Camille
Saturday, July 26, 2008
27th July, 2008
Today's weather;
There's a good layer of overcast, too thick to allow much sunshine through right now but it is dry with a current temp of 26.7C at 7 am.
Yesterday was a day which started out very wet in the morning with strong winds and lots of rain to be replaced in the late afternoon with the occasional sun beam and drier weather. Max temp reached 30.7C.
There's a good layer of overcast, too thick to allow much sunshine through right now but it is dry with a current temp of 26.7C at 7 am.
Yesterday was a day which started out very wet in the morning with strong winds and lots of rain to be replaced in the late afternoon with the occasional sun beam and drier weather. Max temp reached 30.7C.
Last night we did a night dive on Chaweng Beach and there was surprisingly good visibility, considering the day time circumstances. Keep an eye out for my dive blog for updates. Here's a view of Chaweng Beach shortly before night fall at around 6.30 pm.
Camille
Friday, July 25, 2008
When I'm old.......当我老了.......
* 当我老了，不再是原来的我。请理解我，对我有一点耐心。* 当我把菜汤洒到自己的衣服上时，当我忘记怎样系鞋带时，
请想一想当初我是如何手把手地教你。
* 当我一遍又一遍地重复你早已听腻的话语，
请耐心地听我说，不要打断我。
你小的时候，我不得不重复那个讲过千百遍的故事，直到你进入梦想。
* 当我需要你帮我洗澡时，
请不要责备我。
还记得小时候我千方百计哄你洗澡的情形吗？
* 当我对新科技和新事物不知所措时，
请不要嘲笑我。
想一想当初我怎样耐心地回答你的每一个［为什么］。
* 当我由于双腿疲劳而无法行走时，
请伸出你年轻有力的手腕扶我。
就像你小时候学习走路时，我扶你那样。
* 当我忽然忘记我们谈话的主题，
请给我一些时间让我回想。
其实对我来说，谈论什么并不重要只要你能在一旁听我说，我就很满足。
* 当你看着老去的我，
请不要悲伤。
理解我，支持我，就像你刚开始学习如何生活时我对你那样。
* 当初我引导你走上人生的路，如今请陪伴我走完最后的路。
给我你的爱和耐心，我会抱以感激的微笑，
这微笑中凝结着我对你无限的爱。
Translate in english :-
When I am old, it's not the usual person you meet before. Please understand me, and treat me with some patient....
When I'm accidentally drop the dishes on my shirt during dinner, when I forget how to tighten my shoes,
Please remember the way I taught you step-by-step initially when you are young.....
When I'm keep on repeating the words that makes you feel bore,
Please be a patient listener and don't interrupt me.
When you are kids, I have no choice to repeat the same stories thousands times until you fall as sleep....
When I need your hand during my shower,
Please help me and don't blame me,
Remember the situations during when you're young, I use many different ways to bath you?
When I'm clueless about the new technology and the happenings around,
Please don't laugh at me,
Remember how I patiently answer your every questions – "WHY"?
When I'm tired to walk with my legs,
Please help me with your strong arm,
Just like those day I help & taught you to walk.....
When I suddenly forget the topic we chat about,
Please give me some time to recall,
Actually, it's not important what we discuss....I'm satisfy as long as you are by my side......
When you see me getting old,
Please don't feel sad,
Understand me, support me, just like the way I treated you during your daily life learning process....
Initially, I guide you to walk on the path of life,
Today, please company me to finish my last path.
Give me your love & patient, I will be very appreciates with smile,
And the smile reflect the 'Forever Love' from me to you.
I received this from a friend's email and feel this is a VERY good article to share.....
Thanks.
MY TRIPS - Home
26th July, 2008
Today's weather;
A thick cloud layer rules over Samui this morning and there's a bit of wind as well. Current temp at 7 am is 27.1C.
Yesterday started out cloudy but cleared up relatively quickly. In the afternoon there was a short shower but other than that it was nice and sunny with a max temp of 31.4C.
Yesterday saw also a nationwide drop of gasoline prices. On the mainland diesel prices dropped by 5,-THB per liter, that's more than 12% per liter! Interestingly enough, all gas stations on Samui were 'out' of gas yesterday but today we also can fill up at reduced rates again.
Please note that I added new entries to my Samui Hotel recommendations and Thailand Hotel recommendations blogs. Feel free to have a look.
Camille
A thick cloud layer rules over Samui this morning and there's a bit of wind as well. Current temp at 7 am is 27.1C.
Yesterday started out cloudy but cleared up relatively quickly. In the afternoon there was a short shower but other than that it was nice and sunny with a max temp of 31.4C.
Yesterday saw also a nationwide drop of gasoline prices. On the mainland diesel prices dropped by 5,-THB per liter, that's more than 12% per liter! Interestingly enough, all gas stations on Samui were 'out' of gas yesterday but today we also can fill up at reduced rates again.
Please note that I added new entries to my Samui Hotel recommendations and Thailand Hotel recommendations blogs. Feel free to have a look.
Camille
The Top 10 Hotels in Phuket
If you're planning a trip to Phuket, you are almost certainly going to need a place to stay unless you already bought a house or have friends living here. Phuket has a huge variety of accommodation available from backpackers dorms to 5 star (6 star?) luxury resorts. You'll find a growing page of recommended Phuket hotels on the blog already, and I try to add another hotel every month or so. The hotels on the recommendation page are ones I like because of their location, or because they've been recommended to me by others, or because they offer something different. But what are the BEST hotels in Phuket?
• Updated - the Top 10 on this page was compiled in 2008 - I have made a new Top 10 based on TripAdvisor rankings January 2011 - The Best Hotels in Phuket / Top 10 Hotels in Phuket 2011.
The following Top 10 list is based on the Phuket hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com which is one of the biggest travel sites online, with reviews, forums, advice (and advertising, which is how they make their money). For each hotel below there are links for online reservations/rates and availability - I recommend Agoda.com if you want to book a hotel in Phuket. The review links below are also from Agoda.com - only people who have booked the hotels on Agoda can make a review, and if you take a look, you'll see honest reviews, good and bad, plus points and minus points - a very useful tool for checking for your ideal hotel.
1. JW Marriott Resort and Spa
The JW Mariott probably is unbeatable. If you want a quiet luxury getaway, then you can fly to Phuket and the resort is just 15 minutes from the airport on the uncrowded and as yet relatively undeveloped Mai Khao Beach. Words such as "paradise", "sanctuary" and "heaven" are not just words!
• JW Marriott on Agoda.com
• JW Marriott Reviews
2. Mom Tri's Villa Royale
The newer sister resort of Mom Tri's Boathouse, Villa Royale is one of the few hotels in Phuket that can be called secluded, while also being close to the main beaches. It's on the headland between Kata and Kata Noi, overlooking the ocean beach featuring beautifully designed luxury villas.
• Villa Royale on Agoda.com
• Villa Royale Reviews
• More about Mom Tri's Villa Royale on this blog
3. Sala Phuket
Sala Phuket is a new (very new... I am not sure I had heard of it before starting this top 10!) luxury villa resort on Mai Khao Beach - just opened in December 2007. The reviews say it all, things like "breathtaking", "blissful", "Sala Phuket is amazing!"... you get the general idea.
• Sala Phuket on Agoda.com
• Sala Phuket Reviews
• Sala Phuket - more information on Jamie's Phuket
4. Indigo Pearl
I wrote about Indigo Pearl already - it's a top class resort and has a very original look and feel with decor based on the old Phuket tin mining industry. It may not be to everyone's liking, but it's got class and it's not afraid to be different!
• Indigo Pearl on Agoda.com
• Indigo Pearl Reviews
5. Pacific Club Resort
Located on the hillside overlooking Karon Beach, Pacific Club's owner Eric is a chef and also owner of the Karon Cafe in the center of Karon. It's a small resort with a personal feel and great panoramic views. Well off the main road and yet only 10 minutes walk to Karon Beach. Ideal for those wanting seclusion, but still easy access to the main beach centers.
• Pacific Club on Agoda.com
• Pacific Club Reviews
• Pacific Club Resort review on Jamie's Phuket
6. Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree is part of the Laguna Resort complex at Bang Tao Beach. Nice. Very. It's listed in the 2008 Conde Nast Gold List of the best hotels in the world (so is JW Marriott). I rest my case.
• Banyan Tree on Agoda.com
• Banyan Tree Reviews
7. Cape Panwa Hotel
Another hotel already recommended on this blog, Cape Panwa Hotel seems to be a perennial favourite. I love the Panwa area, it's miles from the busy beaches, and this resort is the hideaway at the edge of Phuket. Patong is a different planet.
• Panwa Hotel on Agoda.com
• Panwa Hotel Reviews
8. Marina Phuket Resort
I was actually surprised to see Marina up in the top 10. I had always thought it was a slightly old mid price resort - but then I have not stayed there. It's right on the south end of Karon Beach, with deluxe villas overlooking the ocean, and Dino Park right next door!
• Marina Phuket on Agoda.com
• Marina Phuket Review on Jamie's Phuket
• Marina Phuket Reviews
9. Ayara Hilltops Resort and Spa (was Treetops Arasia)
Another luxury villa resort, this one with views from the hillside overlooking Surin Beach. There are only 48 villas, and I gotta say it looks like a fab place to stay. And if you stay here, splash out on the Rachavadee Suite.
• Ayara Hilltops on Agoda.com
• Ayara Hilltops Reviews
10. Andaman Seaview
Hey! Just down the road from where I work! Andaman Seaview is on Karon Beach, prices are decent (in fact, in low season a real steal). I think the main reason it creeps into the top 10 is value for money. Quality at a price you can't argue with. Andaman Seaview is not comparable to some of the others in this list, but it's much cheaper!
• Andaman Seaview on Agoda.com
• Andaman Seaview Reviews
Note: Marriott Phuket Beach Club is actually number 10, but it's a timeshare resort so I have discounted it for this page.
Note 2: This Top 10 list was compiled in 2008 - I have made a new Top 10 based on TripAdvisor rankings in January 2011 - see The Best Hotels in Phuket.
Agree with the top 10? Stayed somewhere else that you thought was better? Do add a comment below. You'll notice that most of these are pricey resorts, 5 star, most are on more secluded beaches and many of them (like Sala Phuket or Indigo Pearl) are new resorts that have only been open a year or two. There are new luxury resorts opening every year. Phuket IS trying to push the luxury lifestyle, and it's often said that Thailand does luxury very well. If you're on a low budget, this list is not for you, but you can look here: Low Budget Phuket Accommodation. As for this list, I'd hate to disagree with the opinions of the reviewers, this certainly looks like a top 10 to me!
• Jamie's Phuket Hotel Recommendations
• Phuket Hotels online @ Agoda.com
• Updated - the Top 10 on this page was compiled in 2008 - I have made a new Top 10 based on TripAdvisor rankings January 2011 - The Best Hotels in Phuket / Top 10 Hotels in Phuket 2011.
The following Top 10 list is based on the Phuket hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com which is one of the biggest travel sites online, with reviews, forums, advice (and advertising, which is how they make their money). For each hotel below there are links for online reservations/rates and availability - I recommend Agoda.com if you want to book a hotel in Phuket. The review links below are also from Agoda.com - only people who have booked the hotels on Agoda can make a review, and if you take a look, you'll see honest reviews, good and bad, plus points and minus points - a very useful tool for checking for your ideal hotel.
Top 10 Phuket Hotels
1. JW Marriott Resort and Spa
The JW Mariott probably is unbeatable. If you want a quiet luxury getaway, then you can fly to Phuket and the resort is just 15 minutes from the airport on the uncrowded and as yet relatively undeveloped Mai Khao Beach. Words such as "paradise", "sanctuary" and "heaven" are not just words!
• JW Marriott on Agoda.com
• JW Marriott Reviews
2. Mom Tri's Villa Royale
The newer sister resort of Mom Tri's Boathouse, Villa Royale is one of the few hotels in Phuket that can be called secluded, while also being close to the main beaches. It's on the headland between Kata and Kata Noi, overlooking the ocean beach featuring beautifully designed luxury villas.
• Villa Royale on Agoda.com
• Villa Royale Reviews
• More about Mom Tri's Villa Royale on this blog
3. Sala Phuket
Sala Phuket is a new (very new... I am not sure I had heard of it before starting this top 10!) luxury villa resort on Mai Khao Beach - just opened in December 2007. The reviews say it all, things like "breathtaking", "blissful", "Sala Phuket is amazing!"... you get the general idea.
• Sala Phuket on Agoda.com
• Sala Phuket Reviews
• Sala Phuket - more information on Jamie's Phuket
4. Indigo Pearl
I wrote about Indigo Pearl already - it's a top class resort and has a very original look and feel with decor based on the old Phuket tin mining industry. It may not be to everyone's liking, but it's got class and it's not afraid to be different!
• Indigo Pearl on Agoda.com
• Indigo Pearl Reviews
5. Pacific Club Resort
Located on the hillside overlooking Karon Beach, Pacific Club's owner Eric is a chef and also owner of the Karon Cafe in the center of Karon. It's a small resort with a personal feel and great panoramic views. Well off the main road and yet only 10 minutes walk to Karon Beach. Ideal for those wanting seclusion, but still easy access to the main beach centers.
• Pacific Club on Agoda.com
• Pacific Club Reviews
• Pacific Club Resort review on Jamie's Phuket
6. Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree is part of the Laguna Resort complex at Bang Tao Beach. Nice. Very. It's listed in the 2008 Conde Nast Gold List of the best hotels in the world (so is JW Marriott). I rest my case.
• Banyan Tree on Agoda.com
• Banyan Tree Reviews
7. Cape Panwa Hotel
Another hotel already recommended on this blog, Cape Panwa Hotel seems to be a perennial favourite. I love the Panwa area, it's miles from the busy beaches, and this resort is the hideaway at the edge of Phuket. Patong is a different planet.
• Panwa Hotel on Agoda.com
• Panwa Hotel Reviews
8. Marina Phuket Resort
I was actually surprised to see Marina up in the top 10. I had always thought it was a slightly old mid price resort - but then I have not stayed there. It's right on the south end of Karon Beach, with deluxe villas overlooking the ocean, and Dino Park right next door!
• Marina Phuket on Agoda.com
• Marina Phuket Review on Jamie's Phuket
• Marina Phuket Reviews
9. Ayara Hilltops Resort and Spa (was Treetops Arasia)
Another luxury villa resort, this one with views from the hillside overlooking Surin Beach. There are only 48 villas, and I gotta say it looks like a fab place to stay. And if you stay here, splash out on the Rachavadee Suite.
• Ayara Hilltops on Agoda.com
• Ayara Hilltops Reviews
10. Andaman Seaview
Hey! Just down the road from where I work! Andaman Seaview is on Karon Beach, prices are decent (in fact, in low season a real steal). I think the main reason it creeps into the top 10 is value for money. Quality at a price you can't argue with. Andaman Seaview is not comparable to some of the others in this list, but it's much cheaper!
• Andaman Seaview on Agoda.com
• Andaman Seaview Reviews
Note: Marriott Phuket Beach Club is actually number 10, but it's a timeshare resort so I have discounted it for this page.
Note 2: This Top 10 list was compiled in 2008 - I have made a new Top 10 based on TripAdvisor rankings in January 2011 - see The Best Hotels in Phuket.
Agree with the top 10? Stayed somewhere else that you thought was better? Do add a comment below. You'll notice that most of these are pricey resorts, 5 star, most are on more secluded beaches and many of them (like Sala Phuket or Indigo Pearl) are new resorts that have only been open a year or two. There are new luxury resorts opening every year. Phuket IS trying to push the luxury lifestyle, and it's often said that Thailand does luxury very well. If you're on a low budget, this list is not for you, but you can look here: Low Budget Phuket Accommodation. As for this list, I'd hate to disagree with the opinions of the reviewers, this certainly looks like a top 10 to me!
• Jamie's Phuket Hotel Recommendations
• Phuket Hotels online @ Agoda.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
25th July, 2008
Today's weather;
It's fairly cloudy but there are small blue spots with some sunshine as well. Current temp at 7 am is 25.7C.
Yesterday was a cloudy and grey day pretty much way into the afternoon when for the first time the sun broke through. After the initial morning storm it turned out to be fairly nice later on in the day. Max temp reached 30C.
Camille
It's fairly cloudy but there are small blue spots with some sunshine as well. Current temp at 7 am is 25.7C.
Yesterday was a cloudy and grey day pretty much way into the afternoon when for the first time the sun broke through. After the initial morning storm it turned out to be fairly nice later on in the day. Max temp reached 30C.
Camille
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
24th July, 2008
Today's weather;
It started out nice this morning, with a fairly light cloud cover but changed quickly and drastically into a dark sky with strong wind and probably some coming rain soon. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday saw lots of cloud cover and not that much sun, max temp reached 31.7C.
Camille
It started out nice this morning, with a fairly light cloud cover but changed quickly and drastically into a dark sky with strong wind and probably some coming rain soon. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday saw lots of cloud cover and not that much sun, max temp reached 31.7C.
Camille
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
23rd July, 2008
Today's weather;
It's cloudy and it looks a bit more than just a thin layer, I'm not sure when the sun heats it'll be enough to burn this layer away. Current temp at 7 am is 26.2C.
Yesterday was a sunny day with a max temp of 33.7C.
Camille
It's cloudy and it looks a bit more than just a thin layer, I'm not sure when the sun heats it'll be enough to burn this layer away. Current temp at 7 am is 26.2C.
Yesterday was a sunny day with a max temp of 33.7C.
Camille
Monday, July 21, 2008
Wat Sawang Arom (Rawai Temple)
Many things in life are easily missed if you keep to the main roads. You gotta take time to smell the roses. Take the road less travelled, explore the side streets. There really is no hurry. The temple at Rawai Beach is called Wat Sawang Arom. It's only about half a kilometer from the sea, but is off the main road that runs from Chalong to Rawai. You can't see the temple from the road, only the entrance...
• See location of this temple on Google Earth
Like many of these backroad temples, I have driven past on countless occasions, but never ventured inside. In the last couple of years, mainly due to this blog and my pledge to blog all Phuket temples (eventually), I have tried to find a few free minutes in life. It's always worth the effort, worth stopping for a while and visiting a small temple.
Wat Sawang Arom is not a large temple. It was built to serve the small local Rawai community, including the Wat Sawang Arom school which among it's students are sea gypsy children who were affected by the 2004 tsunami. As I walked around one morning, the school assembly was in progress. I could hear a cute voice doing a solo on the national anthem. The temple and school were quiet except that one voice.
I do love temple architecture. There is so much detail and colour in every temple, and each temple has something different. Great for photos!
Temple walls often feature the 8 spoked wheel known as the Dharma wheel. The eight spokes represent the noble eightfold path of Buddhism.
Inside the temple, aside from several Buddha images, the walls are covered with painted scenes showing the life of the Buddha.
• More Phuket Temples
• Rawai Beach
• See location of this temple on Google Earth
Like many of these backroad temples, I have driven past on countless occasions, but never ventured inside. In the last couple of years, mainly due to this blog and my pledge to blog all Phuket temples (eventually), I have tried to find a few free minutes in life. It's always worth the effort, worth stopping for a while and visiting a small temple.
Wat Sawang Arom is not a large temple. It was built to serve the small local Rawai community, including the Wat Sawang Arom school which among it's students are sea gypsy children who were affected by the 2004 tsunami. As I walked around one morning, the school assembly was in progress. I could hear a cute voice doing a solo on the national anthem. The temple and school were quiet except that one voice.
I do love temple architecture. There is so much detail and colour in every temple, and each temple has something different. Great for photos!
Temple walls often feature the 8 spoked wheel known as the Dharma wheel. The eight spokes represent the noble eightfold path of Buddhism.
Inside the temple, aside from several Buddha images, the walls are covered with painted scenes showing the life of the Buddha.
• More Phuket Temples
• Rawai Beach
International School of Tourism, part of Surat Thani's Rajabaht University, Chaweng
International School of Tourism, part of Surat Thani's Rajabaht University, Chaweng
The off shoot of Surat Thani's Rajabaht University's campus on Koh Samui, dedicated mainly to hotel management is about to complete it's construction.
The Samui campus is almost completed, in contrast to what the static Uni's website tells us and classes could start happening with the start of the next school year.
The complex houses a hotel so the students get hands on training and experience. Not sure what the rate for rooms will be but I'm sure it won't be the last I report about this Uni and I will update on news regarding the Uni and room rates accordingly.
The off shoot of Surat Thani's Rajabaht University's campus on Koh Samui, dedicated mainly to hotel management is about to complete it's construction.
The Samui campus is almost completed, in contrast to what the static Uni's website tells us and classes could start happening with the start of the next school year.
The complex houses a hotel so the students get hands on training and experience. Not sure what the rate for rooms will be but I'm sure it won't be the last I report about this Uni and I will update on news regarding the Uni and room rates accordingly.
In my opinion this is an excellent initiative and exactly something that Samui needs. Tourism is the main source of income nowadays on Samui so this Uni makes absolute sense.
It's located near Tesco Lotus' traffic lights, on the road leading into Chaweng, also not too far away from Thai International Hospital.
Camille
22nd July, 2008
Today's weather;
It looks fairly cloudy but there are some blue spots, I hope that the sun will burn it's way through today, once again. Current temp at 7 am is 25.5C.
Yesterday was sunny all day long and the max temp reached 32.5C.
Camille
It looks fairly cloudy but there are some blue spots, I hope that the sun will burn it's way through today, once again. Current temp at 7 am is 25.5C.
Yesterday was sunny all day long and the max temp reached 32.5C.
Camille
Temple Fair at Wat Bophud
Temple Fair at Wat Bophud
Yesterday we went with some friends to the Temple fair at the local Temple in Bophud, being held from 17th through 28th July. Once the Fair is finished in Bophud, parts of it will travel to another Temple on the island and there will be a fair in that Temple. Bophud houses one of the larger Fairs though, together with the Chaweng Temple.
Not having visited one of these fairs since a long time, because I felt a bit 'over killed' by them, it was nice to go again and kind of re-discover the Fair again.
It was also funny to hear from my Thai friend who was with us, the comment he gave when he saw my pictures, he asked me if I was in Thailand for the first time! Good on him! Nowadays I do note that I take pictures with a couple of things playing in the back of my mind. I like to take pictures for this blog, and I assume that a lot of my readers have never been to Thailand, hence pictures that may look like 'first time visitor' pictures (with all due respect!). Secondly, I also try to catch a certain 'Zeitgeist', because I do notice big differences in the Thailand that I got to know just 9 years ago and the Thailand as it is today and if you followed my blog than you may have noticed that I like the old style Thailand a lot. Anyway, I hope I can catch the right pix!
Having taken plenty of pictures at this Fair, it was difficult to decide which ones to publish. However, in good Thai tradition, the first picture had to be of food and I ended up posting the pictures in the same random order as I took them at the Fair, given a bit of a taste of the fast changing scenery of the Fair.
The picture above shows corn and Jog, the Thai version of cooked rice porridge or congee.
Yesterday we went with some friends to the Temple fair at the local Temple in Bophud, being held from 17th through 28th July. Once the Fair is finished in Bophud, parts of it will travel to another Temple on the island and there will be a fair in that Temple. Bophud houses one of the larger Fairs though, together with the Chaweng Temple.
Not having visited one of these fairs since a long time, because I felt a bit 'over killed' by them, it was nice to go again and kind of re-discover the Fair again.
It was also funny to hear from my Thai friend who was with us, the comment he gave when he saw my pictures, he asked me if I was in Thailand for the first time! Good on him! Nowadays I do note that I take pictures with a couple of things playing in the back of my mind. I like to take pictures for this blog, and I assume that a lot of my readers have never been to Thailand, hence pictures that may look like 'first time visitor' pictures (with all due respect!). Secondly, I also try to catch a certain 'Zeitgeist', because I do notice big differences in the Thailand that I got to know just 9 years ago and the Thailand as it is today and if you followed my blog than you may have noticed that I like the old style Thailand a lot. Anyway, I hope I can catch the right pix!
Having taken plenty of pictures at this Fair, it was difficult to decide which ones to publish. However, in good Thai tradition, the first picture had to be of food and I ended up posting the pictures in the same random order as I took them at the Fair, given a bit of a taste of the fast changing scenery of the Fair.
The picture above shows corn and Jog, the Thai version of cooked rice porridge or congee.
There are also loads of different games to be played, this picture shows darts and balloons, get the picture? 7 darts for 20 Baht, you hit a balloon with each of your 7 darts, you get free choice of the stuffed dolls. Or alternatively spend two or three hundred Baht and you get free choice as well, don't ask how I know this!
Here a more hard core gambling enterprise. A glass ball rolls down in-between a tight pattern of nails and ends up in a numbered gate at the bottom. Players can put 20 Baht notes on triple, double or single numbers. A kind of a roulette feel to it. Very distinctively.
A golden oldie, Bingo Thai style. It was relatively early in the evening and not that many players were participating, later on the tables filled up rather nicely.
More food, soup on wheels. This car comes in a customised version, with a soup cooker!
My Buddhist amulet collectors heart started to beat a little faster, since although I visited this Temple umpty times (i really lost track), I never bought an amulet here, so this was my chance! A local Monk gave me even 100 Baht discount on the amulet I choose and my Thai friend gave me a copy of another amulet today. Thanks Tee!
Here's some classic Isaan food, deep fried bugs! Som tam is probably the best known Isaan style food, but I guess that these bugs get more tongues rolling! Various kinds of bugs are being consumed, amongst other Grasshoppers or Takataen, which are probably most popular. Scorpions or Meleng Pong are also on the menu.
Each Fair has some stages for live music or other shows and here's a picture of the smaller stage. The bigger stages host sometimes very popular Thai artists, like Jintara Poonlarp or others.
Last but not least, another food picture, this time it's Khanom Chak, rice with coconut milk prepared inside the leaves of a nipa palm and then roasted over a charcoal fire. My children love it, as they love the Fairs.
If you see a Temple Fair advertised, go and visit it, if it's your first time, it will leave a nice impression!
As usual, enjoy and I hope you like my post. If you like this blog, subscribe to it, so I know that there's folks out there reading it.
Camille
Sunday, July 20, 2008
What is the name of this plant?
I bought it from the Souvenir shop at the Iskandar Waterfall along the main road between Cameron Highland & Tapah. And according to the seller, it is ONLY available at Camaron Highland!! You can refer from this post.It's been more than five years. And I confirm it's alive, as you can see from the picture below......it will grows some kind of Gold new "Skin" on the right, and the old is on the left. It's look similar like golden hair.
Today it still grows slowly....
According to the seller, it will grows bigger.....but the one shows on the picture above does not grow. My relatives bought another 2, they grew ! It's about 10mm more!One of my friend (Mr Kumar) said that it is the "Fern" . You can read it from the Wiki. But I feel that......not really similar on the outlook. What's your opinion? Any idea? Any name for it?
MY TRIPS - Home
21st July, 2008
Today's weather;
It's cloudy this morning but there are plenty of blue spots as well, hopefully the sun will heat up soon and burn the clouds away. Current temp at 7 am is 24.6C.
Yesterday saw overcast almost all day long and during the night there must've been a lot of rain since all looked very wet this morning. Max temp reached just a meagre 29.5C.
Camille
It's cloudy this morning but there are plenty of blue spots as well, hopefully the sun will heat up soon and burn the clouds away. Current temp at 7 am is 24.6C.
Yesterday saw overcast almost all day long and during the night there must've been a lot of rain since all looked very wet this morning. Max temp reached just a meagre 29.5C.
Camille
Erik's Restaurant, former Ciao and 'Lady Boxing' in Lamai
Erik's Restaurant, former Ciao and 'Lady Boxing' in Lamai
With an average of once every two years I seem to visit Erik's Swedish Restaurant in Lamai, formerly known as Ciao Restaurant.
It's smack down in the middle of Lamai, a stone throw away from the Bauhaus.
The food is mainly Swedish and makes for a nice break from the usual standard fare available everywhere. As they say in the picture below; Are you tired of rice everyday? Than this is one of the places to be!
With an average of once every two years I seem to visit Erik's Swedish Restaurant in Lamai, formerly known as Ciao Restaurant.
It's smack down in the middle of Lamai, a stone throw away from the Bauhaus.
The food is mainly Swedish and makes for a nice break from the usual standard fare available everywhere. As they say in the picture below; Are you tired of rice everyday? Than this is one of the places to be!
The whole theme of the restaurant is Swedish oriented, with local football and ice hockey shirts on the wall and the ceiling. The place is really big but is nicely split up in a front part and another room in the back.
The food is very affordable, most meals are less than 200,-THB, which is a real bargain and you get plenty. This is what I ordered, 3 different kinds of Herring. Note the boiled potatoes, it was ages ago I had some of them! Yummy.
One of the other guys in our party ordered this beef with mashed potatoes dish, which was plenty and excellent, he stated.
We also had some apple cake with vanilla sauce as desert, the fact that cake translates as 'kaka' in Swedish, didn't temper us from ordering, in contrast!
If you're Swedish or just looking for a cheap and good meal, but something completely different, try Erik's place. I can recommend it.
Since it was a Saturday night evening, we also visited the "Lady Boxing' event, held every Saturday at the cluster of beer bars. located at the one way street in Lamai, you can't really miss it. It was packed as usual and the Muay Thai fights are alternated by local bar girls giving their all in the fights and quite literally beating each other around the ring in a very fanatic way, since if they win, they will also win a couple of thousand Baht, after each 'Lady Fight' there's a fight between two guys, from the local Muay Thai training schools, who get pretty serious and down to business.
However, the third fight of the evening turned out to be between two boys aged 9 or 10 and it turned us all off, so we went to Chaweng, which happens to be a lot nearer home as well.
All in all, the 'Lady Boxing' nights are well worth watching and visiting on a Saturday night! They start at about 10.30 pm and last well until after midnight.
Camille
Saturday, July 19, 2008
20th July, 2008
Today's weather;
This morning sees a cloudy sky over Samui with a current temp at Samui of 25.1C.
Yesterday's cloud cover did not really crack and thee wasn't as much sunshine as the previous days. Around 8.30 pm last night, it started to rain very hard for about 45 minutes with lots of thunder and lightning in Lamai and strong winds and rain in other parts of the island. Max temp reached 32.5C.
Camille
This morning sees a cloudy sky over Samui with a current temp at Samui of 25.1C.
Yesterday's cloud cover did not really crack and thee wasn't as much sunshine as the previous days. Around 8.30 pm last night, it started to rain very hard for about 45 minutes with lots of thunder and lightning in Lamai and strong winds and rain in other parts of the island. Max temp reached 32.5C.
Camille
Wat Kanuram revisited in Lamai
Wat Kanuram revisited in Lamai
It's been almost a year to the date, that I posted about this Wat in Lamai. It's one of the better known Wats on the island, mainly because it houses the remains of the famous Mummified Monk. There's another Temple with a Mummified Monk in Wat Kiri Wongkaram, Baan Taling Ngam however, this Wat is not as conveniently located on the ring road as Wat Kanuram, not too far away from the Waterfalls at Baan Namuang.
Just like Wat Racha Tamaram in Lamai a little further down the road towards Lamai, Wat Kanuram has construction going on.
It seems that the Samui Temples are doing well with the tourist increase over the years!
The building pictured above is being under construction and the tree in front of this building was in the way, so it must have been decided to cut parts of the trees away. Funnily enough this was done on yesterday's Buddhist Lent Day, so it was a bit of a surprise to see the Monks labouring so hard. They kept their vows though and didn't leave the Temple grounds.
It's been almost a year to the date, that I posted about this Wat in Lamai. It's one of the better known Wats on the island, mainly because it houses the remains of the famous Mummified Monk. There's another Temple with a Mummified Monk in Wat Kiri Wongkaram, Baan Taling Ngam however, this Wat is not as conveniently located on the ring road as Wat Kanuram, not too far away from the Waterfalls at Baan Namuang.
Just like Wat Racha Tamaram in Lamai a little further down the road towards Lamai, Wat Kanuram has construction going on.
It seems that the Samui Temples are doing well with the tourist increase over the years!
The building pictured above is being under construction and the tree in front of this building was in the way, so it must have been decided to cut parts of the trees away. Funnily enough this was done on yesterday's Buddhist Lent Day, so it was a bit of a surprise to see the Monks labouring so hard. They kept their vows though and didn't leave the Temple grounds.
This picture shows the Monks waiting for the guy with the chainsaw in the middle of the tree, to cut some incisions into the branch. And do these chainsaws make a noise, oh yeah!
This is the moment the tree branch came down with the new building in the background. We were lucky to walk into the Temple ground whilst this was in full progress so we could witness this 'event'.
After all the excitement we had over the tree being partly felled, it was time to check out the Mummified Monk again. As one can clearly see, he's gone mainstream with Pepsi jumping the band wagon.
Here's a picture of the actual Monk, Luong Por Daeng, before he died and Mummified his body.
This a better picture of Loung Por Daeng than in the original post. It's not that easy to get a picture in without reflections bouncing off from the windows surrounding him.
This Temple I can highly recommend to visit, it's not everyday that one can see a Mummified Monk with his own eyes.
Camille
Friday, July 18, 2008
19th July, 2008
Today's weather;
A thin layer of overcast is still in the sky but I expect this to be burnt away by the sun one this starts to heat up. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday was another hot and sunny day with a max temp of 33.3C. During the late afternoon and early evening we had two showers though, one with thunder and lightning, it cooled things down a bit which I welcomed!
We went around the island yesterday, with visiting friends. At the waterfall at Baan Namuang I saw a typical Thai event happen in front of me, almost not recognising how unusual this may be for a Westerner.
The Thai ice cream vendor! Motorised by his motorbike with side car and besieged by all Thai kids and their parents.
A thin layer of overcast is still in the sky but I expect this to be burnt away by the sun one this starts to heat up. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.
Yesterday was another hot and sunny day with a max temp of 33.3C. During the late afternoon and early evening we had two showers though, one with thunder and lightning, it cooled things down a bit which I welcomed!
We went around the island yesterday, with visiting friends. At the waterfall at Baan Namuang I saw a typical Thai event happen in front of me, almost not recognising how unusual this may be for a Westerner.
The Thai ice cream vendor! Motorised by his motorbike with side car and besieged by all Thai kids and their parents.
As you can see, they are popular and the ice actually tastes good. Strangely enough, Thais find it absolutely normal to stick ice between a bun together with some sticky rice!
Camille
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