After two weeks, basking in the glory that is Bali, we hopped on a plane and got off in Bangkok, Thailand. I have dreamt of Thailand for years; seen movies and photos, read travel magazines and blogs, but our experiences were quite different. We stayed in Bangkok for 5 days and then spent another 5 days in Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand. We didn’t make it down to the islands like Phuket and Ko Samui, since we’re from a tropical area with tons of beach time, we were hoping for something a little more urban and Thailand didn’t disappoint. Although now that we look back in hindsight, we’re both kicking ourselves for not having spent some time in southern Thailand.
Bangkok is amazing. A modern city steeped in history, caught somewhere in the malay of tin-roof shantytowns, miles and miles of concrete-block apartment buildings and heavy development and urbanization. It’s a megalopolis of gigantic proportions, yet the thai spirit dominates almost everything.
Chiang Mai is less urban but no less hip, I’d say it’s like a Thai version of Berkeley, a progressive college town with tons of artistic vibe. Kids selling funky, hip and irreverent tshirts, paintings, house decorations and furniture. A million motorscooters in every direction. With easy access to the surrounding mountain ranges loaded with natural parks, ethnic villages, wats etc…
We arrived in Thailand on Saturday, Dec 23rd 2006 and flew on to Cambodia on Tuesday, Jan 2nd 2007.
I simply love your pictures. They are really beautiful. Could you tell me what kind of camera and lens you used in Thailand?