Sukhothai by bike: breathtaking and majestic temples of the first Thai capital

 

One of the most magical places I have visited in Thailand is without any doubt the old city of Sukhothai. Located half way between Bangkok and Chiang Mai the early kingdom of Sukhothai existed between 1238 and 1438. The old capital (now 12 km away from the new city) is in (well maintained) ruins and has been designated as a UNESCO World heritage historical park. Due to the huge area of the park we have opted for a guided bike visit. Miaow, our simply adorable guide from Sukhothai Bike Tours, is a local (born in town) and bursting of knowledge and interesting stories to tell.

 
We had an amazing day starting on the bikes and passing through peacefull rice fields full with storks. Did you know that storks are very loved by the rice farmers as they offer pesticide-free-snail-removal. We also saw locals fishing in the river. Once in the park we had visited the most famous Central part, Wat Mahathat (first picture), as well as the Wat Si Sum (fourth&fifth pictures). Simply fabulous day outdoor in the middle of culture, history and in very pleasant company! I have learned a lot myself and now I know for example that because the kingdom of Sukhothai was prospering most of the Buddhas heads have a subtile smile. And also that the long ears of some of the Buddhas means they are good listeners. Last but not least I can recommend the old capital to everyone and a big Kobkun-kaaa to our great guide:-) .

Cuttle fish & octopus dance in Similan islands, Thailand

 
I was a bit inactive on my blog the last month but NOW its time to catch up...As it is extremely cold for end of March in Holland now I will warm you up with some images from Thailand again. Today I will take you again underwater (this entry is specially dedicated to Koryn who asked for more underwater photography:-)

 
It is simply breathtaking to see how cuttle fishes and octopuses change their colours underwater when they move or want to adjust themselves to the environment. At the Bonsoon wrack I met this cute baby cuttle fish. Whilediving at island 9 of the Similan islands at around 25m depth we have spotted the octopus. First it was hiding in a rock and its was white-grey, when it leaved its hole it change quick to brown-dark colours! Enjoy the video too:-))) 

Elephants (love) in Chiang Mai...

 

I was something like 3-4 years old when my parents asked me the famous question one asks a kid of this age: what is your favourite animal. Imagine their suprised look when I answered (very proudly for an Eastern european kid): an elephant:-))) Nothing common or expected as: cat, dog or may be a donkey... Since then elephants are big love of mine. I have few of them as wooden carving, soft teddybears, etc. around me at home and even at my office. So when I arrived in Chiang Mai in december last year and I started seeing elephants everywhere this made me smile:-) There were elephant statues in most of the streets, sometimes just as simple stone decoration. There were flower pots in elephant shapes, there were wooden elephants and ceramic ones making temple gardens even more charming...Elephants are the inspiration of young Thai artist like Supachet Bhumikarn in the center of ChiangMai, his cute boutique (called ) even has foor handles in elephant shape. By the way did you know that "chaang" is the Thai word for elephant?

The light festival ChinaLight in Rotterdam

Last Sunday the new Chinese Year, the Year of the water snake, has started...
Meanwhile for the last 2, 5 months several Chinese lanterns had been transforming the Park next to the Euromast tower in Rotterdam into a fairy-tale place. This magic finished yesterday, however I managed to look at it (and to freeze) while I did visit the park few days ago with a friend.

 

I also took the challenge of taking night pictures of these fantastic masterpieces. Most of them  were put on water, however few of the ponds were ...frozen! As you may see great reflections were on display! At the end I enjoyed my combi-ticket allowing me to climb the Euromast (185 m high tower) and of course I documented how the light expo looks from above:-)) As of today all lanterns are on sale, so in case you need a human-size-panda or mushroom, have a look online!

 
...and the famous Erasmus-bridge:

Nudibranches in Andaman sea...

 
I am taking you one more time underwater, as I have to show still few wet beauties:-)) In the underwater kingdom of Similan Islands one may encounter several smaller and bigger nudibranches these colourful (and sometimes so tiny to spot) creatures are fascinating for photographing due to the different shapes, lines and unexpected flashy colours. The flashiness actually indicates that they contains poison, in case some of the other water inhabitants may think of eating them. So the colours is their own protection!

 
The picture with one of my finger is to help you realise the real size...and in order to show you how funny we look when taking picture of small fellows (invisible to the rest) is the pictures of Nico+myself taken by Tim, a fellow diver and uw-photographer:-)