06.29.07
Posted in Animals, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
A small van ride around the corner from Damnoen Saduak, and we were at the famed Cobra Show.
The van load of tourists, including myself were all a tad sceptical before going in, and the price was more than other small attractions. I decided to break the ice first, and pay up, and head through the gates. The arena was filled with a few rows, around 3 sides, but I decided to sit down on the front corner, to get the best angles, but also TRY to be safe – Safety… Yeah right. The crowd sits a mere couple of metres from the live shows, with some shallow water, and a 2-3 foot wall providing psychological protection 😉
The show started with an amazing Cobra handler, and came within millimetres of being jabbed with venom. The next couple of acts, included a Python, jumping snakes and some more poisonous water snakes. There was also a Mongoose Vs. Cobra fight, which looked rather nasty – Thailand seems to allow some forms of animal cruelty for pleasure viewing to demonstrate what does happen in the wild. The poor snake did have numerous wounds/scars down it’s scales.
Nerves of Steel
Enough venom to kill several villagers
Mongoose Vs Cobra (2 – 0)
Anaconda 4 anyone?
My, my, what sharp teeth you have
Close shave
Another close one
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Posted in General, Travel at 11:00 am by Warren Williams
Located in the Ratchaburi province, Damnoen Saduak is one of the largest and most popular floating markets in Thailand. The heat was out in typical fashion, 36°C. We took a James Bond boat zipping around the canals (the name, from the obvious, Roger Moore in an earlier film which brought the province into full glory)
James Bond boat, zooming down a river towards the market
Another James Bond boat, slicing through the market
Thailand flag, down another market river
The centre of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Fresh pineapple on offer
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06.28.07
Posted in Animals, Landscape, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
The 90min train journey from Hualamphong train station went without a hitch. Arrived mid afternoon ready for a couple hours via Tuk Tuk around a few of the larger temples.
Wat Phra Chao Phya-Thai
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Ram, from the moving Tuk Tuk
The train journey back again was smooth, with fresh wind blowing through the open carriages. Off to the floating market tomorrow for another perspective on life in Thailand.
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Posted in General, People, Travel at 2:00 pm by Warren Williams
The British Airways flight leaving Sydney to Bangkok was delayed by two hours due to a blocked oil filter on one of the engines. We ended up arriving in Bangkok after midnight, where the local temperature was a very sticky 27°C. I found a cheap hotel to stay, just off from Sukhumvit Road, near the centre of some large shopping centres, such as Siam Paragon and MBK.
The heat and smell was as I remembered back in my first trip of 1989. Unbearably hot, street stalls everywhere selling mostly food, and traffic in every direction. As darkness falls, the heat remains, and the nightlife comes out.
The only way to deal with congestion, police traffic wardens at every intersection.
Traffic under the Sky Train network
People walk the narrow railway corrider
The sky train, which provides fast connections between each suburb and shopping centres.
Tuk-tuk’s are everywhere
Hualomphong station, where I walked to from Sukhumvit Road.
My next destination was Ayutthaya, travelling 3rd class with the locals. The fare cost 15 Bhat (US 50 cents) for the near 100km journey North. I think Western worlds need to follow suit 😉
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06.27.07
Posted in Aviation, General, Landscape, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
QF190 from NZAA to YSSY departed on surprisingly clear crisp skies. I took the window seat requested (43A), to keep out of the direct sun and a clear view over the wing.
Overlooking Waiuku and Port Waikato
I think the wing needs a clean 😉
Arriving into Sydney, with interesting water patterns.
Despite being in transit to Bangkok, Sydney airport security were even kind enough to believe I’m the suspicious type, deciding to do a full search of my bags, containing camera gear, taking smears for explosive resins and drugs. I wasn’t pleased.
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06.26.07
Posted in General, People, Travel at 11:00 pm by Warren Williams
Been an extremely busy couple of weeks, bought a new 5D camera, but looks like it won’t arrive in time, so today went out and purchased a new Canon 1D Mk III from Auckland Camera.
Kirst was the perfect photo subject to test out the new camera, with my 50/85mm prime lens.
I leave New Zealand tomorrow, heading to Thailand and Cambodia for 12 days, before living in South East London/Kent, UK. Will also spend some weekends away at Hastings beach with family during summer. Farewell.
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03.19.07
Posted in General, Motorsport, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
The record bidding jetboat, Earthrace, powered on 100% biodiesel has collided with a fishing vessel in central America. Earthrace planned to circumnagivate the world in 65 days.
Here’s a few photos from mid 2006 whilst she was berthed in the Viaduct:
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03.09.07
Posted in General, Landscape, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Spent a day at Motuihe Island, planting trees, and enjoying a BBQ and some sport games. Some good volunteering fun.
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03.04.07
Posted in Aviation, People, Sport, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
My last day in Wellington, involved catching up with Bob Leask and Will Mallinson – two fellow aviation enthusiasts. Started off, where-else, but the airport. We soon drove around to Lyall Bay – still next to the airport, and checked out the surf which was rolling through.
We then proceeded to parliament, however weren’t able to take cameras in, so decided to go to the cable car instead.
The weekend drew to an end, returned the camera gear to Tim, and took the 6pm flight back to Auckland. Waved goodbye to the pristine weather in Wellington, and hello to the thunderstorm over the Manukau harbour on our final approach to Runway 05R at Auckland International.
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03.03.07
Posted in Animals, Aviation, General, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Kitted with Tim’s 20D and 17-55mm f2.8 IS lens and my own Sigma 120-300mm, I made the attempt to find something interesting to do. Walked along to the information centre, grabbed some brochures, and was off for a quick read. I had my eyes fixed on the Seal visit, but seemed rather expensive, and had seen some in Kaikoura, in late 2005, so wasn’t too worried about seeing them. Decided to check out the wildlife sanctuary up in Karori.
Before heading East, took a quick stroll around Frank Kitts Park, and Te Papa…
A quick 10 min bus ride (yeah Wellington is very small ;)) – and I was already there. Surprisingly the air was still.
Soon through the entrance, I met a young German couple, Daniel & Annalena (hello!) – www.dspiecker.com
Here are just a few of the birds I stumbled across:
After walking for 6 hours practically non stop, decided it was time to head back.
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02.17.07
Posted in General, Landscape, Travel at 1:00 am by Warren Williams
Click to enlarge each photo – As viewed from Stanley Bay
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01.03.07
Posted in Aviation, General, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
3:30am…. Time to leave. What?! Quite an unruly time it sure was. We arrived back at Nadi just after 5am, still sleep walking. Managed to check in before the crowd, and request our window seats on our Air NZ 767.
Ni sa moce.
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01.02.07
Posted in Animals, General, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Our 5th and final full day at Fiji on 2nd January was a quick, but very good one.
An early rise, for Marianna and Kevin, saw them treated to a champagne breakfast on the beach.
Glass bottomed boat
Kirst and I took a taxi to Eco-Park:
Nemo!
One of my favourite shots from the entire trip.
Back to The Warwick resort in the late afternoon,
we caught up with Marianna and Kevin.
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12.31.06
Posted in General, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Recovering from burns over the body, it’s a quiet day in Fiji.
A peaceful sunrise over the calm waters.
Kirst and I took a taxi to the sister resort, the Naviti, just a few kilometres away. A quick cheap feed, and we were back, as that resort didn’t have much to offer, and all the main restaurants were closed in preparation for the big New Years eve celebrations.
Kirst overlooking the pool after another heavy rain shower.
The evening was filled of buffet dinners, music and entertainment.
Marianna and Kev with the final sun of 2006 setting behind.
And what other way to finish off 2006, with a strong rainbow, over the dramatic dusk sky.
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12.30.06
Posted in Animals, General, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
The goal of our second day in Fiji, was to climatise to the weather.
Firstly I set my alarm for the sunrise, however somehow slept through it, and the first thing I saw was this:
As you can see, I was well over an hour late!
The rest of the morning was spent in one of the swimming pools, before deciding to try a tandem paddle craft. Bad idea Warren. Bad idea! This resulted in Kirst and myself getting nice and burnt, basically all over.
This led to a quiet afternoon, and round 2 of the Club Room lounge bar and balcony. It was also rainy heavily at this time, and managed to take a few quick snaps of the birds overlooking the drinks and complimentary finger food from the hotel.
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