07.02.07
Siem Reap Countryside
After the sunrise, we headed North 30km to Banteay Srei with some intricate carvings.
06.29.07
Cobra Show, Thailand
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
06.28.07
Ayutthaya – Thailand’s old Capital
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.
04.22.07
Horse Breath & Jet Fumes
After powering through a bucket of golf balls at JK’s World of Golf, at Airport Oaks, took a quick drive to see some aircraft, and captured a beautiful horse from a paddock under the flight path for Auckland International.
04.16.07
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Took a trip out mid afternoon to Muriwai to capture a sunset. The weather turned twice, bringing some heavy showers down, which just made the scene more dramatic.
PS. Happy Birthday Kirst 😉
03.03.07
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
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.
01.02.07
Fiji – Day Five
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.
Kirst and Warren
12.30.06
Fiji – Day Two
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.
12.09.06
Auckland Zoo
My friend, Kirst (www.iKirst.com) bought us a Friends of the Zoo pass earlier in the year, and been using it every few weeks – Highly recommended, for the cost of only 3-4 entries, and you can use it as often as you like. 🙂
Click for larger image