tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10303078258784454282024-03-13T13:37:23.704+00:00Worthing WandererWorthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-88094707551908312602019-12-04T14:47:00.002+00:002019-12-04T14:47:53.215+00:00Coldingham Bay and St Abbs Head<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Abbs Lighthouse</td></tr>
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The last of our summertime walks and I've only just got around to writing it up! The main problem with living where we do is that summer lasts all the time and we don't have the clues of weather changing to tell us how much time has elapsed. Hence me getting round to this some four months after we walked it! We swapped France for southern Scotland for one of the later weeks of our summer in the UK. We had fond memories of a holiday in this part of the world a couple of years ago and wanted to explore some more in this area. This is walk number 13 from the Pathfinder Guide <i>Northumberland and Scottish Borders Walks. </i>We were joined on this walk by some old friends that we had traveled to this part of the country to be with and this turned out to be our first activity together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coldingham Bay</td></tr>
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We started our walk at the small grassy car park at Coldingham Bay, which was already pretty packed with day trippers in spite of the relatively poor weather. As we wandered down to the beach it was pretty clear why it was so popular as it was dog friendly and a place for surfers. We skirted around the back of the beach alongside some good looking beach huts that were also seeing plenty of use on a gloomy looking day. As we went across the beach something interesting caught my eye - it was a large bin made from pallets that acted as a beach toy exchange. A pretty good idea if you ask me - must be quite a lot of plastic buckets and spades that are lost which could still be used rather than being binned.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Toy Exchange</td></tr>
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We climbed the steps up on to the cliffs and walked along the flat ledge like cliff line to St Abbs, a small fishing village just a mile from our starting point. Unlike some cliff top walks this one was almost entirely flat with no undulation along the way. The weather sadly was still pretty gloomy although the early morning rain had eased off. Sadly it didn't make for particularly good views but when we got to St Abbs village. Our first contact was with a very handsome looking white house on the clifftop. We passed down the side of it into the village proper which was hidden behind the headland. Scotland it may be but the fishing village looked very similar to those that I know so well down in Cornwall. The buildings are a little different in this part of the world but the layout of the village was very much the same.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfing Weather</td></tr>
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We found our way to the bottom of the hill and the quayside. It was quite the hive of activity with diving teams getting ready for trips out and some work going on the local lifeboat. Unusually this is an independent lifeboat as the RNLI no longer support the boat or station here, having withdrawn their vessel in 2015. The villagers decided to stump up the necessary funds and have gone it alone, much to the relief of the many dive crews who visit the nearby marine nature reserve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White House In St Abbs</td></tr>
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After loitering on the harbour for a while we headed back up to higher ground and stopped briefly in the visitor centre at the top of the village. Outside was a sign proclaiming that the village is twinned with New Asgard, a reference to the fact that scenes for the Marvel Studios film Avengers:Endgame were filmed here. It was certainly significant to my daughters - they loved that the were on set. Also outside the visitor centre was a small bronze memorial to victims of the so-called Eyemouth Disaster, a windstorm that claimed the lives of 189 people in the surrounding villages of the nearby town of Eyemouth in October 1881. A much bigger memorial is placed on the seafront there, illustrating the relative death toll in the various places affected. This disaster quite simply sucked the life out of these villages since most of the victims were fishermen at sea, leaving scores of widows and children behind as depicted in the sculptures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Abbs Terrace</td></tr>
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We left the village behind and resumed our route along the clifftops. This time we had a little climbing to do although considering how wild the coast looked it wasn't quite as tough going as we might have expected. As we got to the top of Bell Hill we had a pretty decent view of St Abbs behind. Of perhaps more interest though were the colonies of seabirds perched on the cliffs below us. The cacophony of noise was quite something too. With the sound of seagulls screeching in our ears we dropped down into a valley below where we stopped at the beach of Horsecastle Bay. We lingered here for a bit and enjoyed the sea at level for the last time on this walk before starting the climb up on to St Abbs Head.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lifeboat Station</td></tr>
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As we got to the top we had a brief appearance of sunshine which was quite a treat St Abbs Lighthouse soon greeted us. This lighthouse was built in 1862 and was automated in 1993. As with so many other lighthouses it is possible to stay in holiday accommodation here. Indeed we almost did but opted for a more convenient one in Eyemouth instead. Having climbed up here our accompanying kids were tired and so we sat and enjoyed the view for some time before moving on. We watched the relative peace and quiet of watching the passing container ships finding their way through the sea fret like conditions offshore.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twinning</td></tr>
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Further on and it definitely wasn't peaceful as we came across another seabird colony. Apparently this one is 60,000 strong and it certainly sounded like it. Mostly they were kittiwakes although we could also see fulmars and herring gulls. Supposedly puffins are here too but we didn't manage to see any on this occasion. How the kittiwakes manage to cling to the cliff side is beyond me. It cannot be a very comfortable existence although I suppose the eggs are mostly safe from predators.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyemouth Disaster Memorial<span id="goog_311080472"></span><span id="goog_311080473"></span></td></tr>
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As we rounded the head we got the most magnificent view along a cloud shrouded coastline. The Berwickshire coast must surely be up there with the most heralded coastlines in Britain and yet somehow you never seem to hear about it. I was certainly glad that we had made the effort to come and look for ourselves. The path wasn't very distinct here but luckily we could see where we were going to go by virtue of the large loch in the valley. We scrambled down the steep path and headed for the corner where we found the path that headed parallel with the shore, albeit higher up. Ironically because of the tree cover it wasn't actually very easy to see the water most of the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Back to St Abbs</td></tr>
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The way back was generally a lot less interesting than the way out which is sadly often true with coastal walks that are circular. However there were a couple of interesting features as we crossed the fields - a memorial woodland that had now actually grown to the size it was intended. It looks natural enough showing some vision on the part of the planters. We also saw a huge number of butterflies, mostly red admirals and painted ladies. Apparently there was a glut of both during the summer, particularly the latter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Abbs Head Seabird Colony</td></tr>
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Before returning to the village of St Abbs we managed to find a teashop in a National Trust for Scotland visitor centre. There were some craft workshops here too and it made for a good pitstop before tackling the last mile of the walk. We went through the top of the village once again and along the Creel Road, an ancient trackway that was used by fishermen to transport lobsters (creel is another word for lobster). It was an alternative route to the clifftop path we had used earlier and we landed up in the car park almost without noticing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mire Loch</td></tr>
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This was a path that deserved a better day than it got but there was something to be said about its moodiness. As coastal walks go it wasn't especially challenging and as said before it does suffer a bit from having to complete a loop via an inland route. The teashop towards the end was a welcome relief and the dockside activities at St Abbs definitely appealed to my children. A pleasing walk that I think could be unforgettable in the right weather conditions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Ladies</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-6820085400686276672019-11-03T14:10:00.001+00:002019-11-03T14:10:43.503+00:00Rouen Country Walk<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Catherine's Viewpoint</td></tr>
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This 11km walk is also available from the tourism office in Rouen and allows you to escape from the city centre into the surrounding countryside and overlook the Seine at the end. Much like the other Rouen walk that we did this one starts at the Cathedral/ Tourist Office. I walked down the Rue St Romain and past the Joan of Arc museum and across the road and past the Saint Maclou Church. I was lucky enough to have picked an excellent day to do the walk - we were really lucky with plenty of sunshine during our week's stay. I chose a time late in the afternoon to go out and as I passed by the market and restaurants and cafes there were plenty of people about, either packing up the stalls for the day or sitting outside on the pavement. In fact it was surprising how busy the cafes were considering it was relatively early in the week. I couldn't imagine scenes like this in Britain.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St MacLou Church</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I headed away from the main churches the historic centre petered out and I walked along a street that was far more modern in character. At the far end of the street I turned left and crossed the road where I walked briefly along a disused looking railway line that appeared to serve the port. Judging by the shiny rails it still gets used so I assume that it sees the odd working? The trains must look pretty big in this environment though - the line was almost like a tramway through the streets. As the line diverged to the right I kept ahead through the grounds of the local hospital and then under the bridge of a busy main road. I turned right past the fire station and found myself in the grounds of a sports stadium. This wasn't the nicest stretch of walk it has to be said but bear with me - the last quarter of a mile or so was necessary for positioning. The onward stretch was far more enjoyable and rather surprising.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I looped around the sports complex, where unusually baseball seemed to be a popular sport. I had no idea that the French played baseball but it certainly seemed popular at this club. As I looped around the sports pitches I came upon a narrow waterway that I took to be some form of canal. I learned later that it was more of an industrial river constructed to drive the machinery in the mills, mostly to manufacture food products and textiles. It is also possible to walk the entire length of the waterway although it is only about 3km in length. This section probably covers the highlights of the route. I was soon high above a community garden that looked well cared for although the produce in the plots was still some way from being ready for harvest. The path alongside the waterway was pretty busy with runners and cyclists and its leafy nature certainly lent itself to this kind of activity even on a hot sunny day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petite Eaux De Robec</td></tr>
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As with so many of these kinds of waterways there is a corridor of countryside that follows them that seems insulated by the surroundings. Even though it was still hemmed in by urban housing the tranquility of the towpath was very much like this. The only interruption was when a train clattered over the bridge that I soon passed under. Above me looked like a fairly complex railway between lines heading to Paris, Amiens and the local docks line that I had seen earlier. Not far beyond was a relic of the former industrial times, Le Moulins Des Dames De St Amand (The mill of the two ladies of St Amand). This former mill still has a working water wheel that is used for demonstrations of grinding corn. The rest of the building looks like it has been turned into upscale apartments.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCknJgu6xIg/Xb7dhwcgQPI/AAAAAAAAcqI/TjtJ3mFxSPYz-LNR_iyStQiVdlOV7LvWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCknJgu6xIg/Xb7dhwcgQPI/AAAAAAAAcqI/TjtJ3mFxSPYz-LNR_iyStQiVdlOV7LvWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Mill</td></tr>
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I really enjoyed this section of walk - it was easy to follow and the restoration of all the buildings had been done sensitively by keeping all the historic details even where in some cases the nature of the building's use had changed significantly. It was not just the mill I saw before but others further on. There was even a second with a water wheel although I am not sure it was still working in this instance. For a while the waterway took on the appearance of an industrial canal of more modern vintage as we passed by a rather concrete slab of a building. It wasn't industrial in this case although it resembled one - it was rather surprisingly a boxing gym.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe0dcqzrH2E/Xb7dj0nftuI/AAAAAAAAcqM/N17oFWQJiKct4pl4QcK42h3DMm2S_YQ6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oe0dcqzrH2E/Xb7dj0nftuI/AAAAAAAAcqM/N17oFWQJiKct4pl4QcK42h3DMm2S_YQ6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Wheel</td></tr>
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The next mill has become a museum open mostly at weekends. There weren't any visitors when I passed by but there were a few blokes tinkering around and there was quite a lot of random stuff including a miniature steam locomotive parked in the front yard of the mill. I got a birds eye view of it courtesy of the height differential between mill and waterway path. I also had to switch sides here, crossing a small bridge and continuing on past some more vintage industrial buildings that looked as if they were still in use. I lost the waterway here as it disappeared behind another waterwheel never to be seen again. I continued along the road and turned right at the next junction where I was confronted with a rather unusual church, St Pierre in Carville. This church has two separate parts - a Gothic tower and another part that was built slightly away from the tower following a fire in 1562 during the Wars of Religion. Sadly the whole church is now closed due to the roof not being watertight. It looks rather sorry for itself - hopefully one day it might be restored.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5IkQnu5mNc/Xb7dkYtAxQI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/kvxiftaeD34o0rIXB_MW8kmcBvFu1NrkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5IkQnu5mNc/Xb7dkYtAxQI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/kvxiftaeD34o0rIXB_MW8kmcBvFu1NrkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0420.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moulin St Gilles</td></tr>
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I crossed a very busy main road and headed through the village-like suburb of Carville. I suspect that it was once a separate settlement that has now been swallowed by greater Rouen. I passed underneath another railway viaduct and crossed over to leave the road briefly and walk up through some woods where I was to skirt around Chateau De Waddington. I have not been able to find out more about this place - I imagine it had something to do with the celebrated Waddington Family, Victorian industrialists who were born in France but educated in England and with English family. William Waddington won the boat race for Cambridge and in later life briefly became Prime Minister of France. I suspect this place was associated with his brother Richard, also a French parliamentarian, as a nearby street is named after him. The view of the castle was pretty fleeting, almost as mysterious as its history.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-3XIWkuobw/Xb7dlsyYifI/AAAAAAAAcqU/DGhJoo4bfwEJ6v2v_rw_zSeQVj94eko2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-3XIWkuobw/Xb7dlsyYifI/AAAAAAAAcqU/DGhJoo4bfwEJ6v2v_rw_zSeQVj94eko2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Pierre Church in Carville</td></tr>
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I was soon back on the road and was now starting the climb to the viewpoint I would get later on. It was gentle at first but when I got to the top of the road and left the pavement it got steeper. It wasn't easy to find the onward path but eventually I located it between houses. Soon I was back in woodland and this continued right to the top of the hill. It wasn't that easy to navigate through the woods but essentially up here I was expected to stick to the edge of the housing estate where it met the woodland. In theory that went pretty well until I left the housing estate and had to cross the last stretch through the woods without the houses as my guide. I took a few wrong turns here, not helped by the fact that there had been quite a lot of clearance work up here and some paths I didn't recognise had appeared through what presumably was once just bushes. After a few wrong turns in the maze of paths I eventually found the right one that led me to the viewpoint of St Catherine which overlooks the ancient city of Rouen and the River Seine running through it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85Cs7nIMNAw/Xb7dnnWDSpI/AAAAAAAAcqc/vmnloqVk6hgCh9UnQybv9KUKQA36oiHVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85Cs7nIMNAw/Xb7dnnWDSpI/AAAAAAAAcqc/vmnloqVk6hgCh9UnQybv9KUKQA36oiHVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau De Waddington</td></tr>
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The viewpoint is surprisingly good considering the modest height of it. I sound found as I approached the main viewing area that it is a very popular place for picnics, with many families up here. I have to say though that I looked like the only one that had come on foot - everyone else looked a lot less sweaty and tired than me. I felt pretty satisfied that I had come on fot though - somehow a view is always better for the effort you put into it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br-pr2CTCSM/Xb7dnvyuSqI/AAAAAAAAcqY/d43QogV6038PTs8N_fOrVi67Hq3Y556SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Br-pr2CTCSM/Xb7dnvyuSqI/AAAAAAAAcqY/d43QogV6038PTs8N_fOrVi67Hq3Y556SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering The Woods</td></tr>
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I dropped down the hill via what seemed a short zig-zag path past a large cemetery that I would rather have liked a closer look at. When I got to the bottom of the hill I passed underneath the main road and entered the city centre. For reasons that escaped me the map suggested I went via a housing estate that didn't seem to have much merit other than a look at a very small garden in the corner. I'm not sure whether it was worth the detour. The map was pretty unclear though and the instructions were non-existent so there maybe something here that I was supposed to pay attention to. I retraced my steps back to the cathedral which wasn't far distant.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOaa3i72nAU/Xb7d4wQWd8I/AAAAAAAAcqs/EEYORrp9isUdXLZrui9AeiBlwVMqNfWnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Panorama%2B30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="1600" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOaa3i72nAU/Xb7d4wQWd8I/AAAAAAAAcqs/EEYORrp9isUdXLZrui9AeiBlwVMqNfWnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Panorama%2B30.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweep Of The Seine</td></tr>
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As a walk this was a bit of a mixed bag. Some sections were absolutely delightful - I really enjoyed the waterside section leading out of the city. The climb into the woods was quite satisfying as a physical challenge and the viewpoint was excellent. However there were quite a few navigational challenges that could have benefited from a few more instructions and some road sections that perhaps could have been rerouted. Nevertheless it is well worth doing to get a wider context of the city. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMOq2ONQ6x0/Xb7donpDj4I/AAAAAAAAcqg/c1go-bouMbgFSDIe5wTHgNYEO6jEvBpeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMOq2ONQ6x0/Xb7donpDj4I/AAAAAAAAcqg/c1go-bouMbgFSDIe5wTHgNYEO6jEvBpeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0462.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gothic Detail</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-31783228606958936512019-10-29T14:57:00.000+00:002019-10-29T14:57:49.266+00:00Rouen City Walk<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWbLr156h0g/XbhNCRAboRI/AAAAAAAAcVk/P-AumN2Vm-YMnwIIgvStnf0TZWjsvTL1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Panorama%2B25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWbLr156h0g/XbhNCRAboRI/AAAAAAAAcVk/P-AumN2Vm-YMnwIIgvStnf0TZWjsvTL1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Panorama%2B25.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rouen Cathedral - Summer Light Show</td></tr>
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When visiting any new city it is worth seeking out the tourist information centre to see if there is a published walk that will take you all around the major sights or points of interest. We have been to Rouen a number of times but not for many years so we wanted to pack a lot into our time here. The tourist information office in Rouen is directly opposite the Gothic cathedral. The cathedral is surely the centrepiece of this remarkable mediaeval city and has survived Viking invasion and World War II. The first occasion it was destroyed entirely and rebuilt, while on the second it sustained a lot of damage but you wouldn't know such is the fantastic restoration. The frontage is full of the most exquisite detail that no camera can properly capture its majesty. We spent a lot of time admiring the frontage before going inside. It is as grand inside as it is out and a few interesting features to point out are the tombs of Richard the Lionheart and Rollo, founder of the Duchy of Normandy in 911. There is also an interesting set of photos detailing the damage sustained by the cathedral in the War and how it was restored.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Clock</td></tr>
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Before moving on it is worth looking at the building that the tourist office is in. This was once the House of the Exchequer and it was from here that Claude Monet painted his series of Cathedral scenes in the 1890s. We used the route as a guide rather than following it religiously partly because it seems to be two loops from the starting point of the cathedral. Thus we followed the next part back to front and headed down through the pedestrianised streets towards the Great Clock for which Rouen is so famous. On the way we detoured one block to take a look at the huge Palais De Justice, a large edifice that no doubt has played an important part in a good many lives in this area even if a lot of people don't wholly know what goes on there. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spy</td></tr>
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Over the course of the week we stayed in the city we probably passed the Great Clock at least half a dozen times and it looks just as good at night lit up as it does gleaming in the sunlight during the day. The clock itself is a slightly strange mix of Gothic belfry, Renaissance archway and clockface and an 18th Century fountain. It seems to sit so well among the surrounding buildings in this busy street. We continued down through the pavement cafes between all the people gossiping and drinking coffee and wine before crossing the appropriately named Rue Jeanne D'Arc, by far the most person associated with the city. Jeanne D'Arc is better known as Joan of Arc, a slightly mythical and unlikely heroine who led the French Army to victory over the English during the Hundred Years War. She was subsequently captured by the Burgundian Army, allied with the English, and handed over as a prisoner. Rouen was still under English control at that point in the war and it was here that she was brought, declared guilty of witchcraft and burned at the stake.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Quarter</td></tr>
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We took a short detour down a beautiful and quiet street full of atmosphere and lined on either side with half timbered buildings which characterise much of the historic quarter of Rouen. We wandered round to find the Hotel De Bourgtheroulde. Apparently this old building hosts two sculptures representing the Triumph of Petrarch and the other the episode from the Field of the Cloth of Gold that relates the diplomatic meeting of Henry VIII of England and Francois I of France in 1515. Sadly the sculptures weren't visible from the street although we did enjoy the intricate detail of the building, which now serves as a luxury hotel.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flags</td></tr>
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The square where Joan of Arc was burned was just around the corner and it was here that we headed next. The market square is now dominated by a modern church designed in a shape that is meant to evoke the flames that consumed her. It is a very effective if slightly gruesome design. Inside are some stained glass windows that were moved here from a nearby church that was largely destroyed during World War II. Luckily the glass had been removed from the church ahead of hostilities and was thus spared the destruction of the original church. Around the church were a number of market stalls and cafes but strangely it was quite quiet when we passed by. I have a feeling that a weekend day would have been a lot busier.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Joan of Arc Church</td></tr>
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Our route now took as through a meandering look at the tight knit streets in the historic quarter. We were already needing some refreshment though and we soon came upon a rather quirky little cat cafe. These establishments have become quite popular recently but I have to confess it was the first time I have ever been in one. The premise is that people call in for their cuppa and share the experience with a number of cats that are only too willing to offer their devotion. At least that is the theory - in this particular establishment the cats kept us more entertained by staying out of our way high up on the various pieces that had been put there to keep them entertained. Various perches, walkways and cushions kept them just out of reach as they looked down us disdainfully...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Street</td></tr>
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We meandered through the city streets enjoying the ambience of the old half timbered buildings and the eclectic shop windows. Some of the stuff on offer was quite surprising with junk shops in particular catching our eye. without really realising it we were slowly looping back towards the cathedral and the other part of the loop that leads around the eastern half of the old quarter.. We passed by the Palais de Justice and the Parliament of Normandy. It has served as the latter since the 1500s and is beautifully decorated but it is perhaps the very obvious damage from World War II shells that are the most surprising feature of the building not least because of the sheer number of them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat Cafe</td></tr>
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The route took us down the north side of the cathedral through perhaps the most delightful of all the streets in the city. The cafes and bars here are particularly inviting and we took note of a couple that we revisited later in the week. The prices are a bit steep though so be warned! Also along this street is the museum devoted to Joan of Arc telling the remarkable story of her short life. The exhibition recounts her trial through its fascinating twists and turns. The outcome was never in doubt but getting to the verdict was more problematic than you might expect principally because of the way that Joan conducted herself. It is a very interesting way of handling her life rather than the more traditional types of exhibition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLArZ3k0UCI/XbhQ1PCwsBI/AAAAAAAAcVw/pm07dMZe1zkB8FA3IyKFRGgYkVo-jFAvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLArZ3k0UCI/XbhQ1PCwsBI/AAAAAAAAcVw/pm07dMZe1zkB8FA3IyKFRGgYkVo-jFAvACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0396.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Maclou</td></tr>
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Behind the cathedral and across another main road is another incredibly ornate and beautiful church, this time the church of St Maclou, a flamboyant edifice that was started in 1436 but not completed for almost 100 years. Although the structure has lasted remarkably well history hasn't been completely kind to this church. It suffered significant damage in World War II, had many of its statues inside removed during the French Revolution and lost much of its internal furniture during World War II. Nevertheless it is worth pausing to enjoy the intricate stonework of the frontage as we did before moving on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmzGayz6EKg/XbhL_jdOqlI/AAAAAAAAcTs/BucQO9YcBHcPKKBomtHsAnzP1iaZE6bSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmzGayz6EKg/XbhL_jdOqlI/AAAAAAAAcTs/BucQO9YcBHcPKKBomtHsAnzP1iaZE6bSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunting</td></tr>
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We took a route along a street that had a stream running though it in a culvert. It was tastefully done and the water was clean and fast moving which seemed to provide a completely different ambience from any old pedestrianised street. The buildings were still half timbered but we were clearly moving away from the historic quarter now because they were interspersed with the odd more modern one presumably replacements for ones destroyed in the war. We looped around at the far end so that we could enter the gardens at the rear of L'hotel De Ville. This beautiful little oasis was worth lingering over with some interesting statues and planting arrangements. Of particular note is a stone that was placed here in 1911 to celebrate 1000 years since the founding of the Duchy of Normandy by Viking settlers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_Zwba657uY/XbhMaEr7SnI/AAAAAAAAcUg/niETtShdavQJfBvlbn-rToYoZcduYU_cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_Zwba657uY/XbhMaEr7SnI/AAAAAAAAcUg/niETtShdavQJfBvlbn-rToYoZcduYU_cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0303.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window Shopping</td></tr>
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The church next to the gardens is astonishing in scale - this is the Church of St Ouen, built as an abbey church for a long lost Benedictine Order. It is similar in scale to the nearby cathedral and in any other city would surely be the centrepiece rather than a supporting act in ecclesiastical terms. The main tower is rather reminiscent of the one you can see at Ely Cathedral in England. It took a long time to complete, finally being finished in the 15th Century. The west facade wasn't completed though until the 19th Century and looks rather grubby compared with the cleaner lines of the rest of the church. Next door at the front is the grand looking Hotel De Ville, with an eyecatching statue of Napoleon astride a horse rearing up. He certainly looks the all conquering hero in this pose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVPd18EC9U0/XbhMiSehWXI/AAAAAAAAcUk/Zms1vfaPAzUyR9bk90ArelYXRwsKOQJ1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVPd18EC9U0/XbhMiSehWXI/AAAAAAAAcUk/Zms1vfaPAzUyR9bk90ArelYXRwsKOQJ1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel De Ville Gardens</td></tr>
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The last part of our walk took a loop around the neighbourhood that starts climbing the hill that forms the side of the Seine valley. The main reason for following this route is to take visitors to the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Antiquities but we were out of luck because both were closed as was the Rouen Dungeon housed in the only part of Rouen Castle that still exists. Not on the official walk but worth a mention as it is across the road is the rather fine looking Rouen Rive-Droite Railway station which was completed in 1928 and is a magnificent monument to railway travel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P06jpjmf2Gc/XbhMkXtCAWI/AAAAAAAAcUw/1L6BzwJUcWI6LIdBoVkQG06yrI9tGR2ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P06jpjmf2Gc/XbhMkXtCAWI/AAAAAAAAcUw/1L6BzwJUcWI6LIdBoVkQG06yrI9tGR2ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0370.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Ouen Church</td></tr>
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We headed back down the hill from here back to the Cathedral stopping briefly in the garden at the front of the museum. A lot of care and attention had gone into this particular garden - it is obviously one of the jewels for the city authorities. The museum at the back looked interesting as well but sadly we managed to find it closed on the day we visited. Do you spot a theme? A lot of places are closed in August that's for sure but you also have to pay attention to the days that places are closed - a lot of museums close at least one day per week and it's usually a weekday rather than a weekend one. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rouen Rive Droite Station</td></tr>
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No matter that so many places were closed - you would be hard pressed to include most of them on this walk. The Joan of Arc Museum is a must as is a visit to view inside the cathedral but other than that you would probably need several days to do the place justice. Rouen is certainly a fascinating city that is worth lingering in - this walk will help you see most of the main places worth seeing. Make sure to allow cafe time too - watching the world go by with a cold beer or a coffee is fascinating too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel De Ville and Napoleon</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-9240200794131821122019-09-23T15:01:00.002+01:002019-09-23T15:01:56.577+01:00Cuckmere River and Norton Top from Alfriston<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOGjRi5fbys/XYjOLr7Su4I/AAAAAAAAbOE/Y9U9YVHgjac4YAaKZrOCml1gajouiJ-KACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOGjRi5fbys/XYjOLr7Su4I/AAAAAAAAbOE/Y9U9YVHgjac4YAaKZrOCml1gajouiJ-KACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfriston High Street</td></tr>
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One of the longest walks in volume 67 of the Pathfinder Guides <i>East Sussex and the South Downs </i>(number 26) but can't really be described as difficult even though it appears in the challenging section of the book. Given that we were staying in Alfriston it would have been rude not to do the walk before we left. I was accompanied on this particular walk by my wife. We had a later appointment in the day and so we decided that it would be an early morning so that we could complete it before lunchtime. The day started out bright and sunny but there was a lot of wispy cloud around and we weren't sure whether it would last very long. It was a joy going out early in the morning - there is something very special about the atmosphere of an English summer morning. It's hard to define but there is a peace and tranquility that you can't quite put your finger on. Whatever it is this morning was a great example of it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RV7QongxftM/XYjN-oAAemI/AAAAAAAAbNU/osKqrFctgmUjpdwYOX4Z06Kf4eVAUEn6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RV7QongxftM/XYjN-oAAemI/AAAAAAAAbNU/osKqrFctgmUjpdwYOX4Z06Kf4eVAUEn6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfriston Church</td></tr>
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We left Alfriston via the Tye and crossed the Cuckmere River. The narrowness of the river is perhaps the main reason why this valley hasn't developed in quite the same way as the Ouse to the west or even the Adur and Arun in West Sussex. In Alfriston it is already so narrow that it is almost possible to jump across - bear in mind that we are less than five miles from the sea at this point. I suspect in the past though there must have been some boat traffic otherwise why was the canalisation allowed further downstream at Exceat? We crossed the river via the rather handsome bridge near the Tye and immediately turned right to head along the riverbank. This was a nice steady introduction to the walk with no hills or issues with navigation to worry about. We got to see wide ranging views of Lullington Heath to the east and plenty of swans preening and enjoying the early morning sunshine along the riverbank itself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNyrAch0chs/XYjOAXnz3GI/AAAAAAAAbNc/ldhpB4U9aUgJ-Yhc8kh6Y9l8GaJt8ZzWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNyrAch0chs/XYjOAXnz3GI/AAAAAAAAbNc/ldhpB4U9aUgJ-Yhc8kh6Y9l8GaJt8ZzWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swanning Around</td></tr>
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We meandered along for a couple of miles deep in conversation and before leaving the river behind to climb up the hill of High and Over. Some of my earliest memories are of this hill for we often used to have outings here when I was a child. Later it would be the predominant view that we enjoyed at Whitsun Scout Camp for it would be right opposite the field that we used. I still have a special affinity for it even though I rarely visit these days - it's one of my favourites of all the hills in the South Downs. From our approach the most distinctive feature of the hill is the white horse emblazoned on the northern slope. This figure is not of as great antiquity as you might expect - it was cut less than 100 years ago in 1924 but it did replace a earlier one that first appeared in 1830. Strangely the horse can only be viewed from this angle. When we used to be at camp below the hill it was almost invisible. We used to see a scar in the hill that we called the 'ghost' - more of an amorphous shape really but we convinced ourselves that it looked like the symbol of the Ghostbusters film. I'm happy to report that it is still there too <span class="emoji" title="grinning face">😀.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Horse</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">Having left the riverbank we made the slow climb to the top of High and Over. It wasn't quite the slog of going up the side of the chalky scarp slope of the South Downs but it wasn't far off. I was relieved to see that the path didn't go up the side of the road as suggested by the map but instead tracked alongside on the right side of the adjoining fence. As we got to the top we headed slightly away from the road through a section of scrubland that hid the view from sight. I was aware that this is one of the most famous views in Sussex so made a special effort to go down to the viewpoint, a spot I remember well as a kid. It was a lot more overgrown than I remember and was pleased when eventually we got to the end and the view finally emerged. To the south and you can see Cuckmere Haven way off in the distance complete with the ox bow lakes and canal cut that I discussed in the last blog entry. To the south east is the expanse of Friston Forest, not looking nearly so big from up here as it feels when you walk through it. The famous view though is to the north where you can see the meander of the Cuckmere that looks like it is undercutting the hill itself. I have seen this view on calendars and in guidebooks galore and it is easy to see why - it is probably the highlight of the whole walk.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High and Over View</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">We retraced our steps along the path to the car park that most people use to get here. It was empty today, being early morning on a weekday, but at the weekend it can get extremely busy. We crossed the road and went slightly back down the hill on the other side of the road, crossing a stile and then heading left along a field boundary. By now the cloud had thickened and what had been a nice sunny day had turned into an overcast one pretty quickly. Our view had changed significantly as we headed along this field edge high above one of the dry valleys that the South Downs is famous for. On the facing slope was the straight lines of the vines in the Rathfinny Farm Estate. This has grown considerably since I last came by this area - I was really surprised at how extensive this vineyard had become. Between the rows were lots of toiling workers tending the crops ahead of the autumn harvest in a few weeks time. Judging by the size of the operation I imagine quite a few people are needed to keep things pruned and pests at bay.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rathfinny Farm</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">What was to come was a slow almost imperceptible climb to the top of the South Downs that was almost a quarter circle in shape. As with so many paths on the Downs it followed the contours of the hills perfectly and for much of its length it was enclosed by large hedgerows that were full of flowers and butterflies. We had noticed the plethora of butterflies this summer but along this path it wasn't painted ladies that we saw but adonis blues, peacocks and gatekeepers. They mostly proved elusive to the camera, especially the adonis blues but there was an obliging gatekeeper and peacock. Out to the right of us once we escaped the enclosed hedgerows was a view out across the ripening barley fields to the sight of the ferry leaving Newhaven for its four hour crossing to Dieppe. This is a crossing we know well and in fact would be our destination a few days after we completed this walk.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">Eventually we reached the top of the Downs at Bo Peep and our walk was to change character once again. We stopped to admire the view but in truth it wasn't nearly as nice as it had been a few nights before when we had driven up here to do the same thing. The clouds had really taken hold by this time and the outlook across the Weald before us was rather gloomier than either of us would have wanted. That said it is a magnificent view - with a sweep of countryside from Uckfield in the north west to Hastings on the horizon in the east. It is a spot you can spend ages at trying to pick out various landmarks from including even an observatory at Herstmonceux (see a previous walk for my visit there).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Departure</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">We headed down the lane that leads up to Bo Peep - it's a quiet road and we saw no traffic for the short descent to the point where we could leave the tarmac and take a footpath down to the small spring-line village of Alciston. Visitors to the South Downs may have noticed that most of the villages are at the foot of the Downs and not on top of the hills. The practical reason for this is that chalk is permeable and therefore retains almost no water in its landscape. Underneath the chalk is a layer of clay which is completely impermeable and the groundwater is forced out via springs all along the foot of the scarp slope. For ancient settlers this meant that it was better for them to live where they had a regular fresh supply rather than go miles to find it. Alciston is a small village but very typical of its type - number of traditional styles including thatched cottages. Sadly one feature it has lost is its village pub. I always loved this pub and had been here many times but no more. It has succumbed like so many others due to changing habits and not enough people coming to use it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moggy Minor</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">We pushed on around the church and headed over the fields to the next village of Berwick. Shockingly this village also lost its pub only a few weeks ago too - two of the best pubs in this part of Sussex both gone and probably never to return. It also means that this walk now has no pubs along its length and if you do it you'll need to plan accordingly. The views along the fields between the villages are of the line of the Downs seemingly receding into the distance and the spire of Berwick Church further on. We soon approached the church and found a conservation group tackling some of the overgrowth outside. The church has recently been awarded a National Lottery grant to restore the paintings inside, which were commissioned by Bishop Bell from the so-called Bloomsbury Set of Quentin Bell, Vanessa Bell and Duncan Bell. The church is currently closed as a result of these restorations.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erstwhile Pub</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">We lingered briefly in the churchyard before moving on once again. The character of the walk changed once again as we turned into the Cuckmere Valley once again to head across the ripening barley fields to complete the loop to Alfriston. It wasn't long before we met the country lane that heads into the village, whhich was a lot busier than we expected. Along the way was an unexpected sight - that of a crucifix. While this is common to see in France and other European countries it is quite rare in Britain. This one has just celebrated its centenary - it was erected in April 1919. How the world has changed since then!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading On To Berwick</td></tr>
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<span class="emoji" title="grinning face">This is a longer walk than most from the Pathfinder Guides but not particularly challenging. I wished I had tried it earlier because the lack of a church visit at Berwick or pubs en route have definitely diminished its appeal. The views from High and Over and Bo Peep are both special but much of the rest of the walk feels more like filler - not a classic like the last hike from this general area of Sussex. Maybe I'm being a little hard - on a day with sunshine and/ or more interesting clouds would probably transform it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crucifix</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-60110465822160978762019-09-03T15:00:00.002+01:002019-09-03T15:00:46.129+01:00Friston Forest, The Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckmere Meanders</td></tr>
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This is one of the classic walks in Sussex and it would have been seriously remiss of us not to do it while staying in the Cuckmere Valley. It is a walk that has pretty much everything - beautiful forest, dramatic cliffs, an unspoiled river valley and a rustic village. It is another of those parts of Sussex of which I am particularly fond. This walk can be found in volume 67 of the Pathfinder Guides <i>East Sussex and The South Downs. </i>Doing this walk during the summer months is probably best done early morning or in the evening because parking at the Seven Sisters Country Park can be at a premium on a weekend day. We were fortunate enough to be able to avoid the weekend and go quite early in the morning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Dean Church</td></tr>
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From the car park we crossed the busy A259 - this has become monstrously busy and it isn't easy finding the best spot to cross. It doesn't really matter whether you decide to park by the river or in the forest either as they both entail crossing this road. Possibly easier first though as we found for the traffic was lighter early in the morning. We walked up the small grassy slope to the gap in the wall at the top. It certainly pays to look back at this point as the view towards the sea is one of the classic Sussex views. The meander loops that are very evident in the valley are unnatural ox-bow lakes that were by-passed when a cut through was made. I'm still not clear why this was done for the river is almost unnavigable along its entire length by all but the smallest of vessels. When you see the oxbow lakes up close you realise how shallow they are in the absence of water feeding them from upstream. There have been various proposals to re-instate the meander loops but they have so far come to nothing and as a result the landscape still looks pretty much the same as it has in my whole life.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful Field</td></tr>
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Once in the forest the surroundings could not be more different. Almost instantly we lost the relatively modest height we had gained, this time down some steep steps into the small village of West Dean. This little place has always exuded money but having not been here for a few years it somehow seemed more opulent than I ever remember. I wonder how it would have looked one hundred years ago before the forest came into existence or it became so accessible by car? I'll wager it was a forgotten backwater with most of the residents on very low disposable incomes. The character of the village must have changed considerably when the forest was established in the 1950s. I can remember as a child that most of the trees surrounding the village were once conifers but they have gradually been replaced by beech trees and it looks like a much more natural woodland these days as a result.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friston Church</td></tr>
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The church in West Dean is of particular note as it is Saxon in origin and as such is by far the oldest in the Cuckmere valley. It is certainly worth taking a short detour off the advertised path to take a closer look. It is surrounded by some flint buildings of genuine antiquity but showing signs of gentrification and renovation in recent years - the new looking mortar is a giveaway and they certainly cannot be described as rustic any longer. Having taken a deserved look at the church we continued up the hill noting that cars seemed to be allowed up here but only if you had a key to the gate. It seemed a little strange until we realised that not much further on were some cottages deep in the forest that probably once stood in open downland. I'm not entirely sure I would like to live in such a location - it must be quite scary being surrounded by so many trees on a wild blustery night when the trees wave about and limbs break off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friston Pond</td></tr>
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We kept right at the next path junction and walked a fairly lengthy section through the trees, dropping down into a valley and continuing straight on up the hill on the other side until we reached an area that we always referred to as The Gallops when I was a child. I imagine that race horses must have trained here once upon a time. I'm not sure if that is still true but what is undeniable is that seeing such an expanse of grassland after so much forest is quite surprising. We skirted along one side of it and dropped down into the next dry valley where we had to take a dog-leg detour around Friston Place. This 16th Century house was once owned by Sir Hartley Shawcross, Attorney General in the Attlee Government shortly after World War II. He was the British representative in the Nuremburg Trials. There are some nice glimpses of the house as you go around the perimeter wall - apparently the gardens open occasionally for charity if you want a closer look.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departing Ferry</td></tr>
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We climbed up and away from the house, crossing some pastures as we did so. We came upon a sheep trapped in a thorny branch and once we had done so the hapless creature ran away at a rate of knots. I caught sight of a beautiful field beyond, full of poppies and various yellow flowers and especially ragwort. Perhaps they could have been considered weeds to anyone wanting to use the field for grazing but they did make for a colourful sight. Sadly I couldn't get a very close look for it was beyond the private drive to Friston Place and I had to make do with my distant view.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowlink Cottages</td></tr>
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We climbed up to the tiny village of Friston with its squat church and small pond at the heart. Sadly the church is anything but peaceful these days as it is passed by the busy A259. We crossed the road and I took a closer look at the pond which appears to have been taken over by a conservation group. There is an observation platform and some interpretation boards and it looks like a habitat that is full of life. Beyond the church and the landscape changed once again as we entered the Crowlink estate. The forest was replaced by open downland full of grazing sheep. Beyond them and we could see the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry leaving for the morning sailing. It was a journey that we would be making ourselves not long after completing this walk.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Across Seven Sisters</td></tr>
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The path continues down through the beautiful Crowlink Estate all the way down to the cliff edge of a valley between two of the Seven Sisters. Long time readers of this blog may well remember me coming this way on previous walks, notably when I completed the South Downs Way and then later the Sussex Coastal Walk. For the first time though I would be walking in the opposite direction, so that the highest of the Sisters, Haven Brow, would be last. We actually climbed Brass Point first and then in turn we went across Rough Brow, Short Brow and then Haven Brow. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer Look</td></tr>
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The views along the Seven Sisters are quite magnificent, for my money they are the finest chalk cliffs in existence bar none and are far nicer than the more celebrated White Cliffs of Dover. They appear to have caught the attention of Japanese and Chinese tourists and we passed several groups of them as we walked westwards. They appear to have far too little fear of the height of the cliffs as many of them got far too close to the edge - we hollered at one group who were practically on the edge looking down. They clearly have no understanding of how crumbly these cliffs are - we had visions of We lingered at the top of Haven Brow for some time admiring the view across the Cuckmere Estuary - it's rare I get to see it from this angle more's the pity as it is just as magnificent from this side as it is from the other side.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckmere Estuary</td></tr>
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The path doesn't go straight down the side of Haven Brow to the beach below much to our relief. A path as steep as that is a little hard on the knees. Instead we headed inland on a much more gentle path that dropped down to the side of the river valley much more slowly. It's a path that allows for the view to be extended for a much longer time and is definitely easier to negotiate! At the bottom of the hill we joined the concrete road that once was the course of a tramway that took gravel from the beach to a station where the car park is that we used. The line was open from 1930 to 1964. The concrete road is a useful way for cyclists and all manner of non-powered transport to get to the beach, ideal for disabled people and people with pushchairs. We didn't follow the road all the way back - at Foxhole the path takes the line of the South Downs Way up and over the small ridge to the right hand side. We got a good view of the wildlife in the ox-bow lakes and especially a number of egrets that were busy fishing. I wasn't sure that fish lived in this brackish water but I guess there must be plenty judging by the number of fishing birds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egret</td></tr>
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As we returned to the car park there were plenty of visitors heading out for the day. We felt a little smug knowing that we had already had the best of the weather and the countryside mostly to ourselves. This is a fantastic walk and it is hard to believe that it packs in so much to its relatively modest 6 mile length. I cannot recommend it highly enough if you find yourself in East Sussex.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic at Exceat Barn</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-79756100627775303092019-08-28T16:50:00.002+01:002019-08-28T16:50:31.891+01:00Arlington and Abbotts Wood<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffy Clouds</td></tr>
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After all the tropical posts I imagine that a few followers will be surprised to see a blog entry from the UK once again but we headed back for a lengthy summer trip after our first year at our new school. As you can imagine we were very keen to do a few walks while we were back and used our base in Alfriston to explore a few places in East Sussex between family and friends visits. This particular walk linked together a couple of old haunts and is walk number 23 from Pathfinder Guide 67 <i>East Sussex and the South Downs.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripening</td></tr>
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Arlington Reservoir used to be a popular winter walk for us as it is relatively short and suited the legs of small children but also it was relatively clean throughout the perimeter path even in the depths of winter when other places are afflicted by mud. A trick we learned from our many visits is to park in the layby outside the reservoir and not the official car park. There are usually plenty of spaces and you will save yourself the parking fee (useful for refreshment money later!). Upon entering the reservoir area we took a left turn and initially headed along the shore of the artificial lake that was created in 1971 to provide drinking water for Eastbourne. Nearly 50 years on from its creation it now seems at home in its surroundings and the edges have softened sufficiently to look like it might be natural. The view across the reservoir is great with Windover Hill and the chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington as the backdrop.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitor</td></tr>
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Our loop of the reservoir this time didn't last long as the path soon led off to our left and across fields with ripening wheat and almost ripe barley. There was a slight breeze that helped the individual stalks wave almost mesmerically and for a few brief moments I was transfixed by the movement. All in the hedgerow alongside were dozens of bees going about their business and quite a few butterflies. It was pleasing to see the butterflies as we had heard that numbers seemed to have been decreasing in recent years. We noticed a lot of painted ladies in particular - apparently it was a year where their numbers had swelled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barley</td></tr>
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The path led us across fields to Upper Dicker passing by an old moat apparently. I did look for it without success as it was buried somewhere in the trees alongside the field. Sometimes I wonder about these kind of features in the landscape - do OS people really see them or have they been included on earlier iterations of the map but are now lost to undergrowth and nature? We passed by a few fragments of woodland, a reminder that this area would once have been covered in an impenetrable forest back in prehistoric times and even up to the Saxon age.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Plough</td></tr>
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We passed by a lady with a young dog as we approached the village. The dog immediately dropped on to its back for its belly to be rubbed - my girls obliged much to its excitement. It was certainly a great welcome to the village although strangely she was the only person we saw outside. The only other person we saw was the landlady of The Plough where we stopped for a lemonade. It seemed like a lovely village pub - I hope that it manages to stay afloat when so many others are going out of business. Feeling refreshed we walked along the street and past the rather opulent looking Bedes School which has produced a number of locally famous sportsmen including the footballer Dan Harding and the cricketer Luke Wells. We soon crossed their cricket pitches and the latest crop of pupils were being put through their paces in the cricket nets on the far side. I wonder if any will make it into the county cricket scene?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bede's School</td></tr>
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We were soon back in farmland although the pasture here looked pretty rough - just a few miserable looking cows populated this area. We had hoped that we would get a good view of Michelham Priory, a pretty well preserved priory dating from the 13th Century. Unfortunately in the height of summer the surrounding trees completely obscured it except for the briefest of glimpses of one of the towers. We also had a moment where we struggled to find the onward path here - we eventually found the ramshackle stile that led us into a nearby wood. Woods would be the order of the day for the next stretch of the walk - we passed through and then went around the perimeter of Bramble Grove which was a surprisingly dark stretch. At the far end we came upon a road just outside Arlington Speedway track, the home of Eastbourne Eagles. Luckily all was quiet today - I imagine they make quite a din when they are in session.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully Clothed</td></tr>
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Across the road and we passed briefly down the side of Abbotts Wood before heading into the forest itself. This was a firm favourite when I was a kid - I loved walking to the lake in the middle and was pleased that this walk included the same. If it hadn't I probably would have made sure to include it. The lake isn't particularly spectacular and in fact every time I see it I am sure it is a bit smaller - maybe that is because of the increasing amounts of vegetation I see there. We lingered on the bridge for a short time before pushing on completing the loop through the forest to the car park. This is a walk I must have completed dozens of times and yet it always looks different. In my minds eye I have a memory of this walk as a child and no matter how many times I do it as an adult it never seems to match my memory. I cannot honestly think of any other place where this is true...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbott's Wood Lake</td></tr>
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The car park was as quiet as you might expect on a work and school day; on a similar sort of day at the weekend it would be rammed as this is a seriously popular beauty spot. However once we had crossed the fields and arrived at The Yew Tree pub in Arlington we came upon quite a crowd of pensioners in the beer garden having their lunch. Maybe they had already had their constitutional walk at the woods earlier on and we had missed them? Seriously though we quickly understood why it was so popular - we had a great lunch and a pint of local real ale to wash it down.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Yew Tree</td></tr>
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From our pub stop it was a short trip down past the church to the reservoir beyond. The clouds that had built up on the way round now dissipated once again and the church looked resplendent in the sunshine newly emerged. We wandered around the reservoir for the final part of our walk and ended up walking almost a complete loop. On the return leg we got to see a lot more birdlife and especially a group of great crested grebes swimming and diving in the water. They always seem to be too far away for me to get a decent picture more's the pity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arlington Church</td></tr>
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This was an enjoyable family walk as it gave us plenty of time for chatter and wasn't too taxing. The two pubs on the way around seem in good health and hopefully that will remain the case for future walkers. I was vaguely disappointed with it though - perhaps it would be a better one to do in spring or autumn. During the summer months the amount of foliage meant that the woodland sections were just dark and devoid of flowers or colour. I was also most disappointed not to get a view of Michelham Priory - maybe you could with no foliage on the trees?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the Reservoir</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-40613499796470219382019-08-20T15:10:00.000+01:002019-08-20T15:10:34.276+01:00Koh Kret<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaning Chedi</td></tr>
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A rather mysterious place in Bangkok that we had heard about many times but had not managed to get to before is the small island of Koh Kret. This is an island in the middle of the Chao Praya River that was formed when a meander loop was bypassed using a man-made canal dug during the 1720s. The island was largely deserted after the Burmese invaded this part of Thailand later in the same century but some time after it was settled by Mon people, an ethnic group originally from central Asia (around Mongolia). They have brought some of their original culture, traditions and foods to the island and visiting feels like another world away from Bangkok. We visited on a Sunday when the market was in full swing - possibly the best day of the week to visit, although if you just want to see daily life without the visitors come on a weekday.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing Point</td></tr>
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In order to get to Koh Kret it is necessary to get a ferry across the river. It is possible to reach it on the Chao Praya River Express Boat from the centre of Bangkok but as we live in the north of the city anyway we took a taxi across to the ferry port in Pak Kret. In order to get there you will need to walk through Wat Sanam Nuea, the grounds of which are geared up to tempt visitors with all manner of refreshments and trinkets before they even get on the island. We saw what was on offer ad decided to come back later after we had been to the island.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face Off</td></tr>
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The ferry ride across takes only a few minutes although the current does not allow for a straightforward back and forth route. There is also the small matter of a lot of other boats going up and down the river that have to be avoided but for the princely sum of 2 Baht it is a memorable way of getting there. As you sit on the boat the first thing you notice is the wonky chedi of the temple on the other side. This has become something of a landmark for the island - more about this later. At the ferry dock on the other side we took a left turn while most of the crowds took a right to the market. There was method in our madness - we wanted to look at the market last. The path essentially loops around the whole circumference of the island although it is considerably closer to the coast on the north side than it is on the south side.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging Around</td></tr>
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The most immediate thing to know about Koh Kret is that there are no proper roads here and the only motorised transport is on two wheels and not four. That isn't to say that you don't need your wits about you - some of the motor cycles went down the narrowest of lanes. Certainly at the beginning of the walk around the island the alleyway between the houses and businesses was very narrow. You soon get the sense that this part of the island is geared up for visitors as most of the restaurants seem a little more well appointed than the street shacks you see on the mainland away from the centre of Bangkok. In a couple of cases we saw restaurants that faced out on to the khlongs (canals) that help maintain the drainage of the island. These had benches and tables that somehow dangled over the edge - quite an interesting place to sit but if you dropped your fork you would never see it again!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covered Bridge</td></tr>
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Although the main focus of the market is on the north coast there were quite a few other stalls on the east coast as well. We saw some interesting looking pottery stalls and a garden centre that diverted our attention for a bit. The path felt like a bit of a maze through all the buildings and we were pleased when it finally crossed a covered bridge and opened out at Wat Chimplee Sutthawat. Inevitably there was a market in front of the temple, but this one seemed much more geared up for locals as it sold the usual mixture of fresh produce and street food rather than any tourist stuff. The Wat itself is very pleasant and guarded by a number of Buddhas and the usual assortment of animals that you see at temples including zebras and tigers. I've never really quite understood why zebras are associated with Buddhist temples as they don't live in Asia and I cannot see the connection. There appears to be no definitive answer to the question either, although some suggest that the connection is a zebra crossing denoting some sort of safety. Not sure I buy this as an explanation as zebra crossings aren't particularly safe in Thailand!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful Postbox</td></tr>
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At the next temple we took a sharp right to head away from the river. This is the road that is nearest to the south shore, although it follows a path closer to the centre of the island. Only out and back paths access the south coast - we weren't sure how long it would take to get all the way around the island and so we stuck to the main road this time. In the absence of motorised transport we passed by a man pushing a trolley full of supplies, mostly cans of pop, to the businesses further out on the island. It looked like quite a tiring job. The road stretched out straight as an arrow for some considerable distance ahead of us. We were a bit lacking in shade now and so it seemed like a long and hot walk along this section of the path. Every so often a motor cycle whizzed past us and made us wonder whether we had made the right choice to walk?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnRx6zoi7EI/XVv73IKwQnI/AAAAAAAAaxk/0FeTUgdyPwg8YPQGw_rW1JlUT1OAhJcOgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YnRx6zoi7EI/XVv73IKwQnI/AAAAAAAAaxk/0FeTUgdyPwg8YPQGw_rW1JlUT1OAhJcOgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delivery</td></tr>
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We soon left the majority of buildings behind and there was farmland either side of us. As well as the usual crops of corn, bananas and rice we saw some unusual fruits that we couldn't identify - they looked like nobbly apples. Throughout the farms were small shrines that made this an undoubtedly Thai place. There wasn't much in the way of wildlife however, pretty much all we saw were the ubiquitous zebra doves that we seem to see everywhere and the odd stork. It wasn't really properly rainy season yet though so this might change when the wet weather is a bit more regular. Most of the houses away from the more visited areas of the island were quite ramshackle and largely built on stilts. I imagine that this area has more than its fair share of floods given how much water flows through the Chao Praya River. Even the road was on stilts now - a useful precaution I'm sure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPdRmAQLcrc/XVv75zcRDwI/AAAAAAAAaxo/OTYc1PRgHk0YmZ18ZDv6VoMKU0934yoLgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPdRmAQLcrc/XVv75zcRDwI/AAAAAAAAaxo/OTYc1PRgHk0YmZ18ZDv6VoMKU0934yoLgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown Fruit</td></tr>
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At the far end of the island was an interesting sight - a new Buddhist temple being built. Judging by the extent of the construction it appeared that no expense was being spared. It was hard to fathom why a new one was needed when the population here is so small but I imagine quite a few of the locals are gaining useful employment as a result. Life out at this end of the island seems slow and relaxed. Few motorbikes came along now and we saw only the odd person and a few soi dogs lounging around. The houses looked a bit more salubrious and in some cases had some well tended gardens. I wondered whether these were boltholes for rich people who spend the rest of the week in Bangkok?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmland</td></tr>
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There was a bit of localised commerce at this end of the island. A couple of coffee stalls, one or two selling snacks and another selling some very colourful looking dresses. Our thoughts turned to some refreshment too and we were pleased to see a small coffee shop signposted off the main road down towards the riverfront. The walkway to get there was rather more exciting than we wanted though - it was some rather flimsy plans balanced on stilts. The builders of this walkway had covered the planks in cement to try and strengthen them but succeeded only in making them a bit more scary somehow!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Construction</td></tr>
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Worse was to come when we got to the end as the planks were covered in ants that soon were on our feet and lower legs. We got a few nips that made us run a bit faster for our coffee! Luckily it was a great spot for a refreshment stop, with a lovely balcony that overlooked the river. We drank our coffee and watched the river traffic with fascination for quite a while, in particular the ridiculously small tug boats that seemed to drag along the most enormous loads behind them. I honestly don't understand how they have enough power to do the job.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haulage</td></tr>
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Feeling refreshed we retraced our steps along the ant infested walkway taking care to more a lot more quickly this time - it did the trick. We were soon back on the main road and headed onward once again. It wasn't too long before we left the rural end of the island behind and the market stalls started. We were behind a couple of ladies heading down with more supplies for their stall - they made quite the picture as they trundled along. They were impossible to pass though! At the start of the market proper we passed by the motorcycle taxi rank - there were lots of drivers waiting for a fare. I've never been tempted by riding on the back, mostly because I am rather bigger than the average driver and I'm a bit worried that it would be a fairly unstable way of travelling. There appeared to be no shortage of customers though - I couldn't help wondering where they all go as it isn't exactly a huge island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Buddha</td></tr>
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The market was a delight and a rather distant prospect from the other weekend market that we have got to know at Chatuchak. This one was far smaller of course but also had a more relaxed vibe. Some of the pottery we had seen earlier was on sale and is apparently one of the most distinctive things that you can buy here. The traditional design comes from the original Mon people that settled here and we purchased a few items from the best stall that we found. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Opportunity</td></tr>
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At Wat Phai Lom we stepped away from the market for a few minutes to take a look at the temple. Of particular note here was the garden next door which seemed to be a favourite spot for family photos. It was a little film set like to be honest, with fake animals and even an artificial waterfall on show. There were lots of families having their picture taken, many of whom seemed to beIndian rather than Thai. I wonder if they fool their families into thinking that they have visited some kind of perfect safari location when they get back home?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Stall</td></tr>
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Once back at the market we eased ourselves through a section with lots of food stalls. It was lunchtime now and activity was frenetic with fish, pad thai, deep fried snacks and all manner of fruits being sold to hungry visitors. We took the opportunity to have some lunch too, although we chose a small restaurant with seating overlooking the Chao Praya River and an enormous golden Buddha rather than snacking as we walked. It was a much more civilised scenario and probably a good deal more satisfying too. Feeling refreshed we continued through the market and bought one or two trinkets along the way including some pieces of the famous pottery that is made here. The pottery itself is very intricately designed terracotta that is very distinctive. We bought a few pieces as presents for our friends and family on a forthcoming trip to the UK.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack Time</td></tr>
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After winding our way through all the stalls we eventually came to what is known as the reclining pagoda at Wat Paramaikawat. The temple is pretty old, dating from the Ayutthaya period before the Burmese invasion and after being abandoned for a time it was restored during King Taksin's reign. This chedi was built upright but began to list due to erosion of the river bank in the 1890s. An unsuccessful attempt to right it happened in 1992 but now it is regarded as the most important landmark of the island. It certainly is a unique sight. As we got there the blue skies that we had enjoyed for most of the day gave way to a very big black cloud and we took the hint. Within minutes we were back on the ferry heading back to the 'mainland'. I feel certain that we will be back here very soon - it was a hugely enjoyable trip!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Change Is About To Come</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-29322247366047933682019-06-26T11:37:00.000+01:002019-06-26T11:37:16.514+01:00The Southern Ridges<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRYO7HN_nLI/XRM_iGW6fPI/AAAAAAAAaMg/rc-j6ViqD7A01wm2dXGxmqoB4BkL3FTxwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRYO7HN_nLI/XRM_iGW6fPI/AAAAAAAAaMg/rc-j6ViqD7A01wm2dXGxmqoB4BkL3FTxwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragonfly Pond</td></tr>
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For a large metropolitan city Singapore is surprisingly well endowed with hiking opportunities, with perhaps one of the most celebrated being this route along the Southern Ridges, a small range of hills that overlook the dockyards and Sentosa Island. It is not a continuous ridge but the city authorities have put in some ingenious engineering to overcome the challenges of dealing with the valleys that divide the hills. The path is officially 10km in length but can easily be extended to include Labrador Park. I also included Sentosa Island into the route for reasons that I shall explain later. I began my route at Kent Ridge MRT station, which is the opposite end of the recommended route but walking from west to east always seems to make more sense to me. It also ensured that I would see some of the highlights at the end of the route rather than at the beginning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kent Ridge View</td></tr>
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From Kent Ridge station I took a left turn and another left turn to take me on to Science Park Drive, a wide road through what looked to be an area of hi-tech industry. I was so taken with the shiny buildings that I missed the turn into the nearby park and only realised much further down the road when I came upon some tower blocks in the process of being demolished. Such was the deliberate nature of the deconstruction that I could only assume that every available piece of concrete and metal were being recycled. I wandered down into the adjacent park and soon found myself by the dragonfly pond. I lingered here for a while watching the eponymous insects and enjoying the ambiance of the pond. All was quiet in the park - I saw only a couple of joggers at this stage.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly Lizard</td></tr>
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I climbed up the steps and onto Kent Ridge proper where I got my first sight of the port. When you are in the city the size of the port is not obvious but from up here you soon get a sense of why Singapore has become so fabulously wealthy. The number of cranes and containers is quite bewildering and the scale of the port is not something I have really seen before. I imagine that the docking fees and various tariffs is what keeps the country coffers topped up and why the local citizens are able to live such a good standard of life. While admiring the view I also caught sight of a different kind of local - a small lizard observing me and making sure I wasn't going to be a threat.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy Walk</td></tr>
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I walked along the mostly empty car park to a mound further along that had a slightly elevated view of the port and from here I could see a wider aspect as well as a view back over the city for the first time. This shaded area was far more popular with the locals and a couple of the tab;es were taken by professional people having work meetings - I imagine somewhere like that would be quite productive and popular. A far cry from World War II when this ridge was held by a garrison hoping to repel the Japanese invaders who came in 1942. One of the last battles for Singapore was fought here and the result made the British commanders that the game was up and they surrendered soon afterwards in what was one of the biggest defeats the British Army ever had. Looking at the peaceful leisure surroundings now it is hard to believe that such a place could have such a bloody past.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hort Park</td></tr>
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The onward walk along Kent Ridge was a delight through a kind of arboretum (although it wasn't billed as such). There were lots of different types of trees and although I couldn't really name any of them I did enjoy their different spreads, foliage and colours. At the far end the ridge I went to look at Bukit Chandu War Memorial but sadly it was long term closed for renovations. I met a chap who encouraged me to come again to visit when it's finished as he said it would be well worth it. I left Kent Ridge here and walked along the tree top canopy walk to get to the next path. Singapore does these walkways so well - they are all a treat and provide the walker with excellent opportunities to see the foliage and fruits/ flowers that would be impossible from ground level. One tree I remember in particular was the gloriously named Tiup Tiup tree, a lanky one that is able to recolonise poor soils. It had small fruits on it that I was able to reach out and touch courtesy of my lofty position.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hort Park Butterfly</td></tr>
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From the walkway it was also possible to see the Former Ford Factory (or at least its rough location for I couldn't really pick it out). This is another of those iconic buildings in Singapore that is closely associated with the Japanese Occupation for it was in this old car works that the Allied commander, Lieutenant-General Percival surrendered to the Japanese and more than 2 years of occupation took place thereafter. It is now a very interesting museum recounting this chapter of the war (I visited myself the following day).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tL-UoyRUCG8/XRM-miIL4NI/AAAAAAAAaLg/GCBA07TSxlYVLC20tWj6yz5W2DF1pDQmgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tL-UoyRUCG8/XRM-miIL4NI/AAAAAAAAaLg/GCBA07TSxlYVLC20tWj6yz5W2DF1pDQmgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keppel Building</td></tr>
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At the bottom of the zig zag canopy trail my eyes were drawn to a bird in the top of the tree above me. It teased me a little with singing and hopping about just out of range of me being able to see it properly. I tried and largely failed to get a decent picture of it but eventually gave up - I reckon I am a rubbish naturalist as I don't have enough patience. It was a beautiful yellow colour though - easy to spot through the foliage. At the bottom of the hill I passed through a gate and into Hort Park. I smiled as I entered as it hadn't previously occurred to me that this was in fact a horticulutual park where there was clearly quite a lot of research going on. I soon became aware of hoards of kids too as they were all visiting on a school trip - I mostly gave them a wide berth as I tried to enjoy the peace and quiet of the flower gardens. It was an exquisite place to wander around - the place was full of butterflies and other insects. I had hoped that I might have some refreshment at the visitor centre but sadly it was closed on the day of my visit and I had to push on rather more quickly than I had hoped.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1rNojQCnA0/XRM-ldY_Q8I/AAAAAAAAaLc/gJDlcw0jkvQxMWg0-jowKj6-DA_1VuKJQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1rNojQCnA0/XRM-ldY_Q8I/AAAAAAAAaLc/gJDlcw0jkvQxMWg0-jowKj6-DA_1VuKJQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival From Singapore</td></tr>
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Just outside the garden was the graceful looking Alexandra Arch Bridge which connects this park to the next one at Telok Blanglah. Apparently it looks particularly special after dark when all lit up. However, before continuing on to there I decided to take a look at the alternate route that is offered by the parks service and explains why they suggest that the route is completed in the opposite direction. If approaching from the other direction the suggestion is that the walker either chooses the Labrador Park option OR the Kent Ridge option. Over-achiever that I am I wanted to do both, especially as I wasn't sure when I might get here again. I turned right down Alexandra Road after the bridge, passing by a man who was sitting and selling nik-naks (mostly brushes). This is a sight that I am used to in Thailand but not here - I think it is probably unusual outside the main ethnic areas of Chinatown and Little India.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvZ_lqY2m2M/XRM-ndEfQDI/AAAAAAAAaLk/PXwspq-GEnMRBKKY0EJV03ORW56FMoqWQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvZ_lqY2m2M/XRM-ndEfQDI/AAAAAAAAaLk/PXwspq-GEnMRBKKY0EJV03ORW56FMoqWQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0657.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon's Teeth</td></tr>
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The walk down Alexandra Road wasn't that pleasant as it is a very busy road. To be fair though the city authorities had provided a decent walkway and segregated cycle track. I was feeling quite hot and bothered as I walked down towards Labrador Park and was very pleased when I saw a shopping centre on the way. I dived in and had some lunch and enjoyed some air conditioning for a while before continuing onward. I was pleased to see that there was a system of footbridges linking the shopping centre with the nearby MRT station for that was where I needed to go next. Behind Labrador Park station is the Berlayer Creek boardwalk. This was a rather different kind of experience for it passes through a mangrove creek where it is possible to observed wildlife. To be fair I didn't see much other than the odd monitor lizard, squirrel and crow but that was probably due to the fact that I was now in the middle of the day and most creatures are too smart to be out then. The mangroves did afford plenty of shade and this seemed to be a popular place for running for I passed many joggers along the way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tTsH87vYwc/XRM-C3DuKzI/AAAAAAAAaKs/lrvAoZda6yQki4J_2M3VlC9EqdVtIgkjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1600" height="96" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tTsH87vYwc/XRM-C3DuKzI/AAAAAAAAaKs/lrvAoZda6yQki4J_2M3VlC9EqdVtIgkjgCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B35.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour From Labrador Park</td></tr>
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Eventually I came to the sea and the channel in front of me was quite popular with several hydrofoils making their way to and from Indonesia judging by the insignia they had on their paintwork. Although there were of course plenty of people sitting in the park enjoying the warm weather rather bizarrely there were plenty of chickens wandering about too. I turned right (although the left hand turn along more boardwalks looked equally if not more tempting) and headed towards Dragon's Teeth Gate where I came to the mouth of this particular part of the harbour. On the opposite shore was the holiday island of Sentosa where I would eventually be headed. The Dragon's Teeth Gate is an interesting feature as it just looks like a pile of random rocks. The one that is there now is merely a replica - the original was destroyed by the British when widening the harbour in 1848. Just beyond it is an old light beacon and from there I surveyed the biggest number of ships I have ever seen in one place - literally dozens moored offshore awaiting their next assignment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIlvjjwGVnM/XRM-DTkqikI/AAAAAAAAaKw/hgVaydplBHQbVPsNXcCrMHpP4AKVnrccACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1600" height="146" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIlvjjwGVnM/XRM-DTkqikI/AAAAAAAAaKw/hgVaydplBHQbVPsNXcCrMHpP4AKVnrccACLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B37.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Battery</td></tr>
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This was a different if no less interesting perspective of the harbour. Across the way I could see the towering cranes and the hundreds of containers being swapped between ships and shore transport. How on earth must it have looked before containers were invented or widely used? The armies of people employed at these docks must have been unimaginable. Now the only signs of people interesting with the water were a couple of fishermen fishing in spite of the signs forbidding it. I looped around this very attractive waterfront park and then headed through the gatewa to the old hill where the wartime batteries can still be found. This hill was one of the best defended in Sigapore - the only problem was that the guns were pointing out to sea and the enemy came from land via the Malayan jungles back in World War II. This meant that the defenders were hopelessly ill-equipped to deal with what was a very fierce army. Although the remains of the batteries are still well preserved any chance of them being used to defend the port would require a serious amount of vegetation and tree removing first as they are all seemingly just enclaves in the forest. In one of the batteries there was a mock up showing how life must have been for the soldiers manning the guns. At the top of the hill was supposed to be a viewpoint across the harbour but alas it was mostly blocked by trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BrQ-OdQcG4/XRM-kV8IIBI/AAAAAAAAaLY/NqntaVyKb84rd7mJt77OhX0tTB-YxJkXACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BrQ-OdQcG4/XRM-kV8IIBI/AAAAAAAAaLY/NqntaVyKb84rd7mJt77OhX0tTB-YxJkXACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandra Bridge</td></tr>
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At the top of the hill I rejoined the road and looped back around to Labrador Park MRT station and thence back to the shopping mall for a little relief from the hot sunshine. I retraced my steps back up to Alexandra Bridge and turned right when I got there. This led to the Forest Walk, another of those seemingly impossible canopy trails that led up to the top of the next ridge. This one was supposed to be 1500 metres long but it seemed a lot longer. It was surprisingly quiet - only the odd walker using it. I heard a lot of bird life as I walked it but in all honesty I don't remember seeing much of it, except for one of those yellow birds which I got a better look at this time. I learned that it was a black-naped oriole, one of the most common birds that live in parks in Singapore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsTGOyUwmYg/XRM-D0VhrEI/AAAAAAAAaK0/N2Ws_UQrqigmFnifPj8kAVHM5Lx00TNtACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1600" height="99" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsTGOyUwmYg/XRM-D0VhrEI/AAAAAAAAaK0/N2Ws_UQrqigmFnifPj8kAVHM5Lx00TNtACLcBGAs/s320/Panorama%2B41.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henderson Waves View</td></tr>
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The canopy walk seemed to take a while to reach the top of the ridge, not that I was in any hurry for it was the most delightful exploration of the forest. Singapore really has mastered the art of keeping nature close to city life - I cannot think of too many other cities that have done this quite so well. It is possible in places to imagine that you are deeper in the jungle than you actually are - with the vibrant city in some cases only a few hundred metres away. At the top of the hill I came to Telok Blangah Hill Park and initially I walked along a quiet road to a car park not too much further on. As I did so I became away of a lot of monkey movement in the adjacent part of the forest. I was relieved when it died down - I didn't much like the idea of being 'mugged' by these creatures who seem to be conditioned to steal food, sunglasses, cameras and any number of loose items.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYq9mo34wW4/XRM-8zsmGmI/AAAAAAAAaMA/a2D21li-xNcmeGIjS7_yjwIuq8SPNNfHwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYq9mo34wW4/XRM-8zsmGmI/AAAAAAAAaMA/a2D21li-xNcmeGIjS7_yjwIuq8SPNNfHwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0786.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henderson Waves</td></tr>
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At the car park my onward path was marked by the most amazing tree - it wasn't especially tall but had the most amazing wide spread. Just before it I passed the most famous house on the hill - the Alkaff Mansion. This old place is famous as a wedding venue these days and although normally photogenic there was a sign outside asking people not to take pictures as it wasn't at its best during renovations. I imagine they didn't want any illusions shattered! From the big tree I had to climb again in order to reach Henderson Waves, an astonishing $25million bridge across to Mount Faber Park. It is audaciously designed with seven undulating curved steel ribs and built of a locally sourced timber that can deal with everything a tropical climate can throw at it. The bridge is almost impossible to photograph properly while you are crossing it - you just have to appreciate the engineering as you go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQJhr240Hws/XRM-5qJKtVI/AAAAAAAAaL4/Jvgk5CTSK-ELJGssXpn1SpNtRBGj6TnmACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQJhr240Hws/XRM-5qJKtVI/AAAAAAAAaL4/Jvgk5CTSK-ELJGssXpn1SpNtRBGj6TnmACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0825.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable Car</td></tr>
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At the far side of Henderson Waves I was now at Mount Faber Park and the views across to Sentosa Island seemed to make it more appealing. I determined that if the cable car wasn't too expensive I would try it out. However when I got to the Mount Faber station I was quoted a price that I thought a bit steep. I walked away thinking that I wouldn't do it but then changed my mind, went back and was rather pleased when I was offered a discount. That definitely sweetened the pill and I was soon travelling across in a cabin all on my own - the view across the city was awesome and well worth the price of the ticket. The first stop on the cable car is a shopping centre and rather bizarrely the station is on the top floor. The route then continues across the harbour to the island where it drops you right in the heart of all the holiday entertainment. Sentosa is where Singapore likes to party and there are theme parks, resorts, beaches, all manner of thrillseeker sports and everything you might want from a holiday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCj_gi8An0c/XRM-HgfldiI/AAAAAAAAaK8/agjAWD-QYg40zSJnR9uICLp3unGJa2dHQCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1600" height="123" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCj_gi8An0c/XRM-HgfldiI/AAAAAAAAaK8/agjAWD-QYg40zSJnR9uICLp3unGJa2dHQCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B45.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sentosa View</td></tr>
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I took the other cable car that took me to the far end of the island. I wanted to see a different Sentosa - the old fort that was built to defend it during World War II. It was a fascinating visit, which I just about managed to squeeze in before the old place closed for the day. Inside the fort you can see the living quarters, gun batteries, medical centre and various other reconstructed areas and including sound effects that helped you imagine what it must have been like for the defenders. It is a part of Sentosa that most probably don't come to and I pretty much had it to myself. I did find it very moving there though - certainly a different experience than the World War II places I'm used to back in Europe. Once I'd looked around I sensed that it was going to get dark soon and so I went straight back to the cable car and did the two stage journey all the way back to Mount Faber. I probably could have got off at Harbourfront but I decided to complete the whole journey and was back at Mount Faber in the now fading light (it gets dark very quickly in the tropics)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-jtppaZ0e4/XRM--ofe0xI/AAAAAAAAaMY/ggsGhHhVXIcn1xqnQUPpAL7Gb-sIyTuqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-jtppaZ0e4/XRM--ofe0xI/AAAAAAAAaMY/ggsGhHhVXIcn1xqnQUPpAL7Gb-sIyTuqgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock Up Fort at Sentosa Island</td></tr>
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In fact by the time I did get back and walk down the steps to Harbourfront station it was already growing dusk. I even managed to miss the sunset! Nevertheless I was pleased that I hadn't come up this way - it would have been quite a stiff climb at the beginning and my route was definitely gentler. Harbourfront was a more convenient getaway point too - closer to the city centre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhfvPF0K5hM/XRM-_LuBdRI/AAAAAAAAaMc/DbF0pdNsG_AE13H9Igu4j2nxErUXMsn_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhfvPF0K5hM/XRM-_LuBdRI/AAAAAAAAaMc/DbF0pdNsG_AE13H9Igu4j2nxErUXMsn_QCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Returning From Sentosa Island</td></tr>
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I loved this walk - so much history, architecture, wildlife, forest and views all rolled into one. Although it seemed a modest length I worked out that after all the additional stretches that I did it was actually 18km in length! I probably drank my body weight in water during the day; something to factor in when trying to do any walks in the tropics even when surrounded by a big city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWm5Jdsc_Ws/XRM_AQMHbzI/AAAAAAAAaMM/hZgXcEiyWegbQ9wznzTrt_c0q79m0RsBQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWm5Jdsc_Ws/XRM_AQMHbzI/AAAAAAAAaMM/hZgXcEiyWegbQ9wznzTrt_c0q79m0RsBQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final View From Mount Faber</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-64342675232741570532019-06-16T15:16:00.000+01:002019-06-16T15:16:53.528+01:00Pulau Ubin<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvHbEQakp9I/XQZLJe76kyI/AAAAAAAAaDE/ZXAy_apHxikckjTnBkicsLxofEtNheiiACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvHbEQakp9I/XQZLJe76kyI/AAAAAAAAaDE/ZXAy_apHxikckjTnBkicsLxofEtNheiiACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival at Pulau Ubin</td></tr>
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While I was in Singapore I was keen to see a very different side to this tiny nation and so I took myself to the small island of Pulau Ubin, a very rustic and quiet corner that feels a million miles from the uber-modern city. The island is just off the north east coast of the main island of Singapore just beyond Changi Airport. I took the MRT from the city centre and got off at Tanah Merah where I had to catch a bus to Changi Point. The bus ride took nearly 30 minutes and deposited me just a stone's throw from the ferry terminal. I took the opportunity to have a little something to eat before my crossing at the well appointed food court by the bus station. The stalls were reminiscent of those I normally frequent in Bangkok and were a far cry from the shiny restaurants in the main city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYGm-_035NI/XQZLMW7pckI/AAAAAAAAaC8/eGWKZnBIQdYUsQmew_EsDbh88zSinG52gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Panorama%2B22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1600" height="122" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYGm-_035NI/XQZLMW7pckI/AAAAAAAAaC8/eGWKZnBIQdYUsQmew_EsDbh88zSinG52gCEwYBhgL/s400/Panorama%2B22.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pekan Quarry</td></tr>
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The ferry terminal offered two alternative routes (the other goes to a port in Malaysia) and there were already a number of people waiting to across to the island. There is no schedule - the boat goes only when it is full. As we crossed over the water I wanted to take some pictures and found to my cost that the air conditioning in the public transport played havoc with the lens of my camera and I had condensation in it for a very long time afterwards. At the other side I wandered down to the end of the jetty and immediately found the bicycle hire places and coffee shops. I had a quick coffee (or kopi as it is called locally) while I waited for the condensation to correct itself. After a jolt of caffeine and sugar (kopi is extremely sweet) I was ready to make my way around the island by bicycle.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K251ASR1pfY/XQZK3oyfbwI/AAAAAAAAaDA/oSXL7EgJIoIvzcW1DXauWn6INPhdG3DGACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K251ASR1pfY/XQZK3oyfbwI/AAAAAAAAaDA/oSXL7EgJIoIvzcW1DXauWn6INPhdG3DGACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wei Tuo Fa Gong Shrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pulau Ubin was once a granite quarrying community and the scars of this activity are still evident in the landscape, albeit softened by nature taking over once again. The quarries are filled in by beautiful azure lakes surrounded by forest and with employment mostly gone the communities have largely gone too, leaving only a small number of people to appreciate the quiet life of the island. Most of the people left behind look after the natural environment or serve the tourists that make their way here, especially at weekends. There are few cars here as only those that live here can have them and very honestly the distances are so short that the best way of getting around is by bicycle. The whole island is only 10 square miles and the furthest points apart are only about 5 miles. Renting a bike was very cheap - it only cost me $12SPD for the day (approximately £5).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ8Nym8or8w/XQZK3xvctsI/AAAAAAAAaC8/CE3jNGMimYYFMpS4ZBY-loRBcTaT9AK4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ8Nym8or8w/XQZK3xvctsI/AAAAAAAAaC8/CE3jNGMimYYFMpS4ZBY-loRBcTaT9AK4gCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the main settlement of Pulau Ubin there are two options - to turn left or turn right. I decided initially to turn left and head west. I didn't have to go far before the first viewpoint alongside Pekan Quarry. Looking out over the calm blue water it was hard to believe that this was once full of machinery gouging out granite as now it seems like an oasis of tranquility just a stone's throw from a city of 8 million people. I paused for a moment before pushing on along a largely flat road through the forest. The roads have all seen better days but with few cars here now I don't suppose it makes much sense to spend much money on them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgzkiV49J9E/XQZK5GLeO2I/AAAAAAAAaDE/OdmBJAzo8GoQ67ZRfQsrIArz4Sci3_ODgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgzkiV49J9E/XQZK5GLeO2I/AAAAAAAAaDE/OdmBJAzo8GoQ67ZRfQsrIArz4Sci3_ODgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0367.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicada</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The road looped around the lake until I came to a junction where I took a left (straight on would be take me back around to the road that would head right from the main settlement). The road led down through a palm forest and soon I came upon a small bridge across some fast flowing water. There was a group of locals here fishing and all looking intently down in the water. I took a look too on the other side of the bridge and could see the water teeming with pipe fish. I wasn't sure they were what were being fished for though as they looked a bit small to be worth eating.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aYM-Vsj64o/XQZNPavk8sI/AAAAAAAAaDM/D0kvxSsUbbQH8w-byyrNw_F_0Jc8DTHgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="1600" height="83" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aYM-Vsj64o/XQZNPavk8sI/AAAAAAAAaDM/D0kvxSsUbbQH8w-byyrNw_F_0Jc8DTHgQCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B21.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bukit Puaka View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />A little way past the bridge and I took a right hand turn along an unmade track to a Chinese Temple. It didn't make for such easy cycling especially as I quickly realised that the gears didn't work! However it was worth the side trip for the ambience and colour of the place. When I got close I was greeted with the sound of clanging bells, the sight of colourful flags and streamers decorating the shrine and the smell of incense burning from within. There were a few worshippers around and so I gave them plenty of space and tried not to intrude. Surrounding the temple were vibrant pink bougainvillea providing another layer of colour and in the stream dividing the two parts of the temple were a number of turtles basking in the sun or lazily swimming about.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Wfs2NsUkk/XQZK_VI5vjI/AAAAAAAAaC4/Dg_l1GmUR2MlKFCn60U9jK47wwREbptZACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Wfs2NsUkk/XQZK_VI5vjI/AAAAAAAAaC4/Dg_l1GmUR2MlKFCn60U9jK47wwREbptZACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Research Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I retraced my route back to the main road as the temple was effectively at the end of a cul-de-sac. I went a short distance eastwards stopping again not much further down the road to take a look at Bukit Puaka. I knew this was going to be a climb and was a bit relieved when it said that no bikes were allowed up the track. I left it at the bottom and soon realised why it said that when the path got a lot narrower and eventually became a steep footpath. About half way up was a view point and I stopped briefly to admire the view across the lake that was once a granite quarry. As with the last one it was difficult to imagine as nature had almost completely repaired the scene. I didn't stay too longas I sensed there was a better viewpoint further up and that was indeed the case. On the way up the din of the cicadas started and unusually I got to see one this time. They seemed to like floating between the trees and on one tree I got to see what I took to be a dead one only to discover that it was discarded skin! The view at the top was really good as you could additionally see across to the urban part of Singapore, standing in stark contrast to the rural idyll I found myself in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KywJT043rGc/XQZK6UNDgLI/AAAAAAAAaC4/WGPXTXAFsC0PkZfE7oDl9T7AjhxWq8uhQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KywJT043rGc/XQZK6UNDgLI/AAAAAAAAaC4/WGPXTXAFsC0PkZfE7oDl9T7AjhxWq8uhQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Girl Shrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few minutes I headed back down to the bottom and recovered the bike before heading further west. The road curved around past a research institute, which looked rather deserted. I could imagine teams of scientists and/ or students staying here looking at the wildlife or testing environmental conditions. Their quarters were much as you would imagine - basic but with adequate facilities given the location. I wonder what it is like when full of researchers? It looks like there are plenty of things to look at with evidence of plant trials and water quality experiments. I pushed on across another bridge, very similar in nature to the earlier one, and even including a set of fishermen trying their luck.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPOaw2n5T38/XQZK9A5XegI/AAAAAAAAaCk/gGsImx8tC44Iq1aijvLHB6WudayVWnragCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPOaw2n5T38/XQZK9A5XegI/AAAAAAAAaCk/gGsImx8tC44Iq1aijvLHB6WudayVWnragCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just past the bridge I took the left hand turn at a fork and continued along a road that was on a causeway between mangrove swamps. These specialised trees help protect the low lying coast from tidal surges and tsunamis. In the areas where these proliferate the coast took much less of a battering from the extreme tsunami of 2004 which devastated much of the region. Much of the destruction was made worse by removal of mangrove swamps from large swathes of the coastline in the march of progress. They were so thick alongside the road that in some places it was difficult to see the water at all. As I left the shoreline the road deteriorated into an unmade track rather than tarmac but it was fairly good riding still despite the incline. There is a mountain bike track that continues around the nearby reservoir here but I decided that my bike and its lack of working gears wasn't really up to the job.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R1X_gpgIUo/XQZK-su0d3I/AAAAAAAAaC8/FebbWw3n-t00K2ui9mJ0zRuccKdCr4MIACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R1X_gpgIUo/XQZK-su0d3I/AAAAAAAAaC8/FebbWw3n-t00K2ui9mJ0zRuccKdCr4MIACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Army Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I came for was a look at the so-called German Girl Shrine. This rather strange little place is just off the main track and has recently had its centenary. The story began in the 1910s, just before the First World War
(1914-1918). There was a German family living on Pulau Ubin who owned a
coffee plantation. According to historical research, the plot of land
used to belong to two German families, Daniel Brandt’s and Hermann
Muhlingan’s, but the identity of the German girl remains unknown. <span>When war broke out, the British military rounded up the German
plantation owner and his family. His frightened daughter, who was about
18 years old, escaped into the woods. The rest of her family was sent to
a detention barrack on mainland Singapore. A few days later, the girl’s
body was found covered with ants by the plantation workers. </span>It
was believed that she had lost her way and fell to her death from a
cliff. Her corpse was discovered by Boyanese plantation labourers, who
threw sand over her body and offered prayers, flowers and incense as a
gesture of goodwill each time they passed her. <span>Eventually, a group of Chinese workers on the island carted her
remains to the crest of the quarry's hill and gave her a proper burial. Interestingly the shrine looks a lot more Chinese than German - the only clue to its past is the title Berlin Heiligtum which appears above the entrance. </span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmXPgMZ_eSM/XQZLAvE9SRI/AAAAAAAAaDE/d8vGTLF2Wx44C-Dd7BwrlzKuHcSE4d-twCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmXPgMZ_eSM/XQZLAvE9SRI/AAAAAAAAaDE/d8vGTLF2Wx44C-Dd7BwrlzKuHcSE4d-twCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulau Homesteads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span>Before heading back I pushed on a little further to the reservoir a little further over. I had the whole place to myself and enjoyed the sight of a large heron swooping in to what I assume was a roosting spot by the shore. The only other sign of life was the incessant din from the local cicadas - they really are incredibly noisy! This was the furthest extent I could go along this shore so I retraced my route back to the earlier fork in the road and took the other turn. This rather cracked and broken looking road looked as if it had suffered a lot from water incursion and drying out - it was in terrible shape. It was put out of its misery as a through route a little further on with a gate across the road at a rather random looking spot. I thought I would go on a little further to the beach and so left my bike at this point (they weren't allowed further on) and walked up hill initially. I soon passed by an old Chinese cemetery, still tended by loved ones judging by its appearance. Most of the workers on the island were Chinese, so a cemetery devoted to their needs was no great surprise. It was more remote than I would have expected though.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DouBfPcmbNc/XQZLBgHyMkI/AAAAAAAAaC8/srMmqNlNFggpmpnXB3aVtRNBpeHafKzegCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DouBfPcmbNc/XQZLBgHyMkI/AAAAAAAAaC8/srMmqNlNFggpmpnXB3aVtRNBpeHafKzegCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chek Jawa Boardwalks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span>My attempt at finding the beach was fruitless. Eventually the road ran out and I continued along a path for a while but when I got close to the beach I discovered a rather large pile of army looking rucksacks and voices on what I took to be the beach just behind the trees. I decided not to investigate further for I wasn't totally sure I was supposed to be there. It was rather an unsatisfying end to the journey west on the island for I couldn't go any further. I wandered back and reclaimed my bike and retraced my route all the way back to the turn off at the first reservoir I had come upon. On the way I took a brief look at the second reservoir from the other side of where I had been earlier. I cannot say that the view was particularly interesting though and I didn't linger long especially as the heat was quite fierce by now.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic3NzYXYbgU/XQZLCacZdwI/AAAAAAAAaC0/jEH7A9_cJecTSxV9j3w29lwKVrGVe0E5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic3NzYXYbgU/XQZLCacZdwI/AAAAAAAAaC0/jEH7A9_cJecTSxV9j3w29lwKVrGVe0E5wCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ministry of Silly Walks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span>At the turning where I had made my earlier choice I took the left hand turn and came upon some more cyclists as I did so. They were puffing their way up the hill just beyond and as I had seen them from some distance away I decided not to make the same mistake and built up speed so that momentum carried me half way up. I was glad I did for the setting of the one gear that I had wasn't conducive to hills - I did just about have enough strength to get up though and was relieved to see that the onward route was downhill and not further up. At the bottom of the hill I had to take a sharp left and passed a small group of houses that had a number of barking dogs. I was relieved to see that they were behind fences for there is nothing that scares me more when on a bike than a marauding dog.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha59FWhrW0E/XQZLDXzUdYI/AAAAAAAAaDE/cGhe8fa8Zogl4zvgFF4WZdjaEsXGVXDfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha59FWhrW0E/XQZLDXzUdYI/AAAAAAAAaDE/cGhe8fa8Zogl4zvgFF4WZdjaEsXGVXDfQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0457.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddler Crabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span>The ride over to the eastern end of the island was undulating and I soon came upon a section that was unmade and one way. This definitely helped with the undulations as the downhill sections were a little bumpy and the uphill required a bit of weaving to give me enough oomph to get up them. It was very hot too - what would have been a fairly untaxing ride in the UK was made quite tough on account of the bike and the heat. All that counted in my favour was the fact that the ride was largely through the shade of some very tall trees. I was mightily relieved when I got to the bike park at the eastern end of the island. I had to leave the bike here so that I could explore the Chek Jawa wetlands. This part of the park is quite special for you can walk out across a specially designed boardwalk that allows for an examination of the life that calls this area home, without disturbing it. I took this section slowly to enjoy the seascape of other islands in Singapore and Malaysia beyond as well as the wildlife below. In particular I enjoyed watch the herons fishing and the fiddler crabs scuttling across the mudflats. At the end of the boardwalk the path took a route through more mangrove swamps where rather bizarrely a family of monkeys had made their home. They are clearly resourceful creatures for on the face of it this was not obvious monkey territory.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgDqOtHfP5c/XQZLO1wIQFI/AAAAAAAAaDA/-4qbBfvAk0AUxyNig7KXT8AhQJkCPLtxwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Panorama%2B26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgDqOtHfP5c/XQZLO1wIQFI/AAAAAAAAaDA/-4qbBfvAk0AUxyNig7KXT8AhQJkCPLtxwCEwYBhgL/s400/Panorama%2B26.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jejawi View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span>Just before getting back to the information kiosk I came upon the Jejawi Tower, an observation point that is high above the trees that takes quite a bit of climbing. It was definitely worth it though - the view out across the wetlands was breathtaking. The importance of this small island can also be appreciated when you see the influence of humans in this area with industry and shipping all around. After a few minutes I climbed down and completed the loop to House Number 1. </span>Located at the entrance of Chek Jawa, the visitor centre was
converted from a Tudor-style house built in the 1930s. Fondly known as
House No. 1 (its postal address in Ubin), the building was awarded
conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in
December 2003, and was carefully restored. The house now hosts a display about the development of the island and interpretation boards about the wildlife to be found here. There is also a concrete jetty here that can be accessed for another view of the seaside. I had decided that I had seen enough of it and didn't walk to the end.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhTOW6p1u3s/XQZLFpjTKPI/AAAAAAAAaDA/q19RcFpBWDAq_mLCeX_CgQLvNAKtZ4NiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhTOW6p1u3s/XQZLFpjTKPI/AAAAAAAAaDA/q19RcFpBWDAq_mLCeX_CgQLvNAKtZ4NiQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House No 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I rejoined my bike and headed back towards the jetty via the return loop which went via quite a stiff climb that I was forced to walk up. I was brave enough to go down the slope on the other side although there were warnings to consider walking downhill too. I felt in control enough not to worry about that for it was far from being a mountain bike trail. I paused briefly at the last quarry I was to see today, the rather lonelier Balai Quarry. I was the only person here but sadly there was no wildlife to see and so I pushed on going non-stop all the way to the bike hire place to drop off the bike.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAS5z9aKm5A/XQZLGkWeMBI/AAAAAAAAaDE/UE4N9a5pO34t855j8koFKcJoSjyQOJa2ACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAS5z9aKm5A/XQZLGkWeMBI/AAAAAAAAaDE/UE4N9a5pO34t855j8koFKcJoSjyQOJa2ACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0514.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wasn't quite done with the island though - I wanted to take a look around the sensory garden just to the east of the main settlement. As I wandered around I walked past the police station, surely the easiest and most picturesque posting in this small nation. The sensory garden was an easy walk that took me through the backyard planting of the Pulau
Ubin village home, where fruit trees such as papaya, banana,
rambutan and breadfruit etc are planted. Sadly there wasn't a huge amount to see - I think I was in the wrong season for most of the crops and fruit. I wandered around for a short while before heading back to the jetty for the boat back to the mainland. It had been a great day of discovery and I was really pleased I had made the not inconsiderable effort to get here from the city centre. If you plan to spend a few days in Singapore and the bright lights of the city wear a bit thin I can highly recommend this place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WyipeiQBhg/XQZLICb7bvI/AAAAAAAAaDE/CPzbd0e-VfwnUeBUHiz3r2ygQnDxFzkygCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WyipeiQBhg/XQZLICb7bvI/AAAAAAAAaDE/CPzbd0e-VfwnUeBUHiz3r2ygQnDxFzkygCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensory Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-68119186150579272562019-06-02T09:36:00.000+01:002019-06-02T09:36:07.632+01:00Singapore Botanic Gardens<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Hands</td></tr>
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The Botanic Gardens in Singapore are rightly celebrated as one of the premier attractions of this city state and it was top of my list of places to visit on my recent trip. What I was completely unprepared for is the scale of the place - I imagined that I would be visiting for a couple of hours to do it justice just as I had with its counterpart in Kuala Lumpur. However, it wasn't long after getting off at the dedicated MRT (tube) stop that I realised that it would take a lot longer to see everything within the gardens. It is probably twice the size of the Kuala Lumpur gardens and has a lot more to it, with areas dedicated to orchids, wetland plants, trees and even agricultural crops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Gardens</td></tr>
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The gardens were established in 1859 when English garden design was being exported to a number of the colonies in the British Empire. The reason that the gardens started was mostly for agricultural reasons - one of its greatest success stories was to grow rubber after transplanting it from South America. It did so well that within a few years Malaya was the largest producer in the world. It's transition from colonial garden to one of the foremost botanic gardens in the world was recognised with UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Exercises</td></tr>
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Bukit Tanah gate is right outside the exit of the MRT station - no chance of getting lost!I started my journey at this point turning right just inside the gate and heading up into the Trellis Garden. It was here that my eyes were drawn to some interesting sculptures - they were a couple of entries from a Polish art trail that had come to town. They fitted their surroundings so well it was hard to believe that they weren't put here a lot longer ago than the previous autumn. They were going to be short-lived too as they are due to be removed almost immediately having served their time. My favourite one was called 'On Hands' an acrobatic figure clinging on to a tightrope. I wandered around this small area of the garden for a while enjoying the flowering bougainvillea and trying to avoid a nursery school outing. This was not because the children weren't delightful but because they formed a large snake as they held hands through the park. I certainly didn't want to get in their way!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meranti Tree</td></tr>
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At the far end of the trellis garden I crossed a large open space and entered the herb and spices garden. This was immediately more intimate than had gone before with the foliage from the plants alongside partially covering the path and a little further on was a small glade with a pool at the heart of it. I walked through on a concrete boardwalk and enjoyed the ambience of a garden that I could only have seen from the artificiality of a greenhouse back in Europe. Here the butterflies and tropical fish were right at home and not apparently in captivity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger Gardens Pond</td></tr>
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It was a very hot day and it wasn't long before I needed to have a sit down. I did so at what was once part of the garden that crop experiments were conducted at. It has now transformed into a lovely green space that was a relaxing place for a seat. I wasn't alone - a man had also chosen this spot for a nap. I kept my distance as he looked out for the count. Just below my position was some form of visitor centre with a coffee shop which looked very inviting. I decided though that I wasn't quite ready for a coffee or indeed lunch and moved on wandering past some more mini-waterfalls. I realised that just as I had done with the botanic gardens in Kuala Lumpur a few weeks earlier that water plays a big part in the landscape of a garden in these parts. I guess with so much to manage during rainy seasons that it is vital to channel the water somewhere and have plenty of capacity to deal with it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parasol Dragonfly</td></tr>
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As I wandered away from the visitor centre I came upon a small group of older women doing their morning exercises. This is a sight that never fails to mesmerise and fascinate me - the slow movement of these Asian exercises (I think Tai Chi in this case) always looks so controlled and deliberate. I didn't get long to watch in this case though - they were just about at the end of their session and they dispersed within a coupe of minutes. I took a small path away from the main tarmac roads that led up into the rainforest part of the garden. As its name suggests it is a small tract of rainforest of approximately 6 hectares in size that actually predates the garden. Once up through the steps it was hard to believe that I was in the heart of a major world city. Within this area are some remarkable trees, including a species of fig that relies on a specific species of wasp to pollinate it. The was in turn is wholly reliant on the fig tree for its survival - rather an amazing relationship. Another was the enormous Meranti, a gigantic tree that throws roots down from high up on its trunk. There are approximately 50 of these trees in Singapore but despite wide scale searches no seedling or sapling has been found anywhere in Singapore and it could be that once the existing ones die it will become locally extinct. This particular one is the only one that is publicly accessible anywhere in the city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Garden</td></tr>
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I could have spent a lot longer in the rain forest but I was conscious that there was an awful lot more to see and I went from here to the orchid garden, the only part of the site that you have to pay to access. I cannot say that I am a particularly big fan of orchids but I think that is borne of the fact that I have rarely seen them growing in their natural climate zone. This part of the garden was truly stunning and worth the fairly modest admission fee to access. The gardens were beautifully kept and included imaginative planting schemes and sculptures to heighten interest throughout. I eventually made my way towards the top of the slope that the garden is arranged on. At the top is a rather palatial looking house, once occupied by the director of the gardens called Burkill Hall. Nowadays it hosts a display of many of the hybrids that have been bred here. There is a tradition of presenting these to visiting dignitaries and VIPs. Some of these are the people you would expect including Queen Elizabeth II, but there were also ones for such people as the President of Bangladesh and the King of Lesotho.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burkill Hall</td></tr>
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I stayed in the orchid garden for about an hour and much of the time I spent there was under large threatening looking clouds. The sun came out completely when I left and by now the day was getting really hot, necessitating regular stops for refreshment. I wandered through the ginger garden next door to the orchid garden, where I saw plenty of what would become a familiar sight in Singapore - the rather dandy looking parasol dragonflies. They aren't camera shy either - they rest for quite a while on leaves and rocks giving you all the time in the world to take a shot! From the Ginger Garden I headed up towards the bonsai garden and then on to a rather British looking bandstand. I'm not sure whether it is used but playing a big brass instrument in the tropics sounds like very hot work to me. It is surrounded by some very beautiful trees though so if it is used it must be one of the most glorious places to listen to a band anywhere in the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torch Ginger</td></tr>
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Beyond the bandstand were a couple more heritage trees - the first was called the Cannonball Tree. This giant tree develops snake like stems that grow from the trunk. Each one has a huge flower at the end which is pretty hard for any bee to pollinate as they have to go right inside to achieve it. When the flower dies it forms a fruit that resembles a rusty cannonball. The Monkey-Pot tree is also one with unusual fruit - in fact pretty much as you might think they look given the name. The fruits aren't very popular though - they certainly aren't used by monkeys and the flesh is rather tasteless. Originally from Brazil there were brought to Singapore in the 1920s to establish whether they might have some use as an oil producing tree. Its neighbour was more intriguing - torch ginger. This eye-catching plant had beautiful red flowers just starting to come into bloom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandstand</td></tr>
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Also at this end of the garden was a set of steps built by prisoners of war overseen by occupying Japanese troops in World War II. They are a bit of a memorial to the thousands of PoWs who suffered the tyranny of the occupying forces. A touch of defiance can still be seen in some of the bricks that have arrows imprinted in them to indicate that the forced labour was due to "detention by the authorities". Just across from there is the most amazing looking palm tree - it almost resembles bamboo but clearly with palm shaped leaves. Apparently it grows well on Borneo and yield black thorns that were used for blowpipe darts and fruits eaten by local tribes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey Pot Tree</td></tr>
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By now I was feeling pretty hot and bothered and was thankful for a bit of time in the air-conditioned small museum a little further on in Holttum Hall. The display in here describes the history of the garden from its early beginnings as an experimental commercial garden where species from all over the world were brought to see how they coped with the tropical climate of Singapore and how they might be used commercially. The biggest success of these trials was with rubber but it was by no means the only one - various others including fruits, vegetables and spices. After my air-conditioned interlude I felt refreshed enough to continue and made my way down to Swan Lake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lizard</td></tr>
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Swan Lake is so called because it houses a couple of swans that were imported from Amsterdam. Sadly I didn't see them but I did see the fabulous sculpture of swans taking off that adorns the middle of the lake. This part of the garden has a very different feel from what had gone before - it was almost like I had made my way into a new park entirely. At the head of the lake was yet another magnificent tree - there are so many in this park that it is impossible to mention them all. However this one was memorable for all the vines that hung down from the branches. It covered a part of the lake in shade and this was obviously to the liking of the fish in the lake that had all come to this end to enjoy the relative coolness of the water here. They were massive carp too, many of them sucking in great gulps of air.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm - Or Bamboo?</td></tr>
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From the lake to the treetops and another change of scenery courtesy of a set of steps that I decided to explore. At the top my choice of routes was limited by the fact that one side of a loop had been closed off while the park staff were doing some maintenance. I was promised sights of butterflies and birds according to the interpretation boards but in reality I saw few as I imagine most are not as silly as me as to be out during the heat of the day. Nevertheless I really enjoyed the treetop walk and was a little disappointed when it slowly descended to ground level. I took a right turn shortly after and crossed via a magnificent bridge to the other side of the valley and over what I found out later were the Keppel Discovery Wetlands.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan Lake</td></tr>
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I retraced my steps across the bridge so I could continue through the forest for longer. I bumped into a girl here who was anxious for a picture showing the surroundings. I duly obliged and also watched a couple of workers below who were taking weed out of the lake. Inexplicably on this warm day they were dressed in sweat shirts! I continued through the trees around the top of the lake and across a fast flowing stream that I thought would be cold as they normally are when I am in the temperate zone. Of course I was wrong - the water was the temperature of a warm bath! As I looped around I passed an area of the gardens being developed as the next extension. I also caught sight of a colourful small bird that teased me for a while, stopping on branches for a short time but not long enough for a picture before scuttling off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge Over Keppel Wetlands</td></tr>
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I descended into the valley for a closer look at the wetlands and was pleased that I did for I saw a number of colourful dragonflies, a couple of which obliged me with a picture. The boardwalks around the wetlands allowed plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife even though there wasn't actually much about. When I had looped around I was surpised to find myself at the back end of the Ginger Garden once again. The scale of the park is most deceptive - it seems a lot bigger than it actually is in parts. I stopped briefly for a very welcome ice cream at the side of the Ginger Garden before wandering down through Palm Valley to the Symphony Stage. Orchestral concerts are performed here - they must be quite a treat to see (making mental note to find out when they are).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weed Clearance</td></tr>
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As I wandered down the side of Symphony Lake I saw the most enormous fish jump out of the water and it gave me a bit of a fright. At the far end I stopped in the pavilion where I saw a number of young women nattering. They spoke to me as I think they realised I was English and it turned out that they were all students from Hull University here on a field trip to study how Singapore ticked. I was surprised how much I enjoyed talking with some English people - it had been quite a few days since I had. We enjoyed watching the turtles and the monitor lizards at this end of the lake. No doubt the latter are always on the lookout for the weaker ones of the former to nourish them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symphony Lake</td></tr>
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We headed off in different directions - I took a section of the former Cluny Road that used to head through the park before it eventually closed in the late 1980s. Its origins are unmistakable though - it is clearly a lot wider than most of the paths in the gardens. It took me over to the visitor centre that I had been past earlier. I went down to look at the Healing Garden beyond here only to find to my annoyance that it was closed on Tuesday. I had to retrace my steps and wound my way around to the fragrance garden, which lived up to its name with the most beautiful smells emanating from the various flowers there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle Time</td></tr>
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I was well and truly on the return path now and probably because I was hot and tired the last part of the walk was a bit perfunctory. You shouldn't read into this that it was any less interesting than earlier in the walk - I passed by the ethnobotany garden which was devoted to the crops useful to people. I also went around the Eco-Lake which looked rather short of water. It is supposed to be a haven for wildlife but I only saw a few pigeons there and moved on. In fact it wasn't far past here that I was back at the gate and on the MRT leaving. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and it was a bit of a whistle stop tour but in truth I think I would need 3-4 visits to really get the most from this place. It will certainly be on future itineraries!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afRb7AOd-xM/XPOCclTf9AI/AAAAAAAAZzs/Vkh5Lb7BrmUO5bE_i8yM42w_40yXlXNSACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afRb7AOd-xM/XPOCclTf9AI/AAAAAAAAZzs/Vkh5Lb7BrmUO5bE_i8yM42w_40yXlXNSACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana Flower</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-1748312308097645832019-05-07T14:08:00.001+01:002019-05-07T14:08:27.231+01:00Kuala Lumpur Botanic Gardens<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasik Perdana</td></tr>
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An unexpected opportunity came up to visit Kuala Lumpur when I had to attend to some immigration business. My visit to the Thai Embassy was mercifully short which meant that I had a good amount of time to explore the city. Top of my list was a look around the botanic gardens for I had heard such good things about it. When looking at my three day schedule I actually thought that it would be best to explore on the day I arrived and so I made my way directly there from the airport. The airport rail link made for a very easy way of getting into the city but when I arrived at KL Sentral Station it wasn't so obvious how to make the very short distance from there to the gardens on foot. Even Google maps wasn't at all helpful as it wanted to send me a convoluted way that would take at least half an hour extra walking. As I was trying to figure out the best way to go I bumped into an Australian chap having similar troubles and we figured it out together - basically we had to cross a couple of roads; negotiate a lift in a building and a nearby subway station escalator before finding an entrance at the back of the national museum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Railway Loco at National Museum</td></tr>
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The weather was immediately apparent as I left the world of air conditioning. It was hot and steamy with lots of cloud cover and the walk would need to be taken slowly. The museum looked interesting - outside were a couple of former railway locomotives on static display that were manufactured in the UK. In spite of how far they are from Britain they had unmistakable British styling about them. The entrance to the botanic gardens was via a footbridge across the neighbouring freeway. I ended up at the entrance to the Planetarium which looked interesting but deserted. I wandered through the empty car park and past a rather interesting looking monument to various historical astronomical observatories including a replica of Stonehenge.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Park</td></tr>
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I was faced with a deserted road that acted as the entrance to the Planetarium and took a left turn past a large building that was once the home for Tun Abdul Razak, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1970 to 1976. He was clearly a well respected politician for the house now acts as a museum in his memory. It has free admission but sadly for me it wasn't open on the day I visited. I was slightly disappointed as I would have liked to know more about this gentleman, who also acted as a secret agent in World War II. passed the rather impressive looking building and took a left down some steps through the deer park just to the north. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna Sandwich</td></tr>
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The sky looked pretty threatening as I wandered down through the so-called deer park and I wondered how long I might get before the weather changed entirely for the worse. The deer seemed to instinctively know that rain was on its way for they were mostly sheltering under the elevated walkways through the enclosure making it quite difficult to see them in some cases. I didn't linger too long at the deer park due to the lack of activity but crossed the bridge at the bottom of the valley and headed towards the lake. I couldn't help noticing the large number of golden fish in the stream - something I always associate with Asian gardens ever since I went my first in Beijing a good number of years ago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster Claw Flower</td></tr>
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I looped around on a level path eventually finding the lake known as Tasik Perdana. Before exploring further I decided to avail myself of the cafe at the northern end. Even though I'm in Asia sitting in a cafe by a lake seems such a European thing to do. I wasn't alone but the numbers of customers doing the same thing seemed very small compared to a UK equivalent. I had an ice cold drink which was very welcome and a snack which was described as a tuna sandwich but which was unlike any tuna sandwich I have ever had. For one thing is was rolled over like a tortilla and secondly it appeared to be covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. For effect it had a chilli pepper sticking out of the end. It was delicious - how could it not be given that it was deep fried?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cannonball Flower</td></tr>
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Feeling restored I decided that I would walk around the lake next and as I headed towards it I came across a huge group of what I took to be school children having a picnic in a large covered area. I looked at the clouds again and wondered whether they were fearing rain too but I decided that probably they were just sheltering from the sun - only Westerners are mad enough to be walking about in sweltering heat I decided. Most everyone else just sat about talking or doing the mildest of pursuits like playing cards or drawing. Only the park workers were really extending themselves and even then it all seemed to be in slow motion. The gardens are exquisitely manicured and perhaps most visually at the topiary garden alongside the northern end of the lake. Not only is the maintenance taken care of so efficiently but each of the trees and notable plants along the way have identification plates by them too for anyone who wants to be a student about such things.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid</td></tr>
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As I walked down the side of the lake I saw that there were a number of offices that overlook the gardens and I couldn't help thinking that it would be no good me working in such a place for I would probably spend much of the time looking out of the window at the view. When I got to the far end of the lake past a number of different palm tree specimens I could see my way out at the end via an underpass under the freeway. At this time I turned right and continued around the lake however. On the other side I saw where the monitor lizards hung out - there were a couple lurking in the hibiscus bushes. I had half expected seeing them on the way round - they seem to like municipal parks! I imagine they mostly feast on the numerous turtles in the lake that popped their heads above the water on a regular basis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topiary</td></tr>
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The far side of the lake was pretty quiet as I was quite some distance away from most of the other points of interest. Given that it was a Sunday I had expected the park to be busier but was thankful that it wasn't for I got to see more wildlife and insects that way. The butterflies deserved a special mention - it was like walking through one of those butterfly greenhouses that we have in Europe and North America. I even recognised some of the species that are beloved of such places. Trying to capture any of them with a camera was nigh on impossible though and I eventually gave up. The squirrels were perhaps the busiest creatures in the park - they seemed to have as much fur as their European and North American cousins and yet still ran around just as quickly in spite of the sultry heat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJdrpEGoMZU/XNF8tfWV_UI/AAAAAAAAZio/ZYs1YLH6sJoVAYAtQjO5DlmnhB1AGW-aACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJdrpEGoMZU/XNF8tfWV_UI/AAAAAAAAZio/ZYs1YLH6sJoVAYAtQjO5DlmnhB1AGW-aACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0713.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelter</td></tr>
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I wandered up the back side of the lake and on to the top of the park which was mercifully shady and turned at the top where there was yet another deserted car park and a deserted playground. I wasn't particularly surprised by the latter - surely much too hot for any children to want to play on. Even though I am only a few hundred miles south of Bangkok I couldn't quite work out what season I was in for the weather was quite different from the warm and comfortable dry climate I had come from. I was feeling very hot and sticky by the time I reached the shade of the herb garden where I lingered for quite a while enjoying the ambience , watching the busy insects and smelling the various fragrances from the flowers and herbs. Eventually I felt that I must make some progress and so pushed on to the sunken garden not too much further on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Group</td></tr>
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The sunken garden is clearly one of the treasures of the park for it has seats all the way around under the shade of some very thick and lush vines. This has the effect of shading visitors and was actually quite well used. Apparently this used to be a playground area but the equipment has now been pushed out to the side enabling the landscaping to be used for a more decorative role to which it excels.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflective Bridge</td></tr>
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Next door to the sunken garden is a conservatory area that was full of bright flowers and a plethora of dragonflies and butterflies wheeling about. I wandered about here fascinated by the riot of colour provided by both plants and insects - each plant seemed to have its favourite. Unfortunately for me it seemed to be mostly the dowdy butterflies that were willing to pose for me rather than the ones with the brightest colours. The dragonflies were a little more accommodating and I did manage to get a couple of those.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitor</td></tr>
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I headed from the conservatory up a side valley that seemed to be given over to a more natural environment - certainly the lakes were allowed to be covered with more vegetation that encouraged frogs and insects to dwell here. I pushed on up the valley before coming to a rather astonishing looking open air theatre. I imagine sitting and watching a performance here must be quite a magical experience. I found a number of people snoozing in this part of the garden - surely they weren't waiting for the next performance? By now the exploration was getting to me a bit. A combination of the heat and the backpack I was carrying made me want to sit down with a large drink again. I wandered back down to the cafe via the water garden and the edible garden. The water garden was strangely cooling and I was thankful for that - it made me linger for a short time and watch the fish swimming around in what must have been quite warm water judging from its shallow depth. The edible garden largely consisted of tree fruit and banana trees. I have to say that I still get a kick out of seeing banana flowers even after all these months.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpwC_bmzCqk/XNF80eod6TI/AAAAAAAAZi8/sOrrb9vus-sMrjtayzAot8qWXpIhsI9TQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpwC_bmzCqk/XNF80eod6TI/AAAAAAAAZi8/sOrrb9vus-sMrjtayzAot8qWXpIhsI9TQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0820.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heliconia</td></tr>
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I sat in a different spot with my drink just away from the cafe. This enabled me to watch life a bit more and across the water I caught sight of a kingfisher that looked remarkably like the ones I used to see in the UK. I tried to get a picture of it and largely succeeded despite the distance it was away from me. I had to smile when I downloaded the pictures for I did not see the rather large turtle looking at me in the same picture and just below the kingfisher! There was a large group of Chinese ladies sitting just along from me feeding the fish - ducks don't really get a look in here. I helped them out with a selfie - another popular pastime here - amidst lots of giggles. Such interactions never fail to amuse me. Asian people have a very different demeanor towards strangers and especially Westerners than anything you would come across in Europe. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mj-ZmhcoH-U/XNF73hYJ72I/AAAAAAAAZiE/cXOU3h1bcdIkwExkIecLzWXuVksnooqjACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mj-ZmhcoH-U/XNF73hYJ72I/AAAAAAAAZiE/cXOU3h1bcdIkwExkIecLzWXuVksnooqjACLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunken Garden</td></tr>
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I saw the clouds were really turning black at this stage and took the hint. I could have spent more time in such beautiful surroundings but one of the lessons I have learned about being in South East Asia is don't argue with the weather! The storms here are legendary - you will get very wet very quickly and run the very real risk of being struck by lightning if you are caught out in the open. I headed back down the side of the lake and into the subway network just beyond the National Museum. As I headed to my hotel the heavens opened - I managed to get out just in time! It was a delightful afternoon with surprisingly few people in the gardens allowing me the time and space to explore fully, inspect the flowers and planting schemes. The main problem was the heat and therein lies the clue as to why it was so quiet! I cannot recommend this place highly enough - it should definitely be on your itinerary if you visit Kuala Lumpur.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baDMTjS1F_0/XNF80qg0-iI/AAAAAAAAZjE/o6d6BG2ojaE3S34dr8YAH0JWvvO46G2wQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baDMTjS1F_0/XNF80qg0-iI/AAAAAAAAZjE/o6d6BG2ojaE3S34dr8YAH0JWvvO46G2wQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0821.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle and Kingfisher</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-24030257626588025002019-04-28T03:37:00.000+01:002019-04-28T03:37:04.604+01:00Krabi Viewpoint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krabi Viewpoint</td></tr>
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We like to take the opportunity to do a hike whenever we go on holiday, even if we are going somewhere more noted for its beaches than its hiking. When we went on a recent trip to Krabi we had heard about a very special view that you can hike up to and we needed no second invitation! This is at the Hon-Nak Mountain which is just shy of 500 m above sea level. It was the last day of our trip and so we took a taxi to the trailhead and left instructions with the driver to pick us up again a few hours later so we could be in time for our flight back to Bangkok. This meant that we had to get to the top and back in the time we had available. The sign at the bottom of the trail suggested that the entire distance was 4km each way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtwJrW42W14/XMUN9sYmRcI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/vNOfYTLwueIcKdqpE8GVPvMPS0MmTedvACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtwJrW42W14/XMUN9sYmRcI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/vNOfYTLwueIcKdqpE8GVPvMPS0MmTedvACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry Shrine</td></tr>
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At the bottom off the trial that were lots of warnings about fitness levels and shoe wear. A number of people thought that going out in flip flops was a good idea and were either turned away by the guard at the bottom who signed people in and out of the hike, or if they made it past him soon realised the folly of what they were trying to do when they saw the state of the path. The bottom was actually not too bad with a broad gravelly path and a slow ascent through thick forest with a babbling stream for company. Soon we were to cross the stream on a small bridge and left it behind entirely. As we climbed away from the stream we passed by a small shrine and a path junction. We weren’t tempted by this alternative route. From here on the only sounds we heard were the relentless cicadas and the odd whoop from mostly unseen birdlife. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VhRv6vecv4/XMUOPzOp2HI/AAAAAAAAZP8/OoFRVGsP52Q0680AuAMRFZ6ead5ski_xACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0VhRv6vecv4/XMUOPzOp2HI/AAAAAAAAZP8/OoFRVGsP52Q0680AuAMRFZ6ead5ski_xACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest Flower</td></tr>
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It is strange walking through a forest where you don’t know any of the tree species. There were some interpretive boards along the way and in one case giving the latin name for the predominant species. I have to say I was none the wiser although I did learn that this particular species likes the buffer zone between true rainforest and coastal habitats. The forest was thick and dense and it was impossible to see in more than a couple of dozen metres. Clearly the air quality is good here for many of the trees were covered in lichen, a good indicator of fresh air. We were thankful for the shade for it was already hot work going up the slope and the water we all carried certainly helped with keeping cool.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQhdIaK6v1g/XMUN7JvvJ_I/AAAAAAAAZPI/9dHPnG7v0kI0vLmZG6vaUGFynjBpGfTggCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQhdIaK6v1g/XMUN7JvvJ_I/AAAAAAAAZPI/9dHPnG7v0kI0vLmZG6vaUGFynjBpGfTggCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0533.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epiphyte</td></tr>
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As we climbed we passed by some bamboo - it looked absolutely huge but the interpretive board suggested that it was only a medium sized species growing about 5m tall and having a trunk diameter of 4-6cm. This particular species is apparently very useful in Thailand and used for a good many products including crafts and delicious dishes to eat. Further on and we came upon a slightly different forest zone that included ferns and rattan suggesting that this area was a little wetter and therefore supported life varieties.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUR9iGbsPws/XMUN81lk_MI/AAAAAAAAZPM/ic1YnpT2thAGJkgJ8CVAZqy57uH3n6N5ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0543.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUR9iGbsPws/XMUN81lk_MI/AAAAAAAAZPM/ic1YnpT2thAGJkgJ8CVAZqy57uH3n6N5ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragonfly</td></tr>
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Eventually we reached the bottom of a flight of steps and although it was hot work climbing them it did mean that we managed to gain quite a bit of height fairly quickly. At the top of the steps the nature of the path changed too - it was now a lot narrower, steeper and had the additional hazard of a lot of tree roots and rocks so we had to watch our step quite carefully. No doubt this would have finally finished off any walkers wearing only flip-flops. We clambered up this section and when it started flattening out we saw an even bigger flight of steps ahead of us. Once up there we were already thinking that we had nearly reached the end of the climbing especially as the onward path flattened out considerably! How wrong we were! We were glad that we had taken advantage of some sit down time at the bench at the top though.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05Xu9RqusRQ/XMUN-4GlVhI/AAAAAAAAZPU/FlBSyhXZbBcI2meSIeMBZvyPsVnnGqczACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05Xu9RqusRQ/XMUN-4GlVhI/AAAAAAAAZPU/FlBSyhXZbBcI2meSIeMBZvyPsVnnGqczACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0549.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Roots</td></tr>
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The relatively level stretch was delightful and along the way we learned about termites from the latest interpretive board. They live in rather curious looking mounds that are seen at intervals on the forest floor. They perform a very important function in the health of the forest and the mounds that they form hide a very hierarchical society with a king, queen, soldiers and workers all taking their place in the colony. As far as human life was concerned we started to meet the odd few people coming the other way now. They gave the alarming news that we were only about half way and there was still a lot more climbing to be done too. The path got still narrower and it was clear that there was a lot less in the way of tree maintenance here with the path often weaving between trunks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUUVOFBVeJ4/XMUN_248vUI/AAAAAAAAZPY/FH18thPYhwEqUiIu4ocPOf0hJXjCxMLRgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0551.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cUUVOFBVeJ4/XMUN_248vUI/AAAAAAAAZPY/FH18thPYhwEqUiIu4ocPOf0hJXjCxMLRgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0551.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps</td></tr>
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After some relatively level ground we came upon another sharp climb with no steps this time but with tree roots to help us out as we headed upwards. At the top of this part we managed to lose the trees briefly and this gave us a tantalising view out across the bay and the islands beyond. Without the tree cover we realised how hot it was though and were relieved when we managed to dive back under cover. Any notion that we were done though was soon snuffed out as we continued upwards. We managed to cross to the other side of the mountain top and get a view out the other side which was even better than the first. We were still not done however as the path managed to ease itself away from the view and plot a course through the dense forest climbing ever higher. By now we were actually wondering how long the path was for it seemed much further than the 4km suggested.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0PLIv_909A/XMUOA6Y6-wI/AAAAAAAAZPc/dqFxeS7vnzcPQM8UpfUZX3ifb1Hcx7_JQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0PLIv_909A/XMUOA6Y6-wI/AAAAAAAAZPc/dqFxeS7vnzcPQM8UpfUZX3ifb1Hcx7_JQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0569.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1km to go</td></tr>
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As we continued to head up we soon came upon a sign that said 1Km - I think we were all a bit incredulous at this point as the distance seemed to be elastic. However, if true we had reached the 3/4 point on the walk and had therefore invested enough to want to get to the top no matter the heat and humidity. We were also meeting a number of people coming down who were most encouraging and telling us that the view was very worth it. We plodded on getting slightly slower with each step. Before reaching the top we had to negotiate some rock formations and the auburn zone, a rather strange area of vegetation that has that colour courtesy of the underlying geology and influence from the sea. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_s5IBhE50E/XMUOB3FxWpI/AAAAAAAAZPg/-4F1y5mY_CoQrSGmRHv7UaiSCLx0iM3FwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_s5IBhE50E/XMUOB3FxWpI/AAAAAAAAZPg/-4F1y5mY_CoQrSGmRHv7UaiSCLx0iM3FwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks</td></tr>
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It wasn't much further past here that we reached the summit and the first view that we saw at Khao Ngon Nak Scenic Point was out across the strange karst landscape to the north of the coast. The limestone here has formed very distinctive shaped rocky hills that punctuate the otherwise flat landscape. It really is a beautiful sight; quite unlike anything I have ever seen before and definitely justified the climb and effort put in to get here. We weren't quite done though - in order to see the sea we had to climb a bit higher and so after getting our breath back we pushed on the short distance to the very top. Here I found a big rock to climb upon where I got a grandstand view of the surrounding coastline and countryside. It was quite breathtaking! I spent ages here admiring the scenery - it helped that there was a bit of a breeze to cool us all down. Having expended so much effort to get here the view deserved a good amount of time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-xaKJW3fho/XMUODGcSSlI/AAAAAAAAZPk/Pt_8S6z6g_w6GXtJqPTeGgbJVrflR89cgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0592.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-xaKJW3fho/XMUODGcSSlI/AAAAAAAAZPk/Pt_8S6z6g_w6GXtJqPTeGgbJVrflR89cgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karst</td></tr>
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After 30 minutes or so at the top we started our descent. On the way down I decided to go and take a look at the two other side paths leading off from the main route. The first led to a pond while the second to a waterfall. However on account of the dry season and the lack of rain for a good many weeks beforehand there was almost no water in either feature and to be honest neither were really worth the effort, although arguably the waterfall was slightly better. I'm not sure if I'm saying this because the walk down to it was longer or whether I genuinely enjoyed it more though. Both features are probably better seen at the tail end of the rainy season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhgMoRiZbaw/XMUOHT-GKuI/AAAAAAAAZPo/irOy1T3X9zsq60ITSpX8prP_GSTVpE7fgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhgMoRiZbaw/XMUOHT-GKuI/AAAAAAAAZPo/irOy1T3X9zsq60ITSpX8prP_GSTVpE7fgCLcBGAs/s320/Panorama%2B13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewpoint</td></tr>
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The way down didn't see to take nearly as long as going up as you might expect. However some sections were trickier on account of the steepness of the path; the tree roots and the loose surface. There were a few occasions were we almost came to grief but luckily we all made it down in one piece. As we descended it was our turn to be encouraging to the greater numbers of people now venturing up the path. When we saw the numbers of people we were quite pleased that we had gone up when we did as we had the place to ourselves while these people will have to share it with lots of others... We managed to get down to the bottom with an hour to spare before the taxi came back for us - plenty of time for a well deserved ice cream and drink at the inevitable cafe at the car park. Thailand always delivers on this - they take every opportunity to provide refreshments whenever there are a few people that are would-be customers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kDL0wyaeEQ/XMUOLrAX0_I/AAAAAAAAZPs/--vFKnmN6sMG47_dd9G6Q099ypBt4FXXACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B17.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="101" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kDL0wyaeEQ/XMUOLrAX0_I/AAAAAAAAZPs/--vFKnmN6sMG47_dd9G6Q099ypBt4FXXACLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaside</td></tr>
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This is a relatively short walk but the fabulous viewpoint at the top more than justifies the effort you need to expend to get to the top. Being Thailand it's probably best to leave as early as you can in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat and any possible thunderstorms. Try and pick the clearest day that you can so that you get the most from the viewpoint.</div>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-67075364422697603852019-04-21T15:08:00.000+01:002019-04-21T15:08:04.461+01:00The Ancient City<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xz7U2syMZk/XLxzsnNS0qI/AAAAAAAAZNM/ebO1uxwVf9UHhIhmPW9BDT9rs3oWBfAeACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xz7U2syMZk/XLxzsnNS0qI/AAAAAAAAZNM/ebO1uxwVf9UHhIhmPW9BDT9rs3oWBfAeACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Erawan</td></tr>
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I wasn't sure whether to include this in my blog or not because strictly speaking it is a museum rather than a walk or cycle ride. However I have done so on the basis that the route around the museum is 10km and I performed it all by bicycle. The Ancient City (Muang Boran in Thai), also known as Ancient Siam was the brainchild of the eccentric millionaire Lek Viriyaphant and opened to the public in 1963. It is billed as the world's largest outdoor museum and is arranged in an approximation to the shape of the country of Thailand. The museum features over 100 replicas of the most celebrated buildings in Thailand, either ones that are still in existence or ones that have been lost to history. There are a few that have been moved here and reconstructed. Each of the buildings are located in approximately the same place in the museum that they appear in real life. Originally the idea was that this museum was to have become a golf course with miniatures of the buildings. He changed his mind when he realised that many of the buildings he wanted to portray were neglected, ruined or had been destroyed. It now functions mostly as a place of education.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uwXm_z-rKE/XLxzixbe8QI/AAAAAAAAZNA/X-K9_2LS1J8jLOOGkI1mgIapIJHivM8YACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uwXm_z-rKE/XLxzixbe8QI/AAAAAAAAZNA/X-K9_2LS1J8jLOOGkI1mgIapIJHivM8YACLcBGAs/s320/Panorama%2B9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Temple</td></tr>
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In order to explore the Ancient City there are three options; one can go by electric tram (perhaps the most popular option), by bicycle or walking. The latter isn't popular because of the length of time it takes to get round and most Thai people don't like walking for extended periods, which is understandable given the tropical heat. It is a much easier place to get to now as the Sukhumvit BTS (Skytrain) line now reaches to Kheha, only a short song thaew ride from the entrance. It takes approximately one hour to get here from the city centre of Bangkok.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsyGTGrBnuM/XLxyTtvXUFI/AAAAAAAAZLs/tMyfmKT03dcJHZouxjML1aGZ_UmJvlWEACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsyGTGrBnuM/XLxyTtvXUFI/AAAAAAAAZLs/tMyfmKT03dcJHZouxjML1aGZ_UmJvlWEACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0651.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buddha Image of Dvaravarti Period</td></tr>
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Despite the warning from the lady at the counter that it was 23km right round (it isn't - just over 10km is a more reasonable estimate) I chose the bicycle option - the museum is entirely flat and there is a marked cycle route around the museum. The bikes are pretty old school - most have a shopper basket on the front (useful for my camera case) and no gears. They look like the traditional bikes that I always imagined Communist-era Chinese people to have used. Anyhow the one I chose went quite well in spite of its limitations. I entered the museum across what was effectively the Malaysian border at the southern end of the country. This end of the museum is free to enter and if you are unsure whether it is the place for you it might be a good idea to look around this thin southern section before committing to buying a ticket as it is quite expensive to get in (there are deals to be found online, or you can get a discount if you live in Thailand).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanphet Prasat Palace Ayutthaya</td></tr>
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Perhaps the first place you will want to linger is the old market town which is also the first place you can find places to buy things, whether they be souvenirs, drinks or snacks. There were lots of vendors eager to sell to me but it was a bit early so I merely smiled sweetly and carried on, taking a sharp left on my way out to head over to Buddhavas of the Substanceless Universe temple over the bridge and just off site. This magnificent golden temple really shone in the sunlight and I took my time to have a good look around. This was one of only two places I saw an appreciable number of people in the whole museum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prang Sam Yod, Lop Buri</td></tr>
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Outside the temple was the stupa of Phra Maha That in Ratchaburi, one of a number of similar structures throughout the museum. Perhaps it was because it was the first of its type that attracted my attention. The original stands in a suburb of Ratchaburi, a town to the south-west of Bangkok and dates from the 13th or 14th century. It was just beyond here that my 'ticket' was checked and I entered the paid for area. I say ticket but it was actually just a green sticker - hardly fraud-proof but it satisfied the guard who smiled and waved me on. As I continued onwards I was a little confused about which way to go and this would be a recurring theme as I went around. I initially took a left turn only to realised shortly afterwards that I appeared to be going against the flow and so u-turned and continued round to the right at the turn.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Courage of the People of Bang Rachan</td></tr>
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I was greeted with replicas of the royal palaces of Bangkok - places I have yet to visit. They are very ornately presented and apart from the fact that they are smaller than the real thing they are incredible facsimiles - a lot of attention to detail has been done. I took a look inside the 'Dusit Palace' - the paintings inside were exquisite and I would never have known that they were mere copies. Further on and the Ramayana Garden caught my eye, showing a tableau of an ancient Indian epic that was originally housed at the nearby city of Ayutthaya and destroyed by the Burmese when they ransacked the place in the 1760s. I am not sure how true to the original it was but it was a fascinating scene with mythical beasts aplenty among an artificial waterfall. The myths and legends depicted in the tableau are too lengthy and complex to reprise here but essentially are a kind of soap opera of love, banishment, retribution, the fight of good versus evil and a few mythical creatures thrown in to spice things up a bit. It made for the most fascinating set of stories that really brought it to life.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavilion From Kamphaeng Phet</td></tr>
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The next monument that caught my eye was a little to the north and was a tribute to the men and women who put up a brave fight in Sing Buri against the Burmese Invaders. They repelled the attacks seven times before the Burmese eventually took the fort by tunneling underneath the wall. The piece is a fairly graphic show of strength by the locals even if ultimately it was all in vain. A little further on and I reached the floating market, which is one of the showpiece items at the museum. It was approaching lunchtime and the woks were getting going for the few visitors there were around and I availed myself of some lunch on one of the houses on stilts in this area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating Market</td></tr>
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Feeling fortified I continued on my way looping around the Sukhotoi Palace and passing a very fine bronze bare breasted woman riding a peacock that was surely not life sized. It was as I looped around this part of the museum that I began to realise the sheer scale of the place for it had opened out in just the same way as Thailand does to expose a huge hinterland with an astonishing array of buildings, gardens and monuments. To say that the place is finished could not be further from the truth - there are still new projects in the process of being constructed to fill in gaps. As I got further round the track it also became obvious that there were more people tending the gardens than visiting. I felt sad about this but also realised that I was there on a weekday and although during peak tourist season it is a bit further afield than most visitors would want to come. That is a shame because I was blown away by the place - its audacity and attention to detail was quite remarkable.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Hall of Wat Maha That, Sukhothai</td></tr>
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I soon came upon the large water feature to the west of the museum. In the water was a whole fleet of royal barges lined up and looking like they were ready to receive any royal visitor that came their way. My pathway led between lakes for a short stretch and off to my right was a large fish sculpture below a temple on an island that begged to be investigated further. It turned out to be the Ananda Fish, one of the seven cosmic fishes living in the ocean. Ancient people believed that a wriggle of the tail could cause an earthquake, an explanation that seems quite reasonable long before the theory of plate tectonics gave us a different explanation in the 20th Century.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumeru Mountain</td></tr>
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I could see off in the distance another good looking sala on stilts in the lake next door to a Chinese junk but my instincts told me that I was supposed to turn right when I got to the further extent of the road and sure enough I found myself in an area known as the northern Thai village, which was supposed to be a replica showing what you might expect of you visited that part of Thailand. I won't know until I come back next time though for the village was overrun with a huge group of scouts on a day trip. I didn't linger!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai Junk</td></tr>
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I looped around the northern perimeter road until getting to the far east of the country. Sadly here I wasn't able to go up to a temple built on a massive artificial cliff as it was in the process of being refurbished. I had to make do with being at the bottom looking up but even from below I could see it was quite impressive. I did a double take as I looked at the watercourse below for one of the statues started to move! I quickly realised that it was a real water buffalo and not a fake one as I had initially taken it to be.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden of Phra Aphaimani, Rayong</td></tr>
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As far as bicycling was concerned I was getting a little weary of stop starting and parking up the bike ever few moments. If the site had been not quite so large I probably would have been tempted to probably cycle around twice with the first lap to get me acquainted with the place and the second to stop and look more closely. The heat precluded that idea although I think I could feasibly have walked it. My highlight out east was probably the Phanom Rung Sanctuary at Buriram - it looked stunning built from red sandstone and flanked on most sides by bamboo.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ramayana Garden</td></tr>
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Slowly but surely I found myself drawn back towards Bangkok - that is probably how many travellers view Thailand. Having already looked once before I didn't linger this time but stopped short of the royal palaces to visit somewhere I have been in real life - the palace at Bang Pa-In (see my earlier blog entry for details of that visit). The facsimile was good but not a patch on the real thing and so apart from taking a look at the peacocks that were living here I moved on to head out to the far west this time. I'm not sure that the cycle route is the best circuit of the place - there seemed to be several overlaps along the way.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Battle of Yuthahathi</td></tr>
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In the far western corner of the museum I came upon the Pavilion of the Enlightened. I think this is a vision of a building rather than one that actually existed but I would forgive the artistic licence in this astonishing golden building on stilts and demanded a good look around. Strangely it was far better looking from the shore than it was looking around inside - there were parts of it that looked a bit tired and other parts that were being used to store chairs and all rather disappointing. The next place was much more interesting - a rendition of Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara performing a miracle - it was an awesome sight with water seeming to come out of the mouths of more than a dozen serpents as the Buddha looks serenely on in the centre of the piece.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Bridge</td></tr>
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Next to this piece was some botanic gardens being beautifully cared for by an army of Thai gardeners very sensibly covered so much from the sun that it was barely possible to see any bare skin whatsoever. Some of this area was off limits though - it looked like a new display was going to be put there. By now I was wearying and getting hot myself and sensing that I had seen most of the exhibits I decided to head back towards the exit stopping to look at the Chinese Junk, the sala next door and some of the other buildings that I had missed on the way round as I returned to base. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara Performing a Miracle</td></tr>
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It took about three hours for my tour round and by now I had a pretty good feel for the place even if I felt like I had barely scratched the surface in terms of what was on offer. If I had taken the audio tour and read all the signage on the way it would have taken days. On that basis there is plenty of scope for another visit! If you find yourself in Bangkok for a few days I highly recommend a trip here especially if you are planning to head to other parts of the country or merely seeking some inspiration on where to go next.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mondop of Boddhisatva Avolokitesavera</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-58290372317002054552019-04-03T16:26:00.001+01:002019-04-03T16:26:16.445+01:00Hua Hin<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Loco at Hua Hin</td></tr>
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Hua Hin is a seaside resort that is about 150 miles away from Bangkok and very popular with western holidaymakers principally because of its inexpensive and plentiful accommodation and the lengthy sandy beach. It is also an easy place to get to from the capital either driving, by minibus or in my case by train. The latter is a good option because unusually the station is conveniently located in the centre of town. It was an enjoyable four hour journey by rail and coming this way enabled me to see a whole section of countryside that I wouldn't otherwise have seen. The last hour in particular is quite scenic as the railway heads through paddy fields and coconut plantations.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Pavilion at Hua Hin Station</td></tr>
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I started my walk at the delightful Hua Hin station. The locals are very proud of their station and justifiably so - the Royal waiting room is decked out in a beautiful red colour scheme fit for any king. The platforms are festooned with flowers and a vintage steam engine takes pride of place on static display on the far side of the platforms. Outside the main entrance are some old railcars that have been converted into a cafe/ restaurant, somehow adding to the almost museum like quality of the station. It is unusual to see a railway station in Thailand that celebrates the railway - most are functional affairs. I took some time to wander around and enjoy the ambiance of the place. Unusually the station was built before most of the town, hence its central location.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jWor90qS4E/XKTK1tmFt_I/AAAAAAAAYkU/4dHrj4Zh_Tgk3_BBJdPEMnGFuQpbchMyQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jWor90qS4E/XKTK1tmFt_I/AAAAAAAAYkU/4dHrj4Zh_Tgk3_BBJdPEMnGFuQpbchMyQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Been Shopping</td></tr>
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It was a useful starting point for my walk as it is probably the one building that the local townsfolk are proud of. I walked along the side of the track until reaching the next level crossing where I took a left turn to start heading up the hill to the viewpoint that is supposed to be worth seeing. The suggested route by Google up the side of a large golf course didn't look too promising so I doubled back to the railway track and proceeded along another block before heading up the main road. I swapped a leafy residential street frequented by soi dogs for a another that was dominated by market stalls and workshops. Initially they were so busy that I had to dodge my way round them but they soon thinned out and the road became initially residential and then surprisingly quickly it became rural.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IwQ8rVI6t4/XKTLM9_pAbI/AAAAAAAAYlc/0HGczjgu24kYsGTLCpst3DzokeupjFTPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IwQ8rVI6t4/XKTLM9_pAbI/AAAAAAAAYlc/0HGczjgu24kYsGTLCpst3DzokeupjFTPQCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flintstone Hill View South</td></tr>
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<br />
As I started to climb the hill with the viewpoint I passed a truck full of Leo beer and wondered how long a lorry that size would last me. Possibly a couple of years? I wound my way around a couple of abandoned cars that have clearly sat here for a good long time - it's a sight I have seen in the UK for several years and wondered whether the authorities do anything about them here? Slowly the residential area gave way to countryside but before I left the houses entirely I passed by a whole gang of monkeys that I assume live on the golf course beyond the wall that I was following on my left hand side. They seemed pretty resourceful - one nonchalantly crossed the road in front of me carrying a large coconut, almost as if he had been out shopping for it. Many of the rest of them were into all sorts of fruit but especially the cliche banana.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJsiboyyBVo/XKTLRPXp47I/AAAAAAAAYlk/2QC5W23Q7y8G1I4uqSCZISSYQq--IO2vwCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1600" height="110" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJsiboyyBVo/XKTLRPXp47I/AAAAAAAAYlk/2QC5W23Q7y8G1I4uqSCZISSYQq--IO2vwCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flintstone Hill View North</td></tr>
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Soon I was passed by a rather curious looking truck - I wasn't sure what it was at first for it looked like a song thaew but I realised that it had billboards stuck to the side of it proclaiming support for one of the candidates in the forthcoming Thai election. Loudspeakers relayed some kind of message that I assume was meaningful to voters, all the while sounding like some kind of radio jingle such was the melodic tone of what was being said. I was rather amused by the whole thing but I can imagine that voters will become very annoyed by these as the weeks drag on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0F3JYGyXZXI/XKTK4NuUKBI/AAAAAAAAYkY/h_0FatTxEQ4jOPqirhu80E2cplCqReWlACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0F3JYGyXZXI/XKTK4NuUKBI/AAAAAAAAYkY/h_0FatTxEQ4jOPqirhu80E2cplCqReWlACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rama VII Memorial</td></tr>
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I passed by a Buddhist temple and the road suddenly became a lot steeper. It was a bit of a slog up the hill but I was thankful for a pavement all the way. At the top of the hill I turned left at a crossroads and on the other side of the road some Muay Thai sparring was going on between a Western woman and a Thai opponent. It was quite intense and I paused for a brief moment to watch. Any notion that I could take a picture was scotched by the fact that most of the audience around the fight turned to look at me. I took the hint and continued up to the viewpoint. When I got there I found the ubiquitous refreshment buildings and food stands but few people about to enjoy them. I took a left turn and climbed up onto a dome of rock that had the most amazing view across Hua Hin and down to the south and to Khao Takiab and Monkey Mountain, where I would ultimately be headed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNjgg_WrQ5E/XKTLDCTfbzI/AAAAAAAAYk0/CRv60fjgWd05XismZ1iun_gf82xgQISSwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNjgg_WrQ5E/XKTLDCTfbzI/AAAAAAAAYk0/CRv60fjgWd05XismZ1iun_gf82xgQISSwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back In Town</td></tr>
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I got talking to a French couple who joined me to look at the view. They, like me, have moved to Thailand and in this case largely because of the sunshine. I have to admit that it was notionally still winter when I completed this walk and yet our temperatures were in the low thirties Celsius. Definitely better than the cold and the rain that I would be experiencing in England! I sat and enjoyed the view for some time and in particular the antics of the monkeys chasing each other around the trees below me. After a while I decided to continue around to the other parts of the viewpoint (known locally as Flintstone Hill by the way) and soon realised that there was not just a viewpoint but a nicely manicured park too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFpmfeFKIYE/XKTLUfPZsQI/AAAAAAAAYlo/53N46gW5eWsZbHRw9-ZXS4C0Dcrr4HGNgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="1600" height="115" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFpmfeFKIYE/XKTLUfPZsQI/AAAAAAAAYlo/53N46gW5eWsZbHRw9-ZXS4C0Dcrr4HGNgCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing Fleet</td></tr>
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I went from viewpoint to viewpoint and each one had a slightly different view, and a different group of tourists too. First up was a view purely out over town and the sea beyond that was frequented by a group of European ladies, none of whom really spoke much English but enough for me to be understood when I offered to take their picture. I've got into the habit of doing this in Thailand - it breaks down barriers and I'm sure for the parties involved they don't have to struggle to get a crappy selfie. An unintended consequence can be that I end up being the subject in one of their pictures, but it's a small price to pay. A little further on and I took a path to a rather strange looking veranda type lookout. Some people apparently climb out of it to get better selfies - looking at the steep drop below I'm surprised that there aren't more injuries or fatalities. The view didn't offer a great deal more than the last one so I moved on quite quickly. I was surprised to see a number of cacti growing happily on the hill - I never thought Thailand arid enough to support them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO5XjHiPhpQ/XKTK_iGuteI/AAAAAAAAYkk/mCwW6COYxScfglQ-KzhkXDhZMsnlEqk6wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO5XjHiPhpQ/XKTK_iGuteI/AAAAAAAAYkk/mCwW6COYxScfglQ-KzhkXDhZMsnlEqk6wCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing</td></tr>
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The last viewpoint provided another chance to chat - this time to a very friendly Swiss couple from Zurich. We took the opportunity to swap photo opportunities and I had the rare distinction therefore of having a picture of me on one of these walks. I lingered for a bit before taking a look at the memorial to King Rama VII in whose name the park is dedicated. Rama VII reigned from 1925 to 1935 and is notable for being the last absolute monarch in Thailand. He abdicated and moved to Europe following the change of regime to constitutional monarchy. He established a royal palace in Hua Hin that served as recently as 2006 as the full time home of King Rama IX. The park is a credit to him and he is clearly remembered fondly by the inhabitants of Hua Hin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LudpBSu7SwQ/XKTLB2tJiFI/AAAAAAAAYks/qRyiUbLb2qkB50z5TkwRzIlAOA7xawQ-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LudpBSu7SwQ/XKTLB2tJiFI/AAAAAAAAYks/qRyiUbLb2qkB50z5TkwRzIlAOA7xawQ-wCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Babe</td></tr>
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I retraced my steps back down the hill to the town of Hua Hin. Sadly the Muay Thai had concluded and everyone who had been there had now departed. Halfway down the hill I got a cheery wave from the Swiss couple who passed me on a little moped but much of the activity I had seen on the way up had disappeared. I continued across the railway and straight down to the seafront, battling through the line-ups of masseurs and restaurant owners all desperate for my business. I opted instead for the relative peace and quiet of the pier that I had spotted at Flintstone Hill. It was busier than I expected when I got there, with a number of fishermen trying their luck. Many of them were catching fish too, although they weren't much bigger than dainty snacks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpwviafN46g/XKTLEVILikI/AAAAAAAAYk4/wGHyoRhOPtwNAmRC76G9nDFel_H0MstTgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1100" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YpwviafN46g/XKTLEVILikI/AAAAAAAAYk4/wGHyoRhOPtwNAmRC76G9nDFel_H0MstTgCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0137.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Temple</td></tr>
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The pier marked the beginning of the next stage of the walk along the seafront. Before I could reach the beach I had to walk along another of the busy tourist streets dodging the motorcycles and the carts carrying goods between restaurants. There is quite the eating scene here - I saw French, Italian, Greek, Indian, Chinese, Swedish and German restaurants just to name a few choices. I guess each batch of tourists have their own choices. I took the opportunity to take a side road to the left which led me into a small Chinese temple. It was full of the bright colours and paintings that I had seen in similar temples in Bangkok - they are distinctive and very different from Thai temples.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3XMT-i8fYc/XKTLF3CqqhI/AAAAAAAAYlE/U7hMt9-Im18nxAapR9UJHH4cGTnarEvxgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3XMT-i8fYc/XKTLF3CqqhI/AAAAAAAAYlE/U7hMt9-Im18nxAapR9UJHH4cGTnarEvxgCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0142.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat Seller</td></tr>
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Just past the temple I climbed down on to the sandy beach that would be my footpath for the next 7km. The shoes that I had worn to carry me up Flinststone Hill now seemed completely inappropriate as I wanted to put my hot feet in the warm sea. I was confronted by an odd sight ahead of me which necessitated me going in the sea - it wasn't just a question of me having a paddle for the sake of it. The hotel alongside the beach had stationed tables and chairs on the beach, with many actually in the sea at the point of high tide! I had to therefore go around them by going in the water. Luckily that was the first and last obstacle to my progress along the sand. Now my shoes were off though I wanted to keep them off and did most of the rest of the walk barefoot, to my knowledge the furthest I have ever walked in this state.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSLdchPEAVM/XKTLIvMzIBI/AAAAAAAAYlM/OgiChmysw7UYwcb69m8egmN6zsjWSKrYwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSLdchPEAVM/XKTLIvMzIBI/AAAAAAAAYlM/OgiChmysw7UYwcb69m8egmN6zsjWSKrYwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perusing The Menu</td></tr>
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I'd like to say that the walk down to Khao Takiab and Monkey Mountain was full of scenic beauty and lots of features to look at along the way but I would be fibbing. That isn't to say that it is a lovely walk because it is but other than taking in the activity of the beach, a little wildlife and the architecture of the hotels alongside the beach there isn't much to report. I was entertained by a couple of wildlife sights however - the first was a large egret that seemed to follow me down the beach. Whether he thought I was a fisherman I'm not sure but I certainly didn't have any food for it. The other sight was a lot smaller - pretty well camouflaged crabs that were no bigger than my thumbnail. As soon as I got close they skittered across the sand and buried themselves in a weak spot in the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4cVts0o4c0/XKTLXk_9WcI/AAAAAAAAYl0/shsuFTHNSZ0P1UKoTNBi3wJMHvZOoRd3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1600" height="105" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4cVts0o4c0/XKTLXk_9WcI/AAAAAAAAYl0/shsuFTHNSZ0P1UKoTNBi3wJMHvZOoRd3gCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Football</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of the other interest was human in nature - western tourists playing football, jogging, walking just like me, watersports and all the other activities that you would see at any resort in the world. The only Thai people I saw were largely there to service the holidaymakers every need, selling them hats, barbecue food or running horse rides. I meandered along the beach, sometimes in and sometimes out of the water. It was rather a meditative kind of walk all the while faced with the large Buddha looking out from Monkey Hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDgbIZpP1ZU/XKTLHb2dXrI/AAAAAAAAYlI/X62Z8mPARjkncVqB9-IkQY1b_Sj96d0jQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDgbIZpP1ZU/XKTLHb2dXrI/AAAAAAAAYlI/X62Z8mPARjkncVqB9-IkQY1b_Sj96d0jQCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab</td></tr>
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<br />
Eventually I got to the end of the beach and my shoes had to go back on as I left the sand. I climbed up the rock passing the inevitable refreshment booths at the bottom and found a set of steps that took me to the top of Khao Takiab (translates as Chopstick Hill). When I got to the top of the steps I immediately saw the monkeys that call this place home. I had been warned about their thieving behaviour before coming but in truth most that I saw were looking fairly lazy and there were many groups simply spending time picking fleas off each other. None seemed remotely interested in me. Neither were a group of very lazy looking cats that had decided that the fan left in the temple was too good to miss. It all felt a bit siesta like in the Buddhist temple at the top of the hill. I contented myself there with the view back along the beach, which was definitely worth the effort of getting here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsJx-M0PMF8/XKTLbSdb4qI/AAAAAAAAYl4/NNjYnRhwrI0eaxUXAa65xTOqgEE0zMjSgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsJx-M0PMF8/XKTLbSdb4qI/AAAAAAAAYl4/NNjYnRhwrI0eaxUXAa65xTOqgEE0zMjSgCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopstick Hill</td></tr>
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Having reached my goal I decided not to walk back and instead wandered into the small town at the back of the hill and found the song thaew that took me back into the centre of Hua Hin for the princely sum of 25p (10 Baht). It was a bit crowded but strangely only with western people - that is something I have never had to deal with in Bangkok! I liked Hua Hin - it is a sedate kind of place and due to its ease and cheapness of getting here from Bangkok I can see me coming again. Maybe I need to find some other walks in this area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o14bgK0KiIQ/XKTLc-omltI/AAAAAAAAYl8/rGwe90gs6l0vv3VXnns_wdLXzVsXYCZtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o14bgK0KiIQ/XKTLc-omltI/AAAAAAAAYl8/rGwe90gs6l0vv3VXnns_wdLXzVsXYCZtgCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hua Hin Beach</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-63487476489644300222019-03-24T13:34:00.000+00:002019-03-24T13:34:49.840+00:00Money Town<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNdixpEQV9E/XJeCP6rRG_I/AAAAAAAAYNo/Tpeh6v4rrWMBv0hEQBOtoUR4dkGL05OCwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNdixpEQV9E/XJeCP6rRG_I/AAAAAAAAYNo/Tpeh6v4rrWMBv0hEQBOtoUR4dkGL05OCwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0365.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Arun</td></tr>
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This is the 3rd walk in Kenneth Barrett's book <i>22 Walks in Bangkok</i> and the longest so far. I decided to help myself with the amount of time required for the walk by getting a taxi all the way to the start at Wat Arun. This isn't the starting point suggested by Mr Barrett but it is a more practical place to start than Wichaiprasit Fort which is his first point of interest. Indeed I wasn't even sure I could view this place up closely as I felt a little nervous about using the road suggested to get there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxTTkcTf7jY/XJeCPHhoAAI/AAAAAAAAYNk/tft6XNM94VgU0F5pPfm5rbHYqUJDiXpiACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxTTkcTf7jY/XJeCPHhoAAI/AAAAAAAAYNk/tft6XNM94VgU0F5pPfm5rbHYqUJDiXpiACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Arun Detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wat Arun (or Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan to give it its full name) did seem like a more appropriate starting point and as one of the most famous sights in Bangkok I did think it warranted a good amount of my time. As temples go it is unusual in that you get to climb up part of it and that enhances the view out of the Chao Praya River, which it stands adjacent to. The night time view of the temple lit up with the river in the foreground is one of the iconic views of Thailand. I have seen few pictures of it up really close though and this is a shame for the decoration and detail is exquisite. I was captivated by all the figures and imagery that adorn the walls, whether it be the central prang (which is the tallest in Thailand incidentally) or the supporting ones. I spent a fascinating half an hour inspecting all the figures that are carved into the sides and then went down to the river to see how the majority of people see the temple when they visit. Most people come by river and it is easy to see why - it's a far more pleasing way to arrive than through the back door as I did.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlOXN1giuvc/XJeCNjeE_TI/AAAAAAAAYNg/OBZJJ3wPfoctTmGOZqypsIx9lggHAYrpQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FlOXN1giuvc/XJeCNjeE_TI/AAAAAAAAYNg/OBZJJ3wPfoctTmGOZqypsIx9lggHAYrpQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siamese Selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The river was as crazy as ever - so many vessels roaring up and down that the surface of the water is continually choppy. In the water were large fish being fed by the locals and egrets and herons using the floating weed as vantage points from which to look for any opportunities. The boats bringing tourists stayed as briefly as needed to disgorge their passengers before racing off to the next pier. On shore were people from all corners of the world coming to visit this most famous of Bangkok sights. The small grouping that caught my eye the most were some Thai ladies dressed in their Siamese finery taking selfies of each other. Beside them were a couple of cats lazing in the shadows seemingly oblivious to all the hullabaloo going on around them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbbL7athao4/XJeCRXI6skI/AAAAAAAAYNs/J5cq0BTCZYMFK6f-Eu6K4h3Zu1KDD33jgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbbL7athao4/XJeCRXI6skI/AAAAAAAAYNs/J5cq0BTCZYMFK6f-Eu6K4h3Zu1KDD33jgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonson Mosque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having given the temple a good once over I decided to push on. The guidebook suggests that it is possible to view Wang Derm Palace, Wichaiprasit Fort and Wat Molilokayaram. The reality is that the Palace is off limits within the navy headquarters, while the fort is only visible from the river (or indeed from Wat Kanlayanamit on the Old Harbour walk) and Wat Molilokayaram is almost invisible and not nearly as interesting as temples later in the walk. Apparently it is a lot more important than its surreptitious presence suggests, being an important study centre for Buddhist monks. I passed by all of them quickly and passed underneath the main road to find Tonson Mosque on the other side. This is the oldest mosque in Bangkok although the present structure is not the original - it was rebuilt in 1827 and again in 1954. It presents quite a contrast to the Buddhist temples, being rather plainer in style but unmistakably Arab looking.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbrpJ9i79KQ/XJeCSzQ3llI/AAAAAAAAYNw/QNM-aMSqilwbV6XDOxXc-cJst3vcvpp-gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbrpJ9i79KQ/XJeCSzQ3llI/AAAAAAAAYNw/QNM-aMSqilwbV6XDOxXc-cJst3vcvpp-gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I walked along the narrow soi running alongside the mosque and was rather taken by the artwork that had been applied to the wall alongside. Of particular note was a military man (or merely a postman? difficult to tell) in a kayak seeming to be delivering a letter and alongside a scene showing basket weaving and children playing. I'm not sure of the significance of these pieces of artwork but they aren't unusual in Bangkok or even other places in Thailand that I have visited. At the end of the soi was a rather good looking Wat, this one called Wat Hong Rattanaram. It was set in some very colourful looking grounds and the blossom and flowers were particularly eye-catching. However, I soon realised on closer inspection that none of them were real! I guess it helps with maintenance...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLIU5URibrY/XJeCUqXprII/AAAAAAAAYN4/iCFhxsTiUbc_Eup0NaScD6K09mEN_UtFgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLIU5URibrY/XJeCUqXprII/AAAAAAAAYN4/iCFhxsTiUbc_Eup0NaScD6K09mEN_UtFgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I pushed on down the soi and followed a moped making heavy weather of the journey principally because of the load on the back, which I can only describe as large bags of pork scratchings (of course they may have been no such thing!). I also watched the postman carrying large piles of letters and parcels to the dozens of addresses crammed into quite a small area. Doing so from his small moped seemed like a world away from the huge trolleys and vans employed in the UK to perform the same task. At the corner was another mosque although this one was a little plainer than Tonson Mosque. The Arabic writing along the side of the building did catch my eye though - it almost looks like a work of art in itself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxA95RleT-4/XJeCXBPbdHI/AAAAAAAAYN8/LqUVBNHMlcoGtIoqWVF6Q4QbgRKlQzhHACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxA95RleT-4/XJeCXBPbdHI/AAAAAAAAYN8/LqUVBNHMlcoGtIoqWVF6Q4QbgRKlQzhHACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Ratchasittharam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I crossed yet another very busy road by means of a footbridge. One thing that always catches my eye as I negotiate these bridges is the tangle of wires that are attached to the support columns - it is usually pretty easy to reach out and touch them if you want to. I assume they are sufficiently insulated but one can never take anything fro granted in Thailand. I walked along the road for a few blocks and dived down a side road to the left to reach Wat Ratchasittharam passing through a huge decorated archway as I did so. I've never quite understood the significance of these archways, of which there are many in Bangkok. I've always assumed they are to mark the entering of a neighbourhood associated with a particular Buddhist temple - perhaps someone might enlighten me? In this case it felt almost like I entered a rural area as it was so quiet compared to the busy main road I had been walking along. The temple was deserted but it did warrant further investigation for its beautiful artwork depicting scenes of The Buddha's Life and the Royal Barge Procession in particular.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08mUR6Tf0qQ/XJeCZka2I6I/AAAAAAAAYOE/XKnThgdh6l8dPGSEY08m8KbPtj1b0VD8QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08mUR6Tf0qQ/XJeCZka2I6I/AAAAAAAAYOE/XKnThgdh6l8dPGSEY08m8KbPtj1b0VD8QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Stall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I retraced my steps back to the main road and soon came upon a young lady keen to practice her English on me. We passed the time of day, which most consisted of her complaining how hot it was. Strangely I wasn't suffering that much but I empathised with her and she seemed happy with our discourse. A little further on and I came upon the shuttered entrance to an MRT station. This won't be open until later in the year when the extension of the Blue Line opens west of Hua Lumphong Station. When the MRT does come it will open this part of Bangkok up to a whole new set of travellers that can get to Wat Arun more easily than using the river services. It will be interesting to see what effect the new services have on traffic too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiYLibEnL3g/XJeCZbbie-I/AAAAAAAAYOA/5evw1F0FuiYDKIpYuDQdqYHaPwbX0zD3QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiYLibEnL3g/XJeCZbbie-I/AAAAAAAAYOA/5evw1F0FuiYDKIpYuDQdqYHaPwbX0zD3QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple Visitors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By now people were gearing up for lunch. Alongside the main road the barbecues were fired up and the skewered meat was being cooked ready for the passing trade. Bags of fruit were arranged and market stalls were prepared. I always wonder how much of the food they actually sell for there appears to be copious quantities of all of it. The main road was abuzz with traffic and little seemed to be stopping at this stage. I was curious about the song thaew services - they seemed to be operated by the smallest and largest ones I had ever seen - at one extreme were crammed converted tuk tuks while at the other were almost like lorries. I took a look at the two temples along this part of the road - the first was a very golden affair and not deemed worthy of a mention by the guide book while the second called Wat Chinoros was very white. It was while here that I started having a little trouble with the suggested route as it didn't seem to make a lot of sense. I had to double back from here to cross to Wat Khrua Ran - the two temples seemed to be the wrong way around. On the road between them I cam upon one of the murals similar to one I had seen earlier although in this case it was in glorious technicolour rather than being in black and white.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEzABnNhNUM/XJeCbaQTwWI/AAAAAAAAYOI/YZJjHQythS8r2dSisEF0D7wisizOgbqEQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WEzABnNhNUM/XJeCbaQTwWI/AAAAAAAAYOI/YZJjHQythS8r2dSisEF0D7wisizOgbqEQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Royal Residence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I crossed yet another main road via a footbridge and past a restaurant absolutely packed to the gunnels - not sure what its secret was compared to the many other places nearby. Maybe its proximity to the naval quarters was a clue? Wat Khrua Won did not detain me as it looked off limits to casual visitors and I wandered north along Arun Amarin Road, still surprisingly close to Wat Arun considering how much I had walked by this point. I crossed over a khlong (canal) and the road immediately widened out. Not far past this point I reached the southern extent of the next section of Skytrain to be constructed; I assume another section of the Blue Line which will continue on to Tao Poon and complete the loop that it will eventually become. This section of the line will no doubt be very useful for those serving in the Thai Royal Navy for to my right were the various buildings associated with this part of the Thai armed forces. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozuxkg_zx4M/XJeCddzDNDI/AAAAAAAAYOQ/f9r_gdS97YgxDxv2eGURjv4aozSPJqhZQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozuxkg_zx4M/XJeCddzDNDI/AAAAAAAAYOQ/f9r_gdS97YgxDxv2eGURjv4aozSPJqhZQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding Frenzy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I walked completely beyond the naval headquarters before diving down a side road to my right that led to Wat Rakhong, the eighth of the walk so far. This was perhaps my favourite of the day and I spent a little time here listening to the bells that were being played and the ceremonial acts that were being performed in different parts of the temple including the presentation of offerings and lighting candles. It was a far busier temple than any I had yet been to and was clearly one in general day to day use rather than just being a tourist attraction. I was able to walk around to the other side were there was an old fashioned teak house that was once the king's former residence. It seemed a little small by modern standards for such a purpose and now serves as a library. The house is on stilts for it once stood in a pond but this has now been filled in and in its place is a shaded seating area that I was glad to make use of.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NksQWtyXKAs/XJeCeWHiSkI/AAAAAAAAYOU/S2VqirFmSE0zzRSFEVx1w1u6GuZzD54dQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NksQWtyXKAs/XJeCeWHiSkI/AAAAAAAAYOU/S2VqirFmSE0zzRSFEVx1w1u6GuZzD54dQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0553.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few minutes I took the opportunity to wander over to the river on the other side of the temple. This was once again clearly the best way to arrive at the temple for the view backwards was most appealing. The pier is guarded by a couple of naval statues that look like they are part cartoon and part standing to proper attention. They are clearly oblivious to all the vendors that have set up shop here to see to the needs of tourists getting off the Chao Phraya boats. They even include fish food and feeding the fish is a popular activity here too, fuelling a feeding frenzy in the water. This area is geared around the jetty for not only is the temple a draw but also the Patravadi Theatre, which acts simultaneously as a live venue and a school for performing arts. Next door is a lovely looking house that was the home of Khunying Supatra Singholka, a woman who did an awful lot to promote women's rights in 20th Century Thailand. She was also the owner of a shipping line for the boats along the Chao Phraya river so would probably enjoy the fact that her home is now an upmarket restaurant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I__D87WEQJQ/XJeCgArPQBI/AAAAAAAAYOY/KnIArj9gJRQH27QNsdsvGdnfq2y75c2pACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I__D87WEQJQ/XJeCgArPQBI/AAAAAAAAYOY/KnIArj9gJRQH27QNsdsvGdnfq2y75c2pACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0557.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skytrain Construction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I found the walk really confusing in this area as seemed to switch back and forth between Arun Amarin Road and Itsaphrap Road. The suggested route appeared to require me to double back to Ban Matoom and Bang Chan Lo so I could see these areas of ancient commerec. However the construction work for the skytrain appeared to preclude this and after trying to find it for a while I gave up feeling rather frustrated. The same applied to Ban Khao Mao further on although this was more about me not having much confidence that I would see much. I instead headed for Wat Sutthawat, a small temple set in a courtyard away from the main road and surrounded by flats. It wasn't really open for inspection and so I continued on my way heading past a market that was starting to prepare for the evening's activities. It was here that I saw the sort of wildlife that I didn't much fancy bumping into - a rather large rat that was wandering along the side of one of the stalls as bold as brass.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDpKX-ZF8W4/XJeCgd5cwmI/AAAAAAAAYOc/4viJYiEsJVAe0dgrmIsFWbQePMjylAC5ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDpKX-ZF8W4/XJeCgd5cwmI/AAAAAAAAYOc/4viJYiEsJVAe0dgrmIsFWbQePMjylAC5ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildlife</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I proceeded through the market watching the stallholders getting all the deliveries of fruits and vegetables ready for the evening before finally managing to cross the railway that was the obstacle to me getting to Wat Suwannaram. Above the level crossing is the new skytrain station for the area, contrasting beautifully with the bumpy and almost disused looking track of the branch line that leads to Thonburi station, something of a backwater on the Thai rail system these days. I crossed the line and doubled back on the other side to find Wat Suwannaram further on. This old temple is located besides a rather busy khlong where long tailed boats sped up and down. They wisely kept their distance from the rather fierce looking snake sculptures lined up alongside the dock for the temple. They also seemed to protect a number of very sleepy looking Thai men on the dock - I took it that they were long tailed boat drivers in between shifts. I tiptoed past them and headed on my way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8rXl27Ocnk/XJeClouR8nI/AAAAAAAAYOs/Gvor6y5q5WwFmlmUdNMZM-uIbf_CVqRwgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E8rXl27Ocnk/XJeClouR8nI/AAAAAAAAYOs/Gvor6y5q5WwFmlmUdNMZM-uIbf_CVqRwgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't Come Close!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next section of walk was for me perhaps the most enjoyable of the whole day for although it seemed incoherent on the map in real life it was anything but. I found my way to Wat Thong market which was deserted and headed through it to walk through the Ban Bu district. This is an area of dense housing with only footpaths through it (although it didn't preclude the use of motorbikes as I soon found out). It was a shady path courtesy of awnings across sheltering me from the sun which I was most glad of. Ultimately the path ended up at the locomotive depot at Thonburi and just across from my position was engine number 850. In keeping with its British counterpart, the very handsome Lord Nelson (also engine number 850) this one has equally good looks but there the similarity ends as this one is in black livery. I was really pleased to be so close to the railway depot, it was like being at a heritage railway. There was a fair amount of activity belying the backwater feel of this railway station.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4dtKCbp-s/XJeCkTV33xI/AAAAAAAAYOk/o1Fm_4QuMkILMKe12RRioj9OwcV0tLvXgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4dtKCbp-s/XJeCkTV33xI/AAAAAAAAYOk/o1Fm_4QuMkILMKe12RRioj9OwcV0tLvXgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0602.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ban Bu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thonburi station was once a major terminus on the Thai railway system but most services were diverted to Hua Lumphong decades ago and the original station has now been subsumed within an enormous hospital complex. It is only when you get to the river side of the building that you realise that the hospital has effectively been built around the old station, which is mostly still in existence. An old Japanese railway engine which has been tarted up with a lick of new paint is now the centrepiece of what remains of what was once an extensive station yard. The clock tower is the only clue to untutored eyes that this was a railway station. The park created from what was once th entrance to the station is most agreeable and for me the centrepiece was definitely the frangipani tree in full bloom.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9avpUnc1Y/XJeCnCmDIeI/AAAAAAAAYO0/YOmESJ4ArhEQs8TuqGaclYQflmzjUfb_ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x9avpUnc1Y/XJeCnCmDIeI/AAAAAAAAYO0/YOmESJ4ArhEQs8TuqGaclYQflmzjUfb_ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thonburi Depot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took the boat from here back into central Bangkok and then on to home. I had mixed feelings about this walk. It is true that there are some fantastic sights along the way but for me there was too much crammed in and the route too convoluted to make it as enjoyable as it could have been. Doing the walk in the four hours suggested is unrealistic and in the heat much of the route finding was frustrating and ultimately in vain on occasion as construction and/ or progress means that the place isn't how it was described in the book. I might explore this area again though, simplifying the route and leaving out some of the more minor points along the way. My instinct is that this part of the city will look very different once the MRT Blue line opens it up as surely gentrification and further modernisation will follow. This will undoubtedly be a mixed blessing for there is a good deal of charm that I saw on this walk that will be lost forever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WE-fFCVH6v0/XJeCocNd8qI/AAAAAAAAYO4/rbhxbxXrWbEJ6BzqJe647ywXpbPCD41BwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WE-fFCVH6v0/XJeCocNd8qI/AAAAAAAAYO4/rbhxbxXrWbEJ6BzqJe647ywXpbPCD41BwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Thonburi Station</td></tr>
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</div>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-87129903432408025352019-03-10T14:42:00.000+00:002019-03-10T14:48:05.226+00:00The Old Harbour<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoEryi4fTPw/XIUdOn0W3AI/AAAAAAAAYEo/25iDNhcpStMbSyu1Kr0PZSsC4x_IvofbACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoEryi4fTPw/XIUdOn0W3AI/AAAAAAAAYEo/25iDNhcpStMbSyu1Kr0PZSsC4x_IvofbACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maeklong Route Market</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back to Bangkok for my latest walk and this is the second one from Kenneth Barrett's book <i>22 Walks in Bangkok</i>. This walk focuses on the riverside area just to the north-east of walk 1 and I once again started from Wong Wian Yai BTS station. I reprised the route almost as far as the main Wong Wian Yai station on the Maeklong Line and turned left to walk along the former line as far as Khlong San market. Although the route of the old railway line can still be visibly traced all the way to Khlong San any trace of the railway cannot be found. Now instead of the clattering of freight trains bringing wares to the old wharf on the Prao Praya River there is only road traffic. Ironically this section of line was closed to alleviate traffic congestion but any gains made initially have been more than lost. It'll be interesting to see if this section is ever reinstated for in theory it could be.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJQ8UU-2jqE/XIUdOKcsiRI/AAAAAAAAYEk/Lxz8SJu3jBUVDrpM8pCjYf10hwa4fNNTQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJQ8UU-2jqE/XIUdOKcsiRI/AAAAAAAAYEk/Lxz8SJu3jBUVDrpM8pCjYf10hwa4fNNTQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Route</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of the road opposite the former station at Khlong San a new railway line is starting to take shape perpendicular from the old route. This is one of the rapid transit routes that are being built across the city although this one which will eventually become the Gold Line wasn't in the original masterplan. Instead it has come about because of the building of the massive IconSiam shopping centre, the latest gleaming mall in Bangkok. The line will eventually link the shopping centre with the Silom BTS Line with a link as far as the old Thonburi Station. Construction is in early stages and as a result has caused quite a mess along the road and redirected pedestrians across the footbridge just outside the shopping centre.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ds0bx9XwLM/XIUdN7VAXDI/AAAAAAAAYEg/ZmFECy5QQOsD8KC9zWpx-xRnN5z9nsI-ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ds0bx9XwLM/XIUdN7VAXDI/AAAAAAAAYEg/ZmFECy5QQOsD8KC9zWpx-xRnN5z9nsI-ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khlong San Market</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upon entering Khlong San market the old station buildings can clearly be seen among the market stalls and is now occupied by all manner of food stalls. I couldn't help wondering whether that would be the case if one of the diesel railcars that serve the next station down the line would bring these folk more business? The market itself has a very narrow and long footprint courtesy of the fact that it only occupies what was once the station. This marked the official start of this particular walk and my onward route would run parallel to the river. I soon came upon the signal flagpole which was the next landmark en route. It was incredibly tall - probably at least 12 storeys in height. It was originally used at one of the forts that lined the river to signal which boats were incoming and those that were outgoing. Long since disused the pole was moved to this location a long time ago as a kind of memorial to the system. The remnants of one of the forts can be found just behind and has been somewhat restored although it languishes among a housing estate and probably largely forgotten by most people.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tCqOxebOKA/XIUdu9-YWqI/AAAAAAAAYFQ/x5Ak4DWhtzQ6KI-B232N9QDdT1-9zOhTwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tCqOxebOKA/XIUdu9-YWqI/AAAAAAAAYFQ/x5Ak4DWhtzQ6KI-B232N9QDdT1-9zOhTwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signal Pole</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sadly the path through to the next part of the walk suggested by the book was closed off due to a construction project. The riverbank is off limits in this part of Bangkok too so I had no choice but to return to the main road and walk northwest for a block and then returning towards the riverbank alongside the hospital that stood in my way. As I passed the walls of the complex there were all manner of vendors selling food and other stuff that a hospital visitor would need. Some even had protective stuff over their merchandise to protect it from the heat of the sun.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UJXHs7Zj4A/XIUdR4n56LI/AAAAAAAAYEs/sLs8R0w47TckR_GfEEDAdcSGRC_SovDzACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UJXHs7Zj4A/XIUdR4n56LI/AAAAAAAAYEs/sLs8R0w47TckR_GfEEDAdcSGRC_SovDzACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0271.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry Day</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
My next port of call was an unusual Chinese temple tucked away in the back streets and on the way to it I passed by my first Buddhist Temple of the day at Wat Thong Noppakhun. I didn't explore too much as there was an event going on but I did have a good look at a rather unusual feature in the yard; a concrete boat surrounding a huge bodhi tree, acting as the mast. The boat is modelled on an old Chinese style and acts as a Chinese shrine, possibly visited by Chinese visitors to the temple around the corner which is complete with pretty tall pagoda. Considering how tucked away Chee Chin Khor temple it is amazing how many visitors it does get. It felt slightly uncomfortable being here as I was watched closely by a security guard but he didn't seem to be too bothered by my presence - maybe he was just surprised to see a Western tourist? I got the opportunity to look at the Chao Praya River for the first time here and lingered for a while as I watched the long-tailed boats race by and the egrets float on the weed that seems quite happy to live on the surface without being attached underneath. From a distance it looks like the egrets are walking on water, which always amuses me. The temple was most interesting as it differed significantly from Thai Buddhist temples - the colours were bolder and the decorative designs very different although perhaps from the same roots?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Suonu4iMnM/XIUdVDg74EI/AAAAAAAAYE0/aut_DOJXhzgyUiUNwXVqaR4FUmpyHLh9QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Suonu4iMnM/XIUdVDg74EI/AAAAAAAAYE0/aut_DOJXhzgyUiUNwXVqaR4FUmpyHLh9QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Boat at Temple</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had to retrace my steps back to the main road and walk along another couple of blocks to the next road towards the river. This was significantly further as the main road travelled away from the bend in the river. Along the way I passed a university building and tuk tuk drivers and vendors were stationed outside waiting for business that may or may not ensue from the students and staff. I hope it was worth the wait for the tuk tuk drivers in particular as several were asleep rather than trying to win business elsewhere. This arm of the walk was to find the Wang Lee Mansion and the Mae Tuptim Shrine. The latter was easily found just shy of yet another landing jetty for the passing ferry service. It was a modest affair but clearly well loved judging by all the offerings. I didn't investigate the Mansion though - I wasn't sure that it was for general entry judging by the burly guards outside. I decided to move on amused by the reaction of the lady buying strawberries from the cart outside.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbE3ifrwiQA/XIUdUitPeLI/AAAAAAAAYEw/gm3xZFe01yYPLQokNwV2anLEYUKxwAsXQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mbE3ifrwiQA/XIUdUitPeLI/AAAAAAAAYEw/gm3xZFe01yYPLQokNwV2anLEYUKxwAsXQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0280.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chee Chin Khor</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I didn't have to retrace my steps this time as I could loop around through the next temple called Wat Thong Thammachat. This is a more minor temple but like so many others it seems to be in a world of its own with almost an aura of tranquility about it. Somehow even with the place deserted it still retained this magic, with the only sounds to be heard the birdsong in the trees. I followed a monk back to the main road - his footsteps were helpful to me for it was a bit of a maze through the streets and I didn't have any guesswork. Under the trees between the temple and the housing estate seemed to be a gathering point for more food stalls, lunchtime traffic and soi dogs and cats that all enjoyed the shade afforded by the trees.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eBUK141kfQ/XIUdvubHO-I/AAAAAAAAYFU/iTSCF9dHTOw9v7pTXxmRYPKjNw7xBgUsQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eBUK141kfQ/XIUdvubHO-I/AAAAAAAAYFU/iTSCF9dHTOw9v7pTXxmRYPKjNw7xBgUsQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendors</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the main road I crossed to the other side and followed the rather unloved looking Khlong San, a canal that runs alongside the busy street. Bangkok used to have a whole network of these khlongs that connected neighbourhoods in what must have originally been a bit of a swamp alongside the river. Sadly so many of these canals are unloved now, including this one. They are filled with filthy water and rubbish, a sad remnant of what they mus have once been like. Hopefully one day the city authorities will give them some attention and either restore them or fill the worst ones in. I guess with the other building programmes going on across the city any such notion will be well down the list of projects to be completed.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LKohXjmsBI/XIUduI5Y5pI/AAAAAAAAYFM/2mNT6-urxMEYL8rO_dvSx0R_tAaBxPJ8gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LKohXjmsBI/XIUduI5Y5pI/AAAAAAAAYFM/2mNT6-urxMEYL8rO_dvSx0R_tAaBxPJ8gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuk Tuks</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the other end of the road shortly before meeting a junction of Khlong San with another khlong connecting to the Chao Praya River I came upon the grand Wat Pichaya Yatikaram and its neighbour across the road Wat Anongkharam. These two temples have very different styles each of which are quite impressive in their own way. It was the gleaming white Wat Pichaya that I spent most time at though. The gleaming white stupas looked particularly ice-white against the powder blue sky and somehow all of the other colours such as the lilies growing in the small ponds and the decorations of the buildings looked especially radiant too. It was the main prang in the centre though that caught my attention - one of the biggest I have yet seen and fitting for a second rate temple. Time was pressing now so I bypassed the temple across the road, principally because of the presence of a school in session and headed into a neighbourhood notable for its royal connections.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1qKBogAsZg/XIUdx_9vbaI/AAAAAAAAYFY/m0yJsWzq-hc9Gyomoklbwdp-FFiCFP0cQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1qKBogAsZg/XIUdx_9vbaI/AAAAAAAAYFY/m0yJsWzq-hc9Gyomoklbwdp-FFiCFP0cQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Price of Strawberries</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was the area that the late Princess Srinagarinda (known as the Princess Mother) grew up in and it s fitting that just before the river is a small park dedicated to her memory. This green oasis is a very serene place to stop and catch one's breath, which is exactly what I did. I enjoyed the singing birds and the butterflies and was surprised to learn that the park has only been here since 1993. Within the park are a couple of interesting friezes depicted in sandstone showing some of the good deeds that the Princess did during her lifetime. At the entrance to the park is a beautifully presented statue of her enjoying the peaceful surroundings. She had a long and fulfilling life, starting out as the daughter of a goldsmith and ending up as the Royal mother of Kings Rama VIII and Rama IX.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_cRD_4Bmmgw/XIUdz6thcFI/AAAAAAAAYFc/YWLmUZUzCeYMiBA8A_Kr4FXXdxJucwAZwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_cRD_4Bmmgw/XIUdz6thcFI/AAAAAAAAYFc/YWLmUZUzCeYMiBA8A_Kr4FXXdxJucwAZwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Brought You Something</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just around the corner from the park overlooking the river is a rather astonishing Chinese temple, the Gong Wu Shrine. This very colourful temple begged to be explored further and it is fortunate that you can climb up inside to the second floor and see some wide ranging views across the Chao Praya River. The temple was all decked out for Chinese New Year but even without the red lanterns this is a colourful (almost garishly colourful) place full of character. Upon leaving I wandered around to a rather different religious centre, a mosque around the corner. Sadly though I could not visit this place - its turret was the only proper look I got of the place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86Nh2MGQv4s/XIUd1fc3iKI/AAAAAAAAYFg/8ffkLYalmgcDRbCZCtJAXB8OoPQDpeR6wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-86Nh2MGQv4s/XIUd1fc3iKI/AAAAAAAAYFg/8ffkLYalmgcDRbCZCtJAXB8OoPQDpeR6wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Thong Thammachat</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wandered down through the housing of this particular area and it was a hive of activity with laundry, cooking, fixing machinery, sewing and even growing vegetables all overlooked by the massive prang of Wat Pichaya. The neighbourhoods in Bangkok are mostly devoid of traffic apart from bicycles and motorbikes that you have to be really wary of. The reason for this is that most roads that go through housing estates are no through roads and are of no use therefore unless you live there. This may partially explain the traffic choked main roads - there are virtually no rat runs to escape to.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwwmalP6pRo/XIUd5oCjo_I/AAAAAAAAYFo/1mHRbiBt9ioEMOm12zANU9VRd_HmqqIXwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwwmalP6pRo/XIUd5oCjo_I/AAAAAAAAYFo/1mHRbiBt9ioEMOm12zANU9VRd_HmqqIXwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Anongkharam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I found myself by a very busy highway that crossed over the river. I had a little look in the park underneath which was dotted with lots of topiary pruned trees and a small group of students that I assumed had escaped school during their lunch hour for a quick game of basketball. Other than them and a couple of park workers sweeping up the place was deserted and only the roar of the traffic crossing the bridge could be heard. There were two bridges here; the modern Phra Pokkloa Bridge and the rather more characterful Memorial Bridge. The latter was built in 1932 and was designed and built by the same company responsible for the creation of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The former was interesting only in as much as it had a central span that had been built across the river but not connected to anything on either side.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SwQl4yw6ONs/XIUd5Hs_DZI/AAAAAAAAYFk/hiSsheeczWYg070ReGePyN2nZjm22_V6QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SwQl4yw6ONs/XIUd5Hs_DZI/AAAAAAAAYFk/hiSsheeczWYg070ReGePyN2nZjm22_V6QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Pichaya Yatikaram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was headed for another temple now - it is amazing how many there are in this part of Bangkok. This one seemed like a slightly less impressive facsimile of Wat Pichaya but with a couple of distinctive differences. The place was gearing up for a festival, perhaps to do with Chinese New Year? I couldn't be sure because all the signage was in Thai and clearly only aimed at locals and not tourists. However my attention turned to to a feature that I had seen on the last outing; an artificial 'mountain' on the edge of the site. Outside was an army of men and women who were clipping the trees outside. Inside was a 'moat' around the foot of the 'mountain' that I soon realised was absolutely chockful of turtles. I wondered whether these creatures had been brought here as offerings and left to fend for themselves. There certainly seemed more of them than would naturally be found in such a place. When I got to the far side I could see that they were being fed by tourists - no doubt why so many could survive here.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JCa8GfOeKw/XIUd7Xex0AI/AAAAAAAAYFw/I3Pw7vdUV34hUKTGpoury3SHeyjZ7JHWQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JCa8GfOeKw/XIUd7Xex0AI/AAAAAAAAYFw/I3Pw7vdUV34hUKTGpoury3SHeyjZ7JHWQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0155.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Pichaya Yatikaram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My next port of call was a different religious centre - the nearby Santa Cruz church. This is the site of the first Christian church in Thailand and was a reward to the Portuguese for helping King Thaksin with defeating the Burmese at Ayutthaya. The current church isn't the original but a later incarnation that was restored still further with an Italianate style in 1916. Seeing traditional Christian decorations such as crucifixes and Virgin Marys seemed a little out of kilter in this most Buddhist of countries. Nevertheless it is clearly on the tourist trail as my encounter with a large group of Western cyclists from a tour group testified.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCkri6SW_tw/XIUd8mNA5EI/AAAAAAAAYF0/0hQZLwsE1gE4CEKVYGdqZXl2CCqaxgb7gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCkri6SW_tw/XIUd8mNA5EI/AAAAAAAAYF0/0hQZLwsE1gE4CEKVYGdqZXl2CCqaxgb7gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Princess Mother</td></tr>
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The next part of the walk was by far my favourite as I used the walkway leading along the riverbank from Santa Cruz church to Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan. On the way I saw the rather dilapidated Windsor House, a fine old teak place once owned by a British businessman and subject to something of a campaign to have it restored and opened as a museum. The next place on the way was open though and after a large tour group left as I got there I was pleased to have it all to myself as serenity was restored at the Kuan Yin Shrine. I could easily see how such places inspired meditation as I was mesmerised by the slow burning of the candles lighting up the place. I stayed for a few minutes until the next people came along and decided to move so they didn't ruin the moment with chatter. From here it was only a stone's throw to the temple - another on a massive scale. This wasn't to be the last of the day but it was the last on this kind of scale and was every bit as impressive as the last two. I wonder whether they had been built to compete with one another for despite how long it seemed to be to walk between them it wasn't actually that far relatively speaking.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKMxqYjQ0RI/XIUd98tJ26I/AAAAAAAAYF4/Ca4EqP5QI20c-Muw0SFJhnDUAXAlnMX0QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKMxqYjQ0RI/XIUd98tJ26I/AAAAAAAAYF4/Ca4EqP5QI20c-Muw0SFJhnDUAXAlnMX0QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gong Wu Shrine</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I lingered here for a short while before moving on and taking a small alleyway between the temple and the next khlong. I passed by a rather large pumping station and could see the walls of Wichaprasit Fort, a place that I would see more on the next walk in the book. This was the last I would see of the river today as I headed down the alley away from it. I got a few funny looks as I wandered down to the main road at the corner of the temple and had to negotiate my way underneath the overbridge where there was another group of youngsters playing. I have realised that there is a whole subculture of activity under these bridges - rare open space and perhaps most importantly protection from the burning sun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1GL_QUhMc/XIUeCAFIovI/AAAAAAAAYGM/K0BgDoawctYSVICSa2WGICR4L0hnkvGXQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1GL_QUhMc/XIUeCAFIovI/AAAAAAAAYGM/K0BgDoawctYSVICSa2WGICR4L0hnkvGXQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial Bridge</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the other side I entered a wholly different world as the alley that I had been following continued south alongside the khlong. Now though it was a Muslim neighbourhood and the character felt very different. There were different items on sale and the dress code was much more like the Arab world. What was common to this area though was the possibility of being run down by a moped at almost any moment along the narrow lane! I walked down as far as the Kudi Khao Mosque, a most unusual building in that it had a similar style to the Buddhist temples but with a different colour scheme! Once seen I contemplated trying to navigate to the next place by going through the various alleyways that led through the neighbourhood but the possibility of getting lost was far too great and so I retraced my steps back to the main road and walked that way on to the last point of interest instead.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_clrwVf8wo/XIUeIkYo7zI/AAAAAAAAYGY/sdGoemETVgYLGQ_4H2hDrsUND29zHXAVgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_clrwVf8wo/XIUeIkYo7zI/AAAAAAAAYGY/sdGoemETVgYLGQ_4H2hDrsUND29zHXAVgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the way I was rather intrigued by the tree gangs working on the street trees. They seemed to be working quite quickly and using some methods that would be very frowned on in the UK. There was even a guy up in the tree sawing off the branch he was sitting on! Other folks were using clippers mounted on long bamboo poles and the amount of foliage they were taking off was enormous. Huge bags were loaded onto trucks minded by a lady with the hugest hat on imaginable. There was no chance of her seeing any sun with that kind of protective clothing on!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__DsUUU8Jz8/XIUeJ1Hz75I/AAAAAAAAYGg/EHb52mBmHYodyY_nT576Op9Uha5iIswYACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__DsUUU8Jz8/XIUeJ1Hz75I/AAAAAAAAYGg/EHb52mBmHYodyY_nT576Op9Uha5iIswYACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Cruz Church</td></tr>
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My last port of call was a part of town where bamboo flutes are still made. It is a celebrated community apparently but unfortunately by the time I got there I saw only closed shops tucked down the lane where all the activity is supposed to happen. I'm not sure if this is because I was there on a weekday when no business takes place or whether I was too early/ late in the day. If you decide to do this walk you might therefore call it a day at the earlier mosque or do some more homework on opening times. This point is a long way from all the others and it was therefore very disappointing not to see any action since the extra distance doesn't really add to the enjoyment of the day. Fortunately it did enable me to find a way back to Wong Wian Yai station and therefore complete the loop of the walk. In all it took significantly longer than the suggested 3 hours and even then I skimped on some of the visits. To do it justice I reckon you should give it at least 5 hours so that you can properly visit all the points of interest along the way. I found it slightly less satisfying than the previous walk by the author and this was principally because it was quite hard to follow the directions and the walk didn't flow as well with lots of out and back needed from the riverbank. Nevertheless it was a part of the city I'm not sure I would have thought about coming to and so for that I am grateful to the author for suggesting it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDsNAL_vYKk/XIUeLK-ybSI/AAAAAAAAYGk/ji_p1w4LTEwvoRDPCnhnl7C8Qa_jHPmTACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDsNAL_vYKk/XIUeLK-ybSI/AAAAAAAAYGk/ji_p1w4LTEwvoRDPCnhnl7C8Qa_jHPmTACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0299.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-44848798596407694922019-02-13T15:25:00.000+00:002019-02-13T15:25:22.046+00:00MacRitchie Nature Trail<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yh2TywMvInY/XGQyJultm8I/AAAAAAAAVSY/FL3qgyhKJ9MV43oBK9XvKTUz2t1Sz0_cQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yh2TywMvInY/XGQyJultm8I/AAAAAAAAVSY/FL3qgyhKJ9MV43oBK9XvKTUz2t1Sz0_cQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0179.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across The Canopy</td></tr>
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On our way back from Bali we stopped off at Singapore for a few days as we have been told by so many people what a great place it is to visit. On the last day we were there we decided that we wanted to see a bit of wildlife, which is surprisingly abundant in this city. There are a number of walking trails in the city but the one that grabbed our attention was the 14km circumnavigation of MacRitchie Reservoir. It was rather easier to get to than some of the other alternatives on offer as Marymount MRT station is relatively close by. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dappled Sky</td></tr>
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Once out of the station we walked the short distance to the trail. Although the roads we crossed were fairly busy they were nothing on those that we find in Bangkok. The traffic lights were properly observed and looked strangely reminiscent of those that we find in Britain. We found our way into the MacRitchie Nature reserve via a footpath we weren't altogether sure was official although it was marked on our map and had clearly been used a lot by other people. We soon found the trail we were looking for although clearly we weren't at the official start we weren't far along as the km posts that we found measured the distance back to the start as only being a few hundred metres. We decided to walk anti-clockwise around the lake, on the basis that the refreshment place would be at the end of the walk rather than near the beginning.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Leaf</td></tr>
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The first thing we noticed about this walk was that the distances were measured meticulously and regularly so although there was a feeling of isolation in the forest that we now found ourselves in it couldn't really be classed as wild rain forest. The walking surface was good and despite the fact that it was a very hot day the cooling shade of the forest was very welcome. The path was very popular with families - we passed lots of them on the way towards the first milestone on our walk; the ranger station. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv8PY80iRBI/XGQye5ELBMI/AAAAAAAAVSc/BJBYRxKn4Z0rm-zGA0cP9S_ecv1GaHNjgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv8PY80iRBI/XGQye5ELBMI/AAAAAAAAVSc/BJBYRxKn4Z0rm-zGA0cP9S_ecv1GaHNjgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0692.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got Any Grub?</td></tr>
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Not long after starting we took a side trail down to the lake side, one of the few areas where you can actually get up close to the water on the north side of the reservoir. This part was a little oasis in the trees and the stillness of the lake coupled with warm temperatures meant that the water was full of weed. Not a weed that choked the life out of the lake - indeed it looked very clear and inviting - but weed which somehow managed to enhance its attractiveness. We didn't linger too long as we thought we would see a lot more of the water further on. We would have to wait a long time for that to happen!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colugo</td></tr>
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Being in a sub-tropical rainforest, despite the slightly manicured nature of the path, meant that we would definitely need to keep our wits about us as we walked along. There were a number of warning signs about the monkeys and their propensity to steal food, plastic bottles and cameras. We also saw various gaps in the forest where new growth was fighting for the new light. Perhaps most remarkable though were some of the dead leaves we saw on the ground - they looked absolutely enormous! However much the things we saw were a feast for the eyes, our ears were subjected to a rather different experience. The volume of the cicadas was absolutely deafening and a sound that didn't really seem to be natural at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy Bridge View</td></tr>
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<br />
The going was quite easy but it was still a surprise to get to the Ranger Station so quickly. Just before we did though we had a reminder that our walk through the forest wasn't quite as wild as it seemed. We came upon a road that led from a housing estate to a country club just beyond and the illusion of the rainforest was temporarily dispelled. We had managed to get a bit snarled up with a number of large family groups out walking at this point too. We were thankful then when we reached the station as for many of the groups this would be as far as they would go. There are toilets here - very useful to know if you come yourself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boardwalk</td></tr>
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We paused for a while watching the monkeys that gather here on the off chance that they can get some tasty human food. I didn't see anyone actively feeding the monkeys and they seemed a bit more timid than in other places where I have encountered them. They were very interested in something on the tree and when we looked closer we saw a creature climbing up, the likes of which I have never seen before. It had a face that looked a bit like a bat and it certainly had wings but they were not the wings of a bat. We watched it shinning up the tree seemingly unperturbed by the attentions of the macaque monkeys. We had no idea what it was and only when we got back and did some research did we discover that it was a colugo, or flying lemur (a little misleading because it isn't related to lemurs). It certainly was an exciting find and it propelled us on to the treetop canopy bridge, which is probably what attracted us to the walk in the first place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly at Jelutong Tower</td></tr>
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This part of the walk is a strictly one way around the track and with good reason for once you get to the suspension bridge that takes you across the treetop canopy you quickly realise that people trying to pass one another on the bridge would be a recipe for disaster. After a bit of a climb to the top we were rewarded with an amazing view across the top of the rainforest - a rare treat indeed. Over in the distance we could see Upper Peirce Reservoir, one of the four in this part of Singapore that provides drinking water for this city-state. We wobbled across the bridge slowly and gingerly but in truth this isn't a scary experience as my daughter (who is afraid of heights) will testify.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwhDimUZPKU/XGQzAQyxUdI/AAAAAAAAVSs/DhVazJ8YppMXD5wqEZfxWe5i9a9SAUpngCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwhDimUZPKU/XGQzAQyxUdI/AAAAAAAAVSs/DhVazJ8YppMXD5wqEZfxWe5i9a9SAUpngCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lake - Finally!</td></tr>
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I could have stayed on the bridge for rather longer than we did but mindful of the distance we still had to cover we moved along. On the other side of the bridge the boardwalk started. The boardwalk lasts the remainder of the one-way stretch of the walk and is bordered on each side by interpretive boards every so often that explain some of the vegetation and wildlife that lives in this forest. For example we learned about the rattan tree (the one that furniture is made from), the rusty oil fruit with their velvety leaves and birds such as the hill myna and banded woodpecker. We read a lot of them but to be honest I had to skip past some of them otherwise we would never have got back! We saw more monkeys looking a bit challenging in one of the shelters provided. Less bothered about us was a monitor lizard that quickly scarpered into the forest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golf Course</td></tr>
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Eventually we got to the end of the boardwalk, my favourite part of the day. By now we had lost all the crowds and had the forest to ourselves which was a relief. We pushed on to the Jelutong Tower, where we had another opportunity to climb up to treetop level. I wasn't going to be dissuaded from doing that so up I went and I was soon joined by butterflies, spiders, fruiting trees and an amazing view out across the tops of palm trees to MacRitchie Reservoir below finally showing itself in the trees. Just beyond there was a glimpse of the tower blocks we had seen at the start of the walk and I therefore knew that we were roughly half way round.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cIP-kDcU778/XGQzIk54-rI/AAAAAAAAVS8/7qqO0PcTTlEauSCwRNYasT7jiSIO78SkACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0230_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cIP-kDcU778/XGQzIk54-rI/AAAAAAAAVS8/7qqO0PcTTlEauSCwRNYasT7jiSIO78SkACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0230_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skink</td></tr>
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From this point we were also heading downhill and the path got rather easier as a result. We were soon alongside a golf course but luckily our path had a distinct course that didn't require us to cross the golfing area, which is what I had thought before. By now the cicada noise had quietened much to our relief to be replaced by birds sounds, most singing but also the odd squawk that could have been from a parrot, myna bird or a crow. Whatever it was we never got to see it. We had some more boardwalk along this stretch and bumped into a family that were very interested in something in the trees. When we got close we saw that it was a macaque sitting on the branch of a tree wondering what all the fuss was about. By this time we had seen a lot of macaques and so we left this one alone and continued on our way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuROtc2Y3EM/XGQzJ3AO5PI/AAAAAAAAVTA/6i1h-PBfKx45B3GjSJgbkV_2seTU-ArAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0245_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zuROtc2Y3EM/XGQzJ3AO5PI/AAAAAAAAVTA/6i1h-PBfKx45B3GjSJgbkV_2seTU-ArAQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0245_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health and Safety</td></tr>
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It wasn't long before we came to the shores of MacRitchie Reservoir, the body of water we had been walking around all day without seeing very much of. This would change now for the remainder of our walk was mostly along the shoreline. This is the oldest of the reservoirs in this part of Singapore and almost looks like a natural feature now, having been here since 1867. Our side of the reservoir now gave way to meadow for a while, enabling us to get a really good view along the shore. To our right the golf course was largely deserted but we caught sight of some fairly exotic looking birds squabbling in the trees. Sadly they were a bit too far away for me to get a decent picture but they were certainly very eye-catching even if their manners could use a little work. We also saw some flowers for the first time along here. I wish I could tell you their names but I am clueless about flowers in SE Asia at the moment. I can tell you that the yellow and orange ones caught my eye as did some fruit that I saw growing up the side of a tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNlXtMEkFy0/XGQzMT7ic_I/AAAAAAAAVTE/bluNz00_Z4ULPQ8I8IMn0VY75eaI-BZJQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNlXtMEkFy0/XGQzMT7ic_I/AAAAAAAAVTE/bluNz00_Z4ULPQ8I8IMn0VY75eaI-BZJQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard</td></tr>
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We briefly left the lake and wandered across a piece of forest separating two inlets where bizarrely we spotted a cockerel wandering about. We also caught sight of a skink in the undergrowth, a rather interesting little lizard like creature that didn't know whether to be bold or shy when it saw us. The result was that it stuck around long enough for me to get a half decent picture. Sadly the next section of path around a boardwalk along the shore was closed for maintenance so we had to make do with the inland alternative until the next inlet. Here we were able to take the boardwalk around the shoreline and it made for a delightful walk. In the water we caught sight of small fish and numerous dragonflies whizzed around. There is obviously plenty of food in he lake for it wasn't long before we saw a monitor lizard lumbering along the shore. When it saw us it quietly slipped into the water and was gone within seconds. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIkwrVTIdiQ/XGQzPlwotWI/AAAAAAAAVTM/pr0rYs8nsGcRQzX5r8I1rrnrkSR5rvqxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIkwrVTIdiQ/XGQzPlwotWI/AAAAAAAAVTM/pr0rYs8nsGcRQzX5r8I1rrnrkSR5rvqxQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humming Bird</td></tr>
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Part way round this section of walk and we had an unusual obstacle in the shape of an overhanging tree. I gather it has been here a long time in this state for the authorities have left the tree alone and lowered the boardwalk and put in plenty of signage to deal with the health and safety. It is rather an unusual set up but I suspect one that has been here a good may years. By this time of the walk we were starting to think about the refreshment booth and wondered what it might serve. Fortunately it wasn't too much further on and soon enough we were in the 'park' part of the reserve. This is a much more manicured part of the reserve and the bougainvillea provided a good deal of colour. We passed by the old bandstand and passed by what looked like some lodgings. As we descended to the cafe we caught sight of a hummingbird - the first one I have ever seen in the wild.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOWueqVVlyM/XGQy-sotnpI/AAAAAAAAVSo/0FwvkiINSDE6zNQiW6QMZnqLsytv6XbFwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20190101_154759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="1600" height="90" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOWueqVVlyM/XGQy-sotnpI/AAAAAAAAVSo/0FwvkiINSDE6zNQiW6QMZnqLsytv6XbFwCEwYBhgL/s400/20190101_154759.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dam</td></tr>
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Any thoughts of tea and a slice of cake were soon dispelled when we got to the cafe. It was largely Asian fare but I will say that the spring rolls that we ordered were delicious and provided a satisfying snack after our lengthy walk. It was a very welcome pitstop and a wise one to have at this end of the walk for I fear we wouldn't have finished if we had come here earlier on. As it was we only had to climb up the side of the dam and walk around the end of the lake to find the path that we had entered on about four hours earlier. I have to say that thus far this has been probably the most satisfying walk we have done since coming to Asia. We all agreed that it was one of the highlights of our holiday.</div>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-54924280859857481052019-02-05T14:22:00.000+00:002019-02-05T14:22:26.790+00:00Bali Paddy Fields<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTGy-x8qr0Y/XFmZ0x-5lCI/AAAAAAAAVJs/AO8g2rz1q_EQRYFfgDOskrXf-O7oEctuACEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_123819_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTGy-x8qr0Y/XFmZ0x-5lCI/AAAAAAAAVJs/AO8g2rz1q_EQRYFfgDOskrXf-O7oEctuACEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_123819_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Plantings</td></tr>
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One of the must do trips in Bali is to walk or cycle around the paddy fields and there are a couple of particularly popular locations. We chose Ubud partly because we combined our visit with a trip to the nearby Sacred Monkey Forest and a Bali Dancing show we wanted to see nearby. Ok, so proper tourist stuff but without knowing when we might come back these things should be seen when on holiday. It turned out to be a nice mixture of things to do and this was undoubtedly one of the highlights of being on the island. We took a tour on this occasion rather than trying it ourselves principally because it was a lot easier and saved a good deal of time. There are self guided walks in the area but we thought it would be fun to cycle for a change.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WE914A3QqKU/XFmZfzGvaYI/AAAAAAAAVJE/7sFeCdRKmtE2nGg-aGLVJWjYNsr2pqQNQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_114952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WE914A3QqKU/XFmZfzGvaYI/AAAAAAAAVJE/7sFeCdRKmtE2nGg-aGLVJWjYNsr2pqQNQCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_114952.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penjor</td></tr>
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Bali Sunset Adventure is quite a nw outfit and as such we were able to get a good discount in the hope that we would spread the word about them. Well I guess I am through the channels of this blog! Our guide was quite patient with us but his pace was a little slow and this caused a bit of frustration initially as my girls wanted to go a lot faster. However, later on in the ride it was actually quite a good idea to keep things at a slower pace, partly because of the steamy conditions (it was rainy season in Bali when we got there) and partly to keep ourselves from falling in a paddy field! It was easier than you might think to do the latter partly because of the narrow paths and partly because of various things left on the paths that would have been very easy to collide with.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ir_ViIUgOY/XFmZi0qh8jI/AAAAAAAAVJo/Nq1orCKX6LEfWDzxJD2RpO_BJKT5pIgdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_120041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ir_ViIUgOY/XFmZi0qh8jI/AAAAAAAAVJo/Nq1orCKX6LEfWDzxJD2RpO_BJKT5pIgdgCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_120041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple</td></tr>
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We turned right out of the compound and headed along a long straight section of road which enabled us to get used to our bikes and get some speed up. This was quite important to try and keep up with the traffic as it was quite busy and there were few places to pass us. It also helped us with some momentum as we crossed a small river valley; one of the countless valleys carved by rivers carrying water very quickly from the upper slopes of the volcanoes in the centre of Bali. There wasn't a lot of opportunity to look around while on this road so it was with some relief that we turned right a little further along the road from the valley. We then found ourselves on a nice quiet road for traffic but there were plenty of other things going on. The street was beautifully decorated with <i>Penjor</i>, large bamboo poles that hang over the road that are highly decorated. Each one was slightly different and there looked to be a certain amount of family pride in getting them slightly better than the one down the road. Despite the fact that they all followed a similar pattern each one was very slightly different.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSGlD8yu3KQ/XFmZkVSd8aI/AAAAAAAAVJo/dmxywpJ8VLQ-jnHgXL99-ijUpeQaorNjgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_120306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSGlD8yu3KQ/XFmZkVSd8aI/AAAAAAAAVJo/dmxywpJ8VLQ-jnHgXL99-ijUpeQaorNjgCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_120306.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple Guards</td></tr>
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We continued along this residential road until the houses ran out on the left hand side and we got views over the paddy fields. What was very striking was how they were all at slightly different growing stages. I guess in a tropical climate with no real seasons to speak of rice crops can be grown at almost any time. The sight that was most interesting was watching the fields being ploughed. Rice paddies obviously have a lot of water in them and the ploughs have to be adapted to suit this environment. The farm worker obviously gets very dirty as he pushes the plough around but he isn't alone by any means as behind him were herons and egrets eager to scoop up the frogs and crayfish that live in the swampy conditions. I found it almost comical watching them - they are Bali's version of seagulls I guess.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bRQVY-glto/XFmZl4Zj1MI/AAAAAAAAVJk/5xXdTh2hvlIGetKIj1u7X-kDfgVI8G8pwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_121240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bRQVY-glto/XFmZl4Zj1MI/AAAAAAAAVJk/5xXdTh2hvlIGetKIj1u7X-kDfgVI8G8pwCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_121240.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Fields</td></tr>
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At the corner of the field was a Hindu temple. Bali is unusual in Indonesia as being a predominantly Hindu island and the province is the only Hindu majority in Indonesia. It is said that more than 90% of the Hindus that live in Indonesia live on Bali and the culture of the island is as you might expect heavily influenced by the religion. It is a little different from Hinduism in India however as the caste system has not been introduced here. The temples have a unique style with intricate carving and are often decorated with gold cloth and guarded by stone carved elephants and all manner of other more scary looking mythical creatures. Outside the gates you can usually see various offerings, often food and/ or drink in small bamboo trays.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnudZujQtw/XFmZqSTNvWI/AAAAAAAAVJk/NLEbmhRuYqUUb6pjpcG9_WQTGQdo03l6QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_121440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJnudZujQtw/XFmZqSTNvWI/AAAAAAAAVJk/NLEbmhRuYqUUb6pjpcG9_WQTGQdo03l6QCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_121440.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathing</td></tr>
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We turned left along a road between paddy fields and then found our way onto another quiet residential street where the only traffic was the odd motorcycle, usually heavily loaded either with household articles or people. It isn't unusual to see whole families of people on small underpowered motorcycles in Bali (or Thailand for that matter) and I always wonder how the bikes cope long term? After a few more minutes we left the road altogether and headed along agricultural tracks for the next part of the journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b9Ehk7UjXs/XFmZsDO64LI/AAAAAAAAVI4/cfZMI-Kogu49tVx1XLxDuzY0rvLXxmhCACEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_121445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b9Ehk7UjXs/XFmZsDO64LI/AAAAAAAAVI4/cfZMI-Kogu49tVx1XLxDuzY0rvLXxmhCACEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_121445.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing</td></tr>
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Once out in the fields it was interesting to see that rice wasn't the only crop. There were also fields of flowers and our guide explained that these are largely grown for all the various ceremonies that are held at the temples. Having seen the number of flowers that are used I had wondered how they managed to get so many fresh ones all the time. Sadly I couldn't name any of the flowers but pinks, oranges and burgundy red were the main colours. Instead of hedgerows there were banana trees and I imagine these help protect the crops from the wind. Canal systems much like we saw in Madeira (lavadas) carried water around and I wondered whether the Portuguese had actually influenced this technology for they had colonised parts of Indonesia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5tfopECFJw/XFmZt4YKoNI/AAAAAAAAVJk/95hKg3bn7lsQYfoKP3b4cyQJrFyCCp-lQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_122204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5tfopECFJw/XFmZt4YKoNI/AAAAAAAAVJk/95hKg3bn7lsQYfoKP3b4cyQJrFyCCp-lQCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_122204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out Into The Paddy Fields</td></tr>
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The tracks through the fields took sharp turns around the field edges and as we passed by one field junction we dropped down the side of a valley to a small stream below. Shrieks of laughter came into earshot and we saw a group of naked boys jumping into the stream from a small footbridge overseen by a rather stern looking woman who I am sure was tasked with making sure they stayed safe. A little further downstream and another woman was doing the washing. I guess that even on a relatively rich island (by Indonesian standards) mod cons are not necessarily things that all the population has.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOjCeHfB94/XFmZwaQ8QfI/AAAAAAAAVJk/PPMG3kfwcNoJ5fqjENmU9Eh89f717DeAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_122302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FwOjCeHfB94/XFmZwaQ8QfI/AAAAAAAAVJk/PPMG3kfwcNoJ5fqjENmU9Eh89f717DeAwCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_122302.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irrigation Channels</td></tr>
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We wound around the path that followed the stream and eventually came to a junction of irrigation channels where we stopped to make sure everyone had caught up. We were kept company as we waited by a large group of ducks. They were free to come an go but seemed to want to go everywhere together... They initially shaped up to waddle away but when they saw we weren't a threat they came shuffling back. We left the road at this point and made our way along the alleyway that runs between the paddy fields and views to left and right now showed a vast expanse of rice growing. To our western eyes this was quite an exotic sight, especially with the farm workers toiling in the fields wearing their traditional sun hats and accompanied by large numbers of herons who feed on the creatures that live in the swamp like conditions. We also watched more of the ploughing with much fascination (as did the herons - huge numbers of them!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leMK8neUFNU/XFmZx5JHlGI/AAAAAAAAVJo/KD-zCDo9M3Eb0JH9r5KdEIrHZoxGCtFiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_122520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leMK8neUFNU/XFmZx5JHlGI/AAAAAAAAVJo/KD-zCDo9M3Eb0JH9r5KdEIrHZoxGCtFiwCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_122520.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks</td></tr>
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Once we had traversed the rice paddies we entered a small palm tree woodland and past yet another temple and regained higher ground to meet the road through the village once again. There were a lot more people in this part of the village and especially young boys playing games on the road. As we cycled by we got cheery hellos and enthusiastic waving - a far cry from the sort of reception that we might have expected from similarly aged boys in Britain. One set of boys were up to no good however; they had found some firecrackers and were letting them off in the street. They stopped as we went by and continued afterwards, accompanied by peals of laughter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76lG7zSYWpk/XFmaZ-L2sRI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/Ls8QSvuYfs8reEXNewEnm91xWJeVXY3FQCLcBGAs/s1600/20181228_124201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76lG7zSYWpk/XFmaZ-L2sRI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/Ls8QSvuYfs8reEXNewEnm91xWJeVXY3FQCLcBGAs/s320/20181228_124201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ploughing</td></tr>
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Our ultimate destination for the tour was one of the numerous luwak coffee farms that try to entice customers with tasting sessions. The range of teas and coffees on offer was much the same as one we had experienced and we were enticed to buy a couple at the end. We also had some Nasi Goreng (fried rice) which is something of an institution in Indonesia. Indeed our driver told us that he has it for lunch every day and never gets tired of it! I can certainly vouch for its tastiness - whether it tasted particularly good at this farm or whether it was needed after our exercise I cannot be totally sure. It certainly rounded off an excellent tour and one to be recommended if you are ever in Bali. Getting out into the countryside in this way will show you a completely different side to the island besides the massage parlours, cocktail bars and surf shacks of the coast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V434ADmlQCs/XFmZ4iFt7OI/AAAAAAAAVJg/rZ77q5kKwR0Qy-ny6tS6LRFf_FHQCRyxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181228_124314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V434ADmlQCs/XFmZ4iFt7OI/AAAAAAAAVJg/rZ77q5kKwR0Qy-ny6tS6LRFf_FHQCRyxQCEwYBhgL/s320/20181228_124314.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Into The Forest</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-85657104368610892012019-01-28T07:15:00.001+00:002019-01-28T07:15:37.590+00:00Bali Waterfalls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brLJRpjxbSI/XE6mEFkPSdI/AAAAAAAAUz4/jHHqLR_zfhUoaTUzUwZgKa4QiT8stCNSQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brLJRpjxbSI/XE6mEFkPSdI/AAAAAAAAUz4/jHHqLR_zfhUoaTUzUwZgKa4QiT8stCNSQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0674.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aling Aling Waterfall</td></tr>
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I make no claim to this being a comprehensive tour of all the waterfalls in Bali but we did visit a few on our recent trip. There are dozens of amazing waterfalls in Bali and devotees could spend all their time looking for them - each one is impossibly beautiful and in some cases quite hard to find as they are tucked away deep in the forests and mountains of this magical island. Bali is just over four hours from Bangkok and we chose this as our first overseas trip from Thailand principally because we had heard so many good things about it. While we were in Bali we visited the small town of Lovina on the north coast. From here we were able to do and see a number of things and it would probably make for a good base if you like a slightly more sedate kind of holiday away from the bright lights of the resorts on the south coast.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kES2Ej7Gmn4/XE6l_2xL2SI/AAAAAAAAUzo/4ymZFIHsjucV00YMMD6gE04WD64H0UEfwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kES2Ej7Gmn4/XE6l_2xL2SI/AAAAAAAAUzo/4ymZFIHsjucV00YMMD6gE04WD64H0UEfwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice Terraces</td></tr>
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From Lovina it is a stone's throw to three waterfalls that are all on the same river rushing down from the high mountains just to the south of the town. The tallest of these waterfalls is called Aling Aling and it was there that we headed first. We parked up by a small kiosk that sold tickets to the area (this is not a free hike). The total cost for the four of us was very modest although we would have had to pay more for the privilege of going in the water. Round about the kiosk were a few small cafes selling fairly bog standard fare such as fried rice and fried chicken with signage that was so badly spelled that it was amusing. All around were rather listless looking local people and stray dogs all lolling around trying to conserve their energy in the heat of the sun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-wajnLEODk/XE6l-yUiVnI/AAAAAAAAUzg/j7qii8Y0rWAays-6GgRlpC7PRtla36zqgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-wajnLEODk/XE6l-yUiVnI/AAAAAAAAUzg/j7qii8Y0rWAays-6GgRlpC7PRtla36zqgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0653.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangoes</td></tr>
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We set off on what seemed like a fairly unpromising path at first with a building site on one side and a collection of farmers cottages. On the other side of the path though was a very eye-catching terraced rice paddy system for which Bali is very famous. The owner clearly seemed to realise that visitors would enjoy the terraces for he had decorated it with some oriental looking scarecrows and umbrellas to give it almost a theme park looking feel. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCJpPeYRryg/XE6l_NuuxCI/AAAAAAAAUzk/URt73s5Ac8c7qJESX6LaQ6jXlTCfnh23QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCJpPeYRryg/XE6l_NuuxCI/AAAAAAAAUzk/URt73s5Ac8c7qJESX6LaQ6jXlTCfnh23QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangostein</td></tr>
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We passed a number of fruit trees alongside the paddy fields. A rambutan tree was first - its red fruits looking like they were almost ready for harvest. A lot higher up and we could see coconuts also coming into harvest - the colour here though is different from the green ones that we see in the markets in Thailand. Most here seemed to be a rich amber colour and our guide tells me that both varieties are grown here; they each have a slightly different taste. Next was a mangosteen but not yet ripe - they have a beautiful purple colour when in season but the fruit inside is white and reminiscent of a lychee. The last fruits that we saw growing on this short stretch of path were mangoes, still looking quite green on the trees. Most of the green mangoes here are used for making salad when not quite ripe - the yellow ones are the ones to go for if you want to eat them as fruit. They are delectably sweet and slightly mushy - rather different from the ones that are exported to Europe.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iS9lHnPzys/XE6mfLhhtaI/AAAAAAAAU04/fdgElbfYvOQhOODVlQ7FGF2ajvtP38pNACLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iS9lHnPzys/XE6mfLhhtaI/AAAAAAAAU04/fdgElbfYvOQhOODVlQ7FGF2ajvtP38pNACLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle View</td></tr>
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As we turned the corner at the top of the slope our noses caught the aroma of barbecuing chicken, a smell that you get used to in South East Asia but never take for granted as it is always so inviting. However it was not the smell here that was magical but the view off to our left for we caught sight of the deep valley in which the waterfalls are to be found. Perhaps because of its steep sides or perhaps because it is prized by the locals as a particularly beautiful place it has escaped any kind of forestry or agriculture and we looked out over what looked like pristine forest stretching all the way from the mountains right down almost to the sea. It was a magnificent view that continued for a short way until the path dropped from the rim of the valley into the forest itself. Almost immediately we passed a jackfruit tree, with two large fruit hanging off the trunk. Neither of the fruit looked very appealing to be honest; I think they had been left two long and looked like they were starting to degrade.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQGihLWkfz4/XE6mBLTTkPI/AAAAAAAAUzs/IJIThq-FQskLZ_MXb7qgKwp9OMW5cq9CwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQGihLWkfz4/XE6mBLTTkPI/AAAAAAAAUzs/IJIThq-FQskLZ_MXb7qgKwp9OMW5cq9CwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0664.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Fruit</td></tr>
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A little further down the slope we had a choice to make with waterfalls signposted to the left and right. We took the right hand turn and headed off along a narrow path that wound its way upstream. The river was full of energy and had plenty of water in it; not unexpected as we were plum in the middle of the rainy season in Bali. We hadn't planned particularly well - I think I assumed that the rainy season in Thailand would be similar to that in Bali but of course it isn't - the monsoon shifts south when Thailand is having its dry season. The vegetation was thick and lush, with water seemingly coming from all sorts of directions including from the trees, the rocky cliffs and the creepers that seemed to find all sorts of opportunities to clamber over. We also saw flowers that we had only ever seen in greenhouses or butterfly houses back home. Damselflies and dragonflies buzzed about and we even saw massive spiders with even bigger webs - it wasn't a place for anyone who hated bugs!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_5ShCBwoz0/XE6mDHPrqDI/AAAAAAAAUz0/OhVgZOmRCFQ5uQguvKxV732sDNtPYqZ4ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_5ShCBwoz0/XE6mDHPrqDI/AAAAAAAAUz0/OhVgZOmRCFQ5uQguvKxV732sDNtPYqZ4ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0670.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet World</td></tr>
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Eventually we found our way to Aling Aling waterfall after climbing up quite a steep and rocky last stretch of path. The waterfall was huge - at least 120 metres tall and coming down with such a force that the sound was deafening. It clearly had a lot of energy too as it had carved out a huge plunge pool that clearly was too dangerous for swimming as there were signs warning about doing so. Even trying to climb down into the water looked pretty hazardous for the rocks were shiny and slippery from the spray of the waterfall. We enjoyed the moment for a while before turning back and heading downstream to the next waterfall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eypeB8YLRB8/XE6mC_GTsrI/AAAAAAAAUzw/SIjKvam4powOx1LynDDG4a-cfP2pDNI4wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eypeB8YLRB8/XE6mC_GTsrI/AAAAAAAAUzw/SIjKvam4powOx1LynDDG4a-cfP2pDNI4wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damselfly</td></tr>
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If swimming was forbidden at Aling Aling it was positively encouraged at the next waterfall, known as Kadek. This one had a natural water slide at the top and was clearly the one that people had paid their extra money to use. We watched as there were shrieks of joy from people that took the plunge; the smooth rock under the top of the waterfall enabled them to slide out far enough to take them into the nice deep plunge pool below. There was quite a crowd of people bobbing around in the plunge pool watching their mates and probably thinking about the steep climb to get to the top of the waterfall, a lot of effort for a few moments of fun. We watched for a short time and soon moved on to the next waterfall below which was bigger and did not lend itself to sliding but seemed to attract more daredevils who were prepared to jump over 30 metres into the plunge pool below. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rURXH1x0nm4/XE6mFdqpAcI/AAAAAAAAUz8/oYg0ppPu1g8vbGExykMXJVPId9vgN-9nACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rURXH1x0nm4/XE6mFdqpAcI/AAAAAAAAUz8/oYg0ppPu1g8vbGExykMXJVPId9vgN-9nACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0694.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider</td></tr>
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We crossed the river at the top of here and the path took us past a small hut and up to a point above the last waterfall in the series (the fourth). The end of the path was a small ledge that was being used as yet another jumping off point and a couple of small Bali men were showing their rather larger Western companions how it was done. There were a few gasps as the two of them dived off together, not quite synchronised but not bad. They were soon joined by a couple of daredevil Aussie lads who took the plunge much to everyone's entertainment.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9U5-y9_6dTQ/XE6mGST5J-I/AAAAAAAAU0A/KRizkRDBah8Z_TNXyDTpZrhxbixUQ88GQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9U5-y9_6dTQ/XE6mGST5J-I/AAAAAAAAU0A/KRizkRDBah8Z_TNXyDTpZrhxbixUQ88GQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0705.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Slide</td></tr>
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The antics of the youngsters was quite entertaining but for me it was the beauty of the place that captivated me. The ferocity of the water was exciting and the spray that each fall generated within the enclosed valley generated a microclimate that supported all manner of flowers and insects. The butterflies and dragonflies were incredible although trying to capture any of them with my camera was nigh on impossible as they spent so little time settled anywhere, whether it be rock or flower. I tried my beast as we looped around the path that took us back to the junction where we had bore right earlier. From that point we retraced our steps to the car park. By now we were feeling both satisfied with our efforts but very hungry. We eschewed the cafes at the start though in favour of a cafe down in Lovina where we were introduced to the delights of suckling pig, the local delicacy of Bali and which was an extremely welcome meal at the end of the walk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoTQvkyPQa8/XE6mIkPLTdI/AAAAAAAAU0I/dEeTYZ5nKR0H-0T4mokAIuZtLc4vgI-8gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KoTQvkyPQa8/XE6mIkPLTdI/AAAAAAAAU0I/dEeTYZ5nKR0H-0T4mokAIuZtLc4vgI-8gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0711.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping Off</td></tr>
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Later in the afternoon after we had been to some other places including a Buddhist temple we called in at the waterfall at Munduk. Sadly the hot and sunny weather that we had experienced in the morning had now given way to rain and this meant that we had to limit ourselves to the main Munduk waterfall. There are several others in the area and it is possible to do a fairly lengthy walk that includes them all. We managed to get a short break in the rain that was enough to walk down the steep track from the parking area. Again we got an education in the types of crop that are grown in these jungle locations, including coffee, bananas and pineapples. These were all familiar to us by now but we had seen our first cashew at the temple - none of us had any idea what it looked like before!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlqcgpaaYe0/XE6mL4YHlsI/AAAAAAAAU0c/szlxxIbGSfor1BjTPy2_a7WIehPBFrDJwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlqcgpaaYe0/XE6mL4YHlsI/AAAAAAAAU0c/szlxxIbGSfor1BjTPy2_a7WIehPBFrDJwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly</td></tr>
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The path down to the waterfall was quite steep and we passed a couple of settlements on the way; a house that looked as if it belonged to the jungle farmers and a coffee shop further down. The latter proclaimed that it did not use caged civets in order to make the highly prized kopi luwak (luwak coffee). This expensive coffee is made from the partly digested coffee beans eaten by the small nocturnal mammal that we call civets but are known as luwak in Bali. Mostly they are caged and force fed the beans in much the same way that geese are force fed to produce foie gras. Ethically it is very questionable as the civets live a very poor quality of life and certainly the ones we saw looked quite sad and lonely creatures. We avoided buying kopi luwak for the same reason.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN1ATx0GiuY/XE6k49qX9yI/AAAAAAAAUzU/HQyqmFMuvwcCP8jEOrDJywoaWohTXMRPgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN1ATx0GiuY/XE6k49qX9yI/AAAAAAAAUzU/HQyqmFMuvwcCP8jEOrDJywoaWohTXMRPgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0824.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Munduk Falls</td></tr>
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The falls themselves were at the bottom of the hill and once again we had to pay a small admission fee to get close to them. They were well worth seeing though, especially because unlike at the earlier falls near Lovina we had these ones all to ourselves. They were considerably taller too, so much so that it wasn't easy to see the top. Clearly no-one would want to swim here, especially not now for it was surprisingly cool with the spray billowing around and the rather enclosed position much higher up the mountain. Nevertheless the magic of the waterfall was enough compensation for the cool conditions and we were thankful that the rain held off long enough for us to go and have a look. Maybe in the future we could do the walk that takes in other waterfalls on the same system.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBxn_7TaiZE/XE6k3mEFaLI/AAAAAAAAUzM/CFBiNIo8ZishNOlHDAwveNTc5EnFfPN4gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBxn_7TaiZE/XE6k3mEFaLI/AAAAAAAAUzM/CFBiNIo8ZishNOlHDAwveNTc5EnFfPN4gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0840.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic Flowers</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-70779964256452660332019-01-16T12:38:00.001+00:002019-01-16T14:09:28.877+00:00Khao Yai National Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_yOUOk-WPOY/XD8YcCM0ZSI/AAAAAAAAUOA/jyN5WyHBlXE8-JuruarwOmwMa1cL-F6ggCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_yOUOk-WPOY/XD8YcCM0ZSI/AAAAAAAAUOA/jyN5WyHBlXE8-JuruarwOmwMa1cL-F6ggCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grassland</td></tr>
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Last month I was delighted to be invited along with a couple of the staff to Khao Yai National Park for the purposes of setting up some GPS trails for future school trips. Khao Yai National Park is approximately 3 hours north of Bangkok and for me it was my first opportunity to walk through the rainforest proper in Thailand. Our trip necessitated an early start and I felt quite excited as I watched the beautiful sunrise over the northern outskirts of Bangkok on the way out. Our journey was trouble free and once through the entrance of the park we had to make our way to the visitor centre in order to meet our guide for the day. As an appetiser for what we were likely to see during the day an elephant came sauntering along the road - it was the first time I had ever seen a wild one and it was tremendously exciting.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrffDHQMzNA/XD8YQAh5IyI/AAAAAAAAUNY/9PFNfF3l_ZQZa8M-sf9UIaj2Uft0bkHgwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrffDHQMzNA/XD8YQAh5IyI/AAAAAAAAUNY/9PFNfF3l_ZQZa8M-sf9UIaj2Uft0bkHgwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We collected the guide and double backed to km33 on the same road. There is a parking area here and the trailhead starts across the road. Within minutes of getting started on the walk it was easy to see why we needed a guide for the forest was very dense. He explained to us about some of the wildlife that live here and the creature that is feared by most locals isn't one you might expect - not snakes or wild cats but a type of wild bison called a gaur. They are very large and have been known to charge people if disturbed. Helpfully there were some warning signs around showing what they looked like for I had never heard of them before.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3hI9N8KdLU/XD8YQBaAFBI/AAAAAAAAUNc/CzoYGBCyLjgzBkMYATgfQwU77bA4_qw5gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3hI9N8KdLU/XD8YQBaAFBI/AAAAAAAAUNc/CzoYGBCyLjgzBkMYATgfQwU77bA4_qw5gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite the density of the forest there were a few breaks largely where some of the larger trees had become victims to storms, leaving natural gaps where new growth could quickly fill the void. It was in the gaps that the true height of the forest could be appreciated. Trees here can be approximately the height of 10 storey buildings. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXJSOTjDJHA/XD8YN6mtLZI/AAAAAAAAUNU/11LW6uMVrLIulPwOnYaEeswMozh1L_h8wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1104" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXJSOTjDJHA/XD8YN6mtLZI/AAAAAAAAUNU/11LW6uMVrLIulPwOnYaEeswMozh1L_h8wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibbon</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The weight burden of such trees can make them vulnerable to storms but they have a natural pruning process in the absence of seasons. There is a constant shedding of leaves and twigs and new roots are thrown down as the tree grows in order to help stabilise it. If a tree blows down it will often take much smaller trees with it and create quite a large void space and this can have a micro-climate all of its own. Such conditions are ripe for new growth and it isn't long before nature's repair team comes along to fill this valuable new space with all the extra light that is now available. Some of the bigger trees here are hundreds of years old apparently so these opportunities don't always come along very quickly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZr6VdfpJh4/XD8YSMycqOI/AAAAAAAAUNg/NMZzKhsaruoeOBrbhRetVEAcv8kGS--IACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZr6VdfpJh4/XD8YSMycqOI/AAAAAAAAUNg/NMZzKhsaruoeOBrbhRetVEAcv8kGS--IACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Lick</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we reached a corner characterised by some huge vines that wrapped around themselves like ropes the guide told us that a tourist recently had had an encounter with a gaur at this spot. Looking at the density of the vegetation I could scarcely believe that a creature the size of a bison could come crashing through at speed but it must be a very scary prospect when they do. A little further on and we came upon a section of forest that was slightly less dense than before. There was an interpretive board that explained that this was an area that had probably been cleared at some point for many of the trees were a similar height suggesting that they started growing at the same time. This could have been caused by landslip or floods as well as storms. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B_7nt-GTuE/XD8YUIVmVUI/AAAAAAAAUNo/jXeYdTW6S2Eb2jAXNC6X6r5lNFnhi0QWQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B_7nt-GTuE/XD8YUIVmVUI/AAAAAAAAUNo/jXeYdTW6S2Eb2jAXNC6X6r5lNFnhi0QWQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Observation Tower</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next area of clearing wasn't caused by a natural process but by people clearing for agriculture. The recovery is clearly a slow process for this area has been a national park for more than 50 years. There were some new growth trees that begin the reforestation process but these will eventually lose out to the slower growing trees that grow much larger and form the canopy. I saw some species of flower that I vaguely recognised including one that looked like a form of nightshade with flowers that resembled those of the potato plant.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDuaIMi_Lcc/XD8YhDuR_fI/AAAAAAAAUOI/UJa6vgaqxSQz45ZJg5lycNebE3ROx99HwCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDuaIMi_Lcc/XD8YhDuR_fI/AAAAAAAAUOI/UJa6vgaqxSQz45ZJg5lycNebE3ROx99HwCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watering Hole</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Back in the forest and we soon came upon one of the most important trees in this area - the giant fig tree. This was clearly a giant for it was almost impossible to see the top of the tree and we could only guess at its height based on the enormity of its base and the dozens of roots that were stabilising it. These figs have a very interesting way of reproducing since they do not display their flowers for any old passing insect. Instead they are pollinated by a specific type of wasp that access the flower via a small opening. The wasp pollinates the flower and when the fruit ripens it will be eaten by any number of different animals or birds including hornbills, gibbons, macaque monkeys and civets. They will then spread the seeds far and wide as payment for their meal - the seeds survive the digestive tract of all of these creatures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPbkXwQG67g/XD8YTwQP6NI/AAAAAAAAUNk/bC9384ggfTUwanYVrB_LingTqvTP9iVlQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPbkXwQG67g/XD8YTwQP6NI/AAAAAAAAUNk/bC9384ggfTUwanYVrB_LingTqvTP9iVlQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0148.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Log Bridge</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next tree of note was a lot smaller but had obviously been deliberately cut. This is known as Lueat Khwai and produces a red fluid when cut called buffalo blood. I am not clear on the human use but apparently it is consumed by hornbills, monkeys and langurs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrOWNIPbfPI/XD8YVKj3EOI/AAAAAAAAUNs/yXaFe8TGVEoc3zOeM3xeynnUzg7kXqB2wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrOWNIPbfPI/XD8YVKj3EOI/AAAAAAAAUNs/yXaFe8TGVEoc3zOeM3xeynnUzg7kXqB2wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Tails</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shortly after this and the sound of the gibbons that we had been hearing since the start of the hike was clearly a lot closer and our guide motioned us over to a spot where we could see right up into the canopy of the forest. We soon caught a glimpse of one of the gibbons and then more as we saw them swinging through the forest perhaps on their way to a feeding ground. We watched them with baited breath for a while scarcely believing our good fortune. Up until this point we had only seen signs of wildlife, including elephant footprints.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIFCJZSXscw/XD8YWakg9ZI/AAAAAAAAUNw/nixXUFqtOkI0Y7w_epzHqT71EuMSBwkRgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UIFCJZSXscw/XD8YWakg9ZI/AAAAAAAAUNw/nixXUFqtOkI0Y7w_epzHqT71EuMSBwkRgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damselfly</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We emerged from the forest shortly after and waded our way through some very tall elephant grass in a very large clearing. The views out across the forest from here were astonishing and the lighting really showed off the majesty of the park. This grassland area is managed by the park authorities to maintain it otherwise it would soon return to being forest. Keeping the grassland enables grazing to be maintained for the many herbivores that live here. We headed down past a dug out area that showed off the red sandstone soil underneath. Apparently there is a salt lick here for the elephants, gaur and other herbivores and sometimes large gatherings of them can be seen at dawn or dusk. The big piles of dung suggested that it is very well used. This also makes for good hunting ground for the Asian wild dog; we saw one of these run across the road much later in the day when leaving the park.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZY_JsuR4Ss/XD8YXc9c8NI/AAAAAAAAUN0/1EN4jK_TexMrL3LFDDOXNJt4bVhRChgRgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZY_JsuR4Ss/XD8YXc9c8NI/AAAAAAAAUN0/1EN4jK_TexMrL3LFDDOXNJt4bVhRChgRgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claw Marks</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We crossed by a large watering hole and up a short slope to reach a large observation tower from where you get some incredible views across the forest and watering hole we had just passed. Not much in the wildlife to be seen today sadly but I did enjoy the views very much. There is a crossroads of paths at the observation tower but we headed on in the same general direction and down the slope to the river hidden in the trees at the bottom of the valley. Crossing the river was not for the faint-hearted as there was only a log bridge across. We all made it across without any mishaps and started climbing up the other side. On this part of the trail we saw other groups of people heading in the opposite direction and it was obvious pretty quickly that we couldn't know of their existence until they were right on top of us. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IT-arJeQ8As/XD8YZMSWy5I/AAAAAAAAUN4/pa5oR9TkXx0EmMDBEnyVrphsVrc1b-D3QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IT-arJeQ8As/XD8YZMSWy5I/AAAAAAAAUN4/pa5oR9TkXx0EmMDBEnyVrphsVrc1b-D3QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a much denser part of the forest with few clearings and obviously less visited for the interpretation boards that we had seen early on had now disappeared. The forest was quieter too - no gibbons in this part and even the birds seemed quieter. It meant for a bit more intrepid walking but with fewer features to talk about. Nevertheless we did come across some interesting stuff including a cinnamon tree, which the guide hacked away a piece of bark to prove the point. I'm pleased he did for I would have passed without giving it a second look. We also got to see a hole in a tree used by wasps for their nest and a little further on there was a tree with claw marks all the way up the trunk. Apparently these are from bears that live in the forest and they climb the trees looking for food.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obAYkS1VPvw/XD8YaApFHrI/AAAAAAAAUN8/lT3tCCSiiLI2QNvQ9G71bFcpqlFxnXKggCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obAYkS1VPvw/XD8YaApFHrI/AAAAAAAAUN8/lT3tCCSiiLI2QNvQ9G71bFcpqlFxnXKggCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barking Deer</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Further on and we came across a taped off part of the forest. This was apparently to stop people using a path that a man had recently taken when he tragically wandered off into the forest to look for supernatural activity and was later found dead. Our guide suggested that he had deliberately concealed himself to make sure he couldn't be found when he was reported missing and hadn't even taken a phone so that he could be GPS tracked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm0779h7ZXk/XD8YjaZGG0I/AAAAAAAAUOM/KXfbB-q8_00emW9qpGpFz8orFJFR96QOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm0779h7ZXk/XD8YjaZGG0I/AAAAAAAAUOM/KXfbB-q8_00emW9qpGpFz8orFJFR96QOQCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sai Sorn Reservoir</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It wasn't long before the trees started thinning out and the reservoir we were aiming for came into view. It was a relief to not be enclosed by dense trees any more and the view out over Sai Sorn reservoir was fantastic. Sadly it also meant the end of our walk and we headed down the short distance to the visitor centre for some lunch. On the way we saw a barking deer nonchalantly wandering about and lazily grazing here and there. I still get a kick out of seeing all this wildlife - I'm not sure it is something I'll ever get used to! We went to the very rustic food court for lunch and as we ate lunch there were more deer roaming around and a couple of monkeys looking for any chance they could get - one was even hanging out by the washing up and eating scraps off the plates!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAxqDOpnzWE/XD8YmmZvbRI/AAAAAAAAUOY/Z-N18RrG9TQOvUvVqINHtuCLLu-OiSiRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAxqDOpnzWE/XD8YmmZvbRI/AAAAAAAAUOY/Z-N18RrG9TQOvUvVqINHtuCLLu-OiSiRgCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pha Diao Dai Viewpoint</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It wasn't the end of walking for the day - I got the opportunity to explore the Pha Diao Dai boardwalk in the afternoon. This short interpretive trail tells you about some of the trees that can be found in the higher ground areas of Thailand but the highlight is the cliff at the far end with the most amazing view. I couldn't decide whether it was refreshing not to have all the railings that we would have in the west at such a place or whether it was foolhardy. Perhaps the former as most people seemed to be treating it with respect and there were a lot of people taking pictures and selfies. I took lots of pictures too but cursed my luck later when I realised that they were all black and white! The crowning glory though was on the way out of the park when we were once again held up by an elephant - this time I did get some pictures!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGKNxYg577M/XD8aLneQg4I/AAAAAAAAUOw/y6CWeIlFnnMaf3VNs2xTdRoXqV58_3IZACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGKNxYg577M/XD8aLneQg4I/AAAAAAAAUOw/y6CWeIlFnnMaf3VNs2xTdRoXqV58_3IZACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold Up</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-83984153049051076172019-01-09T15:29:00.000+00:002019-01-09T15:29:56.260+00:00A Tale of Two Parks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoWDb5tYXSo/XDYMdN6evJI/AAAAAAAATPw/PW1d5xQ5I6wvFleYMaXQWctBcFfRmWCngCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoWDb5tYXSo/XDYMdN6evJI/AAAAAAAATPw/PW1d5xQ5I6wvFleYMaXQWctBcFfRmWCngCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Show</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
My continuing mission to explore the city of Bangkok continued with a trip to two neighbouring parks - rather too small to feature on their own they are close enough to make for a satisfying walk with only a small amount of street walking in between. The two parks in question are Benchakiti Park and Benjasiri Park, both close to Asok BTS station. They are quite different in character but worthy of some time for their differing reasons.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN7lfg2bLYM/XDYMGDSuXKI/AAAAAAAATPo/rc6nDSRzRy09Fpmjz4yYw1dadpC9rOP_gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BN7lfg2bLYM/XDYMGDSuXKI/AAAAAAAATPo/rc6nDSRzRy09Fpmjz4yYw1dadpC9rOP_gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting For The Lunchtime Rush</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I started my exploration in Benchakiti Park and accessed it from Queen Sikirit Convention Centre MRT station. When I came out of the station it wasn't obvious how to get into the park and there is no direct access. Head north along Ratchadaphisek Road, a busy stretch that isn't particularly pleasant but does have a pavement (not everywhere in Bangkok does, so this is important). As I wandered along the road I soon got the smell of barbecue up my nose and saw a street vendor had set up shop by the side of the road. With traffic whizzing past I wondered how on earth he was expecting to get any business.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--11BeMqq0B4/XDYMeVHw1KI/AAAAAAAATP0/yfuXzajMtM0W-e6h-ox0_JlaZ0v6e3P2gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--11BeMqq0B4/XDYMeVHw1KI/AAAAAAAATP0/yfuXzajMtM0W-e6h-ox0_JlaZ0v6e3P2gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jetty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just past the main buildings of the Convention Centre is an access road running along the north side. Be sure to turn left here as there is no other entrance to the park until you get to the north east corner some distance away. Even when you turn into the access road there is no immediate entrance and your first view of the park is across an impenetrable fence, tantalisingly close but out of reach. You will immediately see the layout of the park though and its dominance by a large lake in the middle. I suspect that more than 60% of the park is the lake but nevertheless it does make an attractive place to walk thanks largely to the perimeter jogging and cycling path. The actual access is at the south west corner and it is necessary therefore to head all the way to that corner along the access road.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDIgRPT1Ykg/XDYMgUN9lXI/AAAAAAAATP4/y0w2rmoMad8__IsNRrnwSo6W5nAH3Cx_QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDIgRPT1Ykg/XDYMgUN9lXI/AAAAAAAATP4/y0w2rmoMad8__IsNRrnwSo6W5nAH3Cx_QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I decided to walk anti-clockwise around the lake for no better reason than I wanted to inspect a large circular jetty that juts out into the lake. Sadly when I got near to it I could see that it was fenced off and no access could be gained. All was quiet in the park for I surely was the only one nutty enough to be walking around in the heat of the day? (it was late morning now) The only people I had for company were park workers and there were quite a lot of them around, in contrast to equivalent parks in Britain where you rarely see park workers in action. The first lady I saw was crouching down watering the plants. An unusual stance and I can only think she was trying to get close to the plants so they actually got more of the water intended rather than losing it to evaporation in the heat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdr1HyZB8iE/XDYMpl_VnkI/AAAAAAAATQA/Je8I1WK5YvA0VNigdofxGUHIMUnc2LuqwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdr1HyZB8iE/XDYMpl_VnkI/AAAAAAAATQA/Je8I1WK5YvA0VNigdofxGUHIMUnc2LuqwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0915.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pond Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I turned the first corner quite quickly to make my way up the eastern side of the lake and it wasn't long before I came upon the bike hire and boat hire areas. Each cost the princely sum of 50 baht to hire - approximately £1.20/ $1.50. There weren't many takers today and the bikes and swan boats were all lined up patiently waiting for their next customer. I plodded on and was passed by the first other visitor I saw - a Thai man jogging around the track. I imagine this would be a pleasant place to go jogging during the week with virtually no-one here. The weekends are probably a different prospect though!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_2iMIPf_gM/XDYO4VUOmyI/AAAAAAAATRM/8DPsWl0_5jgEu-8zjVzrdJ0N7rYvuLXagCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_2iMIPf_gM/XDYO4VUOmyI/AAAAAAAATRM/8DPsWl0_5jgEu-8zjVzrdJ0N7rYvuLXagCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0917.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pergola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I should probably mention the flowers along the side of the lake at this point - the planting was mostly bougainvillea and it was out in full bloom on the occasion of my visit. The dominant colour was hot pink but there was also an amber colour, maroon and white. It all made for quite a spectacle, especially with the bright sunlight somehow heightening the colours. The flowers rather dominated the scene along the eastern side of the lake but they weren't the only thing of interest. I stood and watched a pond heron for some time - it stood and blinked at me a bit with its mouth open. I am not sure which kind it was - the Indian, Chinese and Javan Pond Herons are almost identical in their winter plumage and are believed by some to belong to the same super-species. I also tried following around some rather attractive butterflies but my luck with trying to capture one with my camera didn't hold up and I only managed to get one with its wings closed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdT_LT2C1sw/XDYMtdSHqWI/AAAAAAAATQE/_3DRFIgqwP8yLC0w1IzVbKKDJQXJIAJewCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdT_LT2C1sw/XDYMtdSHqWI/AAAAAAAATQE/_3DRFIgqwP8yLC0w1IzVbKKDJQXJIAJewCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0938.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
About half way along the eastern side I walk through a pergola - it was all rather attractive but the plants hadn't been grown up it, rather missing the point of the structure I would have thought? Having some climbing plants weaving their way over it would probably provide some much needed shade as well as be an attractive feature. At the north east corner I turned along the short north shore where the flowers seemed to be at their zenith. The north side was pretty short and only allowed enough time to get a different view of the surroundings including the buildings that I had walked past without paying too much attention. On closer inspection I could see that they seemed to have helicopter landing pads on the roofs - buildings for the well-heeled perhaps?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6HTGdjvXHmA/XDYMxg_9NcI/AAAAAAAATQQ/qKHxfobwhCMCgE-9YP4RAnjBNByUO4_ewCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6HTGdjvXHmA/XDYMxg_9NcI/AAAAAAAATQQ/qKHxfobwhCMCgE-9YP4RAnjBNByUO4_ewCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a Joke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I realised at this point that to reach the other park I could do a u turn and head down the road and out of the north east entrance. However the is a bit more hinterland to the park on the western side and once I had walked down the length of the lake I decided to come back along paths through the trees at the side of the lake. This proved to be an interesting way to return as I saw a whole lot of different things; some human, some natural and some in the shape of sculptures. The first thing I spotted was a group of old men doing their morning ritual exercises. Next I saw an area where people seemed to favour sleeping which wasn't far from the first Buddhist shrine of the day. I was rather surprised I hadn't seen one before but this one did not disappoint. The inscription by it indicated the history of the park, which was once occupied by a tobacco factory and handed over to the nation to celebrate the Queen's 60th birthday back in 1986.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opo-Hw_-mtg/XDYM3zjZ8hI/AAAAAAAATQY/E3-Xdh1EvZYxJOjWLCu6zjFc1_39cLO2gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opo-Hw_-mtg/XDYM3zjZ8hI/AAAAAAAATQY/E3-Xdh1EvZYxJOjWLCu6zjFc1_39cLO2gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0951.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Foliage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the middle of the green area was a wetland feature surrounded by trees that had a warning about monitor lizards. I needn't have worried - the area was also full of people sleeping so I gave it a wide berth. I was pleased that I did for just beyond the grassy area was being sprinkled and I had fun trying to dodge the sprinklers as I walked through. Eventually when I worked my way through I came upon the road out of the park being swept diligently by a lady done up to the nines in sun protection gear.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDdGKRNvG6c/XDYNAORs3EI/AAAAAAAATQk/Blp3_28Ky9os9fZclysaEReeVwU7xxxQwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDdGKRNvG6c/XDYNAORs3EI/AAAAAAAATQk/Blp3_28Ky9os9fZclysaEReeVwU7xxxQwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I left the peace and quiet of the park and returned to Ratchadaphisek Road where I immediately crossed the road via the footbridge adorned with electric wires. I am amazed at how many wires are dangled from the bridges especially within touching distance - it's a wonder nobody has an accident with them. Far below on the busy road cars slowing down for the traffic lights ahead were approached by vendors that had their whole heads covered and with sunglasses on. I know this is for sun protection but they do look like gangsters and I'm not surprised that business was light as a result. I've never actually seen anyone buy the flower garlands that are the most popular things for sale but I guess they must do business otherwise why else would they be there?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ylHSPv68tXU/XDYNEIBSUeI/AAAAAAAATQo/LWYTAMf2SdU_BnX3jNn51EJHeCqEj-ceQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ylHSPv68tXU/XDYNEIBSUeI/AAAAAAAATQo/LWYTAMf2SdU_BnX3jNn51EJHeCqEj-ceQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0980.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At Asok I turned right and headed along Sukhumvit Road, one of the most famous in Bangkok and home to many of the major hotels in which tourists like to stay. I found a signboard that told me about the importance of the road and apparently it was named after the Director General of Highways who devised the national road system for Thailand. This particular road is now the main highway to the eastern border with Cambodia. I walked for about 10 minutes eastbound along the road before reaching Benjasiri Park. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvPII8gHknE/XDYLOYBRg3I/AAAAAAAATPU/V2p731erH78m5vxXPigEqRlYnAd1r5-6ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvPII8gHknE/XDYLOYBRg3I/AAAAAAAATPU/V2p731erH78m5vxXPigEqRlYnAd1r5-6ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Benjasiri Park was a much different green space from Benchakiti Park. The main similarity was the presence of a lake but that is where similarities ended, especially as this one was much smaller and surrounded on all sides by trees. One thing I immediately noticed was the number of sculptures in the park and I was rather disappointed to see that most of the captions were in Thai so I wasn't sure what most of them were about. There were a lot of them though and most were representations of people. I walked around the ornamental lake until reaching the jetty that jutted out into the water. This time I had more luck as it was open to visitors. I walked out to the middle and my eye was drawn to what I initially thought might be a lizard swimming in the middle. Upon closer inspection I realised it was a turtle head and soon the shell came into view as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6hW_24tbC0/XDYNY4KMqGI/AAAAAAAATQ4/NdNi_H9jsBoS7mbDBObyOfe47H9U9LCIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6hW_24tbC0/XDYNY4KMqGI/AAAAAAAATQ4/NdNi_H9jsBoS7mbDBObyOfe47H9U9LCIwCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjasiri Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My eye was drawn to one particular sculpture - one called Ville fantastique II and unusual in that it wasn't a people based sculpture but also because it had an English caption explaining that it represented a surreal vision of a city that fosters dreams and free thinking. I looked back at the pond and realised that the turtle was closer to shore and so I walked over to take a picture of it. When I got closer I couldn't be entirely sure that the creature was still alive because it was so still. No matter how hard I looked I could not be sure as the turtle just seemed to bob along without making any discernible movement. It did have its eyes open the whole time though so maybe? I took this as a cue to finish the walk and dive into the Emporium shopping mall next door. The blast of air conditioning was very welcome while the tropical Christmas decorations outside were just plain surreal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGQbTxIY6T8/XDYO5DDpGDI/AAAAAAAATRQ/g2mN-R-Ey_86qpSeBWn8c3lq0b_5_OVUwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NGQbTxIY6T8/XDYO5DDpGDI/AAAAAAAATRQ/g2mN-R-Ey_86qpSeBWn8c3lq0b_5_OVUwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ville Fantastique II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These contrasting parks make for a satisfying walk even with the section along Sukhumvit Road to negotiate. I think next time I visit Benchakiti Park though I will definitely have a go at cycling - I think a few laps on two wheels will be very satisfying. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVCg6oiz3xg/XDYLp9nRSpI/AAAAAAAATPg/XfkzdQ9YWuk2eRb9yENHd_2CpBoEM4bBwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVCg6oiz3xg/XDYLp9nRSpI/AAAAAAAATPg/XfkzdQ9YWuk2eRb9yENHd_2CpBoEM4bBwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead or Alive?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-60932450243213729872018-12-10T07:45:00.002+00:002018-12-10T07:45:47.830+00:00Bang Pa-In<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--p0GfQ6G8i0/XA4UurZqEKI/AAAAAAAAScU/zeY2rftuvk8AjItQNUSO5Fvo4uBQ0DKYgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0671.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--p0GfQ6G8i0/XA4UurZqEKI/AAAAAAAAScU/zeY2rftuvk8AjItQNUSO5Fvo4uBQ0DKYgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage's Lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few walks in the city I was keen to go somewhere a little quieter for my next outing and so I took the train in the other direction from normal to go to Bang Pa-In, a small village about an hour north of where I live. Predominantly this was so I could visit the Summer Palace there and walk around the grounds. After a journey of only an hour I alighted at Bang Pa-In station, one of quite a number to do so. As I got off my eye was drawn to a rather palatial looking building at one end of the platform and discovered on closer inspection that it was the Royal waiting room, no doubt built for the King when he wanted to visit the palace by a quicker route than the Chao Praya river. I imagine his appetite for going by boat diminished after the tragedy that befell his Queen. More about that later.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdVHmjGcamE/XA4U2a-ZHiI/AAAAAAAASco/pbxG6Ob-a20hX9evGWNMzCrI0TVutdP0wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdVHmjGcamE/XA4U2a-ZHiI/AAAAAAAASco/pbxG6Ob-a20hX9evGWNMzCrI0TVutdP0wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0719.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Waiting Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Outside the station were a few tuk tuk drivers willing to give me a ride around to the palace but they were rather half-hearted in their attempts to persuade me. I certainly didn't want a ride as the walk was only 25 minutes from the station and besides which they had plenty of other takers. The first obstacle was the main road with four lanes of traffic to negotiate. Luckily this wasn't nearly as busy as a Bangkok road and I was soon across and walking down the rather less busy road into the village. I was pleased to see a pavement; something that we would rather take for granted in Britain but which in Thailand isn't always a given. I passed a school, not obvious from the buildings but from the large den which is characteristic of most schools I have seen here. The purpose of these buildings is obvious when you have been here only a short time - they allow children to play outside but stay protected from the climate extremes including lightning, heavy rain and probably the sunshine during the hot season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq-8WvVT0ew/XA4YAIwQruI/AAAAAAAASdY/b9vQ0qtal2QAd4em2j4e36XGIcU__O-GACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq-8WvVT0ew/XA4YAIwQruI/AAAAAAAASdY/b9vQ0qtal2QAd4em2j4e36XGIcU__O-GACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhist Temple</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I walked down the road I was struck by the relative opulence of the houses. This looked like a much more affluent place to live than the area of Bangkok where I am based. Most of the houses had gardens and many even had drives. There were few people about and even a lack of soi dogs. In fact it was all very quiet from what I am used to. The street lights looked somewhat royal with their golden design and the hedges were full of bougainvillea flowers, which seem to be the latest seasonal offering.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7_sn3Oqeig/XA4Uha-TjMI/AAAAAAAASbk/vPlAuB9SabQapsbFNUGF04tdsDAte__GACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7_sn3Oqeig/XA4Uha-TjMI/AAAAAAAASbk/vPlAuB9SabQapsbFNUGF04tdsDAte__GACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any bites?</td></tr>
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As I rounded the first corner I passed by the House of the Rising Sun, an unusually well-appointed local restaurant that boasted live music, craft beers and perhaps the first clue that I was firmly on the tourist trail. Just past there and I crossed a small river by way of a narrow bridge and came upon a Buddhist temple. I love the colour schemes of the temples; a mixture of white, gold, red and green. I think religion should be colourful and Buddhism in Thailand manages to reflect the colours of the surroundings. The depiction of the Buddha inside the grounds looked so serene, in keeping with the mood of the country. Even where it is chaotic and busy there seems to be a calm atmosphere - no-one seems to get very stressed. The lions guarding the front gate looked a little fierce however - woes betide anyone who tries to get past them!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32SIqzVSPqo/XA4UhOyHGiI/AAAAAAAASbg/JNqPfHpoAMEIGFLR6Qpu7ehndg3w3YB-QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32SIqzVSPqo/XA4UhOyHGiI/AAAAAAAASbg/JNqPfHpoAMEIGFLR6Qpu7ehndg3w3YB-QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pimp My Ride</td></tr>
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Around the next corner and I met the river. This isn't the main Chao Praya River but a side channel that cuts off a corner and creates an island on the opposite bank. I paused briefly here to take a look - there appears to be a small ferry that takes passengers across but there wasn't much activity today. All I saw was an old woman fishing from a small boat, a motorbike taxi lacking a driver and a few vendors getting ready for whatever trade they can get during the lunchtime period. All in all it was probably the quietest settlement I have been to thus far in Thailand.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTUm8ftc_-o/XA4Ui0_H3RI/AAAAAAAASbo/7mpyYsvWv6wJ1L9TlRzRxJ8KICeJ4NNmgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTUm8ftc_-o/XA4Ui0_H3RI/AAAAAAAASbo/7mpyYsvWv6wJ1L9TlRzRxJ8KICeJ4NNmgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deluxe Tuk Tuk</td></tr>
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The path alongside the river was quite short-lived as I came upon a large wall that goes all the way around the perimeter of the palace. I took a sharp left hand turn and headed all the way around the wall to the entrance, which was at the far end. By now the sun was getting pretty hot and by the time I reached the entrance I must have had that sweaty tourist look about me. Once in the gate the military guard took one look a me and pointed me inside the building to get some long trousers. Having been into every Buddhist temple I have ever visited dressed with knee length shorts in never occurred to me that I might have a problem. Nevertheless in true Thai style there is a solution to every problem and 100 baht later I had some Thai style long trousers replete with elephants all the way round that I could pull over my shorts. I paid my 100 baht extra to get in the Palace grounds and everyone was happy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z7ZUkXxbcg/XA4UkFJKxjI/AAAAAAAASbs/yGPIyaBPrzw_yG4MSw1tkylqn732mLraQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z7ZUkXxbcg/XA4UkFJKxjI/AAAAAAAASbs/yGPIyaBPrzw_yG4MSw1tkylqn732mLraQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0604.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ho Hem Monthian Therawat</td></tr>
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Inside the grounds and I could immediately see this was a special place indeed. Beautifully manicured and still fit for the royal family although I'm not sure it is used much by them these days. The original palace was built here in the 1600s but was left to rack and ruin after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. By 1807 it was neglected and ruined only to be revived by King Rama IV and King Rama V in the late 1800s and especially during the period 1872-1889 by which time most of the present buildings had been completed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nK7Jm6-8C1A/XA4Ukt-1i8I/AAAAAAAASbw/nQV0WdWnt6Mmn-bKHuedw9CjW8CQZ0sLgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nK7Jm6-8C1A/XA4Ukt-1i8I/AAAAAAAASbw/nQV0WdWnt6Mmn-bKHuedw9CjW8CQZ0sLgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devaraj-Kunlai Gate</td></tr>
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Judging by the lengthy queue of unused golf carts by the entrance I wasn't sure there were many visitors today, something that suited me perfectly. I walked along the straight tree lined walkway immediately in front of the visitor centre and was passed by some Chinese tourists on a golf cart. Unfortunately for me that meant that when I got to the first point of interest, Ho Hem Monthian Therawat. This is a small Khmer style prasat built by Rama V and dedicated to a former king of Ayutthaya. I had to wait for some time until the Chinese folk had finished with their picture taking before I could have my turn. Fortunately this was the first and last time we tripped over each other.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8kyDajrekE/XA4UmC3GqnI/AAAAAAAASb4/t79VCoHEkXgJd2E9oKv2y8C75SlC6X7HQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8kyDajrekE/XA4UmC3GqnI/AAAAAAAASb4/t79VCoHEkXgJd2E9oKv2y8C75SlC6X7HQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-Art </td></tr>
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I was now in the outer part of the palace. Most royal palaces in Thailand have an inner and outer area and in days gone by I would not have been allowed into the inner part of the palace - no male members of the court were allowed in. As I got the what looked like a pavilion at the far end of the straight drive I could see where the inner and outer palace were divided using the waterways that were constructed within the palace. Anyone wanting to enter the inner palace would have had to cross by bridge. I took a look inside Devaraj-Kunlai Gate, which I had taken to be the pavilion. There was a small catering facility inside but I was drawn to look outside on the steps principally because I wanted to get a closer look at the carp swimming around in the water and also at the beautiful Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-Art in the middle of the water. This Thai-style pavilion has four porches and is home to a statue of Rama V placed there by his son Rama VI. The reflections in the water were lovely although a hint of a breeze meant that this was rippled rather than mirror like.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsLoTfHAfNU/XA4UrL-gD5I/AAAAAAAAScA/b8jI3cXjsTEn1ubsvDrU74SuPKF99QN6gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LsLoTfHAfNU/XA4UrL-gD5I/AAAAAAAAScA/b8jI3cXjsTEn1ubsvDrU74SuPKF99QN6gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0625.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Saovabhark Nairiratana Monument</td></tr>
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I went back through the coffee shop and headed straight across the roundabout outside and back across the waterway where I passed an enormous Thai school group. Luckily most of them were moving on from the next port of call, the two royal monuments. The first obelisk is dedicated to Princess Saovabhark Nairiratana, who was one of the many consorts (116 including concubines) of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), and three of his children who all died in 1887. The second is perhaps more poignant as it is dedicated to his Queen,<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Sunanda Kumariratana, who died at the palace in a somewhat bizarre and tragic accident when arriving by boat at the palace in 1881. At that time it was punishable by death to touch any of the royal family, a law that was to have dire consequences for the 19 year old pregnant Queen. The royal barge capsized and the locals did the only logical thing and watched her drown, helpless (and even instructed not to in some stories) to offer any assistance since to do so would have resulted in the death penalty. The devastated King changed the law not long after this and dedicated the memorial to her, even including an epitaph in English.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CqAbWn7AeE/XA4Xo8b_CrI/AAAAAAAASdQ/O1XeELdFw0s5FivyENWlGCRZdAtmeHFhgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CqAbWn7AeE/XA4Xo8b_CrI/AAAAAAAASdQ/O1XeELdFw0s5FivyENWlGCRZdAtmeHFhgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0627.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Stand</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The full majesty of the site could really be appreciated from here. Across the waterway was the eye catching Sage's Lookout, from where King Chulalongkorn would look out over the surrounding countryside. It is painted in a very fetching red and gold, befitting its royal usage. At the back of the Lookout is a Chinese looking building. This was presented to King Chulalongkhorn by the equivalent of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and is currently undergoing some extensive renovations. I walked along past the minor royal residences, some of which it is possible to see inside. Many of them have an Alpine look about them, supposedly because King Chulalongkhorn was a great admirer of European architecture. Each look very comfortable but nothing like as grand as those reserved for the King and company.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_VvhCh_nnQ/XA4UsSVyV6I/AAAAAAAAScM/jKrKI15JtqAiJHRNHHgI-5G97ny_3YAWgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_VvhCh_nnQ/XA4UsSVyV6I/AAAAAAAAScM/jKrKI15JtqAiJHRNHHgI-5G97ny_3YAWgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0628.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sunanda Kumariratana Memorial</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the back of the palace was a rather strange looking building, the nine room mansion. This was off limits to go inside sadly but it clearly had some colonial influenced architecture as it looked like it could have been copied from one of the buildings in the British Raj. Alongside the building was what looked like the main nursery area for the plants that adorn the grounds. Ther were large numbers of bougainvillea plants of all available colours. No doubt these will replace some that founder in the hot tropical weather. I continued around the path and discovered a whole area of topiary animals, including a herd of elephants and what I took to be reindeer. By now I had the place completely to myself apart from a young Thai guard who very studiously avoided looking at me. I don't doubt that he was keeping me under observation to make sure I didn't do anything naughty.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iznPOrrrQtE/XA4Y7_4m3gI/AAAAAAAASdk/7U92JXj9Nl8Wx6wRuYs5BXjzcRS3-Ss8wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iznPOrrrQtE/XA4Y7_4m3gI/AAAAAAAASdk/7U92JXj9Nl8Wx6wRuYs5BXjzcRS3-Ss8wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine Chamber Mansion</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I had arrived now at Phra Thinang Uthayan Phumisathian built in a Swiss style and supposedly the favourite residence of King Chulalongkhorn. The building that is here now is actually a replica, for the original burned down in 1938 but was reconstructed by Queen Sirikit (now the Queen Mother of Thailand). Bizarrely the water tower survived and is disguised as a neo-Gothic crenelated tower. I didn't linger too long here as there was much in the way of restoration activity going on and the building was largely off limits. I soon realised that I had looped back around to the cafe and when I got there I walked across the bridge in the other direction. This brought me to the very grand looking neo-Classic style mansion that served as main residence for King Chulalongkhorn and also housed his throne room. Beyond that was the royal floating house and although this was possible to visit, taking photos was forbidden and there was a guard stationed there just to make sure you obeyed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throne Building</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The proximity of the palace to the river could now be understood and it was easy to see why the preferred method of transport here by royalty was by boat until the railways came. I walked alongside the river until reaching the final building on my tour; Saphakan Ratchaprayan. This is now a museum and I whiled away some time here looking at many of the artefacts collected by the royal family. In particularly I enjoyed looking at the model boats on the first floor. Much of the stuff looked like gifts that no-one really knew what to do with. As with most of the building interiors it wasn't possible to take pictures and a rather stern lady instructed me to put my shoes and camera in a locker before I could enter. I was rather relieved when I didn't have to interact with her on the way out.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Herd</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thus concluded my whistle stop tour of the palace. It is a fascinating place and well worth spending a whole day there including have some lunch in the cafe. I had an evening appointment and under-estimated how long it would take but now I have been I am almost certain I will go back for it really is stunningly beautiful and I imagine looks different in every season. It will also be good to go back when the renovations are complete for they are extensive. The other thing I would like to see is the curious temple on the island facing the palace for the only way of getting there is via an aerial ropeway. I watched a monk heading over there but wasn't sure how to deal with it myself and worried also about getting back. That is something for next time!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road to Salvation</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-67545534991109728632018-12-03T15:06:00.001+00:002018-12-03T15:06:50.005+00:00In Search of King Taksin<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Taksin</td></tr>
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Before I left the UK I was given a book of walks in the city of Bangkok and now I have been here a few months and starting to find my way around the city I thought it was high time that I tried one out. It is called <i>22 Walks in Bangkok </i>by Kenneth Barrett. The book is actually a fascinating read for it describes much of the history of the city that is not immediately obvious if you are a tourist. I am lucky enough to be here for a good long time and this should enable me to complete them all, assuming I still have plenty of time on my hands. I started with the first walk in the book, which looked like a modest length and easy to get to the start. I shan't try and reprise the history given in the book in this blog - rather give my personal experience of the route and the sights, sounds and smells that I came across along the way. My experience of Bangkok so far is that these can change day by day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chao Mae Aniew Shrine</td></tr>
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The starting point for the walk is Wong Wian Yai Skytrain station on the south west side of the Chao Praya River and on the Silom line about 15 minutes from Siam station. I came from Hua Lumphong and this necessitated a change at the Silom/ Sala Daeng interchange at the corner of Lumphini Park. Once out if the station I was faced with the very busy main road underneath the BTS line - it didn't seem a very promising start. The first place I was looking for was Chao Mae Aniew Shrine, a small Chinese shrine that Mr Barrett suggests hints at the rural backwater that this area was not too many years ago. I eventually found it further along the road than I expected - there was a little sign that showed where it was. The canal it sits next to is far from a lovely waterway - it had quite an aroma. There was a man on the shrine side bank fishing out rubbish. I didn't like to trouble him so after a quick look at the shrine I retraced my steps back to the main road.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TknmjdzL6k/XAU-N6b9nUI/AAAAAAAARkM/ds2e8bBZGFY6FYL-qiJHeiTFZxBQIlg-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TknmjdzL6k/XAU-N6b9nUI/AAAAAAAARkM/ds2e8bBZGFY6FYL-qiJHeiTFZxBQIlg-ACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health and Safety</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I turned right at the next big junction and was faced with another busy road - this one leading to the large roundabout at Wong Wian Yai. This is clearly an important and busy part of the city but one that I would suggest that few tourists would venture to. Yet the book clearly has had an impact for I did see a few other westerners who looked like they were following the same route. This was the best part of the walk to view everyday life for it was lined with market and street food stalls. Most seemed to be gearing up for lunchtime, which was still a little way off. Alongside the road were a number of gangs of maintenance workers, clipping the hedges and tending to the electrical wires that line the road. To my eyes there seemed little in the way of health and safety checks - the vegetation gang were spilling out into the fast lane of the traffic with only their hi-viz clothing as protection. The sheer number of them was quite astonishing too - far more than you would see in a similar Western setting. The electrical engineers used bamboo ladders, with one gang resting it directly on the wires they were sent to inspect/ fix.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr8_mD4NLmY/XAU-Nv6Zu-I/AAAAAAAARjo/ZhYe_bt5hI0B2mKphRGQIkSlfIFiqCqsQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr8_mD4NLmY/XAU-Nv6Zu-I/AAAAAAAARjo/ZhYe_bt5hI0B2mKphRGQIkSlfIFiqCqsQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintenance Crew</td></tr>
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Eventually after dodging around all the vendors I made it to the crazy roundabout at Wong Wian Yai. In the middle is a green oasis of a beautifully ordered garden. I could see some gardeners hard at work and my immediate query was how they had got there for there was no obvious route across the several lanes of traffic. Every so often there appeared to be a short window of opportunity to cross when the sequence of traffic lights allowed. I didn't see anyone try and cross and I decided that to try and do so would probably be suicidal. I instead walked all the way round the roundabout, climbing up and over the footbridges at each of the feeder roads. This allowed me a good view of the statue of King Thaksin at the very centre of the roundabout. It also gave me a good view of the traffic jams and I was very pleased that I was on two legs and not four wheels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V86V-AJoTo0/XAU-WpaPnSI/AAAAAAAARkA/4Jhm4HTjEF8LZ9embZiQ9zw_wAjw1d8RwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V86V-AJoTo0/XAU-WpaPnSI/AAAAAAAARkA/4Jhm4HTjEF8LZ9embZiQ9zw_wAjw1d8RwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guarding the Roundabout</td></tr>
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Almost 7/8 of the way around the roundabout I finally came upon the way to get to the middle when I found the one and only subway. I seized the opportunity and headed over there. Once in the middle of the roundabout the atmosphere was rather different. Somehow everything was calmer, presumably because the only people I had for company were the gardeners and they were far too busy spraying the formal borders with water and readying some new plants for planting. King Taksin looked very impressive close up looking in the direction of Ayutthaya, the capital of old Siam before it moved here following the sacking of the old city by Burmese forces in the 1700s. Following this calamitous event King Taksin managed to unify the rival groups and form a new nation under his leadership. He is held in very high regard by Thai people and this statue was put here in 1954. The other thing that really caught my eye from my position in the middle was the rather sombre and empty department store. I hadn't really noticed before because the frontage has been usurped by market stallholders. It was apparently the Merry King but has been empty for a good many years and left derelict. Meanwhile elsewhere in Bangkok new shopping centres are still being built - go figure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACaXhls01OE/XAU-W7rIJyI/AAAAAAAARkE/6Ckg09g5XLsnUn3TuLvaR8LyAGU_7MqhgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACaXhls01OE/XAU-W7rIJyI/AAAAAAAARkE/6Ckg09g5XLsnUn3TuLvaR8LyAGU_7MqhgCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derelict Merry King</td></tr>
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I went back to the other side of the roundabout and back along the approach road on the opposite side for a few metres. I stumbled across my next destination quite quickly and without even looking for it. This is the mainline station of Wong Wian Yai but couldn't b further from the grandeur of Hua Lumphong if it tried. This terminus station is for the rather strange Maeklong line, which runs to the place most famous for the railway market where stallholders quickly move from the tracks when the train comes. In between Bangkok and Maeklong passengers have to get off the train halfway, board a ferry across a river and then reboard a train on the other side to resume their journey. The Bangkok end of the line is almost as chaotic with the station peopled by yet more food vendors and hemmed in by a narrow street. Apparently the line originally continued to the Chao Praya River where it unloaded goods on to waiting ships but this stretch was closed in the 1960s to ease local traffic congestion. The course of the line can still be traced along a street where it once ran.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CflE-zcEvj4/XAU-ewlfAnI/AAAAAAAARk4/oDET6qbI1Y0_I53yFaDieOxLQ_AtJBRewCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CflE-zcEvj4/XAU-ewlfAnI/AAAAAAAARk4/oDET6qbI1Y0_I53yFaDieOxLQ_AtJBRewCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardener at Taksin Memorial Garden</td></tr>
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My walk now took on a different character as I soon left behind the craziness around Wong Wian Yai and followed the small road that ran alongside the railway. Soon a diesel unit clanked into the station passing me on a small level crossing that enabled me to watch it going down the bumpiest track I have ever seen. As I walked away from the railway station the road got increasingly quiet, even to the point that I had to remind myself that I was in Bangkok for it seemed almost rural at times. I passed by Suan Phlu Mosque, a very different looking religious building to the Buddhist temples that I have become used to. It looked strangely 1970s but most definitely like a mosque should.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7egjCkmJdk/XAU-YjonufI/AAAAAAAARkM/K11n4hQhsm83z037Z08bcNQ5ntpCw4H_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7egjCkmJdk/XAU-YjonufI/AAAAAAAARkM/K11n4hQhsm83z037Z08bcNQ5ntpCw4H_ACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jam at Wong Wian Yai</td></tr>
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All along the lane the verges of the railway line hosted all manner of pretty flowers including frangipani, hibiscus and jasmine. Some of the vegetation had run riot in places and at least one building along this part of the line had been engulfed by greenery. As I wandered along I saw a young girl harvesting a few of the flowers, perhaps for the Loy Khratong festival that was almost upon us. It wasn't only botany along here, I was also amused by a small lizard playing statues on a speed limit post for the railway and also a cat that ambled along the tracks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQC9bPe66ZA/XAU-jAFWt7I/AAAAAAAARks/JUUtiu_rwQs2FUsIUuiBERTyctdnDIdYACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQC9bPe66ZA/XAU-jAFWt7I/AAAAAAAARks/JUUtiu_rwQs2FUsIUuiBERTyctdnDIdYACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wong Wian Yai Station</td></tr>
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As I approached Talat Phlu station I took a left hand turn and wandered down through some rather splendid houses. Now it felt like I was in a small village rather than surrounded by the city. No-one paid much attention to the sweaty foreigner in their midst - the locals were too busy working on cottage industries in their front yards, standing around having conversations or in the case of motorised transport trying to work out who had right of way in a busy street that seemed devoid of formal rules. My destination was the small temple called Wat Kantathararam and when I arrived I saw a small plaque that told me that it was donated by a Mr and Mrs Chan in the late 1800s - the Thai name is a corruption of their name. Inside is a very interesting looking ordination hall with what look like Chinese style figures overseeing proceedings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbFxq74ACgc/XAU-g_DYkUI/AAAAAAAARkc/7vhGSM87pFw9vMIpk56S1TxpBbv5bPQnwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbFxq74ACgc/XAU-g_DYkUI/AAAAAAAARkc/7vhGSM87pFw9vMIpk56S1TxpBbv5bPQnwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Railway Soi</td></tr>
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I wandered back to Talat Phlu, the second station along the Maeklong railway and one that served the nearby market (Talat = market in Thai). The platform was thronged with passengers and shortly after the train chugged in to pick them up. The train had to wait for the signalman to push the crossing gate across the road before he could proceed - it was all rather heritage railway. Once all the activity had died down I wandered across the crossing and headed northwards the short distance to Bangkok Yai canal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lO7lpO2IkhM/XAU-l36P_DI/AAAAAAAARkg/JMvgv5ihra4zP1wAvFVptdsoTb_y7bXzQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lO7lpO2IkhM/XAU-l36P_DI/AAAAAAAARkg/JMvgv5ihra4zP1wAvFVptdsoTb_y7bXzQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Flower</td></tr>
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At the pier I was confronted by two rather different sights - the first was the sight of a number of caged birds and a heap of chickens roaming around scratching a living from lord knows what. I guess someone looks after them but whoever it was they weren't obvious. Perhaps they were one of the customers at the nearby restaurant that the author of the book waxes lyrical about. It was rather busy that's for sure and I pressed on, not wanting to deprive a local person of a seat at this populare spot. I contented myself with watching the other sight which was the activity on the canal instead. There were a lot of long tail boats cruising up and down, many of which were transporting Western tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXy1NcYaOz8/XAU-oKIkucI/AAAAAAAARks/1mRSuhosIJs88vf4nLyLTlqpRlqn8G93QCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UXy1NcYaOz8/XAU-oKIkucI/AAAAAAAARks/1mRSuhosIJs88vf4nLyLTlqpRlqn8G93QCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suan Phlu Mosque</td></tr>
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I backtracked for a short distance dodging the van that had pulled up and started selling green vegetables and herbs to a surprising number of customers that weren't there just five minutes earlier. I took a turn along the adjacent soi and wandered through Talat Phlu, which was once a betel market. Betel was a a mixture of herbs and leaves chewed by people until the mid 20th Century, when it was banned by the Thai Government in a bid to clear the streets of the black residue that was spat out by the chewers. The market now sells more mainstream produce and I wandered through some of the stalls and past the fire station before reaching the next temple at Wat Mon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahOEspYw5jI/XAU-sf9aumI/AAAAAAAARk0/vl8XU2GaCSQ8ut5cqaA1VGdrKDBHCHkhACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahOEspYw5jI/XAU-sf9aumI/AAAAAAAARk0/vl8XU2GaCSQ8ut5cqaA1VGdrKDBHCHkhACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0405.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Kantathararam</td></tr>
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This tranquil spot was a riot of reds and golds in keeping with all the Buddhist temples I have been to. I paused for a while to enjoy some sit down and several glugs of water. As I did so a group of giggling boys and girls came wandering past and it looked as if they were changing classrooms between lessons. I was interested to note that a number of boys were dressed as monks although none of them could have been 14. It never occurred to me that monks started that young or that they would be schooled alongside their peers. I also noted a shrine that appeared to celebrate the military and it was indeed to honour a hero who won a battle despite his sword breaking in half. Before leaving I explored the artificial mountain that is a feature of many Buddhist temples. This one had seashells and rocks stuck to the side, giving it a strange seaside theme.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-utCZtnydMZU/XAU-wb81g6I/AAAAAAAARk4/ArRlx7AghxIn2EsZEZQmBnN9Wd_rU4ajwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-utCZtnydMZU/XAU-wb81g6I/AAAAAAAARk4/ArRlx7AghxIn2EsZEZQmBnN9Wd_rU4ajwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Level crossing</td></tr>
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I left Wat Mon and wandered along the main road to the final port of call for the day; Wat Intharam. This is the final resting place of King Thaksin, hence the name of the walk. Along the way I passed by lots of shops seemingly selling very specific things - one looked like a pork rind shop; one sold old gas bottles and another weighing scales. I have noticed this a lot in Thailand - for all the sell everything shops that proliferate here there are also a lot of 'niche' shops that haven't diversified at all. Of most interest though was the Thai state school that I passed for it seemed to be having a prizegiving ceremony going on and there was much excitement from the children. If I could have got away with it I would have stayed outside and watched through the fence for some time but I don't think I would have been very welcome!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuCb2_WEt5k/XAU-2aWay8I/AAAAAAAARlA/RtCzpxOHhI4dF05fE-fCXp_O8hQrvZVVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuCb2_WEt5k/XAU-2aWay8I/AAAAAAAARlA/RtCzpxOHhI4dF05fE-fCXp_O8hQrvZVVwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0427.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talat Phlu Pier</td></tr>
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The temple of Wat Intharam was next door and I wandered slowly through enjoying the decorative chedi and prangs of the temple as well as the pretty flowers that seemed to be placed at sytrategic points throughout the grounds. I smiled as I passed a sleeping monk and cursed a small group of nois boys who looked like they were going to wake him with their ceaseless chatter. Both seemed to exist in their own worlds though without impinging on the other. As I toured round I finally came to the life sized statue of King Taksin that was obviously revered by visitors who come here specially to see him, for it was adorned with lots of beautiful flowers and had incense burning alongside. The statue has gold leaf on it which adds some extra magic that you wouldn't see anywhere in the west.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK64qC-LYno/XAU_SWTqSjI/AAAAAAAARlM/BUJPANKdC9kcoNYjoAgFcpeuU0kY-w2JACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK64qC-LYno/XAU_SWTqSjI/AAAAAAAARlM/BUJPANKdC9kcoNYjoAgFcpeuU0kY-w2JACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Mon kids</td></tr>
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This marked the end of the official walk - I stopped briefly to take another look at Bangkok Yai canal before wandering through the streets to reach the BTS station at Pho Nimit, one stop on from Wong Wian Yai. Even this section was full of interest, passing yet another temple and some surprisingly large houses along the way. I reflected on the walk as I waited for the Skytrain - it was hugely satisfying and far better than I expected from what on the face of it looked a fairly uninspiring route. I shall be back soon to try walk 2!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ihEOJrrqpk/XAVBTsvKwLI/AAAAAAAARlc/z5MTF_mQZYoQQDtvRqCccdV_TUib5Ie1wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ihEOJrrqpk/XAVBTsvKwLI/AAAAAAAARlc/z5MTF_mQZYoQQDtvRqCccdV_TUib5Ie1wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0493.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Intharam</td></tr>
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</div>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-58100832868989196672018-11-26T09:52:00.002+00:002018-11-26T09:52:59.289+00:00Lumphini Park<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUDghHw-1ic/W_vA9AhT1fI/AAAAAAAARDk/0CM_0Jc0gxkA0ddDshRBs_NzoJiWfXZBwCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="1600" height="117" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BUDghHw-1ic/W_vA9AhT1fI/AAAAAAAARDk/0CM_0Jc0gxkA0ddDshRBs_NzoJiWfXZBwCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boating Lake</td></tr>
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After my tour of the three parks it was probably natural that I would want to go to Lumphini Park next. This is much more central and provides a welcome oasis in the incredibly busy centre of Bangkok. It is also home to a surprising array of wildlife and I had a couple of David Attenborough moments as I walked around. I also had a rather surprising human interaction and a weather event that added a good deal of spice to what is actually a short and unchallenging walk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nd87FkLh-0M/W_vAwSihiXI/AAAAAAAARDM/0HTSPCUeh3gy8DUGT4sVPHTShdNByS5LACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nd87FkLh-0M/W_vAwSihiXI/AAAAAAAARDM/0HTSPCUeh3gy8DUGT4sVPHTShdNByS5LACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King's Statue</td></tr>
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Lumphini Park was the first to be designated in Bangkok and was originally a piece of Royal land that was designated by King Rama VI just after the First World War. Now it is a space where much of Bangkok goes to exercise and play. In many respects it is a little like Central Park in New York as it is surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers and on one side by the Skytrain. There are boating lakes, cycle tracks and plenty of room for sports and even areas for the locals to practice their Tai Chi skills. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky Train</td></tr>
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I alighted at Silom station on the MRT system. It is also possible to get here by Skytrain at the adjacent station of Sala Daeng although to access the park you will need to pass through Silom station to avoid the several lanes of traffic that are in the way. Do not be tempted to come from Lumphini station either - it is possible to get in the park from there but you will face the same problem of crossing the road to get in. At Silom there is an entrance directly in the park without any traffic problems. Facing you as you come out is a large statue of King Rama VI in commemoration as his gift of the park to the city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0b2_IpU9GM/W_vAmTrctaI/AAAAAAAARCs/BgxBDU-W_NcXwnN3D4MwIxbtsoTJ0IiLwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0b2_IpU9GM/W_vAmTrctaI/AAAAAAAARCs/BgxBDU-W_NcXwnN3D4MwIxbtsoTJ0IiLwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maintenance Crew</td></tr>
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It was a very hot day with the clouds building early and suggesting that I might not get around the park without facing a bit rain shower. I turned right once inside the park to walk around the perimeter anti-clockwise. It wasn't long before I saw my first monitor lizard - they are a common sight here. In fact they are one of the reasons why foreign visitors in particular are drawn to the park as it is easy to see them. Local people seem to have an uneasy relationship with the lizards - on the one hand they are considered to bring good luck and prosperity but on the other people are afraid of them. I soon witnessed this first hand when a couple of young women literally turned to jelly when they saw one cross the road in front of them. Apparently numbers in the park got to unsustainable levels a couple of years ago and over 100 were removed and taken to a wildlife sanctuary outside Bangkok. They had been frightening tourists and damaging the park flora apparently.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-beH8dS6Us/W_vAmVjkI1I/AAAAAAAARCw/V_wfe0hDqQ4vdSau5qbTbaotHWhL3TaZgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-beH8dS6Us/W_vAmVjkI1I/AAAAAAAARCw/V_wfe0hDqQ4vdSau5qbTbaotHWhL3TaZgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0819.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock Tower</td></tr>
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My walk along the southern perimeter of the park was largely without incident and for a while I was a little disappointed with it compared to the other parks. At the south-east corner I had to dodge some electrical engineers who were dealing with some overhead wires. I couldn't help thinking that the installation could have been made nicer or relocated out to the street on the other side of the wall. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUGEvi2ZeRQ/W_vAl5FFc2I/AAAAAAAARCo/IDY7dSvNE1MI92z1I0qgadClzX7zQ164ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUGEvi2ZeRQ/W_vAl5FFc2I/AAAAAAAARCo/IDY7dSvNE1MI92z1I0qgadClzX7zQ164ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting For The Action</td></tr>
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My eyes were drawn to a pretty clock at the corner of the park. This was shaped like a pagoda and yet in a weird sort of way had a rather colonial air about it. Some of the detail on the tower is exquisite and especially around the door at the bottom, which I imagine is for servicing the clock as it is too small to allow visitors inside. I wandered over for a closer look and paused by the side of the lake for a while and watched a couple of swan pedalo boats negotiate the perimeter. I wondered whether it were possible to see more swimming lizards in the lake - I would worry about them tipping the boat over as some of the biggest of them could easily do so accidentally if they came up without looking.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLLqBOLA06A/W_vApPLPrkI/AAAAAAAARC0/oRPRH_KS6AcpVtLWDG78Vc5Ef5MxSH1qwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLLqBOLA06A/W_vApPLPrkI/AAAAAAAARC0/oRPRH_KS6AcpVtLWDG78Vc5Ef5MxSH1qwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0834.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mother's Love</td></tr>
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I wandered on and as I passed by the boat hire launching area I saw that the view now opened up to reveal how hemmed in the park is by surrounding buildings. Apparently when it was first designated it was on the edge of town - now it is very much in the heart of this sprawling city that continues to grow outwards at an alarming rate. Along the way were some interesting sculptures, including one that particularly caught my eye called 'A Mother's Love', which was placed here to commemorate the Queen's 60th birthday back in 1992. Further on and I passed by one that looked like a pregnant Michelin man - I am told this is called 'Women in the next three decades'. I am not sure what commentary it is supposed to be making but considering it's already 20 years old there isn't much more time for the transformation to be made.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gO7AU3l5b0/W_vAqwf15KI/AAAAAAAARC8/mhNjuzaS2EoZxqx1VA5hQQTfFlL2MxppgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gO7AU3l5b0/W_vAqwf15KI/AAAAAAAARC8/mhNjuzaS2EoZxqx1VA5hQQTfFlL2MxppgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0835.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women In The Next Three Decades</td></tr>
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As I reached the next gate it was clear that I was going to take a slightly different route as straight on led into the car park. I took a left hand turn here and watched a couple of lizards swimming up and down in the little canal alongside the path. There were also a couple of egrets strutting up and down seemingly unimpressed by the lizards. I am guessing that they are too big and agile to be troubled by them, although I imagine that the young are not so lucky. I walked down a long straight section of path and over another hump-backed bridge to reach a circular area with palm trees and a shelter in the middle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8EvUR-ovn0/W_vApvJPVLI/AAAAAAAARC4/cWvFB5UvU1sB0FDEDDyfX_yfvr4T373_gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8EvUR-ovn0/W_vApvJPVLI/AAAAAAAARC4/cWvFB5UvU1sB0FDEDDyfX_yfvr4T373_gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egret</td></tr>
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I thought I would stop for a breather here and check a couple of messages that had been sent to me. My eyes were drawn to a very camouflaged looking gecko that was sitting on the tree. I was just going to get my camera to see if I could get a good picture when a small Thai man came up to me and started speaking to me in broken English. He introduced himself as a fighter & trainer from a local Muay Thai gym. I think he took one look at me and thought that he could whip me into shape - personally I think that would take an awful lot of work for fairly mediocre results. He then started to show me a few pressure points and before I knew it I was having a Thai massage. I'm not sure how it happened - it all escalated rather quickly! It felt pretty good although at times I rather clenched my teeth. I realised of course that he was doing it for payment and not just to be nice but I had no idea how much to pay. I gave him 60 baht which he seemed happy with and went on my way. I really felt it afterwards though and vowed to be a bit more careful about lingering in the park in future!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9i6gjmzU0/W_vAsJHwknI/AAAAAAAARDA/DzAOwqiqJiA9it728h37Zaex3prVhq1uwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9i6gjmzU0/W_vAsJHwknI/AAAAAAAARDA/DzAOwqiqJiA9it728h37Zaex3prVhq1uwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bougainvilla</td></tr>
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Onward I went and found what looked to be an island in the middle of the next boating lake. I crossed the bridge into it and my eyes were drawn to a quite large lizard behaving very strangely. As I got closer I saw that it had something in its mouth so I got closer for a further look. It started bashing its head against a tree and it was only then that I realised what it actually had - a turtle. It was trying to bash the fight out of the hapless turtle against the tree and eventually it got it in just the right position before gulping it down whole. It was rather a gruesome sight, especially as the turtle went down looking out of the lizards mouth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mGmmoTWSVU/W_vA-nXVH-I/AAAAAAAARDs/uK9wA686-IcWm_9JhMOzjWGyoTgUhotmgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6mGmmoTWSVU/W_vA-nXVH-I/AAAAAAAARDs/uK9wA686-IcWm_9JhMOzjWGyoTgUhotmgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0794.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dainty Snack</td></tr>
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There were further lizard shenanigans further on when I caught sight of one with the remains of a catfish hanging out of its mouth. All around were crows wanting a slice of the action and the ensuing struggle between them was pretty entertaining. Another monitor lizard wanted to get in on the action and the first took this cue and ran off clutching what it could of the remains in its mouth. It left behind a lump for the crows to fight over while lizard number 2 looked on, decided it was too much bother and wandered off in the other direction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUD67king_s/W_vBE-0qHhI/AAAAAAAARD4/IDb-xhlqDvAcH4fsuvE0zGcYafb6t2bzwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUD67king_s/W_vBE-0qHhI/AAAAAAAARD4/IDb-xhlqDvAcH4fsuvE0zGcYafb6t2bzwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catfish Remnant</td></tr>
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The show over, I moved on and watched instead some human entertainment in the shape of some jugglers, people doing Tai Chi and some old fellas playing Mahjong all seemingly oblivious to the antics of the lizards and crows. It was a lot more restful watching the people than the wildlife and I looped entirely around them before crossing the same bridge that I had used to get to this point. It was at this point that the threatening clouds did more than threaten and I felt the first drops. Within moments the monsoonal rain that I hoped was coming to an end served up a reminder that it wasn't quite done yet. I took refuge in one of the many park shelters until it had eased enough for me to make my escape along the remaining part of the perimeter walk that took me back to King Rama's statue. The amount of water dumped created some very large puddles in the 20 minutes or so that the rain came down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ueQNUM2yJk/W_vAtlgfTOI/AAAAAAAARDE/Ms0wQB-7OKgaZHFXuS-gu97BDjQrR97VQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ueQNUM2yJk/W_vAtlgfTOI/AAAAAAAARDE/Ms0wQB-7OKgaZHFXuS-gu97BDjQrR97VQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tai Chi</td></tr>
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Lumphini Park won't set you any great physical challenge - the walk around is just too short for that. It could make for a good cycle ride but you would go too fast to see anything. Running could also be an option if it is a physical challenge you want. I would urge you though to walk it at least once to see the sculptures close up and enjoy looking at the wildlife. Just take care not to linger too long if you don't want to be massaged by a random Muay Thai boxer! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLUCHzunq3o/W_vBCOFMryI/AAAAAAAARD0/qjLBLWrizOYPgAysIZporhb2PGA3djg0gCLcBGAs/s1600/Panorama%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLUCHzunq3o/W_vBCOFMryI/AAAAAAAARD0/qjLBLWrizOYPgAysIZporhb2PGA3djg0gCLcBGAs/s400/Panorama%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last View Before The Rain Came</td></tr>
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Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030307825878445428.post-67398551903924160792018-11-19T15:21:00.000+00:002018-11-20T12:53:46.176+00:00A Trio of Parks<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9Hq6c2uCw8/W_LRRb405JI/AAAAAAAAQpM/3r-Hpimru0QHM58b5wVOjxNhMIHv6bJ0wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9Hq6c2uCw8/W_LRRb405JI/AAAAAAAAQpM/3r-Hpimru0QHM58b5wVOjxNhMIHv6bJ0wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going Nowhere</td></tr>
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Even if you have never been to Bangkok there is a fair chance that you have heard of Chatuchak Weekend Market as it is reputed to be the biggest in South East Asia. The array of goods on offer is quite astonishing and even those visitors intent on browsing would be hard pressed to come away with nothing for the stalls sell things you didn't even know you needed! Coming from the north of the city you pass a very large and welcoming park just before reaching the market and my eyes landed on it the first time I went as it begged to be explored. What I wasn't aware of is that the park is actually three contiguous parks and not just one. It is the largest green space in the area and for a city that is relatively badly off for parks it is remarkably big. The three parks are known as Chatuchak, Wachiribenchatat and Queen Sirikit and each occupy areas that were once owned by the State Railway of Thailand. They were built in 1980, 1992 and 2002 respectively. It is a great haven to escape the hullabaloo of Bangkok and in the middle of the complex it is easy to forget that you are hemmed in by one of the most densely populated cities in Asia. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latin American Monument</td></tr>
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I started my walk at Chatuchak Park MRT (subway) station on the eastern edge of Chatuchak Park. This is probably the easiest way to get to the park since the station entrance is right outside the park. You could equally get here using the Skytrain as Mo Chit station is connected to Chatuchak Park Station although it is a little more awkward to get in the park. Eventually the Sky Train will open to the north of here but for now the line terminates here.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Orchid</td></tr>
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Chatuchak Park is the oldest of the three parks and looks like it has been around for far longer than its 38 year history. It was gifted by the King from the State Railway to enable Bangkokians to enjoy some green space and walk around. The first feature that you come to is a rather pleasant looking artificial lake surrounded by palm trees. Despite the fact that it was the end of October when I did this walk it couldn't have been a more different day than I am used to in the UK. Suncream and a wide brimmed hat were very necessary along with a lot of water since it was already 34 degrees Celsius and not even 11am when I started. Certainly no chilly temperatures or autumn leaves!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water lily & visitors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I turned right inside the park and wandered alongside the artificial lake. I soon came acros an interesting memorial and went over for a closer look. I felt a little self conscious as I did so for I had to cross the grass and wasn't sure whether I was supposed to. The nearby park worker didn't bat an eyelid so I felt better about not being challenged. Rather randomly the memorial was to commemorate the bicentenaries of the independence of Argentina, Mexico and Chile. It wasn't what I expected to see and apart from the explanation of what it was for there was nothing to indicate why it should find itself here.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Blxy6Icl8/W_LSCWi-4WI/AAAAAAAAQpw/WEd8YQ1bdwoAiiDbpuJbKUI4W5_jebN2QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8Blxy6Icl8/W_LSCWi-4WI/AAAAAAAAQpw/WEd8YQ1bdwoAiiDbpuJbKUI4W5_jebN2QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai-USA sculpture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I headed north along the edge of the park I became aware of the planting scheme that had been adopted by the groundskeepers. There was a large area of planted trees that looked delightfully shady. I didn't venture in as I noticed a number of people snoozing in the shade and I didn't much want to disturb them. I sat on a nearby bench to cool off and was amused by the antics of all the squirrels. Despite the heat they run about just as quickly as I have ever seen them in northern climes.<br />
After a breather I was ready to admire the flowers alongside the walkway - there were some very pretty ones including tree orchids and irises which were my favourites.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FgmFMYiwws/W_LSCTjMDYI/AAAAAAAAQps/Naq0Yp5YfcUQV6yF4pNxYS3IZDoVtZulACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FgmFMYiwws/W_LSCTjMDYI/AAAAAAAAQps/Naq0Yp5YfcUQV6yF4pNxYS3IZDoVtZulACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take Off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It won't surprise you to know that this is a place where people like to have their wedding pictures taken and a little further on was a place that had been specially designed for that purpose. It was a pleasant little cubby hole but instead of romantic thoughts my eyes were drawn to the construction work on the Skytrain right outside the park. The method is quite interesting. As its name suggests the Skytrain is built above street level on a concrete viaduct over the street. It's not very pretty - in fact it's a bit brutal looking, especially the stations. Each of the spans is lowered into place by mobile cranes that span the gaps between the columns and drop the pieces into place. Great sections of line are being built as Bangkok catches up with other cities and tries to resolve its choking traffic problem.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC2pm4cGPZw/W_LPs1cfdxI/AAAAAAAAQos/RCvuCGATUmE6EjTuP7ijx9qesqeBklOkQCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC2pm4cGPZw/W_LPs1cfdxI/AAAAAAAAQos/RCvuCGATUmE6EjTuP7ijx9qesqeBklOkQCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral Clock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back in the park and I passed by a floral clock before reaching the Thai-USA garden which was quite a formal affair. The
centrepiece was a sculpture that looked like a knight on horseback
although I had to use my imagination a bit for on first viewing it
looked like a bunch of tubes and a couple of slabs of metal on top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiaoykZhgNw/W_LPuOH6kOI/AAAAAAAAQo0/OJqLnH2buXAAxRESHHLlUsK5DXwZ_FwRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BiaoykZhgNw/W_LPuOH6kOI/AAAAAAAAQo0/OJqLnH2buXAAxRESHHLlUsK5DXwZ_FwRwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Ranger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Further on I stopped at the next lake where there was an eye catching sculpture of some swans (?) taking off. I assume that was what I was looking at as they were heavily stylised. Regular stops like this were necessary because of the heat and in this case the shade from the trees also helped. What drove me rather mad though was a bird high up in the branches that was teasing me with its cry. I wanted to see what was making the sound but it seemed just out of sight the whole time and even moved without me seeing how it had done so (unless there were a few of them playing the same game of course!). I moved on without ever having seen the dreaded thing. I am sure the park workers thought I was mad... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq-sj4A16Bo/W_LPvxFsA0I/AAAAAAAAQos/6Q6C_sSf_twAMYPADXVXOysfKedcAJSQwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq-sj4A16Bo/W_LPvxFsA0I/AAAAAAAAQos/6Q6C_sSf_twAMYPADXVXOysfKedcAJSQwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ratchapruek Trees<span id="goog_833359242"></span><span id="goog_833359243"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After walking around the lake I crossed the road that divides Chatuchak Park from its next-door neighbour called Wachiribenchatat Park (or Rot Fai Park as some seemed to call it - I'm not sure what the distinction is). This is the newest of the three parks and was once a golf course owned by the Railway. There is now a cycling track around it (will have to try that one day) as well as more artificial lakes. Almost immediately I saw a sight that I hadn't in the first park - a small monitor lizard that ran away from me. It wouldn't be the last.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SIak_yk-aE/W_LRRRX-j9I/AAAAAAAAQpQ/SVtefoBysj4Pvznh7tYVC0VXkcmLnypZACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SIak_yk-aE/W_LRRRX-j9I/AAAAAAAAQpQ/SVtefoBysj4Pvznh7tYVC0VXkcmLnypZACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wandered around the lake admiring the yellow flowers known as Ratchapruek. These flowering small trees really are everywhere and seem very tolerant of their surroundings, growing on roadside verges and waste ground just as happily as they do in this verdant park. The lakeside had a wilder feel to it than the other park and in some ways was the better for it. As I wandered along I had the feeling of being observed and as I looked over I saw one of the Javan River Herons that I regularly see on the development site near where I live. Normally they fly away pretty quickly but this one chose to stare me out instead and I was able to observe its pretty markings. When they fly away they are a lot whiter than you would expect.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58RuMogXQQM/W_LR3Wc0-lI/AAAAAAAAQpo/xqNZXYO11SAMFohgQjUJQ59l3zhWqU6WACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-58RuMogXQQM/W_LR3Wc0-lI/AAAAAAAAQpo/xqNZXYO11SAMFohgQjUJQ59l3zhWqU6WACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the far end of the lake is a rather curious find as a steam locomotive has been parked and left as a static display. The tree growing from its front cowcatcher was a good clue for how long it has been here and the plaque dates it as 1987. It must have been a pretty mighty machine in its heyday, built by the Japanese in 1950. Now it looks a bit sad hemmed in by its tree in a forgotten part of the park, with only cyclists regularly passing by. The coach it is attached to looks a bit tatty but in far better condition than some others over in the car park serving as facilities for restaurants associated with the cycle hire operation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etQDMNa0mzg/W_LPxKoqICI/AAAAAAAAQo0/ME7H61lrHe4tgkrS42ZipQ-E12IznjCVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etQDMNa0mzg/W_LPxKoqICI/AAAAAAAAQo0/ME7H61lrHe4tgkrS42ZipQ-E12IznjCVwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring Contest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I continued around the perimeter route and a little further beyond where I met another lake I also caught sight of a big brute of a lizard. I reckon it was the middle aged let himself go monitor lizard as this one had a beer belly that I swear dragged along the ground. It certainly was in no hurry to get away from me unlike the youngster I had seen earlier. I gave him a wide berth although they are not harmful to humans as a genera rule (if they were you can bet your life they would not be tolerated wandering around a public park).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7ja0Y4Ve5o/W_LPzDwcpyI/AAAAAAAAQow/ehi0hO99i0Y3ugVwEB3vCOwYWT3z8QdjACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7ja0Y4Ve5o/W_LPzDwcpyI/AAAAAAAAQow/ehi0hO99i0Y3ugVwEB3vCOwYWT3z8QdjACEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine Cab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the corner of the lake was an inviting looking gate that I wandered through. I wasn't altogether sure that this part was open to the public but I had a look anyway. It seemed to be part of a research institute and there were all sorts of interesting flowers and plants growing in waters being specially oxygenated by machines. I wandered all the way down to the end and thought I could resume my walk on the other side of a bridge over a lily pad covered pond. Sadly the gate was locked at that end and I had to retrace my steps all the way back to the beginning and then follow another path parallel to the enclosed part. I was deep in thought on this stretch when I had the fright of my life thanks to another monitor lizard lurking in the long grass which I didn't see until the last minute. I was thankful then that they aren't bothered by humans - if they were I would surely have been dinner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCX3BjNmneA/W_LR3O4D92I/AAAAAAAAQpk/wAKKV5-_760sISYIkoooWtl4mPDvSfj4gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="1600" height="122" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCX3BjNmneA/W_LR3O4D92I/AAAAAAAAQpk/wAKKV5-_760sISYIkoooWtl4mPDvSfj4gCLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0594.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Fella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn't long after this that I left Wachiribenchatat Park and entered the last of the 3 parks - Queen Sirikit. I turned left after crossing the small canal/ ditch that acts as a boundary between the parks and was soon walking through an area of fruit trees. I felt like an inner-city child entering his first farm full of bewilderment at all the new sights that were previously unknown. The one that piqued my interest most of all was the banana tree as it was in flower and I had never previously seen one. It was immediately obvious though how the flowers turned into the fruits that we all know. Its neighbour was the papaya tree, a fruit that has become a firm family favourite since our move here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbkx0ONGOY0/W_LRQ54y8xI/AAAAAAAAQpY/0F3gdmJRRVE0w4R09x8Wife_9mrWkEA_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbkx0ONGOY0/W_LRQ54y8xI/AAAAAAAAQpY/0F3gdmJRRVE0w4R09x8Wife_9mrWkEA_QCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having genned up on fruit it was now time to go and see some flowers. This park is clearly more botanical than the other two for there were numerous displays of hibiscus, palm trees and even a bed of sunflowers. It was a very pretty place and one to linger for a while. I had a couple of rests along this stretch as the heat was really starting to get to me by now. Fortunately at the bottom end of the park I was able to escape at a lovely looking pavilion that I wasn't sure was in use any longer. There is a gate at the back from where I left the park and headed to a very welcome air-conditioned mall for some well earned lunch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MycOpJ92VJ8/W_LP2NcN8eI/AAAAAAAAQo4/OHe6bGfSpWIC5ZgHJbMTdKOHuTvK99CXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MycOpJ92VJ8/W_LP2NcN8eI/AAAAAAAAQo4/OHe6bGfSpWIC5ZgHJbMTdKOHuTvK99CXwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily Pads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is far from being a challenging walk but it does serve as a good place to start walking in Bangkok as the city itself does not seem to very walker friendly. I hope that further explorations will prove this early impression wrong as there is a lot to see and I don't want to do all of it using taxi cabs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mm-mNZSPeSc/W_LP3UP-DEI/AAAAAAAAQo8/4Fqwc6S6Xd4T99Jnidbw6r2L-TuGYzZWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mm-mNZSPeSc/W_LP3UP-DEI/AAAAAAAAQo8/4Fqwc6S6Xd4T99Jnidbw6r2L-TuGYzZWwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Flags</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Worthing Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06171578542677248065noreply@blogger.com0