Archive for Nature
September 2, 2008 at 9:35 pm · Filed under Nature, Thailand
Erawan Falls, Thailand’s most famous waterfall, was our original destination. Lamentably the past few days had heavy rainfall and the park was closed for safety.
We’re forced to detour and decided to suss out Sai Yok waterfall.
Thinking it was a compromise, it’s certainly bigger than Erawan and equally impressive in a different way.
Like Erawan Falls (trans: Thai for the mythical Hindu three-headed elephant “Airavata”), whose contours resembles its namesake – Nam Tok Sai Yok’s appearance is also remarkably bulbous.
These waterfalls get their intriguing shapes from the water’s high calcium content, depositing itself layer upon layer along the stream’s course.
Even branches and twigs fallen into the water are rapidly coated with limestone.
Swimming, however highly recommended by our tour guide, seems a little awkward for adults given how shallow the water is.
Nonetheless it’s an ideal family picnic spot, with a constant shade of mist and plenty of flat terrain encircling the falls.
May 27, 2008 at 2:22 am · Filed under Culture, Nature, Thailand
What trip to Thailand would be complete without observing an elephant up close and personal.
Oh-oh it’s turning! Looks like it’s trying to strike a conversation, say something.
Hi there.
Wait, I SWEAR I’m hearing something. Elephants trumpet don’t they? This sounds suspiciously like water, like sprinkling water.
Holy Crap!
Run! But where? Stay in front! Are we intruding? Do elephants have modesty?
Move behind it, there’ll be elephant pee surging to our sandals! Help, dilemma!
Ahh, I thought the torrent would never stop. If you look hard enough, you’ll see a satisfied smirk on its face.
November 6, 2007 at 7:04 am · Filed under Nature, Thailand
The last place you expect big rocks for climbing is on an island … but Ko Phi Phi offers some of the best in the world. It’s an odd feeling walking on the beach with mountaineering gear.
We started off on a 5 climb (French difficulty rating) for 5 metres. She got so impressed at our pace that we got put on a 25 metre climb next !!
This looks easy right? Well, I placed this photo on the wrong side. Tilt your head 90 degrees to the right to see what we were actually going through !!! It’s mad!
November 6, 2007 at 6:47 am · Filed under Nature, Thailand
We went to Ko Phi Phi through Krabi. It’s hard to see what effect the tsunami had on this island because everything has already been rebuilt, even more than pre-tsunami I heard. There’s construction everywhere~
In terms of pure scenic value, I don’t think anything in Malaysia comes close, Ko Phi Phi is truly a paradise!! I’ve never seen water that green and blue before, with water so clean that the longtail boats seem to be floating midair.
Finally a group shot of the Rat Pack.
November 4, 2007 at 6:44 am · Filed under Architecture, Malaysia, Nature
Kuala Lumpur Batu Caves is the only worthwhile attraction near Kuala Lumpur (that surprisingly) a lot of Malaysians never make the effort to visit. Since we have to pass through KL to take a flight to Thailand, I decided to make sure I find my way there.
That golden statue of Lord Murugan, said to be the highest of this deity, is indeed very big. There are 272 steps to the top, which can be tiring if you rush yourself. It is also relatively steep so keep you should keep your head facing upwards.
By some weird cosmic coincidence (that my life always seem to attract), there was a troop of uniformed men at the top that day coordinating crowds around a filming session for some Bollywood movie. Which explains the baffling presence of this Styrofoam kavadi I saw on my way up … that will hardly break anyone’s sweat.
After making a way up the steps and squeezing past a few seconds of Bombay-like pedestrian activity, I can see why this place in “divinely” inspiring.
There’s a shrine at the end which you can place donations and get flowers as well as ash thumbed on your forehead in return. Tried chatting with the Hindu priest but he seems more concerned with doing his rituals thing.
