Reflections on our Recent Trip: Siem Reap, Bangkok and Luang Prabang
Mar 11th, 2006, 01:44 AM
#41
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have enjoyed reading this so much. It almost feels as if we are with you and that is so good especially since my husband won't fly so he really enjoyed reading your report.
I shall be in Bangkok----on my own---from the 1st week in April.
By the way, what is CT GTG? Enquiring minds need to know.
Thanks
I shall be in Bangkok----on my own---from the 1st week in April.
By the way, what is CT GTG? Enquiring minds need to know.
Thanks
Mar 11th, 2006, 05:34 AM
#43
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We also found Chansamone to be absolutely charming.We have a lovely photo of her.As you say, the staff at the Maison Souvannaphoum were ultra helpful and made our stay.We loved Luang Prabang. Any ideas on how Carole (CFW) enjoyed it? I keep looking for her trip report on Luang Prabang.
Gill.
Gill.
Mar 11th, 2006, 09:41 AM
#44
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gill, Thanks for asking. We loved Luang Prabang and Maison Souvannahphoum -- it was wonderful being in town. We liked the gardens and breakfast on the terrace and found the people lovely. In fact we found all of the people we encountered in LP to be very friendly and gentle. We loved everything about it -- the small town peaceful feel, the quiet, the wats and the spirituality of the place, the markets, and the beauty of the surrounding area. It was just such a special place. It would be wonderful if they could just preserve it exactly as it is, but I'm afraid that as more and more tourism and development comes it will change and become over-run and touristy, and the quiet streets will become clogged with cars...
Mar 13th, 2006, 11:16 AM
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clear - you'll have to wait a while for the photos. Between Jeane and I, we took over 1000 - it will take some time to sort through them. We have over 100 photos taken at the Siem Reap school alone.
Nov 6th, 2006, 10:30 AM
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nov 6th, 2006, 04:24 PM
#49
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All:
I am looking for a guide for BKK as well as for Chaing Mai and the surrounding area for Mid-late December. Anyone have any recommendations with contact info. I have contacted Tong for BKK but she is booked.
Thanks!
I am looking for a guide for BKK as well as for Chaing Mai and the surrounding area for Mid-late December. Anyone have any recommendations with contact info. I have contacted Tong for BKK but she is booked.
Thanks!
Nov 6th, 2006, 08:08 PM
#50
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amazing photos Craig - thanks so much for posting the link. Laos looks especially amazing.
What's this about a buddha? Is that the wooden one from the GTG is saw in other pictures? I'm still trying to get everyone straight !!
What's this about a buddha? Is that the wooden one from the GTG is saw in other pictures? I'm still trying to get everyone straight !!
Nov 7th, 2006, 04:02 AM
#52
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Craig, loved your report and your photos. It has helped me identify what we want to do on our first trip to BKK next May.
My husband is also a very keen photographer. When we go see the Grand Palace (we don't intend use a guide, just get up early and get there before all the tour groups), is there any particular spot/s that you would recommend we go straight to for a photo op before we then make a more leisurely tour of the Palace.
Both you and Jeane sound as though your trip must have been wonderful. It making me start to think a lot more seriously about why we keep returning to Europe rather than investigating Asia.
My husband is also a very keen photographer. When we go see the Grand Palace (we don't intend use a guide, just get up early and get there before all the tour groups), is there any particular spot/s that you would recommend we go straight to for a photo op before we then make a more leisurely tour of the Palace.
Both you and Jeane sound as though your trip must have been wonderful. It making me start to think a lot more seriously about why we keep returning to Europe rather than investigating Asia.
Nov 7th, 2006, 05:37 AM
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shandy - the best photography is in the area around Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Believe me, you'll recognize the area when you see it. There are a couple of entrances so it is difficult to describe exactly where to go. I think the closest entrance to where you want to be is on the east side of the complex, the side opposite the river. There is no photography allowed inside the temple but be sure to go in and check out the Emerald Buddha. For us, it was helpful to have a guide - she knew all of the places to go for good photos. It was our second time so we were able to move around fairly quickly.
By the way, Jeane and I decided a few years ago to postpone any further European travel until we are "older". Of course that was a pretty easy decision since we absolutely love visiting SE Asia...
By the way, Jeane and I decided a few years ago to postpone any further European travel until we are "older". Of course that was a pretty easy decision since we absolutely love visiting SE Asia...
Nov 7th, 2006, 09:46 AM
#56
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Craig. Now I'm looking forward to my trip more than ever!
I think you did a great job of capturing the atmosphere at the different locations. In particular I really liked the pictures of the Laos village man and the novice monk at Ta Promh in Siem Riep.
I like the way the warmth of the colors comes across. Hope you don't mind my asking what camera you used (I'm assuming it's the same camera for India). I find that different camera manufacturers have distinct characteristics in the photos.
Does anyone know the significance of the colors of the robes that Buddhist monks wear? In Burma they were mostly maroon and it looks like it's saffron in Laos and Cambodia.
I think you did a great job of capturing the atmosphere at the different locations. In particular I really liked the pictures of the Laos village man and the novice monk at Ta Promh in Siem Riep.
I like the way the warmth of the colors comes across. Hope you don't mind my asking what camera you used (I'm assuming it's the same camera for India). I find that different camera manufacturers have distinct characteristics in the photos.
Does anyone know the significance of the colors of the robes that Buddhist monks wear? In Burma they were mostly maroon and it looks like it's saffron in Laos and Cambodia.
Nov 7th, 2006, 10:34 AM
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its a Canon PowerShot A95. It is no longer sold but the models that replaced it probably produce photos with similar characteristics. I did do some color enhancement with the software Canon provides with the camera by the way.
Nov 12th, 2006, 07:30 PM
#58
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Craig
What was your take on the programs run by Hotel de la Paix for school donations, etc? I take it what you did through Ponheary was set up by her and separate from what the hotel is offering, though it seems they are working with established NGO's.
Just reread your report as the longer I think about our coming asia trip the more I want to make sure we spend time in Siem Reap. I was in Cambodia in 2000 (it was my first trip to Asia) and it affected me more than any other place I've been. Wish I'd had time for SR then as it is no doubt very different now.
I also agree with the reservations people have about school visits. You really have to think through your impact on the kids and given all the NGO work I've done over the years, there is no easy answer/right way to completely offset the cultural implications of gift giving in developing countries. At the end of the day I do want to figure something out along those lines for this trip.
Thanks again for all the great detail.
What was your take on the programs run by Hotel de la Paix for school donations, etc? I take it what you did through Ponheary was set up by her and separate from what the hotel is offering, though it seems they are working with established NGO's.
Just reread your report as the longer I think about our coming asia trip the more I want to make sure we spend time in Siem Reap. I was in Cambodia in 2000 (it was my first trip to Asia) and it affected me more than any other place I've been. Wish I'd had time for SR then as it is no doubt very different now.
I also agree with the reservations people have about school visits. You really have to think through your impact on the kids and given all the NGO work I've done over the years, there is no easy answer/right way to completely offset the cultural implications of gift giving in developing countries. At the end of the day I do want to figure something out along those lines for this trip.
Thanks again for all the great detail.
Apr 20th, 2007, 02:53 AM
#60
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Craig,
We didn't have a *school* visit, per se. Instead, since it was Saturday, Ponheary asked the local constabulary to gether the children in the parking lot for the main Koh Ker temple (the pyramid) and, after we visited that temple, we handed out small packs of food the the kids (about 40 of them) packs of noodles and cans of fruit juice. They were sooo appreciative!
Mark-
We didn't have a *school* visit, per se. Instead, since it was Saturday, Ponheary asked the local constabulary to gether the children in the parking lot for the main Koh Ker temple (the pyramid) and, after we visited that temple, we handed out small packs of food the the kids (about 40 of them) packs of noodles and cans of fruit juice. They were sooo appreciative!
Mark-
