Sullivans' Travels

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Thailand & Cambodia 2015

January 15 - February 2, 2015

On our 2nd foray into Asia, we left cold, snowy New Hampshire for nearly 2 glorious weeks in Thailand and then made a quick trip into Cambodia for 3 nights to visit a place I have long dreamed of seeing, the temples at Angkor Wat.

We began our journey in the bustling capital city of Bangkok. We spent 3 full days exploring the many Buddhist temples and the historic Grand Palace.
We soaked in the vibrant life along the Chao Phraya River crowded with express boats, river taxis and long-tail boats.
We relished the flavors and fragrances of that most famous Thai cuisine.
We strolled through the varied districts taking in everything from the modern financial and commercial areas of Sukhumvit and Silom, to the laid-back atmosphere of Khao San Road (the back-packer district) as well as the cities' notorious red-light district.

Next we flew 435 miles to the north to visit the moated city of the former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna, Chiang Mai.
Set in the foothills of Thailand's two highest peaks, Chiang Mai lies inside a partially walled old quarter filled with celebrated temples and has a relaxed vibe that makes it everything Bangkok isn't.

About an hour outside the city we had an experience that will stay with us forever as we spent a day at the Elephant Nature Park, an amazing organization that provides a sanctuary and rescue center for abused and mistreated elephants.
Without exploiting the animals, visitors get to observe free roaming elephants, feed them and LITERALLY WALK AMONGST THEM in their natural surroundings.
This was definitely a highlight of the trip!

500 miles south of Bangkok on the western coast of southern Thailand is Krabi...a majestically beautiful town situated on the Andaman Sea.
Our glorious 5 days here were spent in awe of the surreal landscape...a myriad of bays and coves set amongst impossibly angular limestone cliffs jutting out of the sea.

We took in the magnificent views from above the sea aboard long tail boats and from below during our 2 days of scuba diving where we saw stunningly colorful coral walls and sea life.

Our odyssey continued to Siem Reap, Cambodia...home of the marvel that is the Angkor Archaeological Park.

It contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century including the legendary Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm temples.
It was to amazing to stand in the midst of these imposing structures and admire the grandeur and harmony of the Khmer architecture.
Seeing the sunrise over the iconic Angkor Wat was a mystical experience that I will carry with me forever.

We were scheduled to end our trip with one last night in Bangkok before our early morning flight back home.
This turned into 2 nights due to a snowstorm back home. This afforded us an opportunity to spend a relaxing day partaking in what became one of our favorite parts of traveling in Asia....cheap massages!
We got 8 in all out of 16 days!
It also gave us another memorable experience....because of the 12 hour time difference, we sat in a bar filled with ex-pats and other tourists at 7:00 in the morning and watched the Superbowl! Now, THAT was fun!

This trip was filled with so many new, enchanting and captivating sights!!
My camera is my indispensable appendage and with todays technology I can utilize tools that help me express my artistic vision of the remarkable things I've seen.
I'm able to create something more than just a photo. I can put myself and my feelings into my pictures.
So, you'll see I've taken some creative license with some of these images.
I hope they move you in a way that you can feel how special these experiences were for me.
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  • The view of the Grand Palace from aboard a long-tail boat on the Chao Phraya River - Bangkok

    The view of the Grand Palace from aboard a long-tail boat on the Chao Phraya River - Bangkok

  • The Grand Palace, Bangkok's most famous landmark, was built in 1782. For 150 years it was the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government.  The Grand Palace consists of several buildings with different styles of architecture. Wat Phra Kaeo is renowned as the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It houses Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of fine jade.

    The Grand Palace, Bangkok's most famous landmark, was built in 1782. For 150 years it was the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. The Grand Palace consists of several buildings with different styles of architecture. Wat Phra Kaeo is renowned as the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It houses Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of fine jade.

  • Each entrance to the temple is guarded by a pair of huge demons called yakshas.  Grand Palace - Bangkok

    Each entrance to the temple is guarded by a pair of huge demons called yakshas. Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • Demon standing guard at the Grand Palace - Bangkok

    Demon standing guard at the Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • Phra Mondop, the library, houses the revised edition of the Buddhist Canon. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

    Phra Mondop, the library, houses the revised edition of the Buddhist Canon. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • The gold gilded chedi called Phra Si Ratana was built by Rama IV in 1855.  The hollow interior contains sacred Buddha relics. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

    The gold gilded chedi called Phra Si Ratana was built by Rama IV in 1855. The hollow interior contains sacred Buddha relics. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • Demon guarding the Grand Palace - Bangkok

    Demon guarding the Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • Main courtyard at the Grand Palace - Bangkok

    Main courtyard at the Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • The Royal Pantheon (right), flanked by a gilded chedi (pagoda) originally built by King Rama I. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

    The Royal Pantheon (right), flanked by a gilded chedi (pagoda) originally built by King Rama I. - Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • The exquisite grounds of the Grand Palace - Bangkok

    The exquisite grounds of the Grand Palace - Bangkok

  • The Reclining Buddha  at Wat Pho
Created as part of Rama III's restoration (1824-51), it is 150 feet long and 50 feet high. - Bangkok

    The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho Created as part of Rama III's restoration (1824-51), it is 150 feet long and 50 feet high. - Bangkok

  • Wat Pho - Originally built in the 16th century as the royal temple of King Rama - Bangkok

    Wat Pho - Originally built in the 16th century as the royal temple of King Rama - Bangkok

  • The Reclining Buddha  at Wat Pho - His body is covered in gold plating and he is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet.

    The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho - His body is covered in gold plating and he is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet.

  • Wat Pho is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than 1,000 Buddha images, more than any other temple in the country.

    Wat Pho is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than 1,000 Buddha images, more than any other temple in the country.

  • Inside the Main Chapel at Wat Pho is Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn - Bangkok

    Inside the Main Chapel at Wat Pho is Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn - Bangkok

  • Wat Pho - Bangkok

    Wat Pho - Bangkok

  • Wat Pho - Bangkok

    Wat Pho - Bangkok

  • Phra Mondob is the Scripture Hall at Wat Pho, built in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) - Bangkok

    Phra Mondob is the Scripture Hall at Wat Pho, built in the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) - Bangkok

  • Wat Pho - Bangkok

    Wat Pho - Bangkok

  • Wat Pho - Bangkok

    Wat Pho - Bangkok

  • Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) - The towering "prang" with its four smaller siblings was started by Rama II in the early part of the 19th century

    Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) - The towering "prang" with its four smaller siblings was started by Rama II in the early part of the 19th century

  • Wat Arun - Bangkok

    Wat Arun - Bangkok

  • The prang is not only unique in its design but also in decoration. Over the brick core, a layer of plaster was applied and then decorated with bits of Chinese porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles. - Wat Arun - Bangkok

    The prang is not only unique in its design but also in decoration. Over the brick core, a layer of plaster was applied and then decorated with bits of Chinese porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles. - Wat Arun - Bangkok

  • Ordination hall at Wat Arun - Bangkok

    Ordination hall at Wat Arun - Bangkok

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