Thailand Flowers

Orchids

Orchids are my favourite flowers, along with Peonies. I once spent about five hours at a special exhibition at Kew Gardens, completely fascinated. Thailand is famous for it's orchids - and they grow in abundance in the most unexpected places. I think this is a species of orchid - that was hanging over the pool in my hotel garden. At night though, they closed, giving off a pungent honey-sweet smell that attracted these large, fat beetles. One morning, as the flowers were opening, one of these black beetles flew out of the flower - as if it had slept there overnight in a kind of soft cocoon.

Deer

A Sad, Peeling, Gold-leaf Deer

Deer

Everywhere I went in Thailand I found strange images of deer and stags. They were at many temples and featured in many paintings. I'm not sure what their relevance is to Buddha - but I did find this image of Buddha on a deer of sorts. The monks at the temple couldn't quite explain the relevance to me - what with my shocking attempts at speaking Thai - but I found them all quite beautiful.

Buddha Rides a Dragon

Buddha Rides a Tiger

Koh Samui Temple

Buddha Smiles - Temple Painting

Gods & Monsters - Naga

Gods & Monsters - Gate Guardian

Gods & Monsters

Koh Samui Temples

The next few images are all from various temples on Koh-Samui. I went to see everyone I possible could and so lost track of the names along the way. It was a blur of colour, thunder clouds and a garrulous taxi driver.

Mummified Monk with Ray-bans

I went to a Buddhist temple on Koh Samui and found this mummified monk. The monk that was placing offerings, told me the Ray-bans were to stop freaking out the young children...with reason I guess. I shook some sticks and got a lucky number telling me I'd have a life full of joy and children. Lol...now I'm pregnant...I guess I can say it came true.

Kuan Yin

She's my favourite of the Chinese Goddesses. I found this carving in a Thai carving market - where I saw some of the most skilled craftsmen at work - turning large slabs of wood into objects of beauty.

Carving: Kuan Yin - Found in Thai Carving Market

Floating Market

Floating Market

Floating Market

Floating Market

Floating Market

Floating Market

Shrine

Bangkok Shrine

Rang Mahal

Rang Mahal - Bangkok

This was an awesome Indian Restaurant - with a beautiful view of the Bangkok skyline. I loved the food, I loved the view...and will definitely go back.

Bangkok Skyline - Rembrandt Hotel

View from Buri Rasa

Thailand

It's been far too long since I put anything worthwhile on this blog - I've become so bloody lazy. Well, I've finally got round to editing my recent photos from Thailand. I'd like to write so much about each one...but for now the images themselves will just have to do. I was staying in Bangkok and then flew to Koh Samui. I stayed at an awesome little hotel called 'Buri Rasa'...absolutely divine.

Winter Trees

More Winter

London Winter

I took these photographs last year, in Winter. It seems appropriate now that Winter is here again...although not half as cold as I was expecting. I love walking along Embankment and South Bank during this time of year...it has a beauty all of its own.

In Absentia

Things are mad and it seems I hardly ever get time to 'stand and stare' anymore (in the words of William Henry Davies). I've many images to upload onto this site...I've just got lazy. The seasons are changing, London is wet and tiring. Winter is slow in coming this year - it seems perpetual Autumn is upon us. I'm bored of working, tired of the daily commute and being shoved around by disgruntled, dark coated strangers. I'm also pregnant - which is a beautiful thing - but difficult when you're living in a city. I'm sure I'll find beautiful things to pop on this blog soon enough...just taking time to get used to this little life fluttering around inside of me...which is already demanding all of my efforts and attentions.

Little Dragon Gargoyle, Westminster

Cool Helmet

Girl Getting Ready for Takeoff

Rocket

The Elephant

The Little Girl

The Sultan's Elephant, London 2006

http://www.thesultanselephant.com/home.php

One warm Friday afternoon I received a rather delighted call from my beloved, who works as an artist in Soho, to say that he had just seen a giant elephant walk passed on his way to lunch. At first I thought he was joking and asked for some more explanation. He then informed me that a theatre group called Royal de Luxe were performing a version of 'The Sultan's Elephant' by Jules Verne, which would be hosted over the next three days. I hopped on the nearest train and headed for Trafalgar Square, where the large mechanical elephant was making its way majestically towards St James Park. The next few posts are from the few moments I managed to capture before all I could do was stare in complete fascination and mouth the words 'wow'. For a few days London was transformed into something quite magical...the magic of fairytales and fantasy.

Paris 2006

St Martin's Street, Paris

I love this picture...it's very...very...mmm...Paris.  I think my photography is getting better :)

Vertigo from the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

I took this photo from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.  I think it rocks. It made me queasy...but I like spirals.