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.