Thailand - Bangkok

Back in Thailand!!! My travel agent suggested that I take a three day layover, between New Zealand & Hong Kong. She said it would save me, literally hundreds of US dollars! Gee, let me think. The Thai people are some of the nicest people I've ever met, & it saves me money? The answer was obvious. I met some new friends this time & really hope to visit them in the near future!

Loha Prasat.

From the top of Loha Prasat, looking towards the temples below.

A slightly different view from the same balcony.

On the other side of Loha Prasat, you can see how many different temples arise from the city below.

Panning down for a closer view of the area.

A few Buddhas can be seen while descending through the temple.

It was a perfect day for walking around the city & viewing the sites!

I'm not sure what this temple is called, but I admired how the sky & temple looked together.

On my walk, I crossed the Klong San Sap.

This gentleman was nice enough to let me take his photo. He was planing a 2x8 piece of wood. I wish my camera could have detailed more, but he was too darn quick!

I'm trying to figure out if this photo was really taken from where my memory serves me. I believe it was taken at the base of Golden Mount Wat Saket. I think my Thai friend disagrees with me. Yet, she was kind enough to tell me that this was a memorial of sorts for the deceased.

At the beginning of the stairs, the trickling water was a calming invite. Can you see Buddha hiding under the top shelf?

After reaching the top, you could negotiate a number of different angles for great photo opportunities.

The temples continue below.

I decided to live it up this time & get a place with a pool! I think I threw out about $15 USD/night for a nice room & this roof top.

Quite a few foreigners frequent this area, Khao San Rd.



I was happy to see this car! Especially because I never see them in S. Korea, or at least the island I'm living on.
I now admit that I've recently learned how to edit photos. So, this was an edited product of experimentation. I was going for an old school vs. restored look. I'm not sure, did it work?

This is another edited photo. Yet, the only alteration I made was to change the background to B&W.

New Zealand - Part 4

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city & has an estimated population of about 1.3 million. This equates to about a quarter of the total population of NZ. It's on the northern tip of the North Island, & it's placed amidst a landscape of water. I only had the opportunity to stay for a couple nights, but I was lucky enough to stay with a Couch Surfer who lived next to the highest natural point in Auckland!

A beautiful, but cold winter day in Auckland.

This photo was taken from Mount Eden.

Mount Eden is the highest natural point in Auckland.

From where I stayed, it was a short walk to this volcanic crater on Mt. Eden.

Mt. Eden stands at 196 meters (~643 feet) & the crater is roughly 50 meters (~164 feet) deep.

The volcano erupted several times, the last being about 60,000 years ago. It resulted in leaving a series of craters around Auckland.

From the top of Mt Eden, you can see a panoramic view of Auckland! This view is looking southeast towards some of the other craters.

There's nothing like relaxing without a care in the world. Well, not quite without a care...

Flying out of Auckland provided these clouds for the viewing.