10 January 2022 - SPECTACULAR PU CHI FAH - THAILAND

 

SPECTACULAR PU CHI FAH

 - THAILAND -

G'day folks,

 This mountain sunrise is one of the most breathtaking views in Thailand, yet well off the tourist trail. 

Phu Chi Fah is a must for anyone seeking the perfect sunrise experience. Located on the Thai/Lao border, this mountainous area is several degrees removed from the mass tourism Thailand is known for. It is quite far (almost 60 miles) from the nearest city, Chiang Rai, and there are hardly any other sights in the vicinity. And let’s not forget that in order to get to the peak before dawn, you need to wind up and down rural roads in the dark. Yet, it is well worth it.

 

 Once you’ve reached Phu Chi Fah before the sun rises, darkness begins lifting, and most days a thin layer of mist appears from the lowlands, forming a bed of fluff through which the higher hilltops peek through. This is the signature view of the Phu Chi Fah sunrise. Once the mist begins lifting, the view opens up, revealing forests, hills, valleys, farmland and the mighty Mekong River all the way to Laos and beyond. And above it all, colorful hues and shades turn the sky into an ever-changing work of abstract art.

The beauty of the Phu Chi Fah sunrise appears in many tourist brochures and posters, but its name is rarely mentioned, which also goes to explain why so few visitors make it here—that is international visitors, as Thai locals are very fond of this place. The Phu Chi Fah viewpoint is the top of a steadily rising mountain that terminates abruptly with a dramatic drop. The most photogenic spot is just before you arrive at the top, so that both the cliff and the misty blanket are in sight.

Clancy's comment: I can speak from experience about this area. In fact, it is mentioned in my current book. Sunrise and sunsets are stunning. 

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18 January 2021 - HALLSTATT - A PLACE WORTH VISITING

 

HALLSTATT 

- A PLACE WORTH VISITING -

 

G'day folks,

 Hallstatt is a village on Lake Hallstatt's western shore in Austria's mountainous Salzkammergut region. 

 

Its 16th-century Alpine houses and alleyways are home to cafes and shops. A funicular railway connects to Salzwelten, an ancient salt mine with a subterranean salt lake, and to Skywalk Hallstatt viewing platform. A trail leads to the Echern Valley glacier garden with glacial potholes and Waldbachstrub Waterfall.

 Now, check it out ...

 

Clancy's comment: Wow. Certainly worth a visit.

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4 October 2020 - STUNNING HIMALAYAN PROVINCE OF LADAKH

STUNNING HIMALAYAN 

PROVINCE OF LADAKH

G'day folks,

Ladakh is a region, officially designated a Union Territory of India in 2019, located within the boundaries of the Indian sub-continent. It borders Tibet, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir. 

This region spans across a fairly large area, sandwiched between the Karakoram Mountain range in the North and the Great Himalayas in the South. Because of this picturesque positioning, this region was named Ladakh, which translates to “land of high passes”. There are two major districts in Ladakh: Kargil and Leh, the latter of which is the second largest district in the entire country.

Ladakh is an extremely popular destination for travelers, with most roads and passes remaining open throughout the year and an endless number of valleys, monasteries, sub-districts, and mountain ranges within it to visit. 

Ladakh is also known for its ecotourism activities which include everything from awareness workshops to on-road adventures across the territory. These breathtaking images of the scenery across this mountainous region are just a glimpse of what Ladakh has to offer. 

Clancy's comment: A fairly harsh environment to live, but those mountains are stunning. 

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9 June 2020 - HOW MUCH CAN YOU FIT ON A MOTORBIKE?

HOW MUCH CAN YOU 

FIT ON A MOTORBIKE?

G'day folks,

As a well-seasoned traveller throughout Asia, I have seen many extraordinary things, and photographed them.

However, Bikes of Burden, an interesting photography series by photographer Hans Kemp, shows motorbikes in Vietnam carrying unbelievable amounts of stuff.

It is not only the amount of stuff that’s amusing, it’s the stuff itself. If it wasn’t for this series, you might not believe that a man could transport live aquarium fish on a simple motorbike. This phenomenon is primarily found in Asia, where personal cars are a rarity and the streets are so crowded that it is often easier to navigate with a motorbike than a car.

The series was published as a book, the first edition of which was released in 2003 with 148 full color photos. Recently, Hans Kemp has returned to Vietnam for a revised version of his book.

Take a good look at what Hans found in Vietnam. 

Clancy's comment: Thank you, Hans. Welcome to Asia.

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