Out of Norm Travels

Ayutthaya, Thailand  (อยุธยา), full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา), is an ancient capital in the Central Thailand, some 85 km north of Bangkok. One of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic second capital of Siam after Sukhothai for some 400+ years, it was founded around 1350. Ayutthaya is an island at the confluence of three rivers: the Chao Phraya River, the Lopburi River and the Pa Sak River.In its heyday, The Royal Court of Ayutthaya exchanged ambassadors far and wide, including with the French Court at Versailles and the Mughal Court in Delhi, as well as with imperial courts of Japan and China. Based on UNESCO information, The Historic City of Ayutthaya was chosen as it bore excellent witness to the period of development of a true national Thai art. Here are some of the picturesque temples you can see when you are here:  till the next time, onto the world and beyond!

List of trips taken over the years  2020: 1. Nepal - Kathmandu, Pokhara  http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2020/03/out-of-norm-travels-2020-yoga-retreat.html 2019: 1. Feb  Italy  Venice - Carnival with Ugo Cei and Robin Yong  http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2019/03/out-of-norm-travels-2019-venice.html 2. Feb Italy Florence and Cinque Terre  3. March Indonesia Batam Nikon School Singapore Photo Fiesta 4. April Malaysia Penang  http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2019/04/out-of-norm-travels-2019-penang-food.html 5. May Australia Astrophotography 6. August - Japan Lake Biwa & Okinawa  http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2019/11/out-of-norm-travels-adventures-in-japan_21.html 7. Nov - Japan - Karatsu & Saga http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2019/11/out-of-norm-travels-adventures-in-japan_97.html & http://outofnormtravels-magty.blogspot.com/2019/11/out-of-norm-travels-adventures-in-j...

Here's my Out of Norm Travels programme in Thailand titled 'Trio of Market Visits in 1 day and 1 night' which includes 1 Railway Market and 2 Floating Markets namely, Maeklong Railway Market, Damonseduk Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market. Locally known as the Umbrella Market , the Maeklong or Mae Klong Railway market is a fresh produce market that lies along the last part of the railway that runs for nearly 67 kilometres between Bangkok, and Samut Songkhram in central Thailand. What distinguishes this market from the other markets in Thailand is that not only it is authentic i.e. it is patronised by local Thais who live around the area who come here to get anything from vegetables to fish to fruits, it is also visited by tourists who come from all over the world (most notably by Anthony Boudain). What's so special about this place is that the stalls are all located along the railway tracks and when the train siren sounds, the stall holders proceed to close...

Here's a combined trip involving 3 farms in 1 day outside of Bangkok that I recently tried out and enjoyed my day out in the countryside: Farm, The Jim Thompson Farm ( http://www.jimthompsonfarm.com/ ) This farm has been in our 'to-do' list for some 2 years as it is only open for a limited time each year. This year, it is only open till 10 Jan 2016 and based on the theme of rice merit making (Mang Moon Boon Khao). Once inside, I was greeted by fields of cosmos blooms as far as the eye can see. A hop onto the bus ride brought me close to the Pumpkin Patch attraction which is surrounded by the  Phayaprab hills  that is filled with Giant pumpkins. An Isan village showcases Isan architectural styles at Jim Thompson Farm including a Korat- styled house that is honored with an Architectural conservation award by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.  The ambiance of this place is enhanced with sounds of Molam, a genre of music quintes...

Unique Cafe hopping experience in Bangkok that came complete with some interaction with Cats (love them Grumpy Cats) and Dogs (Huskies)...and Witches ;)  The cat cafe at Caturday Cafe was lovely as the cats were all over the place across tables, up above you and hidden under the chairs. I was thrilled to be surrounded by them and they were basically doing their own thing ie sleep and walk around. Cats being cats don't bother you if you don't bother them. one thing I was pleasantly surprised was that the food there was pretty decent (something I can't say for a lot of the cat cafes I have been)& the cats seem contented being around the area (instead of wanting to go back to their hidden area - which was our experience at the Cat cafe in Penang). Caturday Cafe  Thailand The dog cafe of Neverland Huskies on the other hand were simply majestic. Imagine being surrounded by a pack of some 20 huskies in an area. They were beautiful and had the space to just be aroun...

Part 2 of my December travels brought me closer to the Thai-Cambodian border, within the Ta Phraya National Park ( Thai : อุทยานแห่งชาติตาพระยา )  where I  found myself in one tourist location that is not well known to non-Thais called Lalu. This is Thailand's small version of the famous Grand Canyon. It is quintessentially an area of earth stalagmites; naturally caused by the erosion of rainwater and the subsidence or collapse of soil. Its closeness to Cambodia resulted in the naming of this place which means "penetrated"  in Khmer language. With an area of more than 2,000 hectares, its uniqueness warrants an afternoon visit. The combination of wind and rainwater has eroded the hard rock into many shapes similar to a city wall or cliffs. You will find this same scene on a bigger scale at Phae Mueang Phi of Phrae province resulting in some locals calling it "A New Phae Mueang Phi". Getting here from the visitor area requires the hiring of a guide and tract...

This is part 1 of my Thailand adventures in 2014 when I made a trip down to Phanom Rung Historical Park . So what's so special about this place? This is located in the northeastern Isaan, Buri Ram province of Thailand. Phanom Rung (Thai: พนมรุ้ง ), or full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Thai: ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง – Phanom Rung Stone Castle is the largest and the most beautiful Khmer site in Thailand that was built over the 10th to 13th centuries from sandstone and laterite and dedicated to Lord Shiva , a supreme Hindu deity. It is said that the architectural design of this complex symbolizes Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling located in India. It consists of 3 naga bridges. Going through the walkway, you can reach the first naga bridge. There are 70 sand stone posts on either side of the walkway. The third naga bridge takes the visitors to the main sanctuary. Here is a photo of the layout of the temple grounds.   After restoring the temples for close to...

The ancient Kingdom of Sukhothai (Thai: สุโขทัย ) - Sukhothai is from Sanskrit sukha (सुख "happiness") + udaya (उदय "rise, emergence"), meaning "dawn of happiness".   According to the Lonely Planet, the Sukhothai (Rising of Happiness) Kingdom flourished from the mid-13th century to the late 14th century. This period is often viewed as the golden age of Thai civilisation, and the religious art and architecture of the era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles. The remains of the kingdom, today known as meuang gòw (old city), feature around 45 sq km of partially rebuilt ruins, which are one of the most visited ancient sites in Thailand. Wat Mahathat translates as “great relic”, and it is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Thailand.      Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai    Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai  Wat Si Chum Temple is a 13 th century temple enshrining the largest Buddha image in Sukhothai measurin...

For those up for a trip up north of Thailand, the most famous, largest and connected of its cities will be Chiangmai or Chiang Mai or Chieng mai . It is also regarded as  the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.   A must see temple when you are on your first trip to this location will be  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep  (Thai:  วัดพระธาตุดอยสุ เทพ ). Easily accessible by car or van around 15km from the city centre, you have a choice of taking the cable car or climbing some 300 steps to reach the temple grounds which is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple dates from 1383 and is located at  Doi Suthep  mountain which is a sacred site to many  Thai s. During important festivals like Loy Kratong, you will see many Thais making a pilgrimage to this temple to release thousands of paper lanterns into the sky in the month of November to...

Part 2 of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival:   Throughout the evening of the day before the actual parade, the floats from all over the district make their way down to the main grouping area - driven by tractors/ trucks giving both locals and tourists many chances to take photos with the floats throughout the night. The main grouping area was arranged along some 4-5 streets  of Ubon Ratchathani with  many many floats lining the streets - I have never seen so many floats up close and personal.  The floats came in many shapes and sizes and can be done using the traditional or block work ways. There were also a few intricately decorated smaller floats gently made out of  palm and banana leaves  hammered into places to form  intricate  3d designs in the shapes of  Nagas  (aka  Deity ) and the Lord  Buddha . 1 massive float stood out from the rest as it was made out of aromatic fragrant soaps. As part of the festivi...