Leisure & pleasure; Paksan to Phonsavan

The first time we went to Paksan must have been about 10 years ago, we heard about the most wonderful bus trip in Laos  a few years before. The bus went once a week, in fact the bus was a big truck with seats mounted in the back. First time we came a  day late (guess 2004), then we missed it by a couple of hours (2006), in 2008 we showed up a day early, to be sure. But by then the truck got company, in the shape of this yellow old Chinese bus.
It became one of our most memorable and beautiful bus trips ever. By now they say there is a VIP bus once a day, going from Paksan to Phonsavan in about 10 hours...

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The first in a new series, about the way coöperations treat seeds and plant life. This one will be on display from Sept. 5, 2015 till Oct. 31, 2016 at a special event "10 years' Kunstpunt Caré, Hasselt, Belgium. Image about 29x31 cm.

more details here (Dutch, only)

Leisure & pleasure; talking art!

Talking about a monotype in progress with Aimé Put and Olivier martens. Spending time at workplace 'Atelier vrije grafiek, Hasselt, Belgium. Olivier is the head of the workplace, painter and graphic artist. Aimé is a painter and a graphic artist specialized in monotypes. One of the best equipped graphic workplaces in Belgium. (SASK, Hasselt)

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Can't visit Nan without visiting Nan Riverside Art Gallery. Nicely located on the banks of the Nan river, about 19 km from Nan airport going to Pua (road 101). Run by well known artist Mr. Winai Prabripoo. Nan Riverside Art Gallery houses beside the main gallery building, a learning facility, a permanent exhibition of the famous temple murals by painter Nan Phuapan and a little store. Some drinks and snacks are available, don't forget to visit the small exhibition space near the entrance. 

Closed on Monday an Tuesday.

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When visiting Wat Phra That Chom Thong and Chiang Rai's city navel, we came across this Naga. There are some nice views from the hilltop. You can drive up the hill coming from the town center, on the other side some stairs take you to a Chinese temple and this statue. Mostly a quiet place, changes on festival days though. Some stairs lead to the statue from the golf course side, you might like the exercise

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Another one from Bangkok. At a parking lot close to Thanon Phra Athit.  If I remember right, at the point where Chakrabongse road and Chao Fa road come together.

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Nice graffiti in Thailand's capital. You find it everywhere, it gives something extra to the small back streets. This one is (or was) not that far from Khao San Road.

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Just an idea on Andy Warhol.

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It's always nice to be back in Nan, and stay with friends. They make great glass jewelry in their factory on the other side of the water. You can check 'Nirvana Glass Mods' work over here.

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When young, Always wanted to be an "Indian" and not a "cowboy". But being a pirate is not that bad either. The update, now i'm convinced we all should become pirates, join the movement.

Leisure & pleasure; my Myanmar bathroom

 

Myanmar, lovely bathroom with a view. Blue bucket for cold water, red bucket for hot water....you wish.

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Self portrait, 2014.

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Tham Pla - Pha Sua National Park. About 16 km north of Mae Hong Son, and easy to get to by bus. Or an easy and enjoyable trip by motorcycle. Food en pick nick space is widely available, but it  can, or better it will be very crowded on weekends and public holidays. A 500 metre walk along a beautiful river will bring you to the entrance of the cave. Tham means cave and Pla means fish; hence the fish cave. There are loads of fish, they can reach up to1 metre in length, and are protected by a statue of a Hindu Rishi called Nara. If you like to feed the fish don't forget to buy some fruit and vegetables at the car park before heading out to the cave.

Leisure & pleasure; Fish Sauce Island!

 

Leaving Cat Ba Island, take the bus to the ferry dock. The bus will be your companion until you reach the town of Hai Phong. From Cat Ba the ferry will take you to Cat Hai Island. I call it Fish Sauce Island, this is for insiders the best place to buy your fish sauce. And they make it everywhere.  As you will notice on your busride to the other side of the island. From here another ferry will take you to the mainland, to Hai Phong.

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2013 X-mas at MBK Bangkok. A Thai tuktuk dressed up for X-mas.

Leisure & pleasure; sound of silence.

Erfoud to Merzouga, this amazing 55 km trip brings you right to the edge of the pink majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi.  this is 1994, things have changed by now.
'head out from the morning market into the flat basalt desert, keep going until you see the electric wires in the distance. Don't get confused by the many tracks going everywhere. Once you see the electric wires, turn right and drive a parallel route. You will come across a lonely red house on the left. Past the house take a slightly more left bound course, and soon you can see the dunes. Drive past the town of Merzouga, about three to four hundred meters on you can have a fresh beer in a small pub in front of erg Chebbi.'
Despite the lack of confidence in the route description, I headed out. I reached the little pub, just to find out they ran out of beer. But it is an amazing place, and it was a great ride.
Nowadays there seems to be an asphalted road for most of the way, running from Erfoud over Rissani to Merzouga.

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The little island of Koh Paen is situated in the middle of the mighty Mekong river, close to Kampong Cham. The incredible bridge connects the town and the island in the dry season, so it is reconstructed every single year. Koh Paen is a pretty pleasant place for a day trip. Kampong Cham, being one of the larger city of Cambodia, is getting more and more visitors as a gateway to eastern Cambodia.

Leisure & pleasure; local history.

Phanom Rung historical park is located near the town of Nang Rong, Thailand. This old Khmer temple doesn't get the loads of no Thai visitors as other sites do, but it is magnificent nevertheless. Staying in Nang Rong is a bit more challenging then staying in the nearby city of Buriram. Not a lot of guesthouses and rather difficult to find a good selection of food.