The Journey(s) of Ian

Elizabeth Taylor was an actress, and something of an icon. I remember her from her role as Cleopatra, starring opposite the great Richard Burton, who portrayed the flawed, great Mark Antony so well. She was always there in my life, no longer. RIP.

Departing the Rangong terminal at night, in the rain. My life. Bus travel I will confess that I do not like flying, thus I am ready to take a 12 hour bus ride rather than spend an hour in a plane. There are advantages to this other than the avoiding of the flight itself. Have you taken a flight recently? Security! Multiple recursive hassles. Lots of high school educated goons in uniform wasting your time. Carrying a full compliment of gear, as I do, which includes pointy things, even a knife, leads to questions--and if you forget to stow something you should have, it is gone with the wind. The thoughts and advice here are largely based upon my experiences in Thailand, but they do have an universal appicability. My VIP Ranong to Bangkok bus. Late at night, another lonely journey from A to B. Plan Get your ticket. Pick a good seat if seats are allocated. Not too close to the toilet, which will be found at the back of the bus. Not to close to the tv (noisy). The middle

Takuapa —a small town in the south of Thailand. tourist map of town and area. As regular readers of my blog will know, I have been busy over the last week or more, what with visiting archaeological sites in the north of the southern Thai province of Phang-nga. Three sites in particular, which I have now visited and revisited several times, however, I thought that I should spend a little time talking about the town which I am using as a base. This is the town of Takuapa (“Dow-gro-PAR”), in Phang-nga province. destinations at the station.   This town is one of those places which requires serious thought to identify in any way. There are a hundred other identical towns in Thailand, ‘average’ is the word which applies, however, it is not without its own charm and it can be a pleasant spot in which to spend a few days.  bus station. Takuapa stretches along the main highway, maybe 3 kms and 2 streets back. On either side of this not extremely busy road are rest

13th March 2011 Google maps link to my map of this area: http://goo.gl/maps/DDb0 Location: 8.773 N  98.4164 E Pronounced “Cow Phra Nar-EYE” (as an Australian would say it). map of general area. A thousand and more years ago  Khao Phra Narai was one of the stopping points on the overland route across what is now the Malay peninsular of the Thai Silk Road. Then, but not now, this route was a busy section of the long journey between Europe and China, with high value goods making the year long journey between east and west. This stopping point is marked principally by the foundation stones of a small temple on a hill overlooking this area. The Hindu Temple area. The Temple. The archaeological site of Khao Phra Narai lies approximately 20kms to the south east of Thung Tuk, as the crow flies (do crows fly in a straight line?), or, as I estimate, ~30kms distant along the winding Takuapa River. It is located in the Lae sub-district (tambon), district of

Is that a cool pic or what ? Khao Phra Noe — A hill by a river. 14 March 2011 location:  n8.8895  e98.2949 The map, showing immediate surrounds. Our boat, no, the small boat. Google maps link to my detailed map of the site:  http://goo.gl/maps/Lych View of hilltop from centre of the river. This archaeological site is on the mainland, immediately opposite Thung Tuk. It consists of the remains of a small temple atop a small hill. From the hill top one can enjoy an excellent view of the surrounding landscape to the west, and the Takuapa River mouth, which, a thousand years ago, would have been a hive of activity, with ships and commerce from all corners of the world filing the harbour.  View of Takuapa River mouth from hill top. whoossh, and away. This temple was most likely built as a religious ‘good luck’ charm, and as a ‘signpost’. For centuries, ship’s crews arriving and departing for destinations both east and west would be able to look up and know that