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Asia

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Words by Jane Hodges Photography by Maree Azzopardi After a late night feast in Bangkok’s Chinatown, we came across Chak Phet Rd and its surrounding streets, which are home to Pak Khlong Talat (canal mouth market), a fresh produce market and also the cities largest and most vibrant flower market. Like all 24-hour markets, visiting late at night or in the wee morning hours is best. There are fewer people – usually no tourists – and most deliveries (by boat and truck) happen between midnight and 4am, so the stalls are at their brightest, most fragrant and bulging best. Bunches, bouquets, wreaths and garlands were crammed into every inch of space. Men hefted armfuls of blooms onto trolleys and jostled down narrow alleys. Busy hands were hard at work. The many Thai and Chinese festivals and religious celebration days ensure intricate malais (garlands) and dok mai (exquisite assorted arrangements) are…

The Art of Travel Tour Let’s do Laos – 21-28 March, 2015. Join us on a 7-day drawing, photography and travel writing tour of World-Heritage Luang Prabang, Laos. “It’s a place rich in stories and in scenes to capture on the page or on your camera.” The Tour: Immersion in the art and culture of this fascinating ancient city via hands-on drawing and photography tuition with internationally celebrated artist, photographer and blogger Maree, and guidance in turning your daily travel journal into a travel story or blog post with well-published blogger / travel writer and tour guide Jane. We offer one-on-one attention in inspiring locations to help you find your inner artist and your creative voice –  we can help you achieve personal satisfaction or create a work for publication. We’ll enliven your senses, show you the sights, take you to our favourite spots to eat and shop and introduce…

On an excursion to the Pak Ou Buddha Caves, 25km north of Luang Prabang in Laos, we wandered past an old, small Wat. As we neared the steps to the Mekong River boat moorings we met two seated monks. After giving a donation, the older monk was eager to show us around the small but beautiful 500 year old pagoda. Renovation had started at some stage but was on hold as they waited for more funds from UNESCO World Heritage which oversees all restoration work for the temples in Luang Prabang. Here are some images of the happy monk, his friend and his gorgeous Wat. While in Luang Prabang we stayed at the wonderful La Résidence Phou Vao by Orient-Express where the staff couldn’t have been more helpful in providing suggestions and itineraries to make the most of our stay. Words and Photography by Maree Azzopardi © 2013.