Tag: Chiangmai

Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop
Beyond the Dot, Thailand, Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

There are road trips, and then there are Road Trips. These are the road trips that offer fantastic scenery, unique stop overs and a drive like no other. Some of them are even world famous like the Great Ocean Road in Australia with its rugged coastline and scenic bends.

In Southeast Asia, the Mae Hong Son Loop is probably one of Thailand’s greatest road trips. Especially popular with motor cyclists, its a circuit of more than 600 km winding its way through the mountains of Northern Thailand. The route starts and ends in Chiang Mai. Along the way, you will see misty mountains, quaint villages tucked in valleys, cozy home stays and esoteric cafes. Being a loop, you can travel in any direction; clockwise or anti-clockwise.

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Paramotoring in Chiangmai
Beyond the Dot, Paramotoring in Chiangmai, Thailand

Paramotoring in Chiangmai

Taking to the skies

I’ve been to Chiangmai a few times but I’ve never realized that you could sign up for powered paragliding or paramotoring as they call it. So on my latest trip I decided that it was an opportunity to try this out.

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Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015
Beyond the Dot, Thailand, Yi Peng Lantern Festival

Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015

After a couple of days in Chiangrai trying to make like a Natgeo photographer among the hill tribes, it was almost time for the Loy Krathong festival which fell on 25th November 2015. We found ourselves back in Chiangmai on the eve of Loy Krathong. The city and it’s people were already busy preparing for this important festival with decorations being put up along the Ping River, temples and major hotels and buildings. Continue reading “Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015”

Muaythai Fight Club
Beyond the Dot, Muaythai Fight Club, Thailand

Muaythai Fight Club

“In the clearing stands a boxer,
And a fighter by his trade,
And he carries the reminders,
Of every glove that laid him down,
And cut him till he cried out,
In his anger and his shame,
‘I am leaving, I am leaving,’
But the fighter still remains.”

So goes Simon & Garfunkel’s song in my head just as the crowd roared out their support for the 2 fighters in the ring and drowning out all sense of sobriety. It was the last fight for the evening and already into it’s last round. The 2 fighters, tired and bleeding were trying to outlast each other. Continue reading “Muaythai Fight Club”

Chiangmai Streets 2015
Beyond the Dot, Chiangmai Streets 2015, Thailand

Chiangmai Streets 2015

In my previous blog post, I mentioned that Chiangmai would be worth another visit. Finally, I got my chance in November of  2015 when I joined a photography tour to capture the sky lantern festival during Loy Krathong. It was my first time joining a  specialty tour just for photography, and it was a good experience to join with fellow photographers and enthusiasts, sharing a common interest. Continue reading “Chiangmai Streets 2015”

Chiangmai 2004 and 2013
Beyond the Dot, Chiangmai 2004 and 2013, Thailand

Chiangmai 2004 and 2013

In the north of Thailand is the city of Chiangmai. Formerly the capital of the Lanna Kingdom (13-17th century AD), Chiangmai is everything that Bangkok is not. Located in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, the city enjoys cooler weather, although the summer is just as hot as in Bangkok. You don’t see huge shopping malls or congested streets filled with people and traffic. With a population of around 1 million residents, you won’t feel crowded in and there is a relaxed atmosphere here. I have visited Chiangmai a couple of times, but never had a real opportunity to explore it completely.  Continue reading “Chiangmai 2004 and 2013”