Weekend Snapshots ~ 3: Dartford

I went to the Dartford Library yesterday morning to attend the monthly meeting of the West Kent Book Club.  It was so nice to sit down and chat with a group of likeminded book lovers and I will certainly be a regular at the meetings.  This month’s book is Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro which I’m quite excited about as I recently read his excellent book When We Were Orphans and I really enjoyed it.

Like many towns in England, Dartford’s high street area has seen better days and there is a lot of degradation in the area.  Despite that, Dartford has some really beautiful and historic areas too and naturally, I choose to photograph and focus on those.

Dartford has a huge park called “Central Park” which appeals to the New York-obsessed Emm and I cannot wait to explore here in the summer.  The gardens are really well kept and I appreciate the effort taken by Dartford Council.

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You may have noticed the slightly less frequent posts on Emm in London.  There are a couple of very good reasons for this which I thought I’d share:

• Friends: we were very happy to discover that our sister-in-law’s cousin is also staying in Dartford and we saw them last weekend.  This weekend, we visited my friends Gyda and Kenneth whose wedding we attended in South Africa last year.  Now that we live in Dartford, they are just up the M25 in Harpenden and it is much easier to pop over to see them.
• Outings: I’ve made a promise to stop being such a recluse and to start going out to see actual real live human beings.  So last week it was the photography course and this week it was the book club.
• Family: I’m going up to see my dad and step-mum in Liverpool this weekend and of course, I see a lot of my brother and mum now that they no longer live with us.  The trip to Liverpool is unfortunately not going to be an occasion for the Eternal Tourist as my aunty is very sick and we’re going to spend time with her.
• Work:  year end was crazy this year but it did work out easier than the previous two year ends and thankfully, it is all over.
• Health: I got the weirdest flu last week!  I didn’t have a head cold but I had an incredible fever and was hot and cold for two days.  Luckily I got over it but this weekend I had a sore throat and I slept most of today.  This year is a million times better than last year as I am far more healthy and I don’t have winter blues.  Nevertheless, I have learned to listen to my body and I have heeded the signs to rest and not blog this weekend!
• BlogCritics: having said that, I was accepted as a contributor on the BlogCritics team and so I have been whipping up some articles to earn my place there! 

All of these factors have resulted in slightly less time for Emm in London but I do hope to get back up to three posts a week soon.  Have a good week everyone!

Elephant Trekking

I've never actually done an elephant ride. Might take the kids one day, I am sure we'd all enjoy it. There are elephant trekking places all over Phuket. Some are close to the main beaches, others get a bit more off the beaten track (better in my opinion, I don't want to be trekking with a view of Patong or within earshot of a busy road!). And it's good business for sure, riding an elephant is on many tourists "must do" list. My parents have been over here visiting a number of times, and it was on their 2nd visit in 2004 that they went off for an elephant ride. I asked mum to write about the experience.. although it was over 5 years ago now and she's forgotten a couple of things - can't remember exactly where the place was, but it was between Kata and Naiharn... and she's not sure of the price they paid, but said she did bargain a bit and the price seemed quite reasonable for a new and unique experience.

Some people are against using elephants in this way and say the animals are not treated well. My parents experience was only positive, but just last week there was an incident in Phuket where an elephant went wild, a couple of tourists were injured and the elephant threw a car down a hill (story in Phuket Wan here). That is of course a very rare occurrence - I've never heard of such a problem before in Phuket, but remember that elephants are wild animals no matter how many years they have been working with people.

OK, here it is - Our Elephant Experience in Phuket by Paula Monk.

When I was a child I would look through my books and see pictures of far away, wonderful lands. I was fascinated, but in the 1950s, growing up in post war Britain, it didn't seem possible that I would ever see any of those places for myself. I was filled with wonder at the sights of children riding on elephants and imagined how it would feel. That little dream lay dormant for almost a lifetime. The world has moved on during that life time and people travel far and wide – ordinary people like me.

Now we have family in Thailand (it was called Siam in my childhood) and on one of our visits I was determined to fulfil my childhood dream. I can't now tell you the name of the place where we went for our elephant ride. It was in the rural south of the island, in hilly terrain. I feel there couldn't have been a better place – the elephants were well looked after and so were we – my husband and I. The jungle was thick and lush and the views from the hill tops were superb.

We climbed up onto a platform of wood and bamboo to wait for our elephant and the young man who would guide us through our adventure. The back of the elephant was level with the platform and we climbed onto her back – I wish I could remember her name – and tried to get comfortable in the hard metal howdah. Even before we started to move we felt rather insecure, perched up there. It is high up and the seat is not strapped too tightly to the elephant.



Slowly we moved off. I was all grins and happiness! At first the ride seemed fairly smooth, but soon we were traversing the slopes of the jungle through narrow pathways. It was like a fair ground ride – I was thrilled and exited and scared stiff at the same time! Going down hill it almost felt like we would be lurched forward and roll over the beautiful elephants head! We hung on tight and enjoyed the thrill. Mostly our elephant strolled slowly along the familiar paths – sometimes she broke into almost a trot, accompanied by gasps and squeals from us.





Our elephant man started the ride sitting on the elephants head, between his ears.
Often we would stop completely when the elephant felt like a nibble at the trees – her trunk swinging to reach the tastiest bits. After a while our elephant man slipped down from the elephant and walked ahead. Oh my! Here we were, my beloved and I riding alone on an elephant though the jungle! Did I ever dream that I would be doing this? Soon our young guide came back and asked for my camera – a moderately simple digital camera. I wondered if he would know how to use it. But he was a superb photographer and we have a collection of fantastic photos of the pair of us on our elephant. The pictures definitely capture the excitement we were experiencing, far more than the fear.





Our ride lasted for a long time – about an hour we recall. As we realised we were coming to the end of the ride we became aware that we felt physically tired. It is hard work to keep the body stiff and alert and to be holding on tight. But above all, we felt exhilaration that in our 60s we had taken the chance to fulfil a dream.

We climbed from the back of our beautiful elephant onto the platform. The world seemed so still and at peace. We climbed down and gave her some bananas. Wow, she looked so big from ground level! Then she was led away for a rest and to wait for the next people to delight in the experience. We fed young elephants before we left and stroked their heads. It was a lovely place to be and has provided us with a treasured memory.

• More Things to Do in Phuket
• Some of our favourite restaurants

Mom Tri's Oasis Restaurant (Kata Beach)

My normal restaurant choice for lunch is something cheap and simple... there are several choices close to where I work in Karon Beach such as Mama Noi, or a great Phad Thai shop, or several small local places. But a couple of weeks ago I was invited for a business lunch at Mom Tri's Oasis at Kata Beach. I have eaten before at Mom Tri's Kitchen which is overlooking Kata Noi Beach, so hoped for similarly delicious food.



The Oasis restaurant really is right on Kata Beach. There were sunloungers just a couple of meters away.... felt a bit odd... I was told that the restaurant is much nicer in the evening when the beach is empty.. there were not many diners on the day I was there.. guess we'll have to go back in the evening one day when I am feeling rich. Yeh, it's not really expensive - I am sure plenty of people would say that the prices are very reasonable considering the quality, the location, the service..

The location is actually very very nice...



Sometimes I feel a bit out of place in fancier restaurants with huge wine lists (and Oasis has a huge wine list just like it's neighbour, the Boathouse). So I had some wine and ordered a salmon salad which was extremely tasty - you can taste the difference sometimes with the quality of ingredients - even a simple piece of lettuce is not to be taken lightly - and the lettuce in my salad was good lettuce! And I always appreciate a few sun dried tomatoes :)

You can see the full menu on the Mom Tri's website - I think the website shows the dinner menu, which is more extensive.. I was there for lunch and there were fewer choices, mostly what they call "Thai Tapas". What struck me the most was the way time flew sitting there in comfort, sipping wine, gazing over the beach... after 2 hours I reckoned I had better get back to the office, thinking "I could get used to this". Next day was back on the 40 Baht Phad Thai :)



Related links...

• Mom Tri's Villa Royale Hotel
• Mom Tri's Kitchen
• Mom Tri's Boathouse Hotel
• More Phuket Restaurants

Wordless Wednesday ~ 9: Tube

Click here for more Wordless Wednesday participants

Weekend Snapshots ~ 2: London

Yesterday I went to The Crosse Keys Pub in the City of London for a Camera Settings Workshop.  Run by The Photo School, this was the second of their courses I’ve done, the first one being their Creative Composition Course back in August 2009.  The course was only £30 for three hours and I really learnt a lot about what my little point-and-shoot camera can do. As you’re encouraged to really play around with your settings, the photos tend not to be as creative as the previous course.

The Crosse Keys

I learned to play around with the ISO settings on my camera and am finding it much easier to take photos inside or in artificial light.

Leadenhall Market

I'm also finding it easier to bring out the colours in dull light or cloudy conditions.  Which is a good thing if you live in the Capital of Unsunny.

The Crosse Keys is such a gorgeous pub, I’d really recommend that you take a visit up there if you are ever in the vicinity of St Pauls or Monument. As I had gone through Leadenhall Market and around "The Gherkin" last time, I headed south toward Monument this time.

I spent the rest of the practical time playing around with the white balance and programme modes on my camera and trying to capture a little of the essence of London for those who have never visited here before.

 

Not all black cabs are black…

 

...but many of the buses are red (playing around with motion and the Sports mode).

Just what is the essence of London?

The essence of London is not limited to one area or place.  It is something that can be seen anywhere in the city but which is so unmistakeably London.  London Underground roundels, black taxi cabs, red buses and the bollards.  I love this city.  Red post boxes are unmistakeably England though, aren’t they?  I must take the time out to capture a red telephone box as well one day.  Although they are less common these days, you can find them if you look for them.

After the course, I got really, really lost trying to find my way back to Cannon Street Station.  That’ll teach me to be lazy!  I know the way back to London Bridge which is where a non-lazy Tourist would have been walking.

  

It was only when I found myself outside the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England that I realised I’d taken a wrong turn and so I ducked past the London Magistrates Court and found my way back to Cannon Street.  Not a moment too soon either, it was rather cold yesterday!

The meaning of life

Read more about our philosophy around this circumnavigation, and life in general. Click here.

Want to know more about us?

- The story of how we met and a bit about our individual backgrounds. Click here.

- And what language do we speak to each other? Read here to find out.

- Click here to read more about our philosophy around this circumnavigation, and life in general.

Lost in Southwark

I went for a walk today to try and find a fabled hardware store that was said to be hiding just off Borough High Street.  I’d already had one failed mission and returned to my office in defeat.  When our security officer then decided to direct me through “the scenic route” I knew I had to take along my trusted Nokia N70 phone and snap some photos!

Little Dorrit Court

Southwark is steeped in history and the story of the writing of Little Dorrit  is linked to Charles Dickens’ visit to his father in Marshalsea prison.  All that remains of Marshalsea prison is the wall which runs along the park next to my work.  So, my walk took me along Little Dorrit Court and the colourful park there.

I guess it would have to be colourful given how wonderfully grey London is for most of the year!

When I got to the end of Little Dorrit Court, I came upon the most wonderful little park.

Red Cross Garden

It is amazing what you can discover in London if you just step away from your usual path. 

Even in the depth of winter, the Red Cross Garden is absolutely exquisite.

The Red Cross Garden was founded in 1887 by Octavia Hill, a co-founder of the National Trust.  According to the Bankside Open Spaces Trust website, Octavia was an ardent social reformer and built the garden as a place for the tired inhabitants of Southwark to sit.  (Yesterday, an overworked Southwark employee simply took photos!)  She also built the houses you can see at the back as a model to how housing conditions could be improved for the working poor.

Not surprisingly, there is a plaque dedicated to Octavia Hill at the back of the garden.

So, I finally found my way to the hardware store and then scooted back to work.

I took the opportunity to snap a photo of the St George the Martyr Church.  That is a section of Borough High Street you can see there and it is completely full of road works as they replace the Victorian water mains.  Utter pandemonium! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ 8: Green

Four Days: Greenwich Observatory

It was a sunny autumn day in early October when I drove through to Heathrow to pick up my friend Patrick visiting from South Africa.  After settling in at home, we drove off to one of my favourite places in London, the place where I take all of my visitors without fail: Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

The View From Greenwich Park

    National Maritime Museum with Canary Wharf in the background

The Old Greenwich Power Station with The O2 in the background

I believe that Greenwich Park has some of the best views in London and so we sat for a while taking in the sights.

The Meridian Route

Once inside the Royal Observatory, you have a choice of taking the Meridian or Astronomy routes.  We took the Meridian route first which is all to do with the recording of time, navigation around the world and of course, the Greenwich Meridian where time begins!

Armillary dial // William Herschel's telescope

The grounds of the Royal Observatory are exquisite, as are most parks and attractions in England.  The Armillary is a sundial in the shape of a globe and it was constructed in 1968.  You may have to be an astronomy geek like me to find the last remaining part of William Herschel’s telescope as exciting as I did.  William Herschel had discovered Uranus in 1781 and this telescope was paid for by King George III and completed in 1789.  Sadly, it was rarely used as it was difficult to set up and maintain.

The Gardens in the Royal Observatory // The Greenwich Meridian

Most people step right over the Greenwich Meridian before they realise what it is.  This is the Prime Meridian of the World with a longitude of 0° 0' 0".  I am facing due south there with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one foot in the western one.  

 
Camera Obscura // The 28 Inch Telescope Dome

I would have walked right past the Camera Obscura if Patrick hadn’t dragged me back to look at it.  I have no idea how it works but the Camera Obscura uses a lens to project a real-time moving panorama of Greenwich onto a disk inside a darkened room.  It took my eyes some time to adjust but you could see buses moving and everything!  I was glad to get out though as I am (at the grand old age of 36) still petrified of the dark and felt very suffocated inside there!

The telescope in that dome is over 100 years old and is the largest of its kind in the UK.

The Octagon Room

We spent quite a long time in the Octagon Room at the top of Flamsteed House.  This is one of the few surviving interiors by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral.  The Octagon room was designed to observe celestial events including eclipses, comets and planetary movements.

 

Ceiling detail // Replica telescope tube // Astronomical quadrant // The Tompion Clock

The Astronomy Route

We then took the Astronomy route where sadly, less photographs were allowed.

 

We walked all around the Astronomy Centre as well as the interactive Weller Astronomy Galleries.  I wasn’t too concerned about the ban on photography though as there was so much to do!  I would have loved to have visited the planetarium but as it was Patrick’s first day in the UK, I think we decided to not spend all of his pounds and to let him get some rest!  I took a photo of the books in the bookshop, by the way, because many of the authors featured there were speaking at the TAM Conference Patrick was attending.