Travels in Holland

I've just returned from a trip to Holland

On the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland I found myself a comfy chair on the sundeck and settled down to watch the waves roll by.

In Delft there was time to do some window shopping









and wander around enjoying the architecture and tree-lined canals.
















Apart from cheese, an interesting surprise was waiting for me in Gouda.  Whilst taking a stroll along one of the canals I discovered an unusual statue. 











I was told later that there was a connection with it to Desiderius Erasmus, the humanist, writer and theologian, who lived in Gouda.  One of his best-known works is “In Praise of Folly” – well to be honest, seen from my point of view, I don’t think there’d be anything wrong for a man to be carrying a donkey and I must say that the donkey dude in the statue looks pretty happy about it, albeit  a little surprised.  The statue is entitled “Jack ass” and the name of the sculptor..?  Gijs Assmann!  - now that is a strange co-incidence.

Cheese, glorious cheese ... and plenty of it. 

Earlier in the day I had stopped at a windmill to chat to these girls who produce the milk from which the yummy cheeses are made.

 Talking of windmills, here are some more that I saw.

And then in the World Heritage site of Kinderdijk I even got to see the inside workings of a windmill.

All too soon it was time to head homewards, and I stopped on Westminster Bridge for a photo of Big Ben.

Where to next?

Time to start planning for for some new adventures.

Hope you'll join me on my future travels...

Home again

As we touched down at Heathrow the elegant air hostess handed me a beautiful orchid as a reminder of a great trip.  

Another view of Bangkok

For the final day in Thailand we joined the busy river traffic to get an alternative view of life in Bangkok.

 Getting back on dry land we set off to explore the Grand Palace. 

 

By early evening we had to head off to the airport for the flight home.

Escape from the city in Bangkok

I prefer the tranquillity of rural life to the busy traffic and high rise buildings in cities.  

But we found a wonderful place where the people of Bangkok go to relax.  Wandering around Lumphini Park one feels far removed from life in the fast lane.  There is a large lake for boating, playgrounds where kids can play and extensive winding paths for walkers and joggers.  Whilst some get twisted in a knot doing yoga, 

others sip tea playing board games.  

 I was puzzled by the sign on one tree 

above an area paved with pebbles until I saw some ladies taking off their shoes and walking around on it.  Of course!  It’s an outdoor reflexology facility.  

 I had to have a go at it myself but found it wasn’t really designed for donkey hooves.  

But the biggest surprise was yet to come.  Out of nowhere a real live monster appeared and sauntered across the path.  At first I thought I was seeing things but then someone explained that there are many of these water monitors roaming freely around the park and they serve a useful purpose as scavengers to clean up any leftover food.  Well, I wasn’t taking any chances by getting too close but just had to have a photo taken to prove I’d really seen one. 

Last look around Chiang Mai

Much of the day was spent relaxing at Wat Pra Singh

before catching the train to Bangkok. 

Up the hill to Doi Suthep

Venturing further afield we went off to visit Mount Suthep.  Climbing up the steps of the mythical Naga Serpent Staircase 

we reached the temple with its magnificent  sacred stupa. 

  
I did have some trouble explaining to the temple official that I wasn’t able to remove my shoes to enter the temple as they were firmly nailed to my hooves.
Fortunately I was allowed in and got the see the Emerald Buddha.  

I also have to ‘fess up that I couldn’t resist giving some of the bells a ding-dong.  (But then what Dinky Donkey can resist a little ding-dong?). 

The charms of Chiang Mai

Staying in the old walled city meant that within walking distance there were dozens of places to explore and I kept wanting to see what was waiting around the next corner.  There were quiet secluded surprises 

and busier areas with gilded temples.  

Gaps’House is also a culinary school so taking an evening meal there is a must.  

Happy New Year!

A new year and a new town to explore.  After leaving Nan the countryside flashed by during the bus ride and by mid-afternoon we arrived in Chiang Mai.  A ride in a tuk-tuk 

and we arrived at Gap’s House. 

Here we found a beautiful oasis of tranquillity tucked away from the bustle and traffic of the city.  

It was more like an outdoor tropical museum, crammed with wonderful antiques that the charming and elegant owners had collected over the years.  Our room was tastefully decorated and held a special treat for me – a handsome and friendly horse.


We had a great time chatting and exchanging tales of our respective travels.