The private long-tailed boat bounced along the extremely wide and choppy Chao Phraya River heading towards a network of winding klongs (canals) of Bangkok. Entering a residential neighborhood the boat ride turned peaceful and the world changed.
Before my eyes…a modest home, then a shack, a beautiful mansion, and then more shacks….all woven together with their porches overlooking the canal. A neighborhood of extremes. Multiple generations; young, middle aged and elderly…a few rich, but many not so much…all living their lives on the canal. Fascinating.
It was mid-morning on the water and it seemed so quiet. Not a lot of people out and the hour went fast. Since it was so enjoyable another tour was booked for the following evening in hopes to see more activity in the golden hour around sunset. This time a boat ride for two hours and going much deeper into the neighborhoods.
Renting the long-tailed boat for a personal tour provides much more flexibility when visiting the klongs. Soon the driver knew when to slow down for me and when he could speed up. There was much more activity in the evening. Children swimming, fishing, people gathering for a beer, as well as attending activities at the numerous temples sprinkled throughout. The people welcomed my smiles, my waves and my camera. It’s the people and how they live that I so enjoy photographing. This is why I so love traveling…to be exposed, to connect and to appreciate the diversity of the people.
This canal merchant sums up my entire experience in the neighborhood of extremes!
Robin,
This is a great and wonderful series of your keen interest in people and places and your photographic expression. Would make a nice small book of one of your journeys’.
Wow. We need to appreciate what we have.
Nikki
What a great trip through the canals. Smart decision to go back in the evening for a longer private tour. You really captured wonderful candid moments in the lives of people of a variety if ages. Your beautiful welcoming smile and heart reflects back in the recipricated expressions that you capture. You are a gift, Dear Robin.
XO
Your love for people is so evident in these pictures.
Amazing and stunningly beautiful!
We have a Shutterchance blogger friend who lives in Bangkok, Robin (he’s an Australian married to a Thai lady) and he loves showing us Thailand (including Bangkok) through his eyes. But the way I’m seeing it through YOUR eyes is totally different…and that tells me everything!
Here’s Ray’s site: http://mainlythai.shutterchance.com/
The happy faces, the real life, the connecting with people. They know you are a tourist, BUT a different one, a true tourist who is there for the right reasons and shows the beauty of this country.
Amazing pictures. The waving kids, the monk…..
The last one made me smile, a proud man.
Love these, especially the first one of the lady going about her journey, the homes, the smiles……you have such an eye for the sweet spot……..
These photos are AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing. XoXo More!!!
Thank you for the visit to Bangkok. You have captured it’s essence. The first shot of the woman in her boat, says it all. Well done.
Love the diversity you captured in the neighborhood & people! My favorite is the woman in the boat. Xo
So many beautiful, true smiles reflecting back to you! The first looks like a soft painting, they all show such real life,
A beautiful photo story. Loved the smiles all around. Engaging text too 🙂
These images are amazing! I especially love the beauty and serenity you captured in the first photo—exquisite! You are so talented!
I love your stories and photos so much – beautiful and honest.
Absolutely marvelous! That first shot made my jaw drop.