photo expedition

photo expedition

Our new photography tour presents a great opportunity for amateur and semi-professional photographers alike to improve on their tech-niques and bring back home unique and eye catching digital images. Accompanied by Gavin Gough, renowned professional British photogra-pher and travel writer based in Bangkok, partici-pants will have opportunities to discuss the tech-nical aspects of photography, ensuring that they can use whatever equipment they have at their disposal to their advantage.

Introduction

Starting in Bangkok, we will capture the illuminated grounds of Wat Pho during a nocturnal tour.

Next morning, we explore the fasci-nating markets and street life around China town on foot, tour the colorful flower and vegetable whole-sale market and in the after-noon, travel by chartered long-tail boat through the canals of Thon-buri.

The following day we depart to Ma-hachai, one of the biggest seafood piers in the Gulf of Thailand and continue by local train for a scenic one-hour ride to Mae Klong. The train passes right through the bus-tling fresh market. In the afternoon, we travel by long-tail boat along Mae Klong River and a network of canals, passing coconut and fruit orchards and rural dwellings.

An early start on Day 4 brings us to an authentic floating market, that takes place according to the moon calendar and on weekends only.

We then continue to Kanchanaburi, where we board the train for a ride along the famous “Death Railway” and travel by chartered long-tail boat along the Kwai River to Sai Yoke Na-tional Park for captivating images of nature and a picturesque waterfall.

The tour concludes with a visit to the former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. The glory of the Ayutthaya empire (1350-1767A.D.) is evident in the remains of temples such as Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Chai Wat-tanaram, which we will pass during a dinner cruise on a converted rice barge and also visit the next day during our photograpy tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

photo expedition

Day 1 Bangkok

You will be met by our guide at Bangkok airport and travel by private van to your hotel, located in the heart of bustling China town.

When night falls, we travel to Wat Pho for our first photographic outing - a nocturnal tour of the illuminated grounds of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

On foot we continue to a lovely riverside restaurant, located opposite Wat Arun. From the rooftop bar capture some awsome nightshots of illuminated ships cruising along the Chao Phraya River and the Temple of Dawn.

Meals included: DinnerAccommodation: Shanghai Mansion or similar

photo expedition

Today we start our photography expedition by exploring bustling China town on foot. Streetsigns, glittering gold shops, open air markets displaying a colorful arrange-ment of fruit, oriental spices and herbs - touring the small alleys is a feast for the senses as well as your camera’s lense! We slowly make our way towards Pak-long Talad - a flower and vegetable whole-sale market, before we board a public taxi boat for a short ride on Chao Phraya River to Supatra River House, a lovely riverside restaurant, where a delicious Thai lunch will be served.

Day 2 Bangkok

In the afternoon, we board a chartered taxi boat and tour the klongs (canals) of Bangkok’s Thonburi side. A venture through Klong Chak Phra uncovers Bangkok Noi’s most unspoiled ambience. Wat Choeng Lane is a secluded oasis of peace nestled amidst verdant natural sur-roundings. These days you don’t find many temples like this in Bang-kok. Within the Ban Bu community is the only remaining maker of Khan Long Hin or stone-polished bronzeware, an ancient craftsmanship handed down the generations since the Ayutthaya era. Close by is a pharmacy, founded over 70 years ago by the community’s renowned doctor, still standing from that time. Run by his third-generation descendants, it sells a variety of Thai herbal and traditional medicines prepared according to old recipes. Late afternoon, we return to our hotel by local tuk tuk.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunchAccommodation: Shanghai Mansion or similar

photo expedition

We depart Bangkok in the morning and drive to Mahachai, home to one of the biggest seafood piers in the Gulf of Thailand. Stroll along the river towards the pier at the junction where Klong Ma-hachai canal and the Ta Chine River converge to watch fishermen offload their catch: big and small shrimps, myriad fish, cuttlefish, shellfish and other fruits of the sea. Deckhands slide baskets of seafood down from the boat into the hands of traders who immediately auction off the catches and distribute them either to one of the many frozen seafood plants in the area or to vendors at the fresh market just behind the pier.

Late morning, we board the local train for a scenic one-hour ride to Mae Klong. The train passes right through the bustling fresh market, then ready yourself for the hectic activities of the ven-dors along the railway tracks, when they raise the awnings of their stalls to clear the passage for the train on its return journey to Mahachai.

Day 3 Ampawa

Onwards to Ampawa, where we check in to Baan Ampawa Resort. Later in the afternoon, we depart on a boat trip through the scenic canals, passing coconut and fruit orchards and rural dwellings.

We visit the Benjarong House and Museum. Watch skilled artisans painting delicate china ware with intricate designs, then continue by boat along Mae Klong River to Wat Bang Kung, built during the Ayudhaya period (more than 200 years ago). This interesting temple is completely embraced by the roots of a huge Banyan Tree. Return to the resort for a deserved rest.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinnerAccommodation: Baan Ampawa Resort & Spa

photo expedition

Early morning, we visit the rural floating market of Tha Kha. Women from the local com-munity gather here in specific days, following the moon calendar to sell their vegetable and exotic fruits. Arriving early before the Bangkokians and tourists flock to the market, we will capture capti-vating images of this authentic floating market. We then continue to Kanchanaburi, where we board the local train for an exciting ride on the Death Railway.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinnerAccommodation: River Kwai Jungle Rafts

Day 4 River Kwai

A scenic boat ride brings us to River Kwai Jungle Rafts. After dinner, we invite you to join a traditional dance and song performance by villagers of the nearby Mon village and staff of the resort.

photo expedition

Day 5 River Kwai - Ayutthaya

Early risers might have a chance to watch the elephants from the nearby Mon Village taking their morning bath in the river. After a hearty break-fast, we depart by chartered long-tail boat to Sai Yoke Na-tional Park and waterfall.At noon we return to Kan-chanaburi town, where lunch will be served at a riverside restaurant overlooking the famous Bridge over the River Kwai. After a brief visit to one of the War Cemetaries in town we continue to the former capital city of Siam, Ayutthaya.

During a dinner cruise on a converted barge we will get our first impressions, passing some of the illuminated monu-ments of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Pludhaya Resort & Spa Ayutthaya

Day 6 Ayutthaya

You should not miss capturing the Buddhist monks on their early morning rounds receiving alms from the local people. You may even participate and make merit by buying fresh prepared food at the local market and then present it to the passing monks. Our guide will happily explain how this is done properly. Return to the resort for breakfast and then we set off for our last photographic adventure of the journey, capturing mesmerizing images at Wat Yai Chai Mong-kol, Wat Sri Sanpetch and Wat Mahathad. Late after-noon, our journey ends with a transfer back to Bang-kok city.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

photo expedition

Photography Tour Bangkok - Ampawa - River Kwai - Ayutthaya

Group dates:December 10 - 15, 2009: THB 49,225 per person (USD 1,515, € 1,119)March 04 - 09, 2010: THB 61.225 per person (USD 1,884, € 1,390)March 18 - 23, 2010: THB 61.225 per person (USD 1,884, € 1,390)

Group size: minimum 4, maximum 12 participants

Included in our tourprice are:• Transportation in deluxe high-roof minivan (max 6 persons per van)• Services of a local English guide co-ordinator• Professional fees for photographer and travel writer Gavin Gough• All boat trips mentioned in the program• Admission fees to places mentioned in the program• Train fares• Baggage handling• 5 nights accommodation on twin-share basis• 5 x breakfast• 4 x dinner• 4 x lunch Not included are:• Airfares to/from Bangkok• Drinks during meals• Surcharge for single room occupancy at hotels• Personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, minibar consumption, room service, tips etc.• Travel insurance• Airport transfer on Day 6

For more information and pricing, please contact

Diethelm Travel (Thailand) Ltd., 14/F Kian Gwan Building II, 140/1 Wireless RoadBangkok, 10330, Tel. +66 (0) 2660 7000, Fax+66 (0) 2 660 7020,

E-mail: sales@diethelmtravel.com, www.diethelmtravel.comTAT license No. 11/02572