27-02-2016 - Story from a local in Thailand

This is not about the beauty, not about happiness, but a little reflection of a person who live in Thailand.

I was chatting on a gay app called “Grindr” yes, for those who didn’t know. Im gay. but whatever…

I was chatting with a guy and was a nice conversation. We talked about some simple things and he told me he work as massage. I wanted goto a Thai Massage, but around my hotel lots of lady’s ask me: Wanna Massage… Wanna Massage… and it didn’t feel good. So i asked him where he worked.

He give me his location and i went to his salon. I told him i will arrive around 14:00 and outside he was waiting. Off course he was at work, so we went to the room and started the massage.

We talked also, normally you lay down and relax, but we had a conversation, a good one. I asked him some questions and he asked me questions. At a certain moment we talked about difference of Thailand and Netherlands. I asked him what i get per month for this job. He told me around 7000-8000 bath. It depends on how many customers he had. Yesterday he had 2 customers so get 100bath per customer. I paid 400bath (10 euro) for the oil massage. So 300bath goes to the owner.

He also told me that it isn’t enough for living (8000bath is around 204 euro). He send some money to his parents more land inward. They are not able to work anymore. So he has to live from 204 euro minus the amount he send to his parents. For me was that a moment of reflection.

He asked me to sit, so he can do my back and told me i was a very “friendly person” he said: lots of customers are touching me and are rude. After that saying to me i had again a reflection. How can someone rude agains a person who worked hard for his money? Work 6 days between 12:00 – 23:30 and 1 day off.

After the massage was done i thank you him for the open conversation and the nice massage as well. And people think now im crazy, but give him som extra for his family and himself. Because i will survive when i help someone… He need it.

True, its the normal way of living here, but if every tourist can be little more generous then the Thai people can live little bit better.

 

 

27-02-2016 - Story from a local in Thailand>

Asia, difference, Patong, Phuket, Thailand, Thaimassage, Tourism, Vaccination, wayofliving

26-02-2016 - Shanghai Railway Station 360°

Here a nice 306° of Shanghai Railway Station. its huge!!!

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26-02-2016 - Shanghai Railway Station 360°>

360, Asia, China, Highspeedtrain, Huge, Oudenes, Photography, Railway, ricoh, Shanghai, theta, thetas, Train, Trainstation

24-02-2016 - Bejing - Kuala Lumpur - Phuket

Im glad i leave Bejing, the culture is nice, the places i went where nice, but the hospitality of the people is bad! When you stand in metro with your phone, the people will walk in and don’t look. If it falls they don’t care. The flight from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur was ok. Next to me sit a very big fat guy. He was very nice, but after a hour he was thinking, f.ck you i gonna sit and feel conformable with it… So i was pushed aside agains the window haha.

After i landend in Kuala Lumpur had a stop over and have to wait for 3.5 hours.

My flight to Phuket was good. Short flight 1,5 hour and after you arrive you have to go to immigration. Service people everywhere to help you fill in the immigration card of you don’t know. So thats good and nice. After the immigration i got my free 4G TRUE Sim-card, You can topup this card by every 7-11 supermarket. Then you can choose what you want… Internet for houw much, call for how much. Its better. You buy a amount of bundle, within that bundle you choose what you want.

The ride to Patong was ok as well. The mini bus was good. After arriving my room i was so tired i went for a sleep. My view is nice, See the see and when its evening i can see the sunset every night. For now im gonna explore Patong and walking around to get the fibe of this beach town.

 

24-02-2016 - Bejing - Kuala Lumpur - Phuket>

22-02-2016 - Lama Temple and Temple of Heaven

After my Olympic Park visit i went too 2 temples: Lama Temple and Temple of heaven. Both very crowded with people. And seems i was the only white guy around there. The temples where colored so nice, and everywhere people pray, and give money to the buddha. When i was in temple of heaven 2 times people want on a photo with me, so i was the only white guy there, and a new attraction was born…

22-02-2016 - Lama Temple and Temple of Heaven>

Asia, Beijing, Buddha, Colors, Culture, Follow, journey, Lamatemple, Locals, Must-See, Oudenes, People, Photography, Religion, Temple, Templeofheaven, Travel, Visiting

19-02-2016 - The old chinese city of Shanghai

I went to the old city of Shanghai… Was difficult the find it because all small streets are filled with people and little shops. You have to look very well to see the beauty of this location. This location was build in the “Ming Dynasty” by a rich family the Pan-clan. It has been destroyed several times: Opium War, Taiping Protest.

They renovated all and you can see this, because it look old but it isn’t. Its ok, now we have a idea how it was in that period.

19-02-2016 - The old chinese city of Shanghai>

Asia, City, Culture, destroyed, Follow, Locals, mingdynasty, Must-See, Oudenes, People, Photography, Shanghai, Temple, Travel, war

21-02-2016 - Great Wall China

Today i went to Great Wall of China. This is the longest wall ever made by humans. Total length around 10.000km.It was a long journey to get there by bus. I was happy that i did a excursion otherwise i wasn’t able to find it my own and public transport. At this period of the year it was the best. Less people around so have some nice images created. After we went back in the hotel i had a dinner with a couple from Norway. Was a nice conversation and in meanwhile we ordered some delicious food in the upper floor of a shopping mall!

21-02-2016 - Great Wall China>

Asia, Beijing, cablecar, Follow, Greatwall, Greatwallchina, Must-See, People, Tourism, Travel, Visiting, wall

21-02-2016 - Shanghai to Beijing

This morning went to Shanghai Railway Station to take the High-Speed train to Beijing. The ride was perfect. I bought a 1st class ticket and had almost my own cabin haha. The train will stop several times between Shanghai and Beijing and the whole journey took 7 hours. I shoot some images of the locations and now you have a little impression what i saw the whole day.

A cup of coffee cost 2,- euro, so thats normal. After u arrived at Beijing South a bought a metro card. When you know the metro system in other big cities, then every metro in every city is easy. Sometimes you have to ask something. There was a short part of the route with a old part of metro. So no signs, no map, nothing. I had to ask for it.

After i arrive at my hotel i booked my excursion to Great wall, costs 39,- euro. Pickup from hotel to Great wall, a guide, and when i arrive at Great Wall i will use a cablecar to get higher in te mountains. But you will see the images later.

Now below you can see some images i took in the train. Ohh im so happy with my Nikon 24-70mm f2.8. The train had a speed of 305km/hour. And all my images are sharp 😀

21-02-2016 - Shanghai to Beijing>

Asia, Beijing, Booked, Country, Culture, Follow, Highspeedtrain, Hotel, journey, Oudenes, Photography, Shanghai, Travel, Visiting

19-02-2016 - Financial Area Lujiazui

Here you have a impression of the Financial Area  called “Lujiazui”. This district is located in the Pudong District of Shanghai.

Below you have a nice view of this area. Check the 360° degrees image:

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19-02-2016 - Financial Area Lujiazui>

360, Asia, Bund, Follow, journey, Orientalpearltower, Oudenes, Pudong, ricoh, Shanghai, theta, thetas, Visiting

18-02-2016 - Shanghai Sunset

I was at my hotel, little relaxing and i saw a very nice oppertunity to shoot Shanghai Skyline in a different way. The sun and sky was so nice, i shoot some images and this one is the best. I love the colors, and you can still see the buildings and know its Shanghai.

18-02-2016 - Shanghai Sunset>

Asia, Locals, Oudenes, Photography, Shadow, Shanghai, Skyline, Sun, Sunset, Tourism, Travel, Visiting, Yellow

16-02-2016 - Hong Kong Skyline with clouds

At moment of my stay in Hong Kong the weather was not best. So i had to struggle with clouds and took me some time to create this image.

Again, original one is huge in file size so to see the full version: Download link

Original file:

Filesize: 244mb

Pixels: 12185 x 3727 (45,4MP)

16-02-2016 - Hong Kong Skyline with clouds>

24-70mmf28, Asia, City, Clouds, Culture, Follow, Hongkong, Island, Locals, Locations, Nikon, Oudenes, Photography, Skyline, Tourism, Travel, Visiting

15-02-2016 - Shanghai Skyline

What a cold evening. but i went to the “Bund” where you have the beautiful view of the famous Shanghai Skyline. I did a well done Panorama image of this nice place. But because its a judge image i share it using a download link from Dropbox: Download Link

Original File information:

Size: 645 MB

Pixels: 20074 x 5940 (119,2 MP)

15-02-2016 - Shanghai Skyline>

Asia, Bund, Culture, Follow, Oudenes, Panorama, Photography, Photoshoot, Shanghai, Vaccination, Visiting

15-02-2016 - Hong Kong view in 360°

Here some nice 360° images of Hong Kong:

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15-02-2016 - Hong Kong view in 360°>

360, Airport, Asia, Hongkong, Island, Oudenes, People, Photography, ricoh, Subway, theta, thetas, Travel

14-02-2016 - Horrible start Shanghai

So, first morning in Shanghai. It was a very unpleasant start. I arrived at my hotel in Huangpu District. Went to my room and with every step i feel more and more sad. Smell was like shit, the smell of wet dogs, 100 of them in 1 room. I opened my room and was almost crying. This was not the view how Hotels.com show the room. Was sitting on my bed and look around. Took some images because i want this for my memory (i’ll create a book of everything).

After 30minutes i decide to check-out and booked in meanwhile a other hotel. The reservation was ok. But because of my lost of my Macbook and the Payment of my Hong Kong Hotel and some other payments i knew my CreditCard limit was almost there. But ill took a taxi and went to “Novotel Shanghai”. Arrived there and explain everything (Thanks god they talk little bit english). It was no problem at all and they make a deposit of the amount i had on my CreditCard. At my room i called Rabobank and they give me the instructions to transfer money from my normal account to my Credit Card so i can use it when needed.

For now im at my hotel room, not coming out this day. Have to settle, have to be relax about this. I know problems are everywhere and you can solve it out. Im gonna edit my images, my panorama’s and my 360 degrees images. Next post will be a post of my Hotel in Hong Kong of “99 Bonham Hotel” that was a nice one! Loved it. Cheers

First 4 images was my previous hotel in Shanghai.

 

Below you see a 360 degrees of my current hotelroom.

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14-02-2016 - Horrible start Shanghai>

Asia, badstart, Booked, emerency, Hotel, Locations, Oudenes, Photography, ricoh, Shanghai, thetas, Tourism, Travel

13-02-2016 - Explore HongKong

Yesterday i went into HongKong with a local friend. He showed me the district called : Tsim Sha Tsui (尖沙咀). Before i stared my journey i was planned to book a hotel at this district. Im so happy i didn’t book there. Wherever you walk there lots of Indian people who ask to all the caucasians if they need a room or taxi. The crowd is judge. Every street every restaurant is full of people. I was so lucky i booked my hotel on Hong Kong Island. Thats the better place to stay and walk around. My local friend told me also lot of people who lives on the island almost never goto the other side of the river.

To reach the Tsim Sha Tsui you can use the MTR or Ferry. The Ferry is nice to do, you will also passed by Apple Store IFC Hong Kong.  In the Tsim Sha Tsui District there are streets with only electronics, or camera equipment, or dry food. Its funny to see that this is centralized.

After a long day we went back and drop my camera and went to a Japanese restaurant. It was delicious! All the breakfast and dinners where good. Prices are between 50-150 HK$.

When you visit HongKong and walk around on the island you will think whats going on here. All small streets seems so old and bad condition. But its stil the upper class location. In every street you can find restaurants and places to buy food.

At the end i went to Hong Kong Station and used the Airport Express Shuttle. It will stop on different locations and will bring you easy and fast to Airport Express Train Station. Within 24minutes you will be on the Airport. When you arrive you can buy a 2way Airport Express ticket include 3 days free use of MTR for 350 HK$.

13-02-2016 - Explore HongKong>

Asia, Culture, Hongkong, MTR, Oudenes, Photography, Shanghai, tsimshatsui

12-02-2016 - Po Lin-Monastery and Buddha

I went to the Ngong 360 cablecar terminal to see the Po Lin-Monastery and the Buddha. TIP: Go early, in morning. I waited almost 1,5 hours before i was in the cablecar. But it was worth it! The view was beautiful and you have a nice for view over the human made island for Hong Kong Airport. After a ride of 15-20minutes i reaced Po Lin-Monastery. The feeling was excellent. People pray everywhere or give a sign to the Buddha. I had my photography equipment with me and the stair was long, hard and suffering to get on top to see the Buddha. It was a judge statue and i felt so minuscule. After visiting this place i went back. Was so tired of all impressions i went directly to my Hotel. I took a shower and get some dinner.

12-02-2016 - Po Lin-Monastery and Buddha>

Asia, Buddha, cablecar, Hongkong, Locals, Monastery, Must-See, Ngongping, Oudenes, Photography, PoLin, PoLinMonastery, Religion

12-02-2016 - Back on the track

Its a short message, but im back on the track. Tomorrow i gonna try to upload the new images, and some 360 impressions of the subway in Hong Kong and visited the “Lantau Peak” and the Buddha and Po Lin-Monastery. But for now i gonna sleep, it was a long day!

12-02-2016 - Back on the track>

Asia, Buddha, cablecar, City, Culture, Hongkong, Mountains, Oudenes, Tourism

10-02-2016 - Temporary no new blogs

Of a overwhelming by reaching my hotel in Hong Kong I forgotten my MacBook  from the back seat. I feel so sad. Went to police and called some lost and found departments… Hoping they will find it. But for now this will be my last blog … Maybe some very easy one and just some iPhone images. But no high red experience photo’s. 

10-02-2016 - Temporary no new blogs>

Asia, Hongkong, lost, macbook

10-02-2016 - Leaving Singapore

Again i have a sad feeling by leaving Singapore. In April and Juli 2014 went to Singapore as well, and 2 times had the feeling i never want leave this nation. Tried to find my way to stay and live here. Its hard to find a job that fits so you can get a work permit. So if someone read this and have the opportunity to let me work in Singapore… let me know.

Im now at Changi Airport waiting for my flight to HongKong. Also a place i want see for so long period. Im gonna meet a friend over there so that will be great to meet him in his own country. We did meet already in Amsterdam. Later you will read and see the beautiful and maybe the other side of Hong Kong. I always curious who a country looks like when you leave the touristic path and see how the people living.

10-02-2016 - Leaving Singapore>

Asia, Changi, changiairport, Hongkong, Oudenes, People, Singapore, TigerAir, Visiting

08-02-2016 - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Today i went to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. This temple has a part of tooth of the Sakyamuni Boeddha.

you can visit this temple for free and when you done on ground floor go up and see this tooth yourself. You have to take of shoes and its not allow to take photo’s. The ground floor is allow. Below you see collection photo’s of this wonderfull temple

Here you can see the temple 360 degrees:

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08-02-2016 - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple>

Asia, Buddha, Locations, Must-See, Oudenes, People, Phuket, ricoh, Singapore, Temple, Tooth

07-02 / 08-02-2016 - Chinese New Year Eve

It was a experience !!! I was at the “New Bridge Rd” near my hotel. Crowd of people waiting for the countdown, Dragon dancers entertain the people. Most of the people are tourists. Some locals told me that the Chinese community are at home and watch the countdown on television.

It was also the first use of my lens i bought weeks ago. A Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and its amazing what i can do now!!

Shoot night shots without a tripod. Ok off course its better to use, but when objects moving you can setup your camera well so its not needed.

It was a great night. I loved it, I enjoyed it, I was there!

07-02 / 08-02-2016 - Chinese New Year Eve>

China, Chinesenewyear, Culture, Follow, Hotel, NewYear, Oudenes, People, Photography, Singapore, Tourism