Being food lovers, we love all the things that go with it. No visit to a country or town is complete without going to a market and seeing what is on offer – no different for Chiang Mai.
Admittedly, there are lots of markets around and not all are of the same quality. I really liked the one at Ruamchok Mall.
Market hall – Ruamchok Mall.
You can buy everything the heart desires: fruit, veg, meat, spices …
Chiang Mai – market at Ruamchok Mall, fresh fruits So many different varieties of rice …
Chiang Mai market at Ruamchok Mall – great selection of vegetables. Especially the portion size, ready to cook versions in ‘Thai tupperware’
You can even buy ready cooked meals for take away in the special ‘Thai tupperware’
And it all looks really nice and fresh. Would love to have a market like this around the corner in Southsea.
Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. The old town is home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples – but they are for another day. Today is all about getting used to the heat and having a look around the old town.
Some impressions from walking around the city
Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 and was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. It has a rich history as a cultural and religious centre. We went to a couple of museums for some insight into folklore and history … it’s also a good way to escape the heat.
We found the city extremely quiet, but maybe everybody was getting ready for the ‘Sunday Walking Street’ (a night market)
It’s was definitely more lively later in the evening, but still pretty relaxed and laid back.
Chiang Mai – Sunday Walking market
Dinner had to be some street food. But not easy to choose as so many options
Chiang Mai pork sausage and BBQ chicken skewers – both very tasty
The Southern Ocean seems very clean. On none of the beaches did we find plastic rubbish – very different to what we have experienced in the Northern Hemisphere – no more beach pictures here as I already shared a lot …
Only 11% of the world population lives in the Southern Hemisphere. Apart from the big cities, towns are very quiet with lots of space, easy and relaxed. My favourite city has been Fremantle – think I mentioned this before…
Fremantle or Freo as the locals call it
Less globalisation? Yes, you can get your Starbucks and other chains but the cities and towns are full of independent businesses unlike UK city centres. Found that really refreshing – and I don’t mean the coffee they are serving 🤭
Independent coffee shops and bakeries, all with their individual offers and tasty food
Love the Australian wildlife, certainly the cute ones. But there is a lot you don’t want to encounter: jack ants, copperhead snakes, tiger snakes … I have lost count how many times I saw ‘beware of snakes’ on a big yellow signs, leaving me with a feeling of unpreparedness as no clue on what to do in case. Something definitely to do better next time.
Is or isn’t it? Walking a little used bush trail, Fergus thought I nearly stepped on a snake – one of my permanent nightmares. Fleeting looking at the picture (taken from a safe distance), it could have been. After deliberation and discussion with some locals we concluded it was a King’s skink
Aussies have a great sense of humour. We have seen some very funny lines – maybe not the best pictures to use as evidence …
We were surprised by strict interstate rules on ‘importing’ goods from one state to the other – affecting basically all fresh fruit, veg and honey. It did catch us out and we had to leave some stuff behind …
Driving is easy – in and outside of town. Sometimes we were driving for miles without seeing another car – long, straight and empty roads. And we travelled a lot – best part of 4500 km.
Travelling in South and Western Australia
The first Allied shots of both WWI and WWII were apparently fired from Fort Nepean on Mornington Peninsula.
On 5 August 1914, the German ship SS Pfalz attempted to escape from Port Philip. Within minutes of being notified that war had been declared, order was given to the Fort Nepean to “stop her or sink her”. After the Pfalz ignored signals to halt, the B1 gun fired across her bow. The Pfalz then turned around and the crew was arrested.
On 4 September 1939, within hours of war being declared, the A1 gun fired across the bow of a ship which failed to identify itself. The ship then identified as the Australian freighter SS Woniora!
To mark our last day in Oz, we decided to do what we like best – good food and wine.
Yes, there has been some sightseeing and earlier today we made some interesting purchases (I know, sounds very mysterious) but the focus was clearly on sensory delights.
With the Swan Valley wine region being close to Perth/Fremantle and very handy for the airport, there is no need to go any further. The difficulty lies in deciding which Wine Estate to choose. There are so many and all of them sound very good.
We ended up at Pinelli Wine Estate & Restaurant – mainly because they offer sharing platters (which we like) with a twist.
Pinelli Wine Estate and Restaurant
Going for a tasting at the Cellar Door first, we found the perfect wine to enjoy with our lunch.
Pinelli Grenache and Chef’s Vineyard Platter (all gone)
I know … I forgot (or was too excited) to take a picture of the platter. You just have to imagine a perfectly presented board of Arancini, Bocconcini, Calamari Fritti, Gamberi Grigliati, Grilled cacciatore sausage, warm olives, Chilli Mussels, some cheese and ham.
Followed by a gorgeous dessert – and this time I did take a picture
Pinelli Wine Estate and Restaurant – Torta de Fromaggio (one for the two of us 😏)
Definitely one of the best meals we had in Oz – taste, atmosphere, attentiveness and service. Sadly, we leave early tomorrow morning – otherwise I would happily go back again.
After travelling up the Swan river on a leisurely cruise from Fremantle, we spent the day in Perth, capital city of Western Australia, founded in 1829 as administrative centre of the Swan River Colony
Swan River and Perth, CBD with Elizabeth Quay
Having done city walking tours both in Adelaide and Melbourne, we thought we do some thing (spectacularly) different and visit the Perth Mint. What a fantastic experience
Perth Mint historic building from 1899
With WA’s population growing rapidly due to the discovery of rich gold deposits in various areas of the colony, there was very little money available in Perth for which miners could exchange gold to pay for goods.
Instead of money from other places, Perth became the latest Mint in Australia and stayed under the jurisdiction of Great Britain until 1970.
The world’s largest, heaviest and most valuable gold coin. The coin weighs about 1 ton and is legal tender in Australia. Not that you could easily take it to a bank 😏
The exhibition has interesting facts about gold, coins and stories about gold nuggets being found. Did you know that ..
Gold and heavy metals were formed as stars exploded and collided?
All the gold that exists on Earth today is extra-terrestrial?
Even as recent as 1995 sizeable gold nuggets have been found? New gold rush anyone?
Perth Mint – 2nd largest gold nugget still existing, discovered in 1995
We also watched gold being melted in a furnace of 1260 degrees and liquid gold being poured into a new gold bar
Furnace in which the gold is being melted.
And by the way, the equivalent of my weight in gold is about 5 million AUD (at current gold prices)
Enjoying the last few days of our Aussie travels in Fremantle/Perth. With ‘time running out’, we had to make a tough decision: driving further North to see ‘The Pinnacle desert’ (round trip 14 hours) or spending a leisurely day in yet another Marine Park.
🤔 🤔 🤔
Not (totally) surprising, animals won! Decided to visit Shoalwater Marine Park, Penguin and Seal Island. Can’t get much better than spending a beautiful day on a boat and watching animals enjoying themselves.
Jetty at Penguin Island
Penguin Island is home to a colony of approximately 500 little penguins, the smallest species of 17 different types of penguins. Very difficult to spot penguins during the day as they are usually out at sea chasing fish and only return at sunset. We saw only one in the wild, hiding in his borrow.
Pictures of some of rescued penguins who are kept in the discovery centre on the island. Any rescue penguin that has recovered enough to survive in the wild is being released.
Seal Island is a bit of a misnomer as it’s home to a population of male sea lions enjoying the sun. Visiting a female seal colony a few hundred kilometres up the coast every few months – otherwise, boys club only
Penguins in Discovery center
Seal Island, sea lion colony
Penguin Island is not only home to the little waddling creatures but also a bird sanctuary with a huge colony of courting Australian Pelicans,
Australian Pelican colony at Penguin Island Pelican flying squadron
plenty of other sea birds ..
Speckled Tern and Crested Tern
And other creatures enjoying the beautiful clear water
Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829. The city is named after Captain Charles Fremantle, the English naval officer who established a camp at the site.
We spent the day wandering around town …
marvelling at the architecture ..
With the wealth generated during the goldrush several prestigious buildings (then hotels) have been constructed throughout Fremantle.
diving into history …
The Round House, the oldest remaining intact building in Western Australia, was build in 1831 to hold criminals and then later used as a lock up by the police until 1900
Sampling the local produce …
Tasting menu at the local brewery ‘Little Creatures’. Had to be done. At least we shared 🍺
Bremer Canyon is about 45km off the coast in the Southern Ocean and the feeding grounds for the Bremer Bay Killer Whales, the apex predators.
We have been looking forward to a full day Killer Whale Expedition for a long time, a special treat.
Two days prior we got a mail confirming the tour but also mentioning extreme weather conditions 🤔
Wind up to 40 km/h starting the night before the expedition. Going out in this weather makes for a lumpy and bumpy ride.
Difficult to capture but the boat was going up and down and sideways a lot. All credit to the skipper to ride through the waves some as high as 6 metres.
For landlubbers like us, impossible to stand without holding on tight. Did make me feel quite green at times. Never been on a boat that reminded me of ‘the perfect storm’Fergus holding on tight and trying to spot some Orcas
By mid afternoon, we did!! Even if they didn’t want to interact much with the boat, they are an impressive sight
Orcas at Bremer Canyon
We don’t have the right sea legs to hold on for dear life and take pictures at the same time. Hence some pictures taken during our trip by seaworthy photographers are here.
Certainly an experience we won’t forget. Maybe the memory of the rough sea will fade ….
When the Cheynes Beach Whaling company closed in 1978, they quite simply put down their tools and walked away. This makes visiting the historic whaling station a very authentic experience as the site is basically the same as when it was fully operational.
After Humpback whales were no longer allowed to be hunted, they continued to hunt Sperm whales to produce whale oil which was used in lots of things from pharmaceuticals to ice cream.
Albany, Historic Whaling station. The company ultimately closed for financial reasons
The museum and the tour gives a fantastic insight into the lives and work of whalers and the production facilities.
And even back in the 60s and 70s, it was a tourist attraction with lots of people visiting. Including school classes.
Even if I think whales should not be hunted … it’s part of the history of Albany (WA), the country and the world.
The Travels of Birgit 