Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, part of the renowned chain of wax museums founded by Marie Tussaud of France, is located at the Peak Tower on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is the first and one of the only two permanent Madame Tussauds museums in Asia, the other being the Shanghai branch, which opened in 2006. The Hong Kong branch houses nearly 100 wax figures of internationally-known personalities, with Asian figures taking up more than a third of the total, of which sixteen were Hong Kongers. The wax figures are featured in a range of themed settings such as Hong Kong Glamour, Music Icons, Historical and National Heroes, The Champions and World Premiere.

I was like a kid in a candy store, stopping to be photographed with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Cecilia Cheung, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Barack Obama, and Eddie Murphy, to name a few. Let's face it, this is as close as I'm ever going to get to most of them, but I can dream, can't I? Some are obviously more realistic than others and uncannily lifelike. Upon my arrival I had my photograph professionally taken with Jackie Chan and later, on my exit through the gift shop, I stopped for one last photograph with Benny Hill.

A special highlight for me was Madame Tussaud's all-new and permanent scare attraction 'Scream: Escape the Asylum', next to the World Premiere section. Daring and brave guests must take a perilous journey through a darkened asylum for the criminally insane, in which the inmates have broken free. Filled with dark corridors, intense gore and rampaging psychopaths, guests will have to use all their mental and physical abilities to escape the asylum, before they become permanent residents themselves. All in all, a lot of fun. You simply can't visit The Peak without a visit here.

Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium

Chiang Mai Zoo's latest mega-project, the Aquarium was built on top of a pond, not very far from the panda enclosures, overlooking the city. It had been years in the making and has gobbled up a staggering 600 million baht, a joint venture between the Thai government and Australian firm Marine Scape.

Opened in 2008, it boasts the world's longest underwater tunnel, 133 metres, half of which is dedicated to freshwater habitats. Over 250 different species are on display, most of them native to Thailand. Besides the spectacular coral reef habitats the less colourful, but just as interesting, Mekhong river wildlife comes alive right above your head. Some of the highlights are stingrays, lionfish, clownfish, sea horses, and starfish, all long-time favourites with small children because of their unusual appearance. Small sections are dedicated to life in the Bhumibol dam, Doi Inthanon, mangrove habitats, and insects.

A highlight for me was the synchronised Mermaid underwater ballet, performed behind a viewing wall at one end of the tunnel to music and the tunnel itself, where I experienced the most incredible close up view of a shark directly above me. My preconception was that I would spend maybe an hour or so in the aquarium, but I was truly amazed and impressed with the entire concept, so much so that I spent countless hours there and in no hurry to leave. There was so much more to do and see than I originally anticipated. Of course, being the postcard junkie I am, I couldn't resist having my photo taken and superimposed with creatures of the deep in a souvenir folder. I just love this stuff and I'm not ashamed to admit it. A combo ticket purchased at the zoo's entrance is the most economical way to visit both zoo and the aquarium.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Floating markets are like living museums where you can immerse in the local culture and way of life as it once was before the arrival of global consumerism. I was looking forward to my trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market, and it was definitely a highlight of my trip to Bangkok. Damnoen Saduak is in Ratchaburi, about 109 kilometres south of Bangkok or approximately 2 hours drive.

Totally lively and somewhat chaotic, small 'khlongs' or canals are filled with flat boats piled high with fresh produce, each jockeying for position and paddled by ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment's notice. It's colourful, noisy, touristy but great fun. As well as produce, you can find many interesting buys like souvenirs, food products and other local goods which are on display, similar to what you might find at any night market in downtown Bangkok. Being somewhat of a postcard junkie I couldn't resist one of the many scenic folders on offer.

During the long-tail motorized boat ride to market, you'll pass orchards, traditional teak houses and local people going about their lives. The ride is extremely fast at first and you can expect to get somewhat wet as boats pass you in the opposite direction, but it slows right down on approach to the market. An experience not to be missed.

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Mae Ping River Cruise

I decided to leave the city of Chiang Mai behind and spend a couple of hours relaxing on a river cruise, carried along by the cool waters of the River Ping, enjoying the ever-changing river scene with its resplendent teak houses and rural greenery.

Down river we disembarked at a local farmer's house and witnessed the cultivation of jasmine rice and a variety of herbs for use both in medicine and cookery. A snack of seasonal fresh fruits was on offering and we got to savor the refreshing taste of lemon-grass and other herb juices. For lovers of trivia, this location was featured briefly in Sylvester Stallone's 2009 movie Rambo.

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Mae Sa Snake Farm

Mae Sa Snake Farm is located along the Mae Rim-Samoeng route, and is home to various species of snakes native to Thailand. Experienced handlers show the general public all kinds of snakes in the farm. Some are non-poisonous but most are highly venomous. The main highlight of the show is the extremely poisonous Cobra.

A visit to Mae Sa Snake Farm, Chiang Mai is not only entertaining but it also enlightens the visitors about snakes. The farm dispels many misconception and superstitions related to them. The farm is not only famous for exhibiting snakes but is also popular for conducting extensive research and deep study on snake breeding programs.

Half hour shows are held daily at various intervals and there is a modest entrance fee. The highlights of the show are demonstrations of how snake venom is extracted from the various dangerous snake species. I had the opportunity to handle two pythons and was amazed at just how heavy the longest one was when draped around my neck, with the end of of it touching the ground. I also adopted the attitude of 'when in Rome' and got up 'close and dirty' with a cobra. With nothing but a metre or so between us, we eyeballed each other without distraction. When it hooded up I had the most incredible view of this remarkable creature. I left the farm on a high and with a newly acquired respect for these reptiles. I have visited two snake farms to date, but this would be my favourite one.

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Mae Taeng Elephant Camp

Mae Taeng Elephant Camp is located in the beautiful Mae Taman Valley some 50 kilometers from Chiang Mai, home to over 40 elephants. A visit will include an elephant show, highlighting the skill, the strength and the dexterity of these magnificent beasts, a ride on an Ox cart, pulled by a rare breed of Lampoon (white oxen) and a relaxing bamboo raft trip down the peaceful Mae Taeng River. I particularly enjoyed my opportunity to steer the ox cart with its primitive braking system and lack of shock absorbers. I'll never complain about public transportation again.

Another highlight is obviously what attracts most visitors to the park, a lumbering ride on elephant back through jungle terrain. Bananas can be purchased along the trail to feed the elephants for a modest fee. If you ever doubted the intelligence of elephants you will watch in awe as they paint pictures holding the brushes firmly in their trunk. Extremely accurate representations of trees, flowers, and even self portraits are produced before your very eyes. These can later be purchased by visitors searching for that special souvenir. All in all, I had a very enjoyable day and rate it the best elephant park I have visited in Chiang Mai thus far.

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Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai Zoo was established by the The Zoological Park Organization, Thailand in 1974. Situated on 531 Rai of verdant forest land at the foothill of Doi Suthep mountain, the zoo is surrounded by hilly terrain which is home to thousands of species of wild plants and flowers adorning the natural landscape of valleys, streams and waterfalls. Chiang Mai Zoo is the first and only zoo in Northern Thailand where visitors can experience the excitement and intimacy of various species of animals in their natural habitat.

My main reason for visiting the zoo was to see the Giant Panda exhibit, but I was pleasantly surprised with the whole layout. There are colourful zoo trams for visitors who prefer not to walk the trails or a slow-moving monorail system enabling passengers to have an elevated view of the zoo grounds. It was disappointing that the monrail was out of action on my first visit so I walked part of the way and caught the tram whenever the heat started to get to me. There is so much to see and do here that you can easily spend the whole day. A new addition within the zoo grounds is a magnificent aquarium which I will review in a future blog.

 

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya is an ancient capital and modern city in the Central Plains of Thailand, 85 km north of Bangkok. It boasts numerous magnificent ruins, indicating that Ayutthaya was one of Southeast Asia's (and probably the world's) most prosperous cities in the 17th Century and beyond. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 13, 1991.

Wat Phra Mahathat is a large temple that was quite thoroughly ransacked by the Burmese and the rows of headless Buddha statues is atmospheric. It is also where you can spot the famous tree that has grown around a Buddha head. A highlight for me was Wat Lokayasutharam's giant reclining Buddha. This Buddha is fondly referred to by locals as Phra Bhuddhasaiyart. The Buddha measures a total of thirty seven meters long and a total of eight meters high.

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The Rose Garden

Located about 30 kilometers out of Bangkok, the Rose Garden (Suan Sam Phran) offers some of the nicest gardens you are ever likely to see. The site comprises 75 acres of perfectly manicured grounds with a lake as a central feature. Certainly a place for gentle strolls and picnics, the resort also offers a number of excellent restaurants alongside cultural shows including handicraft skills, Thai boxing, and sword fighting. For the children’s entertainment there’s also an elephant show, and for adults, the site has its own golf course and a spa.

I must say I didn't quite know what to expect before I arrived but what I saw exceeded all expectations. The Rose Garden’s award-winning Cultural Centre transported us into a typical Thai Village, where villagers guided us through some of the iconic experiences of Traditional Thai Living. Lunch in the Vanda Pavilion was also most satisfying following an excellent show by the elephants and their mahouts. If time permits during your stay in Bangkok I would suggest you make the journey here. You will not be disappointed.

 

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