Seemingly engulfed by the metropolis, Patan nonetheless best preserves the ambience of a medieval city, with a minimum of artifice. Temples or traditional Newari brick houses with elaborately carved eaves, doorways and window boxes appear at every turn, even away from the main square. Men and women appear dwarfed by the loads on their backs. People pause to clasp hands in prayer as they pass yet another shrine, walking down the street. Sometimes a single gateway facing into a narrow street opens into the courtyard enclosing a back-street temple.

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Belém is not on everyone’s wish list when visiting the Amazon region.  Most head straight for the jugular city of Manaus, 1400kms northwest on the junction of the Amazon and Rio Negro, but for those who do make the detour, the rewards can be surprising. The city’s beautiful buildings include the famous Opera House modeled on La Scala in Milan, the Basilica of Nazaré built after the style of St Peter’s in Rome, and the fresh fruit and produce market, Ver-O-Peso, with its decorative wrought-iron turret that was transported in sections from Britain and is now an icon of the city.

     Battembang street                                                   Fishing boat on Lake Tonle Sap

 
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If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting, but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more. 

The allure of the pocket-sized island of Koh Samui is strong, but more temptations await in Thailand's far north west, in the province of Chiang Rai. This highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer. The Thai Government, in a concerted move to  stop the practice, has curtailed poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods  The scheme has worked well. An increasing number of tourists arrive each year, lured by the legacy of the region’s notorious past, its true scenic beauty and the distinct hill tribes of northern Thailand. 

Standing on the Thai soil of a steep hill overlooking this small outpost at the very apex of the Golden Triangle I gazed out and over the mighty Mekong.  On my left was mysterious Myanmar.  On my right was even more enigmatic Laos.  I had finally reached the edge of the Kingdom.

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As far as the eye can see only green palm fronds wave in unison.  Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more. 

If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. 

The allure of this pocket size island is strong but more temptations wait in the far north western province of Chiang Rai, one of the most remote provinces of the country’s 76 self-governing administrative divisions. 

A major reason for going to Chiang Mai is that the city can be used as a base for an excursion to the Golden Triangle. 

Located at the northern extreme of Thailand, where the Kingdom of Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar (Burma) at the confluence of the Mekong River, this highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer.

The Thai Government, in a concerted move to not only change this image but stop the practice has curtailed most poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods such as producing alternate agricultural crops like macadamia nuts and coffee and reviving almost-lost handicraft techniques.

An illustrated feature on the Thai temptations of Samui and Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words - depending upon editorial requirements - and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Located in a small town at the edge of Grater Bangkok, the world’s largest elephant is not on the conventional tourist circuit.

Known to many visitors as the Erawan Museum it’s a serene sanctuary unlike any other in the world.

Inside the 39 metre long jumbo is a museum of antiquities and a magnificent stained glass window. 

The final room located in the elephant’s ‘head’ is filled with Buddha images while the ceiling is decorated with celestial stars.

An illustrated ‘filler’ story of 250 to 500 words about the world’s largest elephant can be written on assignment depending upon editorial requirements and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Laucala Island, east of far-flung Taveuni in Fiji, opened in 2008 for just 50 discerning guests who don't mind shelling out upwards of 3800USD per night for a beachfront Plantation Residence. Set amidst a working coconut plantation, at this level of opulence, privacy, exclusivity and exquisite service is de riguer.  With astounding attention to detail, assisted by a guest to staff ratio hovering around 7:1, Laucala Island has perfected the art of fine hospitality infused with an element of Fijian warmth.

Fiona Harper is one of few journalists invited to visit Laucala Island. Contact Fiona Harper to commission your exclusively crafted feature or puchase the article for immediate download.

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