Travel Photographer - Dr. Jeff Harper Photo Blog

Only two hours drive from Bangkok are the "mountains" of Khao Yai; a region of vineyards and craggy hills.

Lovely morning light on the PB Valley Vineyards, Khao Yai, Thailand.

Is this France or Thailand?

Napa Valley maybe? maybe not.

It was harvest time.

It is the beginning of the "Damn Hot and Damn Dry Season" in Thailand. When we left Bangkok it was still "only" in the upper 80s(f), but when we returned it was in the upper 90s(f).

After the sun set, a full tropical moon rose.

I rose before dawn to feel the environment, thick with humid mist, come alive.

The morning light revealed some new natural wonders.

Morning dew on red hibiscus.

Translucent yellow in the morning dew.

Jasmine: sweet smelling morning bloom.

The area around our bungalow was nicely planted with a variety of beautiful plants.

As the first light struck them these blossoms opened before my eyes.

Everywhere floral beauty!

The morning sun came through the garden at a steep angle, sometimes lighting the flowers from behind.

What amazing ideas this plant has about reproduction!

The day eventually brightened.

Update on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 6:11PM by

Dr. Jeff Harper

The natural world of Khao Yai was continuously fascinating.

Oh my!

Oh my indeed!

Opening Lotus.

The winery where we stayed was beautifully decorated. This is an old rice separator.

Update on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:34PM by

Dr. Jeff Harper

I took many, many photographs in Khao Yai . . . too many to look at carefully. Here are a few more I overlooked in my earlier postings:

The primary reason we went to Khao Yai on this particular week-end was because it was Magha Puja Day (also called Makha Bucha) - a Buddhist Ceremonial Holiday. In the evening of Magha full-moon day, each temple in Thailand holds a candle light procession called a wian tian (wian meaning circle; tian meaning candle). Holding flowers, incense and a lighted candle, the monks and congregation members circumambulate clockwise three times around the Uposatha Hall (once for the the Enlightened One - The Buddha, once for the followers of the Buddha- the Shangha, and once for what the Buddha said - The Dharma).

Magha Puja Day falls on a full moon, here seen rising above the Khao Yai valley.

We made the best of the week-end sightseeing. Here are details of a spa we spent a few hours in getting massaged.

Wall and flower.