Takua Pa Old Town and Little Amazon – An Intriguing Journey Through Time and Nature

As your canoe glides through the narrow water channels that twist and turn through the lush tropical forest, look for a wide range of mammalian, reptilian, and avian species. Playful and mischievous monkeys swing from the branches in the forest canopy that bridge over the meandering tidal river. Snakes gracefully glide across the surface of the water or hang from branches. Birds can be spotted soaring overhead, perched on branches, or foraging for food near the riverbank. Your experienced paddle guide will navigate your canoe through this enchanting and mysterious world, allowing you to focus your attention and your camera on the diversity of flora and fauna that call this unique ecosystem their home. With years of experience, your local paddle guide will help spot elusive creatures you may otherwise miss.

We head to Takua Pa Old Town, just a short drive away. This historic district is a treasure trove of well-preserved buildings, ornate temples, and an eclectic array of shophouses and restaurants. As you stroll through the streets, it can feel like you have stepped back in time. Sino-Portuguese architecture lines the streets, and ancient traditions and beliefs are evident on every corner and within the temples in and around Takua Pa Old Town. Temples of different faiths have been constructed over the years, allowing the historical and modern-day peoples places to worship their many gods and deities. There is plenty of time on your guided tour of the Old Town to visit the temples, shop for souvenirs, and sample the wide gamut of local cuisine. The temples are active places of worship, so please remember when entering temples to do so respectfully.  Photo tip: Takua Pa Old Town has a multitude of subjects for avid shutterbugs to capture, including temples, relics, local architecture and people. Please note that if you wish to photograph the local people, please ask their permission first. 

Visit the Tsunami Memorial in Baan Nam Khem or the Tsunami Museum which stand as sombre reminders of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that struck the coast around 10:00 am on December 26, 2004. These locations are places for quiet contemplation, reflection, and prayer, where you can pay your respects to the thousands of souls lost that day. Learn a little about the resilient local community that faced one of the greatest national disasters in recorded history. Evidence of the severity of the wave’s destruction still haunts the western coastal regions of Thailand to this day.  Surviving friends and families of the victims regularly visit the memorial in remembrance of their lost loved ones, so please keep that in mind when selecting the subjects of your photos. Please remember to always be respectful, for many of them have suffered greatly. Here are a few general rules and guidelines when visiting any sacred area or temple in Thailand. If you wish to enter any temples, temple grounds, or areas held sacred by the locals, please remember to dress accordingly. Your clothing should not be too revealing and must cover your shoulders and knees. Instead of wearing trousers, long dresses and skirts, or restrictive shirts and blouses, a sarong can worn to cover up in a pinch. Never walk in front of people when they are in the act of prayer, and always remember to remove your footwear and hats before entering any temple, shrine, or stepping onto a monument platform.