tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49942777092558292532024-03-05T19:48:17.662-08:00Roads Well Traveled - My Travel JournalJewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-78217480767669361742016-06-06T17:12:00.000-07:002016-06-06T19:36:01.626-07:00Elephant Nature Park - 01/22/16One of the highlights of our visit to SE Asia was a day spent at the Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for neglected, abused and injured elephants. The park was founded by Sangdeaun Lek Chailert and consists of 250 acres where the rescued elephants will spend the rest of their days in a pampered retirement. Each elephant has their own human companion who spends the day with them and sees to their every need.<br />
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Lek is an amazing woman who was born into the Hill Tribes village of Baan Lao. Her grandfather was a healer of both people and animals and young Lek often accompanied him on his calls. As she grew into adulthood, Lek became an advocate for animals, especially the Asian elephant, which is the national symbol of Thailand. Her dream was to create a place where elephants would be treated with patience, love and kindness rather than force and punishment. She has succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams and today other elephant parks are beginning to model themselves after Elephant Nature Park.<br />
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For many tourists visiting Asia, riding an elephant is on their bucket lists of things to do, but what they don't realize is that doing so supports an industry that is harmful to elephants physically, mentally and emotionally. As large as they are, elephants do not have strong backs and anything weighing over 150 kilos (300 pounds) puts immense stress on their spines. Giving rides involves a saddle (howdah) that weighs approximately 100 pounds and up to four humans. Assuming those humans weigh an average of 150 pounds each, the elephants could very well end up carrying 700 or more pounds on their backs. This results in spinal injuries as well as dislocated hips and even death for the elephant as reported in this recent news story out of Cambodia. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/04/26/elderly-elephant-collapses-and-dies-after-giving-rides-to-tourists-in-cambodia/">Samba's Death</a><br />
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Many of the elephants worked in the logging industry until logging was banned by the Thai government in 1989. The unfortunate side affect was that many mahouts (handlers) and their elephants found themselves out of work overnight resulting in the mahouts turning to other sources of income such as elephant rides, performances and begging in the streets. These elephants are often malnourished, exhausted and suffering from mental and emotional distress. Most working elephants were taken from their mothers at a very young age and put through a brutal training process known as the crush which is designed to break their spirits and make them submissive to humans.<br />
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Fortunately, in large part due to Lek's work, attitudes in Thailand are beginning to change. Elephant camp operators are starting to realize that western tourists are happy to spend their money walking beside an elephant, rather than riding it, as well as observing elephants being elephants and participating in feeding and bathing. This is a wonderful development for the elephants who get to lead a more natural life, the mahouts who are still able to earn a living and the tourists who have a much more enriching experience.<br />
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At the time of our visit, there were over 60 elephants living at the 250 acre park. It was very easy to make reservations through the park website, <a href="http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/">Elephant Nature Park</a> where there are several packages from which to choose. Once that was done, we eagerly awaited the big day. We were picked up at our hotel in Chiang Mai at 8:15a.m. by one of the park's vans and settled back to enjoy the drive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park is located in this beautiful valley</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The park includes flat grasslands, forest and a river. There are many observation platforms from which to observe the park residents.<br />
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Once at the park, we had a brief orientation from our guide and then it was feeding time. We had no idea just how strong an elephant trunk was until they were grabbing watermelon out of our hands!<br />
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One of the first elephants we met while on our walking tour was this beautiful girl who had been at the park for only a couple of months.<br />
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Her foot was crushed in a logging accident and never healed properly. Our guide explained that if she is deemed healthy enough, surgery will be done to straighten her leg.<br />
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Next we met a small family group that includes four year old Navaan. He is sometimes a mischievous boy who is into everything!<br />
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Such a beautiful face...<br />
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And, big feet too! <br />
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Time for a bath in the river. The elephants really enjoy playing in the water, especially Navaan.<br />
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Followed up by another of their favorite things - a dust bath!<br />
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The only thing better than splashing in the river is playing with old tires and rope. The first three photos are of Navaan who gets in a couple of well placed kick moves. The naughty boy doesn't like to share his tire and chased me when I was standing too close to his toy!<br />
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Adult elephants like to play too!<br />
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Elephants eat several hundred pounds of food per day...<br />
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...and what goes in, must come out. My goodness!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a0m8MGnMWMx4bw0e-ZxTmKh0EGGtVnJnTmfBO5rZF-ZYhwMcpCcYF2N8BnVq55zdaSVlPD14NhS8QWgrxZ6rLqneN04Td_6D45sXt-RogeJR01wTGgxcN4EHCrYncI5HeqMgOQTsvRk/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a0m8MGnMWMx4bw0e-ZxTmKh0EGGtVnJnTmfBO5rZF-ZYhwMcpCcYF2N8BnVq55zdaSVlPD14NhS8QWgrxZ6rLqneN04Td_6D45sXt-RogeJR01wTGgxcN4EHCrYncI5HeqMgOQTsvRk/s1600/20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using my foot as a size reference</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Nothin' like a good belly scratch!<br />
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This old girl had only been at the park a few weeks. Note how thin she is, but it won't be long until she gains weight and is a healthy elephant.<br />
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Bonding time:<br />
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The banana room - it's a full time job keeping the elephants stocked up!<br />
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Besides elephants, the sanctuary is home to rescue dogs, cats and water buffalo. <br />
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My favorite part of the day was helping to give this old girl a bath. She is 80 years old and much deserving of her retirement. Mahouts often use a stick with a hook or nail on the end of it to keep their elephants in line and many times the elephants are left with holes in their ears. Her current handler puts a flower in her ear every morning as a reminder that there is beauty in each new day. <br />
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We would have loved to stay longer, but sadly the day came to an end. As we rode back to our hotel, my thoughts turned to Lek and the amazing job she has done with not only the sanctuary and elephant rescue but in educating those who operate elephant camps and work with elephants. Every now and then an extraordinary human being comes along and Lek is certainly one of them. To quote William Shakespeare, "though she be but little, she is fierce" and she lets nothing stand in her way when it comes to helping her beloved elephants.<br />
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Thank you, Lek!<br />
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-15710542389974025632015-12-05T21:19:00.001-08:002015-12-07T23:32:09.623-08:00New NameIt's been a few months since I've posted here. It seems that despite my best intentions, once we were home again, life got in the way and I never posted a final post summarizing our trip to Thailand last year. Rather, this poor blog was left kind of hanging and was definitely looking neglected.<br />
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Having given some thought in which direction I'd like to take the blog, I started by giving it a new name. As I plan to write about future travels to various locations, "Traveling to Thailand" was rather limiting. Hence the new name, "Roads Well Traveled". I chose this name because this phrase is what my sister and I put on our father's gravestone as it described him so well. He was a man who enjoyed traveling, seeing the world, trying new food and talking to people. While he loved his family, we often joked that he should never have settled down because there were so many places he wanted to visit.<br />
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He did manage to see a great deal during the time he served in the Canadian Navy and later as a heavy equipment operator who worked on construction sites in the United States. After he retired, he and our mother saw much of Northern America on the many road trips they took.<br />
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I seem to have inherited his wanderlust and, now that I am retired, there are many places my husband and I wish to see. Thailand was just the beginning. Which takes me back to the name of this blog. Because I want to write about all of the places we plan to visit, it did not make sense to call it "A Trip to Thailand". It was either start a new blog for each trip or re-name this one.<br />
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In an effort to organize my entries, rather than post them one after the other on this main page, they will now be listed in the sidebar (under the pages section) at the right of the page. It is my hope that doing it this way will allow me to order the entries in a way that makes better organizational sense than one chronological entry after another, which while in date order, may not be the most logical placement of posts.<br />
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If you've followed me this far, we have now begun our second trip to Asia. The first trip of December 2014 - January 2015 involved six weeks spent in Thailand and we had such a good time we found that we weren't ready to come home at the end of the trip. After discussing it, we decided to return for three months and in addition to spending time in Bangkok, we will also be traveling to Vietnam, Cambodia, Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and possibly Laos.<br />
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Stay tuned - there are a lot of exciting adventures coming up in the next few weeks!<br />
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-83532956048543108452015-03-05T22:20:00.001-08:002015-03-05T22:22:37.411-08:00Lumpini ParkLumpini Park is a 142 acre oasis in the middle of hustling, bustling
Bangkok. Often compared to New York's Central Park, this land was
originally set aside for the exhibition of flowers and Thai crafts by
King Rama VI in the 1920's. Today it is enjoyed by park visitors as a
green haven to relax, meditate, commune with nature, walk, jog and bike.
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Situated in the heart of the main business district, it is an easy
walk from the Saladaeng BTS train station. The MRT Subway Silom or
Lumphini Stations are near the park entrance as well.<br />
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A statue of King Rama VI stands at the southwestern entrance to the park.<br />
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Once
inside, there are numerous walking paths displaying the lush, green
foliage that thrives in this tropical setting. Taking a stroll down
these paths is incredibly relaxing.<br />
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Pavilions are situated along the paths where one can rest and take in the scenery.<br />
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It
is not unusual to see monitor lizards near the water. They can grow to
5-6 feet in length and have long necks, powerful tails and claws. They
are rarely aggressive and when not swimming tend to hide in culverts or
under bridges. They often come on shore to sun themselves.<br />
<br />
This one was stalking a white crane and stealthily followed along behind the bird while it was feeding along the shore. <br />
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At the last minute, the crane spotted the lizard and flew away. Lucky for him, not so lucky for the lizard.<br />
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The water is also home to large catfish. Can you see the whiskers?<br />
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<br />
Lumpini
Park has many species of beautiful and colorful flowers that are grown
in the park's on-site nursery and tended by the gardeners on staff.<br />
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<br />
The gardeners work hard to keep the park looking pristine and they do a fantastic job. These are some of their tools. <br />
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While strolling through the park, there are visual delights around every corner.<br />
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<br />
I'm not sure what type of birds these are, but they reminded me of the magpies at home. These guys were looking for a handout.<br />
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As
we prepared to leave the park, we were greeted by this fountain in the
middle of the lake. Note the skyscrapers in the background - it's easy
to forget one is in the middle of Bangkok while in the park. Even the
city noise disappears.</div>
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Spending a day at Lumpini Park was a wonderful experience and one I will not soon forget.</div>
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-48989412246412162972015-02-05T21:25:00.001-08:002015-02-06T20:34:56.469-08:00Spirit Houses All over Thailand and Bangkok there are Spirit Houses. They can
range from quite small to very large and elaborate. Spirit houses serve
as shrines to protective spirits. The spirits are thought to protect
homes and businesses from misfortune.<br />
<br />
Spirit houses are
usually placed in a favorable location chosen after consultation with a
Brahmin priest, often in a corner of the property that does not get
shade. Normally in the form of a miniature house or temple, spirit
houses are often mounted on a single pillar or on a dais.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrZ1xUMIh_ONZbpttH6MoF3ONwZKuMXdSSpSB8ZxACy1dxza8C2Z99n25flPoqbdWQqt0kjhRPFZ0eXddiU-znmRaerM5oU8IGAzLQVpdh4-G0hEfD24jHXJJ6v5jv4rp0IcvN6pNM2zj/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrZ1xUMIh_ONZbpttH6MoF3ONwZKuMXdSSpSB8ZxACy1dxza8C2Z99n25flPoqbdWQqt0kjhRPFZ0eXddiU-znmRaerM5oU8IGAzLQVpdh4-G0hEfD24jHXJJ6v5jv4rp0IcvN6pNM2zj/s1600/1.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This spirit house was situated on a roof and was visible from the train as it passed by.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FkQyuRzmkcDJztswhAJ_vru8z_rJ0sguiR4OhwvvRFGTlKh9jpVts9O6PuOabPU_Ozud1nDCTwEuIM6uNG7NttXku3Fw0uUGtVMA3bzDLQdUbNq8R3atDjTmeWgHavLLjjNG39CZ2Je0/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FkQyuRzmkcDJztswhAJ_vru8z_rJ0sguiR4OhwvvRFGTlKh9jpVts9O6PuOabPU_Ozud1nDCTwEuIM6uNG7NttXku3Fw0uUGtVMA3bzDLQdUbNq8R3atDjTmeWgHavLLjjNG39CZ2Je0/s1600/2.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elephant is an important symbol in Thailand - animal representations are often included as part of a spirit house.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The spirit house provides shelter for spirits
that could cause problems for the people if not appeased. The shrines
often include images of people and animals. Offerings of food, drink,
incense and flowers are left to nurture the spirits. In return the
spirits offer protection and good fortune.<br />
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On
this particular day, the spirits must have taken the form of pigeons
when they visited the spirit house to accept the offerings of food and
drink!<br />
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While
walking around Bangkok, it was interesting to note that the spirit
houses come in many different sizes and shapes and range from very
simple to very intricate and complex.<br />
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The
spirit houses are also another example of the contrasts found in
Bangkok. It's an ultra modern city of sky scrapers, high rise
apartments and some of the best medical care in the world, yet a
multi-million dollar construction project can't or won't proceed until a
spirit house has been properly established on the property. Failure to
do so could bring unimaginable bad luck. <br />
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These
contrasts or ironies are also a major part of Thailand's charm and
appeal. It's rather cool that there is room for both modern progress
and ancient beliefs in this amazing country.<br />
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-79621752078361451522015-01-30T00:28:00.003-08:002015-03-06T01:56:13.554-08:00TemplesGiven that 95% of the population of Thailand is Buddhist, it's no
surprise that there are an estimated 40,000 temples in Thailand. Thai
temple complexes usually include a temple or <i>wat</i>, feature a tall bell-shaped
stupa which is a place for relics and the ashes of monks, ordination and sermon halls, a space for shrines and Buddha
images and a residence for the monks.<br />
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The public is welcome at most temples. When visiting the temples, please show respect by observing the following guidelines:<br />
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Take your shoes off before entering the temple.<br />
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Make sure shoulders are covered and wear long pants (or long skirts for women).<br />
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Remove hats and sunglasses, don't chew gum or smoke and speak quietly.<br />
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After
entering the temple, sit on the floor with your feet under you and try
not to put yourself in a position where you are higher than any Buddha
statues or Buddhist monks.<br />
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It's ok to take photographs unless there are signs forbidding it, but don't use a flash.<br />
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With their ornate appearance, the temples are easily recognizable. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzpPJl6RA-6CxBMxXBNGNNnOclPzSS7fhA4lIycLNEY5c86e9-GuB2luOXdcn-PZ3DuZT6UFPjq59-DB8N9SbZHP4SyRznIdvrqz0NVLnK0MpD40auIhiB0Z1JCiyt8Cs9SCm_Z93_sbU/s1600/1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzpPJl6RA-6CxBMxXBNGNNnOclPzSS7fhA4lIycLNEY5c86e9-GuB2luOXdcn-PZ3DuZT6UFPjq59-DB8N9SbZHP4SyRznIdvrqz0NVLnK0MpD40auIhiB0Z1JCiyt8Cs9SCm_Z93_sbU/s1600/1.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
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These are peaceful places, and even if not Buddhist, one may feel the urge to reflect or meditate while visiting.<br />
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Beautiful arrangements of fresh flowers adorn the interior of the temples and they are spectacular:<br />
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The
interior of the temples are dominated by Buddha statues. Buddha
statues are made out of many different materials from gold plate to
stone to wood to clay. One famous statue, the Golden Buddha (not pictured below), was
thought to be made of plaster until it was being moved to a new location
in 1954. Ropes supporting the statue snapped causing the statue to fall to the floor. The fall resulted in some of the plaster chipping off
allowing the gold surface underneath to be seen. After carefully
removing the plaster it was discovered that the statue was solid gold.
It is believed that it was covered over with plaster in the 1700's to
prevent theft, although at 5.5 tons stealing it would be a daunting
task!<br />
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The interior of the temples include beautifully embellished shutters and ceilings.<br />
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Detailed murals cover the walls:<br />
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Buddhist
monks live a simple life with few material possessions. They rise
early in order to go out and collect alm which is the giving of food to
the monks by lay people. Monks are not allowed to have contact with
women, therefore, any food offered by a woman must be handed to a man
and then passed to the monk or put in a bowl left on the ground. Monks
are allowed to eat each day between sunrise and noon.<br />
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A walk through the temple grounds is a visual treat:<br />
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Many of the temples are surrounded by park like areas making them a quiet oasis in the middle of the city:<br />
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Bangkok
is a very large, very busy, very noisy place and an afternoon spent at a
temple is a nice way to have a few hours of restorative quiet time
before heading back into the hustle and bustle that makes the city so
exciting.<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-55471898668937034092015-01-24T17:57:00.002-08:002015-01-24T17:59:46.060-08:00Food CourtsFood courts are popular in Bangkok and it's no wonder. They offer an
incredible variety of foods from Vietnamese to Indian to Chinese to
Indonesian to Thai to Japanese and much, much more. They are also
inexpensive with a typical meal ranging from 55 to 100 baht. Keep in
mind 100 baht equals $3 U.S.<br />
<br />
The large food courts are
usually located in shopping malls, but it's not uncommon to see smaller
neighborhood versions. A feature I haven't seen before at American food
courts is the method of payment. First one goes to a cashier's station
to purchase a debit card in an amount specified by the customer. The
amount can be whatever the customer wishes but should be enough to cover
all food court purchases. As purchases are made at various food
stations, the card is run through a scanner and the cost of the item is
deducted from the card. At the end of the meal, the customer returns
the card to the cashier's station and if there is any credit left on the
card receives a refund for the full amount.<br />
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So many choices. Decisions, decisions.<br />
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<br />
Yum: <br />
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<br />
Time for dessert:<br />
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<br />
These fruit juices remind me of precious gem stones:<br />
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The ambiance is great too - love this crab sculpture:<br />
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The downside of the food courts is not being able to sample everything - we gave it our best shot!<br />
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JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-88789083738492737582015-01-20T13:54:00.004-08:002015-01-20T14:41:54.246-08:00Taste SensationsTo say that the food in Thailand is delicious would be an
understatement of epic proportions. The food is not only delicious, it
is fresh and bright and exciting and much of it is exotic to this
Westerner. Fried bugs, anyone?<br />
<br />
We ate at food courts,
restaurants and from street vendors and I'm happy to report that we
never had any food related issues or illnesses. There are street
vendors who keep their carts meticulously clean and others not so much.
To be on the safe side, we opted to purchase and eat food from those
who had clean carts, fresh fish and seafood well packed in ice,
vegetables that were still in their prime and who had a lot of
customers.<br />
<br />
Our running joke was that the woks were so hot that nothing would survive that experience anyway!<br />
<br />
A
favorite snack was chicken, pork or beef skewers. Small pieces of
marinated meat are placed on skewers along with a piece of pineapple and
chili pepper and grilled over coals while you wait. Yum.<br />
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Containers full of hot coals glow eerily in the night:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_KapP55cVMhPnoASseiGf0ygfcP3P-gYmr1Hc8Sh0GNrp4eccZ3fCGVRdEHi7D6TgDVgXEd-v4hnVyvR_QLrAMAOMvuOw4zdQDjdYc_cWH215Ax0C-XsgFJuacPBzk3G3zMLhboG1wQN/s1600/20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_KapP55cVMhPnoASseiGf0ygfcP3P-gYmr1Hc8Sh0GNrp4eccZ3fCGVRdEHi7D6TgDVgXEd-v4hnVyvR_QLrAMAOMvuOw4zdQDjdYc_cWH215Ax0C-XsgFJuacPBzk3G3zMLhboG1wQN/s1600/20.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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Examples
of some of the street food we devoured - a wonderful meal can be had
for less than 100 baht or $3. Pad Thai soon became one of my favorite
go to meals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47Cf6TjI69Aq05ThQbHqrnAnClDIuKQaT-Qas50gDS4XJWXoOYlLgyzOukv4XU-4NbGbFHyfAxITVJaojPorzRNzugmRzyYuReroaNG4vVOhuoF9m37wjP9MT0TXnBH17nAZgqQcqTPPO/s1600/16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47Cf6TjI69Aq05ThQbHqrnAnClDIuKQaT-Qas50gDS4XJWXoOYlLgyzOukv4XU-4NbGbFHyfAxITVJaojPorzRNzugmRzyYuReroaNG4vVOhuoF9m37wjP9MT0TXnBH17nAZgqQcqTPPO/s1600/16.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
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Chinese Kale with Crispy Pork:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6WrBf8n-RzuKh0EhCA3pDoh5zRfAlEZe-d7xTiZpJcLsqzB4w5MgfFqQgB3LiDc0OxiSqUDSNYCcBRb8lO6nCGfwHW2842uT9KYUOiXvM1RawYV_nxzGFWOsAg_h7IZJvjhVWzHFzefz/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6WrBf8n-RzuKh0EhCA3pDoh5zRfAlEZe-d7xTiZpJcLsqzB4w5MgfFqQgB3LiDc0OxiSqUDSNYCcBRb8lO6nCGfwHW2842uT9KYUOiXvM1RawYV_nxzGFWOsAg_h7IZJvjhVWzHFzefz/s1600/1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Catfish
Laab - laab or larb consists of well seasoned cooked ground meat that
is usually served at room temperature. It is often accompanied by fresh
herbs such as mint:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_NTjNsbZUnGJAPXhRppvSv-HHHK_Xq66uVEOOvkyX1Ota_5xIsETRd08d6luJUb3A44S2g3sINXj_2rfKT1AKJVl7I2SIEDk5OTE85THF5CsPbqIxZCXhbsaWdHGB6zCiBDU8XMGyiXD/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_NTjNsbZUnGJAPXhRppvSv-HHHK_Xq66uVEOOvkyX1Ota_5xIsETRd08d6luJUb3A44S2g3sINXj_2rfKT1AKJVl7I2SIEDk5OTE85THF5CsPbqIxZCXhbsaWdHGB6zCiBDU8XMGyiXD/s1600/2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cashew Chicken tends to be on the sweet side:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMIeqnivLNQ1zN0IFuS6tasen9cEmu69HNVsjecII-dbUwXxg2aCnYIl-cYOhiiF63rrSnhhIw-inRQ4D2y9w7YVgZb2rfeklKOq599lUrXNlk77RimJUTglZqmqsTcMc6wX8cnX5Q8r/s1600/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXMIeqnivLNQ1zN0IFuS6tasen9cEmu69HNVsjecII-dbUwXxg2aCnYIl-cYOhiiF63rrSnhhIw-inRQ4D2y9w7YVgZb2rfeklKOq599lUrXNlk77RimJUTglZqmqsTcMc6wX8cnX5Q8r/s1600/9.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't remember what this dish was called but I do remember that it was tasty!<br />
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Tom Yum Soup was also a favorite dish of mine. Spicy with a hint of lime, it definitely lives up to the "yum" in it's name:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3gwxQLXKpVa-YPcyQCXoxOIN_v-ZY95EB3NFPd8IDwHXD8DxITS3a1cZrQNkO7MExs3NfNwP__UHve7KhMyzFjSdHAUkzuh805UbTV20twEalwA44vtojkAVT7nvFDAQwSduhJFA9ing/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3gwxQLXKpVa-YPcyQCXoxOIN_v-ZY95EB3NFPd8IDwHXD8DxITS3a1cZrQNkO7MExs3NfNwP__UHve7KhMyzFjSdHAUkzuh805UbTV20twEalwA44vtojkAVT7nvFDAQwSduhJFA9ing/s1600/6.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another spicy dish is this Green Chicken Curry"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwYjdmOE1xiRI2HlWyx_lQ6uiyaKzcKj8t2DciQMr4oE__y8b7-nQ3XNQN9WFp2TKIZiagds0fTvWn1AALk8bYY8dcxoBtoHI0vfeLNsI-bMSk5xKRSrZFlsuB9gi62U1lq86YGsufCqA/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwYjdmOE1xiRI2HlWyx_lQ6uiyaKzcKj8t2DciQMr4oE__y8b7-nQ3XNQN9WFp2TKIZiagds0fTvWn1AALk8bYY8dcxoBtoHI0vfeLNsI-bMSk5xKRSrZFlsuB9gi62U1lq86YGsufCqA/s1600/5.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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Morning Glory or Water Spinach is a popular green. Crisp and light, not only is it healthy, but it tastes great too:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YjhlKWAQDWW2J5dC7Vc6FOKz6KQ_UeCVnqilroiUyJ0-TkvNHCytQgmClnIcAROejtxTUjjyehXhKLJAO36lW-4NwBrWsIhEVZ4Ckkb_rVGH-TDK7P_sbEVPir901iGRP9ydgmBSHJ4X/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YjhlKWAQDWW2J5dC7Vc6FOKz6KQ_UeCVnqilroiUyJ0-TkvNHCytQgmClnIcAROejtxTUjjyehXhKLJAO36lW-4NwBrWsIhEVZ4Ckkb_rVGH-TDK7P_sbEVPir901iGRP9ydgmBSHJ4X/s1600/3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Grilled
squid - we usually like squid, but found it to be rather dry and
tasteless when grilled. Maybe it was just us, because it was a very
popular item and often sold out before the evening was over:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17ELt3RVJwNCRhPZJMduS-KLBk6rBDLRuIffijQgRDBD0FT2zNFfbKiWCN-RvT7mB2yBI4WRTkJyZ417HU4auG9qIPSbptliCFSJkRHgfQsoyR8Tf69j1iTQ3UEkKACXDh96FP1FYvZze/s1600/4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17ELt3RVJwNCRhPZJMduS-KLBk6rBDLRuIffijQgRDBD0FT2zNFfbKiWCN-RvT7mB2yBI4WRTkJyZ417HU4auG9qIPSbptliCFSJkRHgfQsoyR8Tf69j1iTQ3UEkKACXDh96FP1FYvZze/s1600/4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We meant to try the grilled fish, but our time in Thailand ran out before we had a chance:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9J2XsDtHinL3bgyDSHIZOy0oPzqM_9CQQcheJ1MIdDjBDJOQ_CnIadLGURSPiSAluRemUCN-ghligVjUT0ceDFoHxxIQT6hIVEgzQoUXIHAf_Zea5CRLnOlbrjMdwz0c-TvsBhdYqwM-/s1600/12.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9J2XsDtHinL3bgyDSHIZOy0oPzqM_9CQQcheJ1MIdDjBDJOQ_CnIadLGURSPiSAluRemUCN-ghligVjUT0ceDFoHxxIQT6hIVEgzQoUXIHAf_Zea5CRLnOlbrjMdwz0c-TvsBhdYqwM-/s1600/12.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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This vendor sold many different varieties of grilled mushrooms on skewers:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJL2Z40d82G6H0h1HQ97-hW2cr9zyC9yKA1rKGSbqPzQ7gUSXiLo6b6uEVgxHlY5pkhbKrtAQ4wH_w89mAU3H47qWvptS3hH3DvFcGORPfvxxhAx2-8lpwvWQ5GG2ROYzAUQrVZ6DKWAJ/s1600/14.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJL2Z40d82G6H0h1HQ97-hW2cr9zyC9yKA1rKGSbqPzQ7gUSXiLo6b6uEVgxHlY5pkhbKrtAQ4wH_w89mAU3H47qWvptS3hH3DvFcGORPfvxxhAx2-8lpwvWQ5GG2ROYzAUQrVZ6DKWAJ/s1600/14.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The
waitresses at Mulligan's warned us that this fresh shrimp salad was
spicy. We assured them that we like spicy which seemed to please them.
It was indeed spicy and we ate every bite!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZyXWlSk5engzBM_Ycg1SS2tRasxgvpgqn_2IXo8FIRQwNBNjDtoTrB9Sj1ZYB4hpsAxP8pqnM7CEq9h6Zpw3Txj4wgLa65qAsYQ-6gmRtlQKlcB__wV5hud0Yix20BaaCyBhUpJFYEBh/s1600/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZyXWlSk5engzBM_Ycg1SS2tRasxgvpgqn_2IXo8FIRQwNBNjDtoTrB9Sj1ZYB4hpsAxP8pqnM7CEq9h6Zpw3Txj4wgLa65qAsYQ-6gmRtlQKlcB__wV5hud0Yix20BaaCyBhUpJFYEBh/s1600/10.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure what this dish was, but I imagine it was hot. Look at all those chiles - there's fish in there too:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxNLMAIdVbYC0755Wb-7VcE1xvr3oNua7PsrofP1nCvMu6y89XQBKiuvFnmThDQ1ZfBelooUA7Ux0mOkVL4isUVN7zH5jA8o3ekwLF_6eWz3T6NdGzzLKSGFdLKEk_wgnnCM7c0iG6jq4/s1600/17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxNLMAIdVbYC0755Wb-7VcE1xvr3oNua7PsrofP1nCvMu6y89XQBKiuvFnmThDQ1ZfBelooUA7Ux0mOkVL4isUVN7zH5jA8o3ekwLF_6eWz3T6NdGzzLKSGFdLKEk_wgnnCM7c0iG6jq4/s1600/17.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember
earlier when I mentioned exotic? I wasn't brave enough to try the
chicken feet, but they are a popular dish. Most often they were deep
fried but sometimes they show up in soup:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTodNe7-_pfk1IFubwRAhVpgsgN6LlStzjf6Gl-PtdxsrZr5pRzqvCqW-M-92vny2vqI0NwKMB6o_pophAcwuVO3HU_NtjQCjdACkTzR3AP19rXeh_uYl9MPmCs3owj4AWLBov-luBN9t/s1600/15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTodNe7-_pfk1IFubwRAhVpgsgN6LlStzjf6Gl-PtdxsrZr5pRzqvCqW-M-92vny2vqI0NwKMB6o_pophAcwuVO3HU_NtjQCjdACkTzR3AP19rXeh_uYl9MPmCs3owj4AWLBov-luBN9t/s1600/15.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
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When
it comes to exotic, the chicken feet are actually quite tame. I'm not
sure that there will ever come a time that we're ready to try lung soup
or intestines or some of the other things served here. While we
consider ourselves to be fairly adventurous when it comes to food, there
are some things that are difficult to get past. Of course, much of
this has to do with what people grow up eating; I'm sure we eat things
that others wouldn't want to eat due to their upbringing. Still hoping
to work up the courage to try the fried bugs someday though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5XCa5LKIxS0LxdNI-RcBFso_Btr18FD5TyLxjJhHHdVhDzDgRGDX2uotbyf0PV7JlH_SuX-T7JNDY7r0mmAujWkIhe-W13QSnpbke3O5fZ5ZtzTOuUzXQNOi0A6GoRIa02SgG7_wGsFB/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-72227576871650951112015-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:002015-01-18T16:29:40.240-08:00Getting Around BangkokDespite being a huge city, it's amazingly easy to get around in
Bangkok. Traffic can be very heavy, but there are many different modes
of transportation to choose from that will get one where they want to be.<br />
<br />
During
our stay, if our destination was within a mile we walked. We estimate
that we averaged 2 - 3 miles walking per day. It was a great way to see
the neighborhood, run errands and get in daily exercise.<br />
<br />
Besides walking, there are many other options such as bicycling:<br />
<br />
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<br />
These
green bicycles are available for rent as part of the city's program to
encourage cycling as a way to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
The bikes are found at stations where they are locked in racks. To be
able to use the bikes, registering for an RFID smart card is required.
This program was launched in 2012:<br />
<br />
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<br />
Scooters
and motorcycles are very popular ways to get around in Bangkok. It is
not uncommon to see three or even four people riding one motorcycle.
Motorcycles and scooters are also used to transport all kinds of
things. I saw loads of wicker baskets, furniture, televisions,
construction materials, big bags of ice and propane tanks strapped on
the backs of motorcycles and scooters. <br />
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<br />
A
popular and inexpensive way to get around is by Moto Taxi. The drivers
of Moto Taxis can be found on most street corners and are identified by
the orange vests they wear. There are over 49,000 licensed Moto Taxis
drivers and it is estimated that they carry 2-3 million passengers per
day.<br />
<br />
Male passengers are expected to straddle the seat behind the driver
while females prefer the more precarious side-saddle position. Although
Thai law requires both driver and passenger to wear helmets, this is
rarely enforced and most motorcycle taxi passengers decline to wear helmets when they are offered.<br />
<br />
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<br />
A
ride on a Moto Taxi is not for the timid as the drivers take pride in
finding creative ways to navigate clogged streets and will often perform
death defying maneuvers in order to reach their destinations. Safety
statistics are not kept for the Moto Taxis, but with 38 highway
fatalities per every 100,000 in population, Thailand ranks second
only to the Dominican Republic as the most dangerous place in the world
to drive.<br />
<br />
The tuk tuk is a whimsical cross between car
and motorcycle and a ride in one of these is great fun. However, even
after negotiating the fare and agreeing on terms before the ride, the
drivers will often try to pressure their passengers into visiting
jewelry stores or tailors because they get commissions/gas coupons for
bringing in potential customers. If one is in no hurry and doesn't
mind playing the game, hiring a tuk tuk can be a fun and inexpensive way
to get around. Otherwise, it's probably best to avoid the tuk tuks.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We
did not ride any buses while in Bangkok, but they are definitely an
option. There are air conditioned buses which cater mostly to tourists
and the open air buses which are ridden mostly by the local people.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Taxis
are everywhere and very easy to flag down. While the cabs are metered,
many of the drivers refuse to turn the meters on. Before getting into a
cab ask that the meter be turned on; if the driver won't do it, find
another cab driver who will. It's a funny way of thinking, but
apparently many of the drivers would rather have no fare than have a
metered fare. <br />
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<br />
The
BTS Sky Train is a safe, quick and efficient way to travel in
Bangkok. We rode it all over the place. The signage at the train
stations are in both English and Thai making it easy to figure out how
the system works. In addition, there are maps at the stations which
show the stops along the train routes. The trains stop at Chatachak
Market, MBK Mall, Siam Center and Siam Paragon, the Nana district,
Lumpini Park and Central Pier near China Town among many other stops. It
also connects to the line that runs to and from the airport.<br />
<br />
If
one is planning to ride the train often, purchasing a smart pass makes
sense as it saves both time and money. When the card runs out, the card
holder can put additional money on the card in order to add more rides
to the card. The 50 baht purchase fee is refundable at the time the
card holder turns their pass back in to the ticket office.<br />
<br />
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<br />
After
we rode the train a few times, I grew confident enough to ride it alone
and never had any problems finding my way. It's a good thing because
husband had no interest in the malls so if I wanted to go shopping, I
had to be able to manage this on my own. It didn't take long before I
shopped until I dropped!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-3230133979735323232015-01-10T19:57:00.002-08:002015-01-10T19:57:54.843-08:00Chao Phraya RiverWe spent a day on Chao Phraya River recently. After catching the sky
train at the stop near our apartment we rode it to the Saphan Taksin
stop. From there it is a quick walk to Central Pier where we bought day
passes for the Chao River Express Boats. <br />
<br />
An all
day pass allows pass holders to get on and off the river boats as many
times as they
want. The boats take people to and from the many piers along the river
kind
of like buses on the water. When they pull up to a pier to let people
on and off, the boats bump up against the floating docks with a solid
impact. It's best to hold on to something until the
boats come to a full stop. We saw one man fall down hard when one of
the boats bumped up against a pier knocking him off of his feet.<br />
<br />
Be
prepared to board or disembark when the boat arrives at the pier.
If one is dithering about gathering their belongings as we were the
boat doesn't wait. It only took once for that to happen in order for us
to learn our lesson! No need to panic though; it's easy to get off at
the
next pier and catch a boat going in the other direction. <br />
<br />
Fun
to ride, but they get scary crowded during rush hour as many locals use
them for their work commutes. There were way more people on board then
there were life jackets during rush hour. <br />
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<br />
There were boats on the water unlike anything we have at home.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Along
the river banks there are many interesting things to see from opulent
high rise hotels to traditional Thai style buildings. <br />
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It was a fun day and something I'd like to do again - maybe next year! <br />
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-81081565583383300882015-01-03T01:01:00.006-08:002015-12-19T10:03:16.534-08:00Thai Cooking SchoolWe signed up for cooking classes at the Silom Thai Cooking School - what a great day!<br />
<br />
A
staff member of the school emailed me directions for how to find
the school, so we hopped on the Sky Train to the Chong Nonsi station.
After getting off of the train, we followed the very clear and concise
directions and arrived at the pre-arranged meeting spot along with
several other students. There were a total of 10 people in our group. A
staffer performed roll call, told us to follow her and off we went.
We were each given a wicker basket and a bottle of water.<br />
<br />
First
stop was the market where we learned about the ingredients we would be
using and filled up our baskets. These peppers are on fire hot!<br />
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When we were done at the market, our group piled into cabs and we were delivered to the school.<br />
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We were instructed to remove our shoes and wash our hands.<br />
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Class picture.<br />
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Thai
cooking focuses on the harmony and balance of four flavors - spicy,
sour, salty and sweet. The food consists of these components;
protein, vegetables, key ingredients (these add flavor, but are not
eaten), seasoning and appearance. More ingredients to learn about:<br />
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Our teacher, Chef Aey - she was wonderful and kept things lively with her running commentary and humor:<br />
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Hard at work.<br />
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We were well rewarded for our efforts starting with Tom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup):<br />
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Laab Gai (Northern Chicken Salad). Usually served cold or at room temperature and eaten as an appetizer or starter:<br />
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The national dish, Pad Thai (Fried Noodles Thai Style):<br />
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Making green curry paste starts with chopping peppers:<br />
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The peppers and herbs used for seasoning the curry were pulverized with a mortar and pestle:<br />
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The curry paste is an important ingredient in Kang Khiao Wan Gai (Green Chicken Curry):<br />
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We finished our fabulous meal with a dessert of Khao Neaw Ma Muang (Mango with Sticky Rice) which was delish!<br />
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It
was kind of sad when the class ended. In the brief time we were
together we developed a camaraderie with our class mates and we realized
there was so much more to learn. Luckily, we were given cookbooks to
take with us so that we can make Thai food when we are back home. It
won't be quite the same because some of the ingredients aren't readily
available in the United States but we will give it our best.<br />
<br />
Thank you for everything, Chef Aey!<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-58777078161785061582015-01-01T00:25:00.005-08:002015-01-01T00:25:48.573-08:00A Bangkok New YearWe weren't sure what to expect while in Bangkok, Thailand for New
Year's Eve, but we figured it would be fun. We weren't disappointed.
The crowds were out and after a couple of drinks at Mulligan's, we walked the length of
the street for what was turning into a large block party. There
were balloons everywhere and it all looked very festive.<br />
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This photo was taken in another neighborhood where we went for dinner before heading back to our part of town. <br />
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<br />
Back at our neighborhood a band was setting up.<br />
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<br />
And, later performing.<br />
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<br />
Mobile
bars were parked all along the sidewalk. These were pretty much shut
down due to political changes in Thailand this past year, but apparently
they were allowed to do business on New Year's Eve.<br />
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<br />
A rocking good time was had.<br />
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Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2015!JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-87089264910806855582014-12-30T23:28:00.001-08:002014-12-30T23:50:07.574-08:00Chatuchak MarketA trip to Bangkok would not be complete without a visit to Chatuchak
Market which is a 27 acre open air marketplace. Chatuchak Market is
open on Saturdays and Sundays and attracts crowds of an estimated
200,000 per day.<br />
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The
easiest way to get there is to take the Sky Train to Mo Chit which is
the last stop on the line. After exiting the train, follow the crowd.<br />
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Before
entering, make a stop at the information center to pick up a free map
of the market. It is divided into sections based on the merchandise
being sold and helps in finding your way around. Once inside, the clock
tower can be used as an orienting landmark or as a meeting place.<br />
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Prepare
to haggle as it is expected and the vendors will think you're strange
if you pay the asking price of their items. Personally, I dislike
haggling as it makes me uncomfortable, but even I gave it a go. I must
admit it was rather satisfying to walk away with my purchases after
paying quite a bit less than the asking price!<br />
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Everything under the sun can be found here from clothing to jewelry to art to home decor to pet supplies and much, much more.<br />
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<br />
<br />
There
are also food vendors throughout the market as well as a food court
offering delicious food and treats like vanilla ice cream served in a
coconut shell. Yum!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRCQIoTdYJYtH58CGwY9HzMw4ueuxi1yoWQsiIy96ERAjVw8W2vEYz5MlBqAT_n9MbRQ4vyS7RMqk7lv1EJGlgPJ4nhAowEOmy80ZeCvRxG6YjOvwjEFMx04ODgUOH7y8KOvQFpzfkBae/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRCQIoTdYJYtH58CGwY9HzMw4ueuxi1yoWQsiIy96ERAjVw8W2vEYz5MlBqAT_n9MbRQ4vyS7RMqk7lv1EJGlgPJ4nhAowEOmy80ZeCvRxG6YjOvwjEFMx04ODgUOH7y8KOvQFpzfkBae/s1600/8.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE3aPx1Jz_KgItIZjEu99fzh_LRjNLeJBlgqVZ19w_iRc69cfZqkqf-kAF-zuxr9By_x2OTDIrHvzloK8DMVhfQiy01Ziomd_Ve9pOtkewbCG5JcAA6a86BA00rl7Rr-ba20rJzfDbLmq/s1600/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE3aPx1Jz_KgItIZjEu99fzh_LRjNLeJBlgqVZ19w_iRc69cfZqkqf-kAF-zuxr9By_x2OTDIrHvzloK8DMVhfQiy01Ziomd_Ve9pOtkewbCG5JcAA6a86BA00rl7Rr-ba20rJzfDbLmq/s1600/9.jpg" height="576" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjPCiARR0G3SZa_pFHSmEusgNvP4SCRj9rE7azsObzUsqstlV7n61I4ldLTs8Sa-RcACF5dU53X_FMwLuE_0TuMHpg0iT1o7PKu21RkpgcJbeQgNQrnMa3rztr_cXNjyeoEAKYPwtnRfx/s1600/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjPCiARR0G3SZa_pFHSmEusgNvP4SCRj9rE7azsObzUsqstlV7n61I4ldLTs8Sa-RcACF5dU53X_FMwLuE_0TuMHpg0iT1o7PKu21RkpgcJbeQgNQrnMa3rztr_cXNjyeoEAKYPwtnRfx/s1600/12.jpg" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
When
visiting the market, keep in mind that it can be hot and crowded. Wear
light clothing, comfortable shoes and drink plenty of water to stay
hydrated. Put yourself in the right frame of mind for dealing with
large crowds and a lot of noise. Don't be in a hurry and plan to spend
the day. Having been there twice we probably won't go back anytime
soon, but it was definitely an experience not to be missed!<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-25381738751986108062014-12-28T00:41:00.005-08:002014-12-30T23:32:16.085-08:00Bangkok Bathrooms and Thailand Toilet Etiquette Before leaving for Thailand, I had heard all kinds of horror stories about bathrooms in Asia.<br />
<br />
Overall,
it's been a pleasant surprise to find that the facilities in our
apartment, the malls, bars and restaurants have been western style flush
toilets. All of the public bathrooms have been relatively clean. One
of the things I'd read was to be prepared by carrying your own tissue
because toilet paper is rare. I've not found that to be the case; even
the most basic of bathrooms here have had plenty of toilet paper.<br />
<br />
When
asking where the bathroom or restroom is when out in public, try to
remember that unless you ask for the "toilet", most Thai people are not
going to know what you want. You will get a puzzled look instead of
assistance.<br />
<br />
The bathrooms at the shopping mall,
Terminal 21, are on the high end of the scale with completely enclosed
stalls, built in bidets and seat warmers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S52ry__LROrtz6XAORvAbVQnoYH9aFz2GH3kMpm552tHgbDacd39tAQ9YhcqNqGvs46NYb1RNMtFrwxMynxLxtt5nKem06ruK_wwnkDM-wdTQz1KwzEnwjqyymr1Zwl8JWh9IVogegeX/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S52ry__LROrtz6XAORvAbVQnoYH9aFz2GH3kMpm552tHgbDacd39tAQ9YhcqNqGvs46NYb1RNMtFrwxMynxLxtt5nKem06ruK_wwnkDM-wdTQz1KwzEnwjqyymr1Zwl8JWh9IVogegeX/s1600/2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The dash board has the complexity of a jetliner cockpit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnGfu5qTYYIcN27kVi1eEzQ-J_xwUivcqENJ0L3z5CyayF3iCiWeozF7GYCS14qJouCPGc4qqeFFSXqUf_PKTKXte-DxcafQLR8E32qNNBoDJTwQolapg6PM8lksQlmv1Y2w-5ybDiRVF/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnGfu5qTYYIcN27kVi1eEzQ-J_xwUivcqENJ0L3z5CyayF3iCiWeozF7GYCS14qJouCPGc4qqeFFSXqUf_PKTKXte-DxcafQLR8E32qNNBoDJTwQolapg6PM8lksQlmv1Y2w-5ybDiRVF/s1600/3.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is even sanitizer for the toilet seat next to the toilet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nZOMPDgwXLX674UstlIz2u1bjiFrFNidLN3HFKgj7EvS6kdRpgRjw6F7dWAxuAV-DXpEearfgXL59-DZcPEXHqWvpE2WLkWmytXf-Ynr77RwdOQszDZx5dq2qo0IEjSfVQRCX-1zpE6y/s1600/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nZOMPDgwXLX674UstlIz2u1bjiFrFNidLN3HFKgj7EvS6kdRpgRjw6F7dWAxuAV-DXpEearfgXL59-DZcPEXHqWvpE2WLkWmytXf-Ynr77RwdOQszDZx5dq2qo0IEjSfVQRCX-1zpE6y/s1600/4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Plumbing
in Thailand and most of Asia is not generally set-up to handle toilet
paper. That is why there is a bin next to the toilet - used TP goes in
there. Yes, I found this rather difficult to do at first, but you get
used to it. The alternative is backed up plumbing, something none of us
want to face. The rule of thumb is that if there is a bin or trash can
next to the toilet, put your used paper in it.<br />
<br />
There are plenty of signs posted to remind people of this. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQqf_dnlq4-9fvQGSHQ4syvzQdvgQeyPPtOO5Jg7liu7ExYULjfjou3xj2yNregD-_CUfT7TdHv9LNlzJ5BYlkwBozYHPtKfKv2LTZBsHGdY0vzWvPMwt6yvWuIF5KZlmqCfxiwFlSDjM/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQqf_dnlq4-9fvQGSHQ4syvzQdvgQeyPPtOO5Jg7liu7ExYULjfjou3xj2yNregD-_CUfT7TdHv9LNlzJ5BYlkwBozYHPtKfKv2LTZBsHGdY0vzWvPMwt6yvWuIF5KZlmqCfxiwFlSDjM/s1600/5.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jNGWHRdQUUYpJzMCGsiaZU-NBlTNRgFYYwLrX3MXtzVFCKxDO8UkcY6FcDtJEaDRcJyeC4gNv-utHhdENLbtK0MefkhvNTjDQ3jQzodXnRBcG5HV6uGAGndfqdOmMJQWarr9vs4zxwi/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jNGWHRdQUUYpJzMCGsiaZU-NBlTNRgFYYwLrX3MXtzVFCKxDO8UkcY6FcDtJEaDRcJyeC4gNv-utHhdENLbtK0MefkhvNTjDQ3jQzodXnRBcG5HV6uGAGndfqdOmMJQWarr9vs4zxwi/s1600/7.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't put other trash in the bowl either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnvWCI1G8ykicqn2Mqz5ctqVUJdSI8BdXq2uvrVndGjmNW7gTQsi7dWQaaUNQ4YHq5oUKqOt79iA1ILKwyoFZAcEnkXDXd8wvB0DAMlE4dfql_8cIpngQg3rBmRfIsxn2mt22WR7Jq7Y5/s1600/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnvWCI1G8ykicqn2Mqz5ctqVUJdSI8BdXq2uvrVndGjmNW7gTQsi7dWQaaUNQ4YHq5oUKqOt79iA1ILKwyoFZAcEnkXDXd8wvB0DAMlE4dfql_8cIpngQg3rBmRfIsxn2mt22WR7Jq7Y5/s1600/6.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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There
are people from all over the world who come to Thailand. Apparently
many of them have never encountered western style flush toilets. They
are used to squat toilets. There are signs for them too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDNpoV8pp92fRmwsm063VxB6D4pgoEAL0ZcI2lAmmFmFWRlASaXZfq_W-sHEvARlq85YDOeoh7EtvCbRKVTK-2NbF-G49ilHNYBU6k7WxLw_Zx77ac3BBMu_q1zRTCECFxjs7dRis_PpY/s1600/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDNpoV8pp92fRmwsm063VxB6D4pgoEAL0ZcI2lAmmFmFWRlASaXZfq_W-sHEvARlq85YDOeoh7EtvCbRKVTK-2NbF-G49ilHNYBU6k7WxLw_Zx77ac3BBMu_q1zRTCECFxjs7dRis_PpY/s1600/10.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
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We
took a trip to China Town one day and it was there that I encountered
the dreaded squatter. After staring at it in a sort of terror stricken
fascination, I opted to hover over the flush toilet that had no seat in
the stall next to the squatter. All western women are skilled in the
act of hovering as it's not unusual to find filthy public toilets that
you don't want to touch any part of your body in the United States. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zcOOXZpmUhCxGctDKqqUnoboAKjr8WM4W-GldTJtoXp3GtKjZ47R3lWbTZEMW-Llf8hJOW8TAKlSo8J0fpKHZiAafmaHqeD0xFskgiIXjkaXsjvbj6p6B3ZuffWASwyO7-Hat_j6g2P/s1600/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zcOOXZpmUhCxGctDKqqUnoboAKjr8WM4W-GldTJtoXp3GtKjZ47R3lWbTZEMW-Llf8hJOW8TAKlSo8J0fpKHZiAafmaHqeD0xFskgiIXjkaXsjvbj6p6B3ZuffWASwyO7-Hat_j6g2P/s1600/8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
day may come when I have no choice but to use one of these, so when we
returned to our apartment from the China Town outing, I went online to
learn how to use a squatting toilet. I found this article which
explains it better than I ever could. <a href="http://www.thailandclimbing.com/how-to-use-a-squat-toilet/" target="_blank">How to Use a Squat Toilet </a></div>
<br />
Out
in the countryside is a different story where western style plumbing
is rare. Travel out of large cities such as Bangkok with the
expectation that you will find yourself using a squat toilet or very
possibly just a hole in the ground. My motto is to be a girl scout and
prepare as best you can for anything - stuff a few tissues in your bag.
You'll be glad you did!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-17074187720741935762014-12-23T09:46:00.001-08:002014-12-23T09:46:26.467-08:00A Bangkok ChristmasHere we are spending Christmas in Bangkok. To say that we are far
from home where it's cold and snowy is an understatement. Between the
beautiful warm weather and all of the new things to see in our adopted
home, it's kind of hard to remember that it's December and that
Christmas is rapidly approaching.<br />
<br />
Approximately 90
percent of the Thai people are Buddhists and don't celebrate Christmas
which is a Christian holiday. However, they like some of the holiday
traditions such as decorations, Christmas carols and Santa hats. I
can't help thinking that part of the reason for the holiday cheer is for
the benefit of the Westerners who live in or who are vacationing in
Thailand.<br />
<br />
Whatever the reason, the decorations are beautifully done and a small sampling is posted below: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Yh5GBspLAppI-TaRkDNzE3bOjsRpm7qryf0NjXOI3_0u87D8fI_5m8k_BIxmLXVMxgNAGRJ8OOs3Xm3p0fEbO5oSqRHOVqqbqrrrAEF6EqxuoViLguqt6STVgc1u9Gd37DyIatapigR/s1600/xmas1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Yh5GBspLAppI-TaRkDNzE3bOjsRpm7qryf0NjXOI3_0u87D8fI_5m8k_BIxmLXVMxgNAGRJ8OOs3Xm3p0fEbO5oSqRHOVqqbqrrrAEF6EqxuoViLguqt6STVgc1u9Gd37DyIatapigR/s1600/xmas1.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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43/<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbase_Qsx_Wbc_luj7N9S1rUQQg01CVSFNREJruph1RHNRy9LXXM8YJg1Z_L0hfQTbTBGfGUADQPHVb8DkcSH_QF7jh5DyJEbfkf0kqrEbqVwkon7vFG5ouSvLXe4RoX4jlpq0KyNKNsR/s1600/xmas2.jpg" height="640" width="371" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8US_kNNiTA6IMyF0L6F7amOq6aNnMGm6fhkwYtqgFPISBMu805kturw5uiDelpnUyjxK9ekfpTHtduijgRZ1Q8D_Z-iEutFnlJFCUHLK01iXEaX7ZTMvLbXQEM99VxeyL240gp72y_X3/s1600/xmas3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8US_kNNiTA6IMyF0L6F7amOq6aNnMGm6fhkwYtqgFPISBMu805kturw5uiDelpnUyjxK9ekfpTHtduijgRZ1Q8D_Z-iEutFnlJFCUHLK01iXEaX7ZTMvLbXQEM99VxeyL240gp72y_X3/s1600/xmas3.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't try this at home!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXAgFGmITHAV6uKdcaS2bz6ZZv0jbmsyU4Ium6ewFBdDebcwhVNFmzZWepXnDLN16uHeUoxVdOKAGFXedFptmpFKHg8szfLZHD7WL8xVYXibfgX_BVF5TYMYb5Z-itKqcmBVOpf5aetBo/s1600/xmas5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXAgFGmITHAV6uKdcaS2bz6ZZv0jbmsyU4Ium6ewFBdDebcwhVNFmzZWepXnDLN16uHeUoxVdOKAGFXedFptmpFKHg8szfLZHD7WL8xVYXibfgX_BVF5TYMYb5Z-itKqcmBVOpf5aetBo/s1600/xmas5.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFyCYQXvfMl-EqfwvdKYmlgthf052XrYcdUvPOVnrf_uma-AlwCjONKnd84S-jxvg9v3g7LITQgYLSLT-kDNLMwouTe2_Y2ycTpDO9MHDaooymCFDPnI_-aUHirvUIgi8-pYKVgF_AwEK/s1600/xmas6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFyCYQXvfMl-EqfwvdKYmlgthf052XrYcdUvPOVnrf_uma-AlwCjONKnd84S-jxvg9v3g7LITQgYLSLT-kDNLMwouTe2_Y2ycTpDO9MHDaooymCFDPnI_-aUHirvUIgi8-pYKVgF_AwEK/s1600/xmas6.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Poinsettias thrive in the Thailand climate:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b3RIVUFg1bmqEzXjVbrdMtDNx32LXCWFNFVQNTGNO5jCS3HKDRyQYFJDZPleWxVvUJalOaXJ0h6u1AOGrK9hZyebnz_La-bJ4BlW6TDxsGQa56OTq3vIuo6lD-cs_RvNiJPe0gsCsOeL/s1600/xmas4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b3RIVUFg1bmqEzXjVbrdMtDNx32LXCWFNFVQNTGNO5jCS3HKDRyQYFJDZPleWxVvUJalOaXJ0h6u1AOGrK9hZyebnz_La-bJ4BlW6TDxsGQa56OTq3vIuo6lD-cs_RvNiJPe0gsCsOeL/s1600/xmas4.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div>
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bangkok!<br />
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<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-91338325324828659592014-12-22T04:16:00.002-08:002015-03-06T01:56:57.677-08:00Tropical DelightsLearning about and eating the fruit found in Thailand has been the
most enjoyable experience. Along with the expected pineapple, mango,
papaya and bananas, there are many more exotic fruits that are
unfamiliar to my eyes.<br />
<br />
It seemed that the best way to
get started was to buy several different kinds of fruit from the fruit
sellers and conduct a taste test. Clockwise from the top is Mangosteen,
Rambuten (Hairy Fruit) and Rose Apple.<br />
<br />
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Jack Fruit has a sweet flavor and firm
flesh. The bulbs grow inside of pods that average in weight from 15 to
20 pounds but that can weigh as much as 100 pounds. It is believed to
be the largest tree borne fruit. It's only downside is a slight smell
of decay, but it isn't hard to get past the odor because the fruit is so
delicious.<br />
<br />
Fruit sellers cut the bulbs from the fibrous interior of the pods which also contain a sticky white sap: <br />
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Their efforts yield these delicious results:<br />
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Mangosteens
are a round purple fruit. The outer skin is rather thick and rubbery.
Once the rind is removed the fruit inside is white and segmented
similarly to an orange. The fruit is sweet and juicy and the segments
often contain up to four seeds, although I haven't found any seeds
in the mangosteen that I've eaten.<br />
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Rambutens
or Hairy Fruit are round and the leather like outer skin is covered
with pliable spines which look like hairs. The colors of this fruit
range from pale green to yellow to red. To prepare the rambuten, make a
1/4 inch cut all the way around the fruit and peel off the skin. It
comes away very easily revealing a white fruit that looks like a small
egg. I found the easiest way to prepare the fruit was to slice it into
quarters and cut away the pit inside. The texture and
flavor of the rambuten is very much like a grape. <br />
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The
rose apple resembles an apple in color and skin type, but is shaped
more like a pear. The flesh is white and crisp and juicy with a mild
sweet flavor reminiscent of an apple. The texture is somewhere between an
apple and watermelon. <br />
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My
absolute favorite of all the fruits I have tried is the Dragon Fruit.
It is oval shaped with a bright green and pink outer skin. The fruit
inside is white and full of tiny black seeds. To prepare Dragon Fruit,
simple slice into quarters and peel off the skin which easily comes
away. The flesh is similar in texture to a pear with a bit of
watermelon added for good measure, while the seeds add a wonderful
crunch. The flavor is light, mild and very refreshing.<br />
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If
you ever have the chance to try any of these tropical fruits, I highly
recommend that you seize the opportunity. They are are nutritious and
delicious. With only a few weeks to spend in Thailand, I am making it a
point to eat at least one of these tropical delights every day.JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-60596882301391142662014-12-18T08:56:00.001-08:002015-03-06T01:59:59.908-08:00Around the Neighborhood It's hard to believe we've been in Thailand just over a week as we're
feeling so comfortable and at home in our Bangkok neighborhood. The
local people now recognize us and some know our names. We walk
everywhere and only take the Sky Train when necessary. <br />
<br />
Come take a stroll with us around the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
The vegetable seller's cart: <br />
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<br />
The broom peddler:<br />
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One
of the many food vendors - so good! When eating street food look for
vendors who are selling to Thai people and who have people waiting in
line. Those are good indications that the prices are fair, the food is
tasty and that the food is fresh and safe to eat.<br />
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<br />
The
flower man. The color and beauty of these flowers are spectacular. I
didn't get his name, but he requested that I take his picture.<br />
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<br />
Ice deliveries to the local bars and clubs. With workouts like these, there is no need for a gym membership!<br />
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<br />
<br />
The bug cart (yep, I mean insects). I'm hoping to work up the courage to try these.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
One
thing I wasn't expecting was a modern Western style grocery store.
Local foods are available as well as imported brands such as Oreo
cookies, Heinz Ketchup and Hershey's chocolate.<br />
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<br />
A neighborhood pub:<br />
<br />
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<br />
We buy most of our fruit from this fruit stand:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
This
lady is the neighborhood seamstress. She sets up her sewing machine on
the sidewalk first thing in the morning and does alterations/repairs until dark. <br />
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<br />
<br />
This gentleman can be found at the same corner every day repairing shoes. He has no shortage of customers.<br />
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<br />
It wouldn't be a neighborhood without a 7-11!<br />
<br />
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<br />
I
hope you enjoyed this tour through our Bangkok neighborhood. It's a
lively, diverse, friendly and endlessly intriguing place. We are
looking forward to discovering and learning more about it over the next
few weeks. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-91476588635885474802014-12-13T23:54:00.000-08:002014-12-19T21:40:07.664-08:00Our Bangkok ApartmentBecause we're going to be in Thailand for six weeks, we decided a
hotel room would become too cramped, so we decided to rent a small
apartment for the duration of our stay. Not only do we have more room,
but it is less expensive and it feels like having a home. Housekeeping
comes in three times a week to clean, change the sheets and leave fresh
towels. It's like having the best of both worlds. <br />
<br />
This is our building:<br />
<br />
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<br />
The view from our bedroom - this is down the street:<br />
<br />
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<br />
A luxury condo building is going up across the street:<br />
<br />
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<br />
The interior - it has everything we need: <br />
<br />
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<br />
I
love having this small kitchen for making tea and a light breakfast in
the mornings and for keeping bottled water, cold drinks and snacks in the fridge and
ice cream in the freezer. The water is especially important as drinking the tap water is not recommended. With a microwave and a two burner stove, we
could prepare a full meal if we wished! <br />
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<br />
There are a couple very simple things done here that I really like
and wish that hotels/apartments in the United States would adopt.<br />
<br />
When
in the apartment, we insert our key card into this slot in order for
the lights and air conditioner to work. The key card remains in the
slot until we leave and take it with as because it also unlocks the
front door. This saves electricity as it prevents lights and/or the air
conditioner being left on while no one is home.<br />
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<br />
Every
time housekeeping comes to clean, they leave one of these green bags
for recyclables. The next time they come, they take the full bag
and replace it with an empty. This makes recycling so easy when away
from home. Every hotel should implement this practice.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Shortly after checking in management sent this fruit basket up which was a very nice and much appreciated touch of hospitality.<br />
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<br />
The
place we chose isn't the fanciest, but it's fairly modern, very
comfortable and spotlessly clean. The staff has been nothing but
helpful and friendly. We would definitely stay here again.<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-24542190576166181232014-12-11T21:56:00.000-08:002014-12-11T23:02:36.962-08:00First ImpressionsWe've spent the first couple of days becoming acclimated to our
surroundings. The 15 hours time difference left us feeling sleep
deprived, but we've pretty much adjusted. That was some serious jet
lag!<br />
<br />
This post is about first impressions and I'm going
to list them in no particular order; they are just things that struck
me while familiarizing ourselves to what is going to be our home and
neighborhood for the next six weeks.<br />
<br />
After worrying
about the humidity that I'd heard so much about, it was a very pleasant
surprise to find that the weather is about as close to perfect as a
place can be. The days are warm, but not excessively so. There is
nearly always a cooling breeze blowing and the famed humidity has not
yet made an appearance. Keep in mind, it is December here. I imagine
that it may very well be quite a different story in August. <br />
<br />
Thailand
is a place of contrasts. The wonderful aroma of Thai street food
mingles with the occasional whiff of sewage from under the sidewalks.
Run down apartments sit side by side with luxury condominiums and
hotels.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Well
dressed working people dodge beggars on the sidewalks. Feral street
dogs roam in search of food. School children in crisp uniforms play on
school playgrounds during recess. Massive shopping malls with
every kind of merchandise imaginable are filled with shoppers both Thai
and foreign.<br />
<br />
The roads, especially the freeways, are
well maintained while walking down the sidewalk can seem like navigating
an obstacle course.<br />
<br />
Traffic is heavy 24 hours per day. Drivers patiently wait out snarled traffic jams which occur on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
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<br />
This
is a place of sensory perception from the carts full of colorful
produce and flowers to the incredibly delicious food prepared by the
street vendors. A wonderful meal can be had for less than 100 baht / $3
US.<br />
<br />
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<br />
While
we were out walking on our first day here, I couldn't help but notice
this jumble of telephone wires. To my eyes it looks like a chaotic maze
of tangled cable, but it is a system that works and the people
responsible for the installation can make perfect sense of it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
This
is a place of noise from traffic, buildings under construction, music
from the many bars and the sing song rhythm of people speaking in Thai.
Plants and flowers are lush and green. Tucked down side alleys one
might find a fortune teller, tailor, produce stand, a five seat bar and a
fabulous place to eat. <br />
<br />
It is a place that is full of surprises. It is alive. I think we are going to like it here.JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-14620389559812636592014-12-11T17:36:00.003-08:002015-03-06T02:09:02.826-08:00The Journey BeginsDecember 5, 2014<br />
<br />
The big day has finally arrived!<br />
<br />
Our
flight isn't until tomorrow, but it leaves at 5:30a.m. and it's a 1.5
hour drive to the airport, so we have decided to spend the night
nearby. We were pleasantly surprised by our hotel room especially the
sitting area.<br />
<br />
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<br />
A storm was moving in to Northern California and it was drizzling in San Francisco. A good time to escape!<br />
<br />
Our plane - Asiana Airlines non-stop to Seoul, Korea. So begins a 13 hour flight.<br />
<br />
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<br />
On
a flight this long, first or business class is the only way to fly. Each seat is
surrounded by privacy panels and the seats are also staggered in the
rows giving one the feeling of being the only passenger on the plane.
With seats that convert into a flat position with a pillow and blanket
provided it's possible to get a few hours of real sleep. The pods also
have storage cubbies and individual tvs with plenty of movies, games and
music to choose.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Our meals started with a menu:<br />
<br />
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<br />
The
food was amazing - quite a step up from reheated frozen dinners! The
following pictures are one of three meals we were served on our flights.<br />
<br />
Smoked salmon, vegetable sushi, pickles and braised marinated duck leg: <br />
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<br />
Crisp salad greens:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span class="st">Kimchi is a national Korean dish consisting of fermented chili peppers and vegetables, usually based on cabbage.</span> It is spicy and so good!<br />
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<br />
In
Seoul we connected with Thai Airlines for the five hour flight to
Bangkok arriving at 1:00 in the morning. To say we were tired is an
understatement.<br />
<br />
After going through immigration and
customs, we stepped out into the sultry night air to catch a cab to our
hotel and catch a few hours of badly needed sleep. In the morning we
will check into the residence apartment we have rented for the duration
of our stay.<br />
<br />
Having reached our destination safely, the adventure has begun! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClL8ZiV8qSaxGiiCXg1Zty3LYKbbdx1Pa7PhVLqSLGwojNOi15hiOUpAymLs8ihkaXvsyVsLHUCe06_TNmXpQUWfMM8RGHi8tYCQB2tPGWCBoxFi8w6epgOp6PJD4_z9ChPOOkh3BIEHf/s1600/Journey6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4994277709255829253.post-71653713707140881052014-12-11T17:34:00.001-08:002022-05-16T20:22:51.564-07:00A Trip to ThailandNovember 28, 2014 <br />
<br />
A week from today we will begin a journey to Thailand. Partly
to escape the cold and snow of a Northern California winter and partly
to experience the magic of this amazing country. I've heard so many
wonderful things about it from the kindness of the Thai people to the
magnificent temples to the fabulous street food to the vast array of
shopping available. So much to see and soak in!<br />
<br />
The
weather there is a bit of a concern. It's hot and humid in that part of
the world and I don't do well in hot and humid. The plan is to venture
out in the mornings and at night and to hunker down inside during the
heat of the afternoons. Hopefully this will work out; we shall see.<br />
<br />
It's
always hard for me to pack because I can never decide what to
bring and end up bringing too much. I'm going to try my best to pack light; my goal is a
few pairs of capris, light weight short sleeved tops, a couple of summer
dresses, a bathing suit, two pairs of sandals that are sturdy and
comfortable enough hold up to a lot of walking and a sweater as I hear
the air conditioning is kept at breathtakingly cold temperatures.<br />
<br />
From what I've read in preparation for this trip, the Thai people are conservative when it comes to dress. As a westerner coming to visit their country, I don't want to offend. When planning what type of clothing to bring it is best to keep in mind that bare shoulders, short shorts and going without a bra are frowned upon. These are simple and reasonable guidelines to follow; why not start off on the right foot?<br />
<br />
Shopping
is a major activity in Thailand. There are modern air-conditioned
malls and there are open air street markets. I hope to experience
both. Shallow as it may sound, it's no secret that I love to shop. A
friend gave me a tip that I am going to try. My packed suitcase is
going to be placed inside a larger empty case for the trip over. Once
there, I can fill the large suitcase with my market finds for the trip
home. Besides a few things for myself (beads and jewelry making
supplies, but most likely some clothing along with some shoes too -
because, well, I love to shop), I will be bringing home gifts and
keepsakes. Can't wait!<br />
<br />
The food is another thing I am looking forward to trying. Thai food is colorful, creative and nutritious. It usually contains many different types of vegetable and greens with small amounts of meat. Fruit is abundant and readily available. Some I am familiar with; others are exotic wonders which I have never seen.<br />
<br />
If you've followed along this
far, I hope you will stay tuned. Next post will be from the airport as
we make our way half way across the globe to begin this much
anticipated adventure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />JewelryArtByDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06030962423716899580noreply@blogger.com0