observations, humor, and nonsense
I’m regularly asked about moving to Thailand (and now I’m being asked about Cambodia). There was a point when I was emailed so often I considered creating a standard reply, but in the end laziness reigned supreme. Interestingly, I’ve made friends though these initial inquiries. I’ve met up with a few and one time I…
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I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I’ve been getting Thai massages for years and I’m always on the lookout for THE ONE. In case you’ve missed it, I’ve already talked about all the wrong ones you are likely to meet so I figured it was high time that I write about the practical and…
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*updated 2 Feb 2018 Recently I’ve been traveling around Thailand and it’s driving me batty because I’m such a homebody, but I love seeing new places, too. I know, I’m so complicated. And even though I no longer live in Chiang Mai, I’ve had to return there several times to go to Chiang Dao, Ubon…
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One could argue that Thailand’s coffee culture started in Chiang Rai with the original Doi Chaang Coffee shop and restaurant opening here. It certainly helps that coffee is grown locally. Lee’s Akha Ama Coffee is grown nearby, as is his apprentice’s – Tu’s from Nangnon Coffee. So it’s little wonder that interesting coffee shops have…
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Normally, I prefer to be sober. But for my latest trip outside the country, I wished I had better and heavier drugs than cough drops and cold medicine. Perhaps it would have made my visa run more enjoyable, then again, probably not. I stayed over in Nong Khai on my way back from Vientiane, and…
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UPDATE AS OF 2019, YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE THAI EMBASSY TO GET YOUR VISA BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. I hate the Vientiane visa run. Even though I’ve done it a few times, and even experienced an unforeseen problem, I still endured a special kind of hell that is reserved…
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I remember the first time I was turned on by poetry. I was in high school Freshman or Sophomore English, and the poem was Carl Sandburg’s Chicago. Generally speaking, I was greatly turned on by the poetry we were reading, but Sandburg’s Chicago was different, gritty, and decidedly real. It wasn’t about love, or love…
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The day had already involved rescuing this little guy from our refrigerator, and getting bit on the lip by a bee on the way to Rai Mae Fah Luang (or Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park), so why not add getting locked in the park?
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Wow. There is a lot of conflicting information about the Black House/Museum in Chiang Rai. I almost hesitate to blog about it lest I add to the misinformation in English. First up, is Thawan Duchanee who built the Black House, the teacher or the student of White Temple artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat?
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While shopping at a handicraft store (popular with the Japanese tourists), I saw this leaflet. As soon as I saw that it was in Chinese, I was amused. Given the recent reputation of the Chinese in Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai I took it, thinking it was in Chinese, English and Thai. Plus I was curious…
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I have my friend JP to thank for organizing both events (farm & fork) because I don’t think there are many folks who have had the opportunity to see where a restaurant’s food originates from. (Except maybe the people at the Food Network) Admittedly, I don’t know much about hydroponic farming, but I knew Salad…
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Every year the village of Bo Sang have their umbrella festival in January. This year it starts on the 17th and runs to the 19th.
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Art in Paradise is a fun and creative museum experience for Chiang Mai residents and visitors. I heard about it when it opened back in July, but then promptly forgot about it until I had to entertain a friend from Bangkok.
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Jing Jai Market is located across from JJ flower Market (near Tesco). What do you mean you don’t know where the flower market is? Ag. Okay, not everyone is crazy about plants like I am. Here’s a map to Jing Jai. Jing Jai is not new, but has been recently developed. I’m head over heels…
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It’s been a great month, so far, filled with trying new restaurants, and going back to the tried and true. It’s also the month for the Yee Ping or Loy Krathong festival here in Thailand bringing Chiang Mai alive with happy colors, and even happier socializing. *Remember to click on the photos to see them…
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As a fresh profusion of tourists arrive to Thailand I feel both sorry and sympathetic. When travellers visited Oahu Hawaii, where I grew up, I often heard, “We thought it would be less, you know – developed.” Yeah, everyone expects more island. Here, I would imagine visitors would expect more Thailand.
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Magic or mayhem depending on your cup of Thai iced tea, Chiang Mai’s Loy Krathong or Yee Ping Festival is quite possibly one of the most visually stunning events in Thailand, attracting many visitors and tourists every year.
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It’s the most common question: What brings you to Thailand? Why are you here? How long have you been here? How long do you plan on being here? What visa are you on? How did you do it?
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Or back again. The practicalities from an expat who has lived in both cities.
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One of the reasons why I love my apartment is I have a fairly good view of Doi Suthep, the predominate mountain here in Chiang Mai. But I don’t use my view strictly for pleasure, I use it to gauge the air quality.
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I’m celebrating 4 years of blogging about Thailand, and life overseas in general by compiling the best of the bug shots I’ve taken. Most were taken when I lived in the bamboo sticks, and I have to admit, I’m missing the cats and the craziness a little. But just a little. My city view apartment…
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About a 2-1/2 hr bus ride from Chiang Mai, is the little known town of Phayao. During my 2 day stay, I saw some travelling Thais, and even fewer farangs pass through this lake side city. And it’s a shame because Phayao is quite possibly the most well-planned and happy town I have seen here.
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I get a nûat Thai นวด ไทย at least once a week. It’s one of the perks of living in Chiang Mai even though the cost of living keeps rising here. BOOOOOO! A Thai massage around the moat or Old City costs 180 to 200 baht. While my friends have their favorites or go-to person,…
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It’s time to debunk the top myths on what it means, and what it takes, to be an English teacher in the Land of Smiles.
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Dengue fever is making a stellar comeback this year in Thailand. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping little guppies and bettas in and around my house to reduce/eradicate the mosquito population.
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Oops, need to catch up on my YouTube fame 😉
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Welcome to Chiang Mai. Congratulations. You are either here and doing the research or getting ready to be here and doing the research. Either way. Good on you. Here’s some help. 1. Chiang Mai Mail, CM’s first English language newspaper. I learned about the city’s experiment to make Niminhaemin a one-way through CM Mail. Overall…
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Whether you are moving by yourself or with your family, there are certain purchases that will help make your transition into expat life here easier. A practical list: 1. A fan. I know this seems silly and perhaps even redundant but I lived in a house and now an apartment both with ceiling fans and…
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I was getting ready to post an article I had written for this weekend, when I got caught up in the latest news about 2556 Songkran. For example, Bangkok Post on Chiang Mai being a top place for Songkran revelers, and how the Chinese are making up about 55% of the tourists. OMG! The post…
Read MorePublic Service Announcement: New rules from the National Police for the ever growing, ever popular Songkran Festival. 1. Don’t throw water from pickup trucks. Dangerous for pedestrians, motorists as well as the people throwing the water. 2. You cannot sit or stand in the back of a pickup truck. Yeah, it’s not a light tank…
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