We are always going into Bangkok for something. This time for yellow fever vaccinations - I had mine last year for Cote d'Ivoire (good for 5 years) - this time around for Syy for our January trip to Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. Its not easy getting Yellow Fever vaccs in Bangkok - only available on the weekdays - hospitals don't offer it so we ended up going to the Red Cross Clinic at the Snake Farm. This time of year Bangkok is … [Read more...]
Village Life, Eastern Thailand
Back in the village in Eastern Thailand - 90 minutes from Poipet on the Cambodia border - nice to have some pleasant weather - two days ago hot with fans needed at night - now blankets needed! Village is only 2 homes (used to be about 6 homes) but population swelled dramatically the past few days when friends moved in along with all their tents! Enjoying home made coconut ice cream along with lots of fried insets we are catching with the blue … [Read more...]
Luvin’ Shanghai
The Shanghai Financial Center contains the world's highest observatory. The building is nearly 500 meters tall with an elevator that rockets you up to about 440 meters in just over 60 seconds. There are two observatories - one at the 94th floor and one at the 100th floor. Both afford spectacular views of skyscrapers in all directions. Shanghai is a major International financial player and this building is one of the city's proudest … [Read more...]
Hanging out in China
Nice to be back in China and on Asia time - was in Beijing last year, this time around I've already re-visited Hong Kong and now in Shenzhen on way to Shanghai in a few days. Hong Kong is crazy with all its traffic and hundreds of high rise apartment buildings but so is Shenzhen! Last night was just mesmerized by all the lights driving by what seemed like never ending row after row of high rises. Cities you've hardly heard of in China have … [Read more...]
Asia trip Videos
Here are a few videos from our most recent trip in Asia. The first one is a few clips in Japan and the Maldives - the 2nd one is of our adorable niece in the village in Eastern Thailand. … [Read more...]
GranMonte Vineyards, All in the Family
After returning from Brunei and a quick day of rest we set out for the jungles of Khao Yai National Park and part of Thailand's "wine trail". GranMonte Vineyards located in the heart of the small Asoke Valley was the highlight of our day. This winery was founded by Thai couple Visooth and Sakuna Lohitnavy. Their daughter Visootha (or Nikki) is Thailand's first female winemaker (only in her 20's, she has many harvests ahead of her). The entire … [Read more...]
Dream Communication
Sometimes the world works in mysterious ways. This is an interesting story from several weeks ago in rural Thailand. I never think of my high school history teacher (last I thought of him was about 5 years ago) and furthermore I never have vivid dreams (or if I do, I never remember them) and I don't believe in stuff that is not tangible. A day after the dream one of my former teacher's colleagues wrote me to tell me my high school teacher … [Read more...]
Visiting Male City, Maldives
It was hard leaving the resort today to start heading back to the "real world". Our sea plane took off in the early afternoon and dropped quickly from the sky to several also stunning resorts, picking up additional passengers who also looked somewhat depressed to be going home to cold weather countries this time of year. We spent the afternoon in Male (most of Male can be walked in merely several hours). This city is intruiging as is built on … [Read more...]
Enjoying the Cuisine
Mosaic restaurant is the "signature" restaurant at Zitahli resort. Each day we pop in for lunch and every lunch we order a Brazilian Capirinha. I fell in love with this drink after visiting Brazil in 09' and purposely seek it out when there is a bar at hand. Needless to say, seafood is a big part of the menu and its not often you can catch your own fish, fresh from the ocean the day before and have a fancy restaurant prepare it as your lunch. we … [Read more...]
Another day in Paradise, Maldives
Another day in Paradise. Roxy Maldives (formerly Zitahli Resort) is one of only two resorts in this entire atoll of islands. There's no one around once you get on a boat and head away from the island. Even on the island you don't see very many people except at meal times a few will wander in. Empty white sand beaches, coral reefs, a natural lagoon and azure water that beckons one for a swim are all part of the attraction of a stay here. Oh, and … [Read more...]