A Note From Abroad

21 Interesting things I learned about Thailand

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Tuesday, December 3rd – Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. I’ve scheduled this to post while we are in the air on our way home.

Traveling opens the senses, introduces us to new cultures, food, sights, sounds and smells. It is an opportunity to learn a different way of life and see the world through someone else’s eyes.

Thailand is colorful, ancient, peaceful and filled with kind people. Everywhere we went we were greeted with a smile and given a respectful bow of the head as they palmed their hands in front of their face. The history is deep and rich. The land populated with far too many temples to count.

Here are some of the interesting bits and pieces I learned about Thailand along our journey: Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Courtesy, Culture, Customs, Etiquette, King, Respect, Rules, Thailand, Travel | 10 Comments

Wrapping up Thailand, Maharaj Market, Mani Pedi

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Monday December 2nd, Krabi Town, Thailand

Today is our last full day in Thailand. The three weeks have gone fast. We have squeezed every last moment out of our time here.

For anyone considering a trip to Thailand, I highly recommend Gate 1 Travel. They were professional from start to finish, gave great value for the money, and paid attention to the details. Our guide, Nu, was the best we have had on any tour. Here is a link to the actual tour we took.

If you sign up for their email list, once a week you get an email with some really nice discounts on selected tours. We have booked Turkey and India for February and March with them and then plan on staying in Europe for 6-9 months afterwards. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Gate 1, Krabi, Krabi Town, Maharaj Market, Market, Orange Tree House, Photography, Thailand, Tour, Travel | 4 Comments

Whistle Blowing and Cooking School

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday, December 1st, Krabi Town, Thailand

Sleeping in today felt wonderful. Deciding on breakfast at a coffee shop around the corner from the hotel, we sat and people watched for a while. Our waitress was younger than normal…

Our very young waitress

Actually this little princess was the daughter of our waitress. She carried an order pad around the restaurant imitating what her mommy was doing. Priceless! Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Cooking School, Photography, Protest, Siam Cuisine, Thailand, Travel | 8 Comments

Barracudas Tour to Phi Phi Islands and Night Walking Market

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Saturday, November 30

We booked Barracudas Tour to Phi Phi Islands through our hotel. It included pick up at our hotel and being driven from Krabi Town to Ao Nang, a full day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on the high speed boat going from island to island, buffet lunch, mask, snorkel and life jacket. Our price was 1200 Baht ($38) per person.

Ready to board our high speed boat

Some of the scenery was quite stunning, but the beaches were over crowded which definitely detracted from our day. I’m glad we got to see Phi Phi, however I think going there and spending a few days would have given us a much better impression than trying to see a couple of beaches in such a short amount of time.

Here are my favorite pictures of the day: Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Bamboo Island, Barracudas Tour, Krabi, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Phi Phi Island, Phi Phi Islands, Photography, Pileh Bay, Thailand, Travel, Viking Cave, Walking Market | 4 Comments

A day for relaxation and reflection in Krabi Town

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Friday, November 29th, Krabi, Thailand

After a lot of go, go, go since arriving in Thailand, we decided to take a day to relax. No planned activity, no tour, just let our day unfold.

Lotus

To simplify things, we have extended our stay here in Krabi Town. Our tiny 13 room hotel, Orange Tree House, will remain our home base. It gives us some basic comforts, but a far cry from any luxury. The smaller scale does give us a feeling of belonging though and the staff is quick to make us feel comfortable and help with daily planning. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Foot Massage, Krabi Town, Photography, Temple, Thailand, Travel, Walking Market, Wat Kaew, Wat Kaewkorawaram | 4 Comments

Thanksgiving in Thailand ~ Non-traditional and relaxing,

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Shrine at Tiger Cave

Well, it certainly was not a traditional Thanksgiving Holiday. We did not have anything booked or planned so asked our hotel receptionist for a suggestion. She recommended a drive to see the Tiger Caves, Emerald Pool, and some hot springs. About 20 minutes later we were picked up by a private car and driver.

The Tiger Cave (lower section) looks to be in a state of disrepair compared to most of the temples we have visited over the past couple of weeks. They have been building a new temple for the past 15-17 years which is only partially completed. It appears that funds have run out and things are on hold. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Emerald Pool, Hot springs, Krabi Town, Photography, Thailand, Tiger Cave, Travel | 2 Comments

Krabi Town, Mr Ann, Big Bat Cave and Monkeys on the Boat

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Wednesday night, November 27th, Krabi Town, Thailand

Krabi Town

Yesterday we flew from Bangkok to Krabi. All went smoothly with the flights and as promised, our hotel had arranged for a driver to pick us up. A sigh of relief when arriving in a new place for the first time to see a sign with your name displayed as you exit the baggage claim area. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Bat Cave, Krabi, Krabi Town, Monkeys, Mr Ann, Photography, Thailand, Travel | 3 Comments

Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok, Night Markets and Fish Massages

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday, November 24th – Chiang Mai

I got a little behind again due to limited Internet service at our 5-star hotel. It was available for free in the lobby, but we had to pay $15/day to get it in the room. It always amazes me that we can get better/cheaper WiFi in less expensive hotels. Seems backwards.

This was our final day in Chiang Mai and only two temples to go. The first was Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located 3500 feet up the mountain. It is Northern Thailand’s most sacred temple, housing a holy relic of Lord Buddha. We had our choice between hiking up the 300 steps or taking a cable car to the top. The group chose the easy way up, but we hiked down. With its golden parasol, incense burners, bells, numerous Buddha statues and monk blessings it is impressive.

WAT PHRA THAT DOI SUTHEP

Our group of 14 at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Thailand has some of the most beautiful children

And our “yummy food” for the day??? Grasshoppers and silk worms. I tried one of each, but did not care for them.

PAGODA WAT SUAN DOK

Wat Suan Dok

As if we had not had enough shopping opportunities, we added to our choices by visiting a jade factory, silk factory and a silver factory.

Back to the hotel mid-afternoon just in time for my scheduled Thai massage. This is not a gentle relaxing hour, but more like getting a deep get-the-knots-out-while-trying-not-to-cause-bruising type.

I was surprised how invigorated I felt afterwards. So off to dinner then the walking Sunday Market followed by the Night Market.

Sunday Market

Such contrast between the hectic, can’t get through the crowds, noisy street scene vs the monks chanting in the local temple which is being broadcast on the street over loud speakers. We looked in to observe for a few minutes.

Buddhist prayer session

But the highlight of the evening came at the end when we had a fish massage. After scrubbing our feet and lower legs, we sat on the edge of a fish tank with our feet dangling in the warm water as tiny fish nibbled away at the dead skin. It tickled like crazy and a short 15 minutes later our feet were soft, smooth and one shoe size smaller.

Tiny fish eating the dead skin off of our feet

Fish Foot Massage

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep, Fish Massage, Night Market, Photography, Sunday Market, Thailand, Travel, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok | 6 Comments

Elephant kisses and sleeping with a tiger

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Saturday, November 23rd – Chiang Mai

Mae Sa Elephant Camp

We had our thrill of riding an elephant a few days earlier while at the River Kwai. This time was more interaction which included feeding them, getting hugs and kisses, seeing them being bathed in the river and then watching a show.

Baby elephant giving Tim a kiss.

Putting a hat on my head

The care and gentleness these huge creatures used when touching us was fascinating. After our casual time with them we proceeded to a stadium to watch a show. From playing soccer, twirling a hula hoop, dunking a basketball, throwing darts to pop balloons and an exhibit of their strength, the elephants kept us entertained.

One of the highlights of the show was when the gentle giants came out carrying their own paint boxes and proceeded to paint intricate pictures in front of us. Here are a few snaps of a painting in progress and the final results. If I had not witnessed them being created, I think I would have been skeptical, but they were done entirely by the elephants with only the aid of having paint put on the brush for them.

Elephant painting

Almost done with his painting and feeling proud

Elephant paintings

Group lunch followed at the Bai Orchid Butterfly Restaurant

TIGER KINGDOM

Our afternoon was free-time. Several of us chose to visit the Tiger Kingdom to get up close and personal with the big cats. Different packages were available depending upon individual tastes and comfort levels. One could simply walk past the numerous cages and observe, or you could choose to go into the cage with the small, medium or large cats. We chose to go into 5 cages and have pictures taken in each. We had 2 1/2 hours there which was just enough time to do it all.

Magestic

Tim and I with our new friend

We realized that at one point Tim and I were in a cage alone with SEVEN tigers, one handler and our photographer. Hmmm, sure glad that worked out OK!

Out numbered

Surprisingly we felt very comfortable and completely at home with the big cats.

This guy was huge and stunningly beautiful

Cat nap

Our day was topped off with dinner in a private home that included the best meal we had over the past two weeks. Not open to the public, the well-polished teak home is only available through special arrangement. Owned by a lovely woman named Komb Pea, she and her son greeted us and made us feel so welcome. From the greeting appetizer to the end of the meal, each bite was delicious.

After eating, we had one final surprise, sending hot air balloons off to the heavens. We made our wish and sent our troubles away.

Teak home where our private group dinner was held

Sending our worries and cares away

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Posted in Asia, Thailand | Tagged Chiang Mai, Elephants, Photography, Thailand, Tigers, Travel | 3 Comments

Long Neck Hill Tribe

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Friday, November 22nd – There are several different hill tribes in northern Thailand. The most well known are the Long Neck Tribe. Our visit was casual and we found the ladies and children to be charming and they very graciously allowed us to take pictures of and with them. In exchange they hoped (but did not pester or pressure) we would purchase some of their beautiful handcrafted goods.

I am behind in writing and sleep at the moment, so will simply let the pictures of what we saw speak for themselves.