Travelling the Klongs: Bangkok by Water
We arrived in Bangkok last night long after dark. On the drive from the airport, which was very quick, we couldn’t tell what we were looking at, other than lots and lots of high-rises. We got to our hotel and realized that...
On the Steps of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
Hot, Hot, Hot. The predicted temperature in Bangkok will be 42 degrees! This does not include the humidity. Some businesses and venues are open; some are closed for day two of Songkran in Bangkok. Staff at our hotel isn’t...
Diving the King Cruiser Wreck and Shark Point in Koh Phuket, Thailand
A gorgeous day! We are on a boat, heading to 2 dive sites in the Andaman Sea, for the 1st day of diving in our advanced scuba certification course. The course consists of 5 different dives over two days. Today we will do 2 of...
On the Ground in Phuket. Some Advice
Phuket, Thailand – truly one of the most unique places I have ever visited. I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout many European cities, so making my way over to South East Asia has been a completely unparalleled...
And Buddha Blesses All
This turns out to be a wonderful, magical and somewhat mystical day. It starts late for us, even John sleeps into 9:00. We head downstairs for our “American Breakfast” and are out by 10:30. I am not feeling 100% this morning. I...
Completing Our Diving Certification: Thailand
We have made it part of our daily routine to actively introduce ourselves to our fellow travelers and today is no exception. On the Dive Tuk Tuk we meet Pete and his two kids Manda, 16 and Theo, 14. Pete and his wife (who isn’t...
I am a Mahout For a Day!
We have no words except THANK YOU to our global travel family for all support, kind thoughts and well wishes as my husband, co-founder, partner of 27 years and chief instigator of our 2004 around the world followsummer trip John...
Our Last Day in Bali: Mixed Emotions
Our last day in Bali is one of mixed emotion. We are sorry to be leaving but also happy to move on. The last 24 hours have been clouded with bad “taksi” rides and average restaurant service (see John’s review of La Luciolla) but...
A Travel Day: Tempers Left at Check In.
Gazillions of Italians, Germans, Swedes and Brits, each family with numerous squawking children, numerous over-sized bags, all starting their Easter vacations, all exhausted from their connecting flights from all over the world,...
A Day of Ghosts
We plan a quiet day of internet updating and beach. We wake up and have a wonderful breakfast at the hotel – all fresh fruit, fresh squeezed juice, and coffee made in an automatic machine. We head to the internet café we found...
Even in Paradise, There Are Bills to be Paid.
Breakfast by the pool at 8, to say goodbye to Tony and Graeme. Tony has stopped in Phuket on his way home from a business trip to Europe, and today he heads to Singapore for a couple more days R&R. Graeme will stay in Phuket...
41 Degrees in Chiang Mai, Thailand
It is the hot season here, which means it is the dry season. We saw in this morning’s newspaper that yesterday the temperature here in Chiang Mai reached 41 degrees. We head out early – me to book a trek for tomorrow,...
A Songkran Day With Elephants and Mahouts
This Songkran morning does not start auspiciously – the minibus that is to pick us up for our day in the country-side around Chiang Mai does not appear. Finally, we head out of town, and after about 45 minutes, we stop. Our guide...
Drunk on Songkran: A Wet,Thai Adventure
Songkran is full on. You don’t want to leave the hotel lest you get soaking wet. And I mean soaking wet. Today is the first day of the “official” three days of Songkran and we grab breakfast and decide to hightail it out of town....
Avoiding Happy Songkranners
I head out early to scout around. There is nobody on the street, so I am safe, for the moment, from the happy Songkranners. But the streets of Surawong are deserted. This is the most important day of Songkran, and it appears that...
Isn’t This What Travel and Discovery is All About?
Bye Bye Bangkok and Thailand We have seen many different and wonderful things here, and both marvel at and question the relaxed views on sex in Thailand. We would comment daily on the number of young men and women on the arms of...