BBQ

Is there anything better than a cook at your table BBQ? This entry is a shout out to the many people who have shared a Korean BBQ, Shabu-Shabu or Sukiyaki with me over the years...

This is a Laos BBQ with Buffalo. The Buffalo, which is like a sweeter version of beef, and therefore perfectly suited to the BBQ, is cooked on the open grill at the top, Korean BBQ style, and the veggies are cooked in the broth, Shabu-Shabu style. YUM. In fact, I think I'll have this again tonight!

Flowers

A simple pleasure that is easily shared over the web. Note that there are more flower photos in the texture entry below this also (both blog entries were done at the same time).

Droplet on a flower in one of Chiang Mai's many Wats. Northern Thailand

Frangipani in Phuket. Southern Thailand

Lotus buds for gifting to people or Buddha. Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand

I don't know what this one is, but many of these in different shades in Laos...

Okay - this isn't a flower, but the arrangement allowed me to include in this blog entry. This is a side salad, from a restaurant in Phuket, Southern Thailand

Texture (2)

Another selection of textural delights from Thailand and Laos...

Roadside flowers on the road to Pai, Northern Thailand

Colours found on the ground... Elephant Conservation Program, Northern Thailand

Guest house in Pai, Northern Thailand

A view through sunblinds in our guest house in Pai, Northern Thailand

Detail at the 'White Temple'. Chang Rai, Northern Thailand

Walkway entry to the 'White Temple'. Chang Rai, Northern Thailand

Rice cakes drying in the sun (on the street). Luang Prabang, Laos

Feature wall, Ting Tong night club in Pai, Northern Thailand

Feature wall, Ting Tong night club in Pai, Northern Thailand

Silly Signs (1)

Yes I've given this blog a number, which suggests that I'm hoping to have more of these...

I may have missread some of these signs, but I've done my best a grasping what each one is on about, as shown below each sign:

Warning: Burning in progress to flush out some lunch

Note: Turtles are responsible for cleaning up this area

Happy elephants here

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Texture (1)

Many of you know how much enjoyment I get from the variety of textures the world provides (and for some, I guess this is new news). The thing is, when your travelling, most things cost money. But not texture. Certified 100% free.

So this is my first selection of great textures do date:

1) Buildings in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia

2) Wat roof, Bangkok, Thailand

3) Wat ruins (approx 13th Century), Sukothai Heritage Park, Thailand
4) Trees, Sukothai Heritage Park, Thailand

5) Star Anise, Sukothai Markets, Thailand (lucky the texture is good, I can't stand the flavour!)

6) Chilli, Sukothai Markets, Thailand (making the world a more enjoyable and fiery place)

John Howard

Is it just me, or does this face look familiar?

Guest House No. 4, Sukothai, Thailand

We only come out at night

Every evening is another adventure.

New things are seen, sounds virginal to my ears present themselves, and new tastes that excite the senses are found. I'm not too sure if this will work, but my intention with this post is to start an ongoing record of some of these highlights - that is start this blog, and add to it as the trip goes on and more worthy candidates are found.

Animals

I love little lizards. Geckos, skinks, whatever. They're all cool in my book. We had heaps of skinks in the garden in Sydney, and now I've traded them in for little geckos that make different sounds at night, and dance around the ceiling in a way that keeps me entertained far longer than such a simple pleasure should. (I had a cute photo, but can't get it to work, so please use your imagination)

Sunsets

Who doesn't love a sunset? Red, pink and orange skies, shapes in clouds, the new sounds of the evening... A couple of times we've been lucky enough to watch the sun set over water. Photos never quite do a sunset justice, but I've provided a few here as they still look pretty special to me, and may help to remind you of some of your favourite sunsets.

Images from the top:

1) Parentian Island - Malaysia

2) Jungle Train - Malaysia

3) The view from our bungalow, Ko Lanta - Thailand

4) Street scape, Ranong - Thailand (I just love cities where you can see hills in the background!!)

Jim Thompson House

Another highlight, and on the tourist trail for most visiting Bangkok, is 'Jim Thompson House'. The brief story is that he was a silk trader who "single handedly revitalised the hand made silk tradition in Thailand" according to the guides who run tours through his house. He lived in this house during the 50's, built from inspiration across the various Asian cultures - something he was well able to do as he was a trained architect. We were only allowed to take photos of the gardens, so I miss out on sharing some of the art that was in the house, and how well is was presented, but I think you get the drift that I was impressed (I'm writing a blog entry on it aren't I?).













Their website is average (http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/), but does give a few more photos and some history for those interested. In short, I'd recommend a visit to anyone finding themselves in Bangkok for more than a stopover.

The other thing that I should mention is that at the time that Ros and I visited, there was a textile exhibition in their gallery (yes they also have a gallery and a gift shop that feels lifted from a premium Japanese shopping centre - as did the prices). The exhibition was french in origin and had some amazing works. Soft, heavy, bold, subtle, layered, etc. lots of artists presenting works that were in various textiles that were in many cases as beautiful as they were thought provoking. A nice bonus when all we expected to see was a 'nice house full of interesting stuff'. I'm sure every traveller has had these moment of the 'unexpected bonus' - this is one of mine. I invite you to think of some that you have experienced...

Bed Supper Club

I know quite a few people that have had the pleasure of visiting this cave of luxury in a sea of sexuality and all have recommended it. So in a flash of inspiration, I'm going to follow suit.

For those yet to visit, the Bed Supper Club is a super indulgent restaurant and club in Bangkok near Sukhumvit. The dining area as pictured is a porno pad where all guests recline in cushions in a bed like experience - hence the name (in case you were wondering...). The lighting matches the mood, and the tunes were the best chill out house I've heard in a long time. A refreshing change, as 'chill out house' is becoming so much like wall paper these days (insert violin sounds here - yes I'm old and remember the 'good old days').


The food was more Modern Australian (read meat and veggies) than anything else, although the french touch was certainly evident. Delicious, and fitting for the stupid price one pays to indulge themselves at this establishment. I'll wind up here by saying simply that we had a great meal, danced for a few hours afterwards to some great driving beats, and were wrapped with the experience. I too would like to recommend it to anyone visiting Bangkok - just plan this night on a Sydney budget...

(for more see: http://www.bedsupperclub.com/)

Simple Pleasures

I'm a sucker for simple pleasures, and this is a very brief tale of one: having your face shaved in a foreign country (that is in a developing country). Today I had that experience, and shed a month or so of my facial follicles. I've provided some evidence for you - nice huh?

In this case my trimming was done by one who spoke no english, but we quickly sorted 3 important things:
1) 30 baht (about $1.20)
2) Face only - I'm happy with to grow my locks for a little longer
3) New razor blade (actually this was more by observation)

(Note the 'goaty' dissapeared - this is just the way that he chose to remove the hair. As many J&J people commented when I retained a smigen of facial hair one time "mate, the mo has got to go")

All in all a great experience. So now I have another month to work on developing more scruff so that I have the pleasure again. Will update more once I've visited a street side barber somewhere in Hanoi...