Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas


We both got 2 1/2 weeks off for Christmas and New Years and what better thing to do is spend it with friends.  Rebecca flew from Portland, Shannon from Shanghai and Meghan from Germany.  First we flew to Koh Samui an island in the Gulf of Thailand to spend Christmas.

View from our rooftop deck


Christmas Morning Breakfast

Beautiful Christmas Lights
Found a Thailand Christmas Tree!
View from a hike on the Ao Nang National Park Islands.
Kayaking around the National Park



Our next stop was back in Bangkok for just a few nights.  We were able to take our friends to Chatachuk Market which is the enormous weekend market, The Grand Palace and a few of the famous rooftop bars.

Wat in the Grand Palace


Statues at the Grand Palace Grounds

The Grand Palace

Lebua State Tower Rooftop











Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Adventures In Chiang Mai

We decided to take a long weekend and head to Chiang Mai which is 1 hr North by plane. Chiang Mai made us feel like we were in the Pacific Northwest again with its vibe and feeling that we had exploring the city. 

Where we stayed in old town.


We took our first cooking class from an amazing cooking school. They picked us up from our hotel, went to the fresh market, drove 15km outside of town to their organic farm to pick fresh vegetables and cook our meals.

Fresh Curry

Tons of different kinds of rice

A view of the market

Hills up to the farm.


At the Cooking School




Cooking Stations


Getting ready to pick our veggies and start cooking!



We made 5 dishes each. Fresh Red and Yellow Curry

Tom Yam and Thai Vegetable


Cashew Chicken and  Khao Kaprow Gai ( basil, veggies, chicken)

Pad Thai and Fresh Spring Rolls

Mango Sticky Rice and Coconut Pumpkin Dessert


 The weekend we went was Loy Krathong which is always celebrated on the full moon on the 12th month of traditional Thai lunar calendar. The festival has parades, concerts, celebrations in the streets, sweets everywhere, candles and incense,  and floating offerings.  The most amazing experience we had was with the  lanterns being  released in the thousands up into the sky at a temple outside the city. 


                                                                    Mae Jo University Temple



The lanterns are sent up into the sky to pay respect to Buddha carrying away the owner's bad memories sent up  and wishing for a happier future.



Scooter Ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep









Chiang Mai Zoo





This wasn't in Chiang Mai but in Bangkok.  Cat fishing with some friends :)  

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Bali

We went to Bali and spent a week relaxing, exploring, and taking in the culture. It was a pretty surreal experience. We happened to make it there during Galungan, which occurs every 210 days. It is a Hindu  celebration that honors the creator of the earth, and good over evil. On that day, it felt like every single Balinese local was participating. The streets were filled with traditional robes and attire, local kids performing dances and playing bells, and the temples and houses were decked out with beautiful decorations out front. 
The beach a 10 min walk from our Villa.

The sunset from the restaurant on the the top was incredible, as well as fresh seafood grilled to order. The waves were full of surfers (myself included getting absolutely rocked on a longboard).


One of thousands of Hindu temples. 

Out front of every house was a hanging decoration. The streets were lined with them.



One of the local groups of boys playing on drums and bells walking through the streets.






We went to the Monkey Forrest in Ubud. Lots of friendly monkeys.

Some getting really really friendly with Bridget. 


This temple was built in the 11th century, and is in the middle of the monkey forrest .

Everywhere you go there is hand carved ancient rock work like this. On temples, houses, even the airport. 

To enter the temples, ladies must be covered in traditional wear. Interestingly women are not allowed in the temple if its that time of the month either....signs posting this were all over. Bold. 














Rice patties are everywhere. 

We took a long scooter ride into the hills of Bali, got some cool weather and some amazing scenery. 


















Need some gas? 




We had a chef come cook a traditional Balinese feast for Colbys Bday. The four cooks that came in kept bringing fresh produce from the market, and prepared some amazing food in our Villa. 

Not sure what the drink is called (lost in translation), but it was interesting....

Drinking some fresh coconut water after a surfing session.