Imagine writing a book when your body is entirely paralyzed except for your left eye lid - the other eye being stitched shut. Author Bauby wrote this entire book by blinking - using a special alphabet that was devised for him - he chose each letter, one at a time slowly forming words, then sentences. Rendered almost entirely rigid by a stroke at age 43 in 1995, he left a world of fashion (he was editor of the French Elle) and entered a … [Read more...]
A Thai New Years in our Village
As with most New Years Eve days we spend much of the day shopping for our big meal in the evening - where family and friends gather - pulling into one of the nearby village houses on motorbikes, walking or by car. First we stop at the huge Tesco Lotus that popped up near the Industrial park several years ago. Employees are stationed out front wrapping hundreds of packages from shoppers. Our budget has gone up this year - instead of 200 baht we … [Read more...]
Village Updates, Thailand
We have been infested with pigeons! They are nesting all over our roof - any crevice or corner is fair game. We've moved out a number of nests - found a number of eggs and covered any open areas on the roof with some sort of thorny plant material to discourage future nesting. Still they flock to our roof at all hours of the day and night. The scratching continues even in the early morning. Last night at 3am I was awakened dramatically by a … [Read more...]
Visiting Trinidad in the West Indies: Short Notes
Flights to the Island arrive at POS (not the most politically correct airport code in the world) but it stands for Port of Spain. On a good day (without traffic) it takes about 30 minutes from the airport to downtown. There are a number of car rental companies at the airport (economy car pricing runs from about $40 to $60 US dollar). Car rental companies are also available in downtown Port of Spain and other towns on the island. A few things I … [Read more...]
It is cold in Thailand! Back to our Village
The coldest temperature Bangkok ever recorded was 10.5 C back in the 1950's. It has been cold here the entire month of December. With low temperatures running between 15 and 17 in Bangkok over night for the past few nights - it has not felt like a normal Thai winter. At our village in Eastern Thailand we have had to pull out the sweaters and warm blankets for the evening. Normally this time of year it cools off at night and by 10am the next … [Read more...]
Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom
I first met Emily at a travel meetup in Los Angeles several years ago - I was impressed by how easily public speaking comes to her and also by the fact that she has been doing something she loves for so long (she started her website way back in 1996). She continues to be the go to person for travel tips as well as a valuable resource for family related travel questions. She is much sought after as a travel expert -regularly making appearances … [Read more...]
Lek and Rut Seafood, Bangkok – January 2014
A dining experience here is as pure and raw a street dining as you will find in Bangkok. This restaurant is located in the middle of Bangkok's Chinatown and is open daily from 6pm to 3am. On Friday or weekend nights this place is packed and people mill around just waiting to get a seat. It can stay totally full until at least 11pm when the crowds start thinning somewhat. This is not high society (hi so) dining - rather you sit on metal tables … [Read more...]
gap-year guidebook 2014, editor Jonathan Barns
This is a must have guide for anyone considering a gap year - the largest group of gappers are in their late teens and early 20's but these days those taking a gap year are from all walks of life - and ages including those taking career breaks as well as those who are retired. This guidebook is resource rich and focuses on everything relating to taking a gap year from the preparation, how to fund it, working and volunteering abroad and … [Read more...]
Always Crazy Flying During the Holidays
Flying around the holidays is always crazy. Today was especially so! Was at the gate getting ready to board when a young gentleman runs up and announces to the agent that he does not have his passport. Fortunately he had some paper with some special government stamps and a Hong Kong ID so they let him board. While waiting in another line earlier I met a couple who said they had just lifted off, mere feet off of the runway when a light went on … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve in Thailand Celebrated with World’s Highest Ball Drop
Caption: The Bangkok Ball is lit up on the roof of Tower Club at lebua during a test run for the New Year’s Eve event. WHAT: Marking the beginning of a new New Year’s Eve tradition, Thailand will ring in 2014 with the first ever Bangkok Ball Drop at lebua. At precisely 10 seconds before midnight, the countdown to the New Year will start, and the ball will begin its 15-meter descent. When the ball reaches the bottom of its pole, an LED sign … [Read more...]
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