Kate enroute home from Phuket on Bangkok Airways at 13 months old
Ode to Asian Air Carriers
Oh Asian air carriers how I love you so,
You still allow my family priority boarding
so we don’t block our neighbors’ row;
You give my children stickers before take-off so they won’t throw a fit
when that seatbelt sign is on and we’re not quite cruising yet. Continue reading
Hi Everyone! I wrote a little something about my experience with taking the BTS while pregnant (spoiler alert: much more comfortable than taking the Washington DC Metro while pregnant) and with tots in tow. Check it out on the Expecting Expats site here.
Okay, so this was not taken on the BTS, but I thought I should leave you with some photo, and this is a recent favorite of mine (Anantara Golden Triangle)
We just spent an excellent five days in Pran Buri, Thailand – a relaxed, picturesque, and largely undeveloped beach area just south of Hua Hin. I have heard about the charm of Pran Buri from friends that have lived in Thailand much longer than we have, but it took us two and a half years to make it there on our own. And now I’m glad we did it with one year in Thailand to spare.
Perhaps the best thing about Pran Buri is what it is not: Hua Hin We’ve all been to a fancy resort in Hua Hin and enjoyed it (we sure have), but what it lacks is the ability to feel like you are far removed from Bangkok; meaning, you still get traffic, you still deal with relentless vendors (on the beach, mainly), you still get the crowds, and your view is still tall buildings (with a bit of ocean). Pran Buri offers you something much less urban, much less fussy, and even more beautiful. So go. At least once. I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.
Views from the Dolphin Bay restaurant in Pran Buri
These guys don’t know how good they have it!
I’m gonna be honest. Whenever we take our children out for dessert, it’s more for mom and dad. “What’s that? Did I hear you say you want a McDonald’s soft serve ice cream? Well, okay then. The Sukothai Chocolate Buffet? Sure!” Yes, that’s pretty much how it works. Using this method, we have found some super-hip dessert locales that offer up some truly decadent treats. Below I present to you our favorites.
1. For the culinary adventurer and appreciator of arts
This place is too cool for school. Seriously. At IceDEA, ice cream is not just served; it is designed and shaped into a variety of foods. Medium-rare U.S. steak with a side of fries? You got it. Japanese Tonkatsu? No problem. Pizza supreme? Easy. Not only is the ice cream sculpted to perfection, the flavors offered are creative and eclectic. Wasabi, roasted coconut, earl grey . . . you get the idea. This place brings the word unique to a new level. Go and try it. You will be amazed.
Looks like a real hamburger and fries, right?
The IceDEA cafe at BACC
You’ve had a cup of coffee from a Doi Tung coffee shop before, right? Ever wondered why the name Doi Tung? Why the coffee is a little bit more expensive? Why do they sell key chains, t-shirts, and sustainable cloth bags? Well, if you happen to find yourself visiting Chiang Rai or the Golden Triangle, you can find out first hand. Rent a car and driver and spend a morning on Doi Tung (“flag peak”) Mountain, visiting H.R.H the Princess Mother’s Doi Tung Royal Villa and the adjacent and stunning Mae Fah Luang Garden. The Princess Mother (mother of Thailand’s current reigning King) built the Doi Tung Royal Villa as her summer palace, and it is now open to the public as a museum. She dedicated herself to the Doi Tung Development Project, which focused on reforestation and creating sustainable livelihoods for the local population (read: once prevalent opium crops have been replaced by crops such as coffee, teak, and various fruits).
Enough with the history lesson because even I’m now falling asleep. Go to Doi Tung because the villa is a cool Thai-style replica of a chalet you would see in the Swiss Alps. From the outdoor balcony, there are excellent views of Burma. And the Mae Fah Luang Garden is to-die-for beautiful. It is a great place for kids to expel some energy by running free amidst gorgeous and colorful flowers, fountains, and statues.
Some tips?
Toddle Joy 