Travel Asia
Is there a Pan-Asian Zeitgeist? What makes Asia Asia? Is it simply a matter of geographic location? Is it related to cultural traditions, mores or habits? Is it about climate, language families or something else all together? And for that…
Just because …. that’s why I’m giving you this list of some of my favorite things about the places I’ve been in Asia. This includes, in no particular order, foods, monuments, cultural behaviors, stories, styles, and of course, UNESCO World…
Organized Chaos, Why you should visit a Bangkok Market In the midst of this nonstop city lies its soul. It is perhaps my favorite aspect of this bustling city. The local Talat. Organized chaos in a parking lot,…
Along the dust-choked battlefields of central Thailand, men once fought murderous wars in defense of their territories. Beside them, brandishing the same long-handled swords stood kunying Mae Yamo, Thailand’s first women warriors. Although we don’t know how many or how…
Finally, there is foot reflexology or simply “Thai foot massage”. These are my personal favorites, and I have had many, many foot massages over the years. Yesterday, I went to what I consider to be the best place on the…
There are three main massage-type treatments that are now considered uniquely Thai: nuat Thai (literally: Thai massage), luk prakorb, (an herbal compress used to warm muscles before massage), and foot reflexology. Unlike the more common Swedish style massage of the…
Thailand has a rich legacy of healing arts that come from both ancient Chinese practices and India’s Ayurvedic healing methods. The Thai’s took what they learned from these traditions and over time, morphed them into something of their own. The…
Masked monkeys scratch and fidget before their king, demons march to battle, and royalty bedecked in gold and gemstones are wheeled across the stage. This is Khon: royal Siam, ancient theatre, epic tale. On a poster along the walls of…
Following the introductions, a small group of men in bright-green shirts situated beside the ring begin to play the ceremonial music unique to this sport. With pii (a small wooden flute), skin drum and finger cymbals, the band plays the…
Knockout! A left kick to the jaw sends one man to the canvas. The audience drew silent as the young man in blue stood in momentary awe over his downed opponent. I couldn’t help but wonder if the crowd surrounding…