February 2020 Blogs
Thai Food Cooking at ISaan Workshop
(Feb 26, 2020) Stumbling-upon a fashionable cafe in Udon Thani, the I AM Champ Cafe, I met the charming owner who invited me to partake in her forthcoming cooking workshop. My last cooking class was still in Chiang Mai. Now I get the chance to roll-up my sleeve and try Udon Thani's culinary specialty!....more »»
Movie Review: Parasite
(Feb 25, 2020) There is a reason Parasite won the first ever foreign film for Best Picture at the Oscar Awards. It's a Korean film you have to watch in English subtitles. Foreign film and subtitles are usually a death knell for a film award in Hollywood, but Parasite transcended that hurdle. Enough said, just watch the movie.....more »»
Abundance in Udon Thani, Thailand
(Feb 25, 2020) After the void of Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, I began to question what the heck I was traveling for. But when I reached Udon Thani, I felt the same surge of energy I felt in Chiang Mai. It was the familiar tap on the shoulder by my benevolent universe, letting me know there'll be good times ahead. True enough, within 24 hours of arriving, I already bartered a hotel deal, cooking class workshop and movie nights. I was once again into the FLOW!....more »»
Hostel Scammed in Phitsanulok, Thailand
(Feb 23-24,2020) Phitsanulok was frought with difficulty from the very start. It's my universe giving me a red flag. I had no recourse but to go with the motion as I was already in mid-stream. True enough, it was one frustrating stop in my journey. I was out of the place the following day.....more »»
Visiting Sukhothai, Thailand
(Feb 20-23, 2020) From Mae Sot, my next East-bound destination would have been Tak, but the cheapest accommodation was over B300 - deal breaker! I found an B102/night hostel in Sukhothai, the next city east of Tak. That's all that matters for now. Sukhothai it is! What's there? I'll find out when I get there.....more »»
Teaching 'Marketing English' to Hotel Staff
(Feb 17-19, 2020) The hostel owner I was staying at, asked if I can teach his staff English while I was there. I said yes, but wasn't sure how to make it effective given the few days I would be there. Then it hit me, why not teach them hotel-specific English that would help sell services offered by the hotel?....more »»
Post-Umphang Mae Sot
(Feb 15-20, 2020) From Umphang, I was supposed to get my stuff from Sleep Nest Hostel in Mae Sot and head east for Tak. But the B47/night deal in Tak wasn't available anymore. More importantly, I like being in Mae Sot, hanging out at Sleep Nest Hostel. Pulling another ace off my sleeve, I offered to develop a customized map for the hostel in exchange for 2 nights. The owner said yes!....more »»
Visiting the Pasak Vipassana Temple, Umphang, Thailand
(Feb 14, 2020) I was told by a local that there is Vipassana temple hidden within the forested area of Umphang. Really? I set out on foot to find out where this temple is. Perhaps even meditate.....more »»
Food in Umphang
(Feb 10-15, 2002) For an obscure place, Umphang holds its ground on its culinary offerings. But one dish takes center stage....more »»
Trekking Kao Hua Mot Viewpoint
(Feb 11-12, 2020) One of the DIY attractions in Umphang is the Kao Hua Mot Viewpoint - a scenic view from a hilltop 9 km away on paved road, and 1 km on foot by loose-gravel trail path. My last hike was the Monk's Trail in Chiang Mai. This would be a good one to try.....more »»
Exploring Umphang, Thailand
(Feb 10-15, 2020) It was only in Mae Sot when I overheard some travelers talking about this obscure and almost unknown destination in Thailand, 5.5 hours from Mae Sot. They talked about a great waterfall, trekking tours, rafting, river splashes and a lot of nature. It reminded of my previous home in Sagada. It was enough to get me excited and pack-up.....more »»
Time on my Hands in Mae Sot
(Feb 5-10, 2020) With 30 days on my visa and no itinerary in mind, I was in no rush to leave Mae Sot. Time to explore this place most people just pass through with in crossing into Myanmar.....more »»
Full-Body Ocular by the Immigration Officer in Mae Sot, Thailand
(Feb 5, 2020) Upon entering Thailand in Mae Sot, the immigration officer gave me a smile, looked at my passport, and then gave me a suspicious, scrutinizing look. She then stepped-out of her office to give me a full-body ocular. I got nervous.....more »»
Vipassana: 6 Days of Monastic Life at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery
(Jan 31 - Feb 5, 2020) Frustrated with my failed plan to do Vipassana (Satipatthana) in Battambang, Cambodia and Yangon, Myanmar, I learned of a Vipassana meditation center just 16 kms away from downtown Mawlamyine. And since it's a Forest Monastery tradition, it didn't require a 10-day stay. With the remaining 6 days on my visa, I just took the motor ride and showed-up.....more »»
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