Living in Thailand |
“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”
— Robert Louis Stevenson |
Living in Thailand |
“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”
— Robert Louis Stevenson |
Ayutthaya (Ah-you-tee-ah) is an amazing city, filled with temples (wats) and ancient ruins. It was the capital of Thailand for more than 400 years, until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Anyway, I hopped a 7am train and arrived just before 8am. From the train station I took a tuk tuk to Wat Mahathat. This is the temple with the famous Bodhi tree with Buddha's head entwined in the roots. I had a couple of hours to kill before meeting a friend for lunch, so I rented a bike and pedaled around. Biking is super dangerous here, but “Komoot” (app) helped me find an established, easier bike route. We had lunch at Phak Wan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5PuLouo6mwFP2CEw7?g_st=ic Great food and not expensive…I recommend the entire menu. After lunch, we strolled around Ayothaya Floating Market (wooden shops along the banks of a river, selling local foods and souvenirs). The final stop was Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, which has a large Reclining Buddha, lots stupas and chedis, and a large central stupa that can be climbed for panoramic views. Amazing day trip! I will go back.
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Some photos from my trip back to US. I saw many friends and family but really should have taken more photos. I renewed the blog for one more year and I am planning for December break…I am hoping to spend a few nights at this wat: https://www.watpahnanachat.org/about And then go to Cambodia (Angkor Wat to meet a friend and her husband) and then Vietnam (not sure where) for a few days. I would like to celebrate New Years Eve on Khaosan Rd (just to reverse the therapeutic effects of the retreat🤪) I hope all is well with you 💕❤️ Click here to edit
The Songkran Festival, celebrated each year from April 13 to 15, marks the traditional Thai New Year. It's basically a huge water festival. I was fortunate to spend Songkran in Hua Hin, thanks to my friend Nicky and her amazing daughter!
Hua Hin is a peaceful beach town that transforms into a waterpark during Songkran. Water splashing symbolizes washing away the misfortunes of the past year and welcoming the new year with a fresh start. Locals and visitors arm themselves with water guns, buckets, and hoses, and have friendly water fights in the streets. Beyond the water fights, Songkran in Hua Hin is deeply rooted in tradition. Locals visit temples to offer food to the monks, meditate and participate in the ritual of pouring water on Buddha statues. In Hua Hin we visited Seven King's monument, ate amazing food (as always) and listened to local performers. The 7 Kings Monument (Rajabhakti Park) is a tribute to the legacy and leadership of seven notable kings from various dynasties throughout the history of Thailand. The statues are impressive, each several meters tall, cast in bronze, and positioned in a line against the backdrop of the scenic hills near the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. On the way home we stopped in Kanchanaburi, Thailand at the Bridge over the River Kwai (Death Railway). A powerful reminder of the importance of peace and détente. Makha Bucha Day is an important Buddhist holiday in Thailand, celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month, usually in late February or early March. This day commemorates two significant events in Buddha's life that occurred on the same date, 45 years apart: the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 disciples, and his teachings to them. On Makha Bucha Day, Buddhists visit temples to make merit by offering food to monks, participating in meditation, and listening to religious teachings.
Surin, a province in northeastern Thailand, is home to my good friend Penny. Surin is a peaceful place, widely recognized for its connection with elephants. My weekend getaway was relaxing and we visited the renowned Elephant Village.
This year, I celebrated Loy Krathong at school. Loy Krathong is a night festival held in Thailand on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. The festival involves the floating of krathongs, which are small offerings traditionally crafted from banana leaves and adorned with incense, candles, and flowers. Each element of the krathong and the ritual of its assembly carry deep cultural significance.
The act of launching a krathong honors the water goddess and symbolically washes away misfortunes, clearing a path for future good luck. Witnessing thousands of these candle-lit krathongs gently floating away is soothing. Adding to the magic are the sky lanterns that, set against the backdrop of the full moon, rise slowly into the night sky. Next year, I hope to celebrate Loy Krathong in Sukothai, the historic origin of the festival. I am preparing my travel plans for December break... I am super excited to have a friend visiting from the US. If you're interested in visiting... let's do this! ![]() Things to see in Bangkok Starting Place: The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
- walk the Thonburi neighborhood - take a taxi (30min) to Taling Chan Floating Market Starting Place: Chinatown (Yaowarat)
-Try to find Princess Mother Memorial Park (“a hidden gem”- gardens and sculptures) Requires ferry (Tha Din Daeng Pier to Patchawong Pier?) -Taxi or tuk-tuk to Talad Noi -artsy historic neighborhood, known for murals, antique shops and egg noodle dishes -Take night river cruise Starting Place: Victory Monument Area (evening):
Things to see in Chiangmai Elephant Sanctuary- https://elephantjunglesanctuary.com/chiang-mai/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJKqBhCaARIsAN_yS_m8TYQ9aEP1AahvEYn6nCgkYlnR9e2fQlwF_0anDUCo_uAsn49ohAgaAirzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Old City- This is where the hotel will be (Three Kings Monument (TKM) is approximate center)- Explore the Old City, wander through the ancient brick walls and moats of the Old City Temples in Old City:
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls- This is a “must” for me… look it up Temples nearby but outside Old City:
Markets nearby but outside Old City:
Chiangmai Food Recommendations:
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