Thailand After Dark

The daytime temperatures in Chiang Mai reach a balmy 100 degrees as the midday sun blurs the colorful landscape.  But as the daylight fades and cooler evening breezes approach, the town comes to life.

The night bazaar provides something for everyone.  While the offerings of printed tee-shirts, sunglasses, and bric-à-brac are similar to many open-air markets, unique items are also encountered.  You spot a sign advertising custom tailored Thai suits in your choice of fabrics and color.  Can't decide between classy blue and neon green?  Mull it over during an enticingly affordable massage from the spa located next door. If you've worked up an appetite, visit the long row of food stalls and pair your soup or noodle bowl with the refreshing water from a fine young coconut.

After-hours exploration in Chiang Mai presents a unique opportunity to stroll to, and through, the many centuries-old Buddhist temples known locally as “Wats”.  The uncrowded courtyards host well lit, ornate structures adorned with gold-leaf alongside impressive statues.  You enjoy a leisurely walk between sites while developing an extensive collection of Wat-related puns:  Wat a beautiful archway!  Wat should we do next?

You wrap up the night with a round or two of cold Chang or Singha beer before heading back to your hotel.  It will be a hot one tomorrow...May as well sleep late!

Bringing Back Cocktail Hour – Krabi, Thailand

Bringing it Back Krabi Style!Our good friend Matt is quite travel-savvy and has passed along many wonderful trip tips for our consideration.  Most recently, we’ve consulted his recommendations while visiting Thailand and were pleased to apply his “Bring Back Cocktail Hour” sponsorship to an authentic Thai dinner.

The proprietor of the Frog & Catfish Restaurant and Country Inn provided thoughtful recommendations and we were pleased with each dish made with fresh, local ingredients.  We started with Tod Man Pu (crab cake) and Yum Pla Duk Foo (crispy catfish serviced with sliced mango spicy salad).  For our entrée, we shared a whole fish plate (tubtim) served with an “old-style” sauce containing red onion, lemongrass, garlic, and too many local herbs to count.  We paired the dinner with a two glasses of smooth South African white wine.

What makes this venue special is the ambiance.  Our table was set within an open-air hut which overlooked a garden and several koi ponds.  The warm night air was alive with the sounds of nature and a few curious tree frogs hopped onto nearby leaves to show off their bright coloring.

With no room for desert we called it an evening and offered a final toast to Matt who made this memorable night possible.

I Don't Want To Work, I Just Want To Bang On the Drums All Day!

While visiting Chiang Mai Thailand, we decided to see a show and were under the impression that we had stumbled upon hard-to-find tickets to see Todd Rundgren in concert.  We greatly anticipated a fine reprisal of his classic lyrics, "I don't want to work, I just want to bang on the drum all day".  To our surprise, we had actually scored tickets to the Nong Pa Khrang traditional Thai cultural show, where coincidentally, they did indeed bang on the drums. 

PS:  We think that the drummers at Nong Pa Khrang may have been part of a Todd Rundgren cover band - Try singing his lyrics while listening to the Thai drumbeats!