A blog a day keeps the doctors away!

When you are so overloaded with work, overwelmed with the pace of the city life, over contented with all the emotional stress, all you need is to shut yourself off for once, be totally quiet, listening from the inner soul. writing or reading helps :) Today I can't think of what pictures to post. It was a long working day and I guess I wore myself out.

Hmm I could see fireworks just right in front of my balcony just now, not sure what's the occasion but it sure made my day. Just the perfect picture to end theblog today :)

The Seasons of Hairy Crabs

It's another season for hairy crab! This same exact time a year ago I was in this awesome, modern, most populated city, feeling fascinated with the cultures and beauty of the mixture of old and modern city. SHANGHAI, a place I love so much and a place I want to escape from at the same time. Well, now that I'm away, I missed being there. I'm glad I took every opportunities to travel around when I was there.

阳澄湖大闸蟹

Hairy crab season started around Oct- Dec every year. Truthfully, I've never tried a hairy crab before. I saw it everywhere in Shanghai and heard that it's so tasty but to enjoy crabs, I prefer sharing with others, so I chose to eat simple food when I was there alone. Thus, I can't really share how wonderful the hair crab is :) It's just the thought, the pictures, the seasons that makes me miss the life in Shanghai.

A Scenic Route to Kaosan

A fine holiday staying home - felt relaxed but needed someting more interesting and fun. I thought of Kaosan immediately. I needed a beer, live music and some cheap pad thai!

So destination was set, the route ought to be more interesting than getting stucked in the traffic by a cab. I took the journey by my usual favourite way - going by BTS to Sephan Taksin and took a local boat to Phra Athit Pier.

The scenery by the Chao Prya River is terrific, especially during dawn or dusk. Since I have never taken the initiative to wake up so early in the morning, dusk would work for me :) There are lots of temples ( Wat) along the river, including Temple of Dawn, Wat Po, and Grand Palace. The local boat fares are very cheap, it costs about 12 baht for a trip. If you are told to pay 500 baht for a cruise, I'd recommend you not to take that cruise. Experiece the cheap and interesting way and save the money for some beers or better meals later :)

Wat Arun

When the boat passed by the Temple of Dawn, I gasped. It was so pretty and I promise I'll try my best to wake up for the dawn scene. I bet it would be breathtaking! One day, I would, and I'll write and take lots of pictures!
About 30-40 minutes of boat ride, we arrived at Pra Athit Station and not more than 10 minutes walk, I already had a beer in my hand with some moo ping and pad thai in Kaosan Raod. :)

Rama 8 Bridge

The Charm of the Floating Market

Bangkok is also known as Venice of Asia, and river is one of main travel channels from places to places. Up to this moment, locals still travel by boats and in certain towns, daily activities on the rivers still remain unchanged.

Fruits seller in the floating market

We can find many floating markets in Thailand, some start early in the morning and some late afternoon. The most welknown floating market in Thailand is in Damnoen Saduak. I have been to this market coutless times because I've had so many visitors and this is one of the places I'd recommend if the stay is more than 3 days.

Scenery from the bridge down

The scenery in the floating market is fascinating. The colors, the activities, the boat traffic and experience of eating noodles on the boat, all these made a great start of a day. If you can feel the locals ways of living (even thought this market is becoming more of the tourist spot), blend in the society, that's the best way to travel and get to know the beauty of their cultures.

A smilly hat from the flowers seller

Kao Niao Ma Muang - Mango Sticky Rice

What have you missed if you haven't tried one of the most famous Thai Desserts - Mango Stick Rice! It is, of course, one of my favourite after meal sweets and there's always room for Kao niao ma muang even though I'm starved with big meals.

Thai mango sticky rice is perfectly well blended with the harmony of sweet, sour and salty taste. One of the most famous stall that I 've known of, is in Hua Hin and it's located right across the Hilton Hotel, selling by the roadside with just a simple wooden stall. Why are there famous mango sticky rice? Isn't it all the same, just mango plus sticky rice plus coconut milk? I can't taste the different!! That's my question when I'm a newcomer :)

One Serving of Mango Sticky Rice in the stall

Well, after I've had so many mango sticky rice during my stay in Thailand, it becomes easy to differentiate what's good and what's a 'just for foreigner' kind of treat. If the sellers are serious about their quality, each and every mango is chosen and they mix the plate with different mangoes so that it comes with different kind of sweetness. The sticky rice has to be done just perfectly right texture with the right amount of salt and thickness of coconut milk.

Waiting in line for the famous mango sticky rice in Hua Hin