This just happened: The part with the rice throwing? Yes. That part. That's where I went for dinner last night, upon the recommendation of several sources, including Allison Wong, aka "Sassy Urbanite" and the incredibly helpful Joe and Hai of Eating Saigon! If you're in Ho Chi … [Read more...] about Loving Ho Chi Minh City
My Obsession with $1 Bubble Tea and Lychee Jellies
First there was Bubble Boy. One sip of my plum red tea with tapioca pearls and fruit jellies and my heart smiled and my taste buds sang. Then a lychee green tea at Ochaya with tapioca...heaven. The pearls were richer, deeper. Then a lemon-honey tea with lychee caviar at Lemon … [Read more...] about My Obsession with $1 Bubble Tea and Lychee Jellies
I’m in Bangkok, so why am I Eating (Bangkok’s Best?) Sushi at Ka Ze Fresh?
When there's a city of pad thai, tom yum, sweet-and-sour papaya salads, salt-encased grilled fish, sticky rice and wonderfully slimy okra at the tip of my tongue, why would I possibly be hunting down the city's best sushi? Because there's only so much oil, salt and MSG a girl can … [Read more...] about I’m in Bangkok, so why am I Eating (Bangkok’s Best?) Sushi at Ka Ze Fresh?
Things You Don’t Tell the People You Love
1. "I have Dengue fever" 2. "I flew Malaysia Airlines two weeks before one of their planes mysteriously disappeared" 3. There's probably a third one, but after #'s 1 and 2 I think I'll actually keep it to myself. It probably has something to do with flying to Malaysia on a bit of … [Read more...] about Things You Don’t Tell the People You Love
Becoming a Thai Massage Master, Part 2
Sufficiently confused by Thai massage, it was time to head to school. I'd had my best Thai massage experience at the Wat Pho so I figured their five-day massage class sounded like a good idea. I had my hesistations, however; would it be dumbed down for Westerners? Cater too much … [Read more...] about Becoming a Thai Massage Master, Part 2
Becoming a Thai Massage Master, Part 1
I had a great plan. I came to Thailand hoping to figure out the secrets of Thai massage. It's not like Swedish massage or deep tissue, or even Ayurvedic massages where oil drips in a long stream onto your third eye/forehead. It's rough, dry, and there's a lot of cracking … [Read more...] about Becoming a Thai Massage Master, Part 1
Exploring Or Tor Kor Market
Or Tor Kor is where rich people in Bangkok shop. It's clean and bright and expensive. There's a Royal Projects shop (government initiative for rural areas that might otherwise grow drugs) with "pesticide controlled" fruits and vegetables...and air conditioning. There's a whole … [Read more...] about Exploring Or Tor Kor Market
Bo.Lan Contemporary Thai Fine Dining in Bangkok
Bo.Lan recently ranked 28th on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list. But it was already on my list of restaurants to try in Bangkok. Here's how the meal went: Located a short walk from the Phrom Phong BTS station, Bo.Lan has an oasis feel. There's a garden in front with al fresco … [Read more...] about Bo.Lan Contemporary Thai Fine Dining in Bangkok
The Best New Bar on Bangkok’s Khao San Road: The Jappp
Live music, killer Mai Tai's, two patios, and a happy hour with beer with 2-hour 499-baht beer buffets (not just Singha and Chang, but Leo, Heineken and Carlsberg too) make this Khao San Road establishment the best new bar in Bangkok. Khao San Road: a traveler's enclave in … [Read more...] about The Best New Bar on Bangkok’s Khao San Road: The Jappp
On the Man of Ton Sai, Little Thai Monsters, and Leaving
There’s a Thai man here in Ton Sai shrouded in mystery. He owns the Pyramid Café. He doesn’t do what the mafia tell him to do, which in Ton Sai, a mafia-owed area, means something. He stood on the stage during Ton Sai’s big clean-up weekend with the other business owners and … [Read more...] about On the Man of Ton Sai, Little Thai Monsters, and Leaving