July 2010
3 posts
“The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor”
April 2010
15 posts
Chilli Crab
We were told by a friend who lives in Singapore that we HAD TO try the Chili Crab, the country’s unofficial national dish.
We asked around and found ourselves a popular restaurant in the Clark Quay district called Jumbo Seafood.
Mud crabs are commonly used and are stir-fried in a semi-thick, sweet and savoury tomato and chilli based sauce. Lets just say—IT WAS AWESOME. MESSY,...
Shopoholics Anonymous
Alongside eating, shopping is considered the national past time in Singapore.
Fancy-Schmancy
Singapore has a world-class reputation for offering some of the finest shopping on the planet. It’s hard to pin down what’s so impressive here. From the international list of trendy boutiques to the artsy window displays, there is something for everyone.
We went down the most popular...
Did You Know? vol. 2
Chewing Gum is illegal in Singapore. This law was created because people disposed of gum incorrectly by sticking them under places like chairs or tables. Except for chewing gum of therapeutic value, the “importing” of chewing gum into Singapore is absolutely banned, as in bringing it in large amounts.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is a cocktail that was invented by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Somewhere just after the turn of the century, Mr Boon invented a pink cocktail for the colonial ladies – the Singapore Sling. The drink was supposedly created to please the ladies, so in that great tradition of female drinks, it’s pretty, pink, and hides...
To Make A Long Story Short
We are not in Vietnam.
Bescause of strict rules against Americans to enter Vietnam due to past encounters (Vietnam War), Vietnam is one of two SE Asian countries that recently did away with upon-arrival visas just for Americans. Therefore, trying to manage a rush visa was almost impossible and our flight was missed. Damn.
THERE LOSS NOT OURS!
We had to skip a flight but landed a sweeeeeeet...
Finalized Itinerary
Well here we go again! Off to our next adventure.
Now that we have finished our six month teaching placement in Thailand, we are taking six weeks to travel around surrounding countries. Our itinerary is as follows (stalkers get your pencils ready):
April 4-7 Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam
April 7-9 Singapore; Singapore
April 9-12 Ubud; Bali
April 12-16 Jimbaran Bay; Bali
April 16-20 Bangkok;...
Saturday Sun Day
Fortunately and unfortunately we spent the day at one of the nicest beaches we have seen thus far Baan Luan Pa (about 15 minutes north of our apartment).
Wish we could have found this one sooner!!
Far away from the hype and tourism of Pattaya City, we were able to have an awesome day relaxing and consequently hanging out with one of my students and her grandma who live on this particular...
Already Miss 'Em
Big Gulp (yep, thats his name)
Boys will be boys
The Russian beauty, Catya
“Teacha! Teacha!”
Poo-Pee-Man prefers soy milk and B. Gulp prefers chocolate
Big Gulp and Polly, sitting in a tree…
Young love
No, but really. I already miss them.
-NIKO
“I’m going to miss our laundry lady.”
– Niko
The Art of Hair
Every afternoon before the kids are picked up by their parents, all the girls line up to get their hair done by the Thai assistants. Thais have the incredible ability to convert messy and bed-head hair into works of art. From vertical pony tails that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss movie to french braids that circle completely around your head, its a great way to send the kids home...
Mark Your Calendars
ITS OFFICIAL WE ARE FLYING BACK TO LOS ANGELES ON MAY 15th
Today marks our last day as teachers in Thailand. It has been an incredible journey and we have both learned so much about ourselves, the Thai culture, and the world in general. We are sad to leave.
Thanks Teacher Ann and Lauren!
“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often...”
– Mark Jenkins
March 2010
31 posts
I'm Obsessed, vol. 2
I’ve left my Coke and Dr. Pepper addictions in the states and moved onto bigger and better things.
Here we have my drink of choice: OISHI green tea sweetened with honey and lemon. This takes natural caffeine to another level and is the perfect pick-me-up at any time of the day.
Now, I’m not exactly sure what my next obsession is but I’m told its beef in somewhat of a...
Looking Around
This past weekend we stayed local and tried to do nothing except take it all in. Our last full weekend.
-NIKO
A Look Into Teacha Nito's Classroom
HARD AT WORK. Tracing hearts and learning shapes isn’t as easy as it looks.
TAKING A BREAK. Milk never tasted so good.
MAKING FRIENDS. Dominic (his mullet) and Phupiman are partners in crime.
It's Complicated
I’m currently in a super trendy coffee shop in Bangkok’s Central Festival.
What seems to be a BRICK on the plate next to my computer is actually a piece of Nutella french toast. And no, I didn’t ask for the two scoops of ice cream.
This past weekend Sommer and I had the last minute thought that some of the countries we are visiting on our epic Asian travel adventure might require visas...
Baby, It's Cold Outside
This morning we woke up to an unusually grey sky that gave us our coldest day here in Jomtien yet. At a ‘almost-freezing’ 75 degrees, locals were sporting jackets and sweaters as if a snow storm had just hit.
It was perfect timing for a cold day where, for the first time, we weren’t sweating while eating our chicken fried rice for lunch.
High Tea
The art of pouring tea has been an ancient tradition here in Thailand. We decided to do it right and go to the world famous Authors’ Lounge to experience afternoon high tea firsthand.
The Authors’ Lounge is located in the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, known as the Authors’ Wing. The name “Authors’ Lounge” evolved from the many famous writers who stepped through the doors of...
Too Hot To Handle
The electricity was shut off at our school today due to a district testing thingy-majigger. This means there was no air conditioning which ALSO means trying to endure the heat is nearly impossible.
SO SCHOOL WAS CANCELLED. Cha-ching! Closing school because its too hot, thats a new one. From ‘snow days’ to ‘sun days’— I don’t care what is it as long as there is...
Pictures from the Weekend Market and High Tea at... →
THE Super Market
This past weekend we took a trip to Bangkok and one of our main destinations was the Chatuchak (or Jatujak; Thai: จตุจักร) weekend market. The largest market in all of Thailand, this marketspace covers over 35 acres with more than 10,000 stalls. Yowzas.
The market offers a wide variety of products including:
Live animals (Domestic and Exotic)
*Rumored to even sell tigers if you give the...
New Kid On The Block
Today I got a new student from Singapore. His name is Phupimahn pronounced Poo-pee-man. I can’t even imagine the bullying he would get if he lived in the states.
It makes celebrities that name their kids Apple and other foods/household items an everyday thing.
-NIKO
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– St. Augustine
Time Flies...
…when you love your job, live less than 2 minutes to the beach, and your montly rent is only $150 USD.
Its hard to believe we are less than a month away from the end of our 6-month teaching placement. We are trying not to have to look back on the experience quite yet, but are living it up day-by-day. We decided we’re upping the amounts of $5 dollar massages to at least twice a...
"Better To Be Safe, Than Solly"
We were going to go to Bangkok this weekend.
Obviously plans changed when we read this headline on CNN.com during out lunch:
“Thailand braces for massive political protests”
Over one million people are traveling to Bangkok this weekend to protest the monarchy that currently exists in the country. The current Thai government has ordered 50,000 troops to be on call in Bangkok during...
Thursday Splurge-day
Purchasing LOST on iTunes: $2.99
1-hour foot massage at local salon: $6.00
Being able to watch LOST while getting a foot massage: PRICELESS
(Well, technically, its $8.99…but who’s counting?)
WatchMy adorable hyper little class after they wake up from their nap! Pardon the moving around, they are grabbers! I love when they count to ten!
Flight of the Gibbon →
Check out this link to see more pictures from the weekend!!
Flight of the Gibbon
Flight of the Gibbon is currently voted the best attraction in Thailand and is something I have been wanting to do this entire trip. This past weekend I was able to coerse Sommer into joining the venture with me which included a 24 platform zip-lining course through the middle of a 1500 year old rainforest in the Chompoo Nature preserve.
EPIC
This unique system of zip lines enabled us to view...
WatchTry virtual zip-lining! Check out this video to see what flying through the jungle is really like!
The Porch
This past weekend we went to the Central Festival mega mall to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D and thought we would treat ourselves to one of the luxury theaters available. For about $3 USD you can get a ticket to any movie in a theater that is similar to most standard theaters in the states. For about $15 USD you have the option of sitting in either of the VIP theaters.
We chose to buy seats in...
Just finished eating a bag of Lay’s hot chili squid potato chips. NOT BAD!
Dinner in Bangkok
This past month Sommer and I had the opportunity to meet up with one of my family’s great Australian friends and some local Thai’s for a dinner in Bangkok. Knowing locals is the way to go when ordering food. Tina, the supervisor for the restaurant we went to, ordered us course after course of crab curries, fish, lobster, thai appetizers, noodles, rice, and a giant plate of mango...
February 2010
29 posts
Equate This
What’s red, white, and purple all over?
Every once in a while back home you have those beach days where you accidently forget sunscreen. Oh well. You might consider finding a shady spot, or not staying out as long, and the burn usually turns you red.
We haven’t been to the beach in two weeks. We went today, and forgot to put on sunscreen before we left.
FORGETTING SUNSCREEN WHEN...