Having "Me" Time

The vegetarian festival is coming up soon in Bangkok and so if you are looking for somewhere that serves delicious vegetarian food, I recommend this little restaurant called "Thamna".  This literally translates to "farming" in Thai.   It's a lovely little eatery that opened up roughly two years ago and is very close to my office, so close that I had not written about it.  It is, however, one of my all time favorites and somewhere where you can go have a healthy meal. It's a tiny little shop with a cosy ambiance and soft music playing in the background.  Paintings line the walls and it has a somewhat artistic feel to it.  It has roughly 6 tables so I recommend making a reservation if you plan to go there during the peak hours of noon.  Office workers from nearby go to this shop during the lunch break. What kind of food do they serve?  It's a vegetarian restaurant so no meat is served here, only vegetables and lots and lots of mush...

As summer is coming to an end in the northern hemisphere, I thought about summers past.  Then an interesting thought came to mind.  Memories that I remember most vividly from childhood usually occur in the summer or involved something new, something unexpected. Why summer?  Why do memories from these two to three months a year are the ones that remain so vividly in my mind?  What happened with the rest of the year?  Why do new, unexpected events leave marks upon the brain? Of course, memories from the other nine months of the year, which is not summer, also appear now and then, however, I noticed that they are usually memories of time with an "event" to remember.  For a kid, that meant traveling, new experiences, birthday parties or playing with the dog and somethng happens.   I remember seeing Chantilly in France for the first time as we rounded a bend in the road and suddenly before us appeared the magnificant castle....

It's August already and the end of the year is fast approaching. Just like that.  In a few months 2011 will be over and done with.  However, there are still a zillion things I want to do and so today I give you instead a list of places I still want to go to and things I want to do before the year is up.  I'll probably be adding to this list as the months go by so ideas are more than welcomed! Walk up to the Golden Mount Temple; Go inside Hualumphong Train Station; Take a one day train trip on Thailand's ancient railroad (steam engine if possible); Take the Chaophraya Express Cruise 9 Temple Tour; Take a one day trip to Pattaya; Take pictures of old shop house signs in Old Bangkok; Walk along Saphan Kwai, an old business district; Explore the weekend jatuchak market; Organize my photos and burn DVDs; Finish making my handmade books; Reorganize Having "Me" Time Website; Initiate an event; Run the 5K Bangkok Marathon; If you have any sugge...

The weather is kinda blue, the sky is cloudy, the rain drizzles.  It sounds like a perfect evening for a night out listening to Jazz/Blues.  I've been in Bangkok for years and heard about this "Saxophone Pub" as the place to go listen to jazz/blues, but never had the chance.  Finally, one drizzling evening, I had the opportunity and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed sitting and listening to live bands playing the Blues. It's located right by the Victory Monument and withing walking distance from the BTS station.  If you drive they also have limited parking, but its by the roadside so you take your own risk.  At first glance, I thought I was somewhere else other than Bangkok. It reminds me of Philly. The outside has orange lighting and a small door leads you inside to a dimly lit room.  It's more spacious than it looks outside and the high ceiling upon entering makes it feel comfortable.  The live band plays in the middle of the room and a ...

I love Japanese food. I can eat it everyday and still not get bored with it.  Tonight I feel like having some Japanese Oban Yaki (which are Japanese pancakes with some fillings) so to curve my craving,  I will tell you instead about it.  It's incredibly delicious and satisfying.  It's comfort food that beats all the other comfort foods. (For me anyways) I've never had this pancake anywhere else other than at the Isetan Store at Central World in Bangkok so I cannot tell you if it's the best one, but even then I find it scrumptious.  I can feel my eyes sparkle and already my mouth curving into a grin just thinking about this pancake hot off the stove with gooey fillings.  I like the one with the hot chocolate filling, but the creamy custard or the red bean are also just as good.   The chocolate is hot and gooey to the right consistency, not too sweet nor too bitter.  I can imagine myself biting into the warm hot choco...

On the day you go to visit Bang Pa-In the summer palace, you can also opt to go to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya were there are beautiful ancient temples at almost every turn.  I had been to the ancient capital in my younger days when my Thai Professor took me on a trip to learn about our culture.  I'm grateful for all she has taught me and the time she has spent.  Last time I went to Bang Pa-In I wanted to visit the temples in Ayutthaya too but since I spent too much time in Bang Pa-In absorbing its beauty I made it to only one temple, but what a magnificent and beautiful temple it is:  Wat Yai Chaimongkhon This temple predates Ayutthaya and was initially a monastry constructed by King U-Thong in the buddhist era of 1900 (B.E.) for monks who had been ordained in Ceylon.  This temple witnessed the fight between the then Kingdom of Siam and Burma over power and territory.  It was a matter or who would be King and who would reign over t...

It's a long weekend in Bangkok and what bliss it is to have a four day weekend.  You do your errands, have family time, have time for friends and still you have time leftover for yourself.  It's a great opportunity to unwind, relax and slow down a little.  It's also a great time to travel.  If you don't want to go to the beach or to the mountains where a significant portion of Bangkok's population has escaped to, you could choose to opt for a day trip to Bang Pa-In Palace  near the ancient capital of Ayutthaya . If you have visitors from out of town, this is a great place to take them without having to drive too far.  The palace is only roughly forty-five minutes by car so you don't feel too exhausted by the time you get there. Bang Pa-In is also known as the summer palace and has a history dating back to the 17th century when King Prasart Thong first had the palace constructed.  The most beautiful building in the compound is the...

There's a road in the old part of Bangkok (now often called Rattanakosin Island), that I enjoy visiting not only for the food but also for the ambiance.  This row of old shop houses has stood the test of time and now caters to a young and funkier crowd that I guess would never have crossed the original owners' mind.  Located next to Thailand's second oldest universities, and adjacent to the backpacker haven of "KhaoSan Road,"  students, artists, and those seeking an alternative atmosphere come here to dine, listen to Jazz and walk in the park. Although it has changed much over the years, some of it still remains the same.  The old shop houses most date back roughly a hundred years and the old fortress of Pra Sumen date back to time of King Rama I.   It is one of only two remaining from the original fourteen built.  It's ancient yet it stands there towering above the park and Pra Athit Road for all to see and to admire. ...

Over the past few days I've been recommending the best of what ancient Bangkok has to offer in terms of sites and cultural heritage for those have only a day to spend.  Below is my recommended itinerary and one that I use when I have friends visiting :)  Hope you like it! Morning :  - Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha Lunch :  Pra Athit Road (There are so many restaurants along this road, I'll mention them in my next post) Afternoon :  - Temple of the Reclining Buddha  - Tea at "Vivi The Coffee Place"  - Cross the river to the Temple of Dawn Evening :  - Dinner at "The Deck" Arun Residence I realize I haven't  really talked about where to eat "Lunch" yet and eating is always a big deal of travel.  Somedays on trips one can spend so much time looking for good delicious food it can be a bit of a headache.  In the next post I'll give you some recommendations about restaurants along "Pra Athit"...

In my previous post I took you to a little coffee shop that overlooks the river and has a majestic view of the Temple of Dawn.  If you aren't too tired after the walk around the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, I suggest you make one more stop before you journey back to rest.  If it's too hot and you have more days, come back another day to visit the Temple of Dawn.  It is indeed beautiful and one that should not be missed. I wrote about my visit to the Temple of Dawn earlier last year, so check it out if you are interested :)  ( http://havingmetime.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-temple-of-dawn/ )  It is a beautiful site indeed. What I didn't mention last year though was this little restaurant right opposite the Temple of Dawn called "The Deck"(which a friend kindly mentioned yesterday :) Thank you.  It is located not too far from Vivi the Coffee Place and it too is part of a boutique hotel called Arun Residence ( http://www...

There is a hidden secret that was discovered by a colleage a few years back right and one that I truly enjoy visiting. Thank you na ka.  It's a little coffee shop called "Vivi The Coffee Place" located right next to the river of Kings and it is somewhere that is perfect if you want to stop by and have a little rest after a visit to the Grand Palace or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.  It gets hot and humid and having somewhere to just chill and relax by the river is ideal.  Or if you just need a little hideaway, this place too is the perfect place.  It's quiet, it has a gorgeous view of the Temple of Dawn, an ancient fortress and you can spend a good number of hours just reading away.  Away from all the crowds of people you usually find on streets and shopping malls.  Here you are at peace. The Coffee shop is part of a boutique hotel called "Aurum" which in itself is a beautiful building that makes you wonder if you are...

On the same day that you visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, I also recommend visiting the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho).  It is located right adjacent to the Grand Palace so it is within walking distance and it allows you to see some more of Bangkok.   Although this temple is less spacious I like it because it offers less shade and it is somewhere one can spend a good amount of time just walking around and taking in the atmosphere.  This is also supposedly one of Thailand's oldest Buddhist temples and dates back to the time before Bangkok was our capital.   The original temple on the site has long gone, but the current temple built in the 18th century is a restoration of the original. For lovers of Thai Traditional Massage, you might also want to know that this temple is supposedly the birthplace of the Thai Traditional Massage.  It is now also home to the school of traditional medicine and massage so if you'...

If you are visiting Bangkok or have friends visiting Bangkok, a site you cannot miss is the Grand Palace .  I always believe that to understand a city and its people you have to understand it's past.  The Grand Palace is exactly that.  It is what the old Kingdom of Siam (Thailand before we changed our name) is all about and it is indeed majestic sitting on the banks of the ChaoPhraya River or the River of Kings.  If you are a first time visitor, this should be your first stop, and if you have friends coming over, please take them to the Grand Palace.  It's an amazing site that everytime I go there, I feel like I'm transported into another era.   Bangkok is not just about shopping malls and good food. Amazingly, one can spend years and years in Bangkok living day to day life and probably never see the Grand Palace if you don't make an effort to see it. The city has expanded so much and now the economic centre is far from the ...

I've been getting a lot of questions from friends lately requesting recommendations about where they can entertain guests or friends from abroad.  We want to take them somewhere that is uniquely Thai, and see things that shouldn't be missed on one's trip here.  What is there to see that is local?  Where are some good restaurants that serve great food and have good ambiance (without killing your bank account)?  Where can one go which is not confined to shopping malls and yes, more shopping malls?  How should we plan the day? Bangkok is a large city of 10 million people and there is much to see and do similar to most cosmopolitan cities that thinking of "uniquely local" things can be a daunting task.  I've therefore decided that it's time for me to compile the best of what there is to see and do in Bangkok and Day Trips to places not far off.  These are places I've taken my friends o...

Here's a light story to start off the week and welcome March!  February is just saying farewell after a mere 28 days.  Don't you love it?  For those who look forward to getting their salary, this is a great month :) It comes early :)  The story I want to tell today is a true story that you should all take note when you visit Vienna or any other German speaking country.  It's about two very simple yet very important words:  Herren, Damen . I remember this like it was yesterday.  I was sitting at Central cafe with a group of friends I had just taken for a walk around the Stephansdom and the Hofburg.  We were tired and what better place to rest than at Central cafe.  We ordered hot chocolate, coffee, and apple strudel. While waiting one of my friends had to go for natured called.  I waved her towards the bathroom and didn't think much about it.  It was just behind the painting and easy to find.  The rest of us sat...

I love food, I love markets, I love going grocery shopping.  The variety of produces that now abound in our supermarkets (as a result of trade) is heaven.  There is everything you could possibly want but nothing beats going to an open air market.  Europe has a culture of these markets and if you love markets, in Vienna you must surely go to the Naschmarkt.  Naschmarkt is one of the most popular market and stretches out roughly 1.5km along the Wienzeile.  It's a long walk, but you won't feel a thing being absorbed with all the produces that buildings that surround the area.  If you are an art nouveau fan like I am, you can combine the trip to the market with a visit to the Secession Building and the Wagner Apartments .  The Secession building was designed in the "Jugendstil style" and has a motto on the facade which translated says "To every Age its Art, to Art its Freedom." I am drawn to this windowless whi...

There's a church in Vienna that is often not on the list of sights to visit for tourists who have limited time in the capital, but one I'm glad I visited.  Karlskirche .  I passed by it often on the way here and there around Vienna and one day I said, I must go.  It looks like a place worth visiting and it was. This church dates from the time of the bubonic plague that devasted most of europe.  It's name Karlskirche because Emperor Karl VI vowed he would build a church to St. Charles Borromeo (who is apparently patron saint of the plague) when the plague ended.   The architect, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach won the design competition and the church was built in a rich Baroque architecture.  Its no wonder.  He was also the architect of Schoenbrunn and that too was Baroque. Going offtrack for a moment, I love the fact that the Austrians had design competitions hundreds of years ago.  The result...

If you want to see a palace that looks like those in fairy tales where princesses and princes roam about in beautiful buildings and halls, then walk around in their fancy dress in a majestically beautiful garden, I say go to Schonbrunn Palace.  This is one of my favorite sites in Vienna.  Schonbrunn was the summer residence of the imperial family and dates back to 1695.  The palace itself was commissioned since then, but it wasn't completed until 1730.  It has lived through wars and seen deaths.  It was Napoleon's headquarters from 1805 to 1809 and it was here that Emperor Franz Josef died.  It was also here that Emperor Karl I abdicated from the throne in 1918. History came and passed by here.  In the olden days, this must have been considered far for the Viennese and outside of the city.  I imagine carriage trips through fields and hills, but now the city has grown and it is easily accessible by bus and underground.  A su...

Amidst the boxes I'm happy I finally found my box of photo CDs.  I'm delighted the DVD reader reads them well and the photographs are still there after almost a decade.  I shall have to back them up.  With digital cameras, I take more pictures but print less and then end up losing some when my harddisk crashes. Technology.  Looking through my Vienna photos, I am reminded of the coffee culture there.  There are cafes or "Kaffeehaus"  on almost every road.  Each with their own atmosphere and their own unique style.  Stories abound as to how it all started.  Some say when the Turks were defeated in 1683 they left bags of coffee,  hence started the coffee culture in Vienna.  Fascinating.  Now coffee is known worldwide. I have two favorites in Vienna.  Cafe Demel and Cafe Central .  Demel is wonderfully beautiful and dates from 1786.  The Hofburg towers above the small road from Demel at Karntnerstra...