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Finding well-being through travel and books. |
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Hello and welcome! I have two great passions in life. The first one is travel. After a series of life-changing events, my husband and I decided to spend the kids’ inheritance and see as much of the world as possible (I’m still bitter about Damascus). Our bible? A Thousand Places to See Before You Die. Please join us on our adventures seeing new places, meeting fascinating people and trying new, exciting, and sometimes just plain weird, food. My second great passion is books. Reading expands my interior world in the same way travel expands my external one. And, books are a great way to armchair travel - not only through distance but through time as well. My tastes are eclectic, so we’ll be looking at a wide range of writing in a possibly haphazard fashion. Come along for the ride! My best, Kirsten ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Nearly 95% of Thais are Buddhists of the Theravada school. Theravada (meaning ‘doctrine of the elders’) Buddhism sees itself as the most original, authentic preserver of the teachings of the historical Buddha. The other two major forms of Buddhism, Mahayana and Vajrayana, don’t reject the teachings of the Theravada school but instead build upon and expand them. One key difference between Theravada and Mahayana is that the Theravada school views the Buddha as a historical figure, a man, not a cosmic being. As I understand it (and please correct me if you know I'm wrong!), Buddhism isn't strictly a religion - its philosophy doesn't contain or promote a belief in an external God. Nor does it insist on replacing existing religious beliefs. Following the precepts of Buddhist philosophy is an add-on to whatever current belief system one has. Buddhism provides a profound way of viewing and coping with life events in order to increase our chances for happiness in this lifetime. In fact, many SE Asians adhere to several philosophies, rituals and practices depending on the life situation. A Buddhist temple is a place of contemplation and learning. Read the rest and see the photos here  |
| The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai is vast, located on the Chan Klan Road and stretching between Tha Pae and Sri Donchai (some three city blocks in all directions). While it’s famous for jewelry and portrait painting you can buy a wide variety of handicrafts (including lovely hand-woven silk pieces). The market was originally started by Chinese merchants but, over time, as the market expanded, more and more ethnicities became involved and the majority are now Thai. You won’t go hungry either. Food stalls abound, there’s a German restaurant and the ubiquitous McDonald’s. There are several British pubs and at least one Irish pub (more on that later). And, interspersed throughout are Fish Spas. This was the main reason I’d dragged my husband here, I was determined to try one. This is where my husband gets the Brilliant Husband of the Year Award. How many husbands would ride an elephant bareback when they detest heights (because their wife loved elephants), or get into a tiger’s cage with their clearly certifiable wife just to take her picture? And now he was about to plunge his tootsies into a tank of flesh eating fish. Read the rest here . |
| “Don’t put your face near the tiger’s, stay behind it,” we were instructed just before entering the tiger’s cage. My last thought, before the white noise of panic filled my brain was, “What if the tiger is putting its face near mine!” Sure, these tigers are hand reared from birth. Sure, they are used to people, need people to survive and thrive on affection. But, knowing that the fine beast was not drugged or tranquilized in any way, and faced with the business end of a tiger not three feet from my face, I devolved into a state of blithering incompetence. What the hell was I thinking! Read the rest here. |
| I have always wanted an elephant. But, with condo living as it is, it seemed a bit, well, impractical. So, I leapt at the opportunity to have my very own elephant for a day at the Patara Elephant Farm. Located within the beautiful Hang Dong Valley, and surrounded by mountains, the farm is a mere 30 minute drive south of Chaing Mai, Thailand. “The purpose of the farm is to Rescue, Rehabilitate and Reproduce,” said Pat Trungprkan at our orientation meeting. Pat and his family own the farm and run it entirely on the proceeds of the ‘Elephant Owner for a Day’ program. No donations are solicited or taken and there are no kitchy souvenir stands or food hawkers. All visitors are welcome, including children and the disabled, but limited to perhaps 16 per day. The rest (and videos) here . |
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