Where to next?

The co-workers and I are thinking Mexico- Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Acapulco maybe? My vote is for the first...I'm looking for a fishing boat like this one...no gringus americanus in sight, LOL.

Ko Phang Nang, Thailand.

Back to Reality

Jet lag is worse than I thought it. Suffering from insomnia and not very motivated to get back to work. Two weeks abroad allowed me just enough time to disconnect and really think about what I'm doing with myself, career and other stuff.It's time for change. I'm feeling stuck and know it's time to shake things up a little. Been at my job for almost five years now and I feel stagnant. I've lived at my place for almost two years and it feels stifling. Exploring my options, feels good to think about this again and make plans.

Korea's got Seoul

Bangkok's International Terminal (Suva)

Korea: Today's stop on the Asia tour brought us to the very modern and trendy Seoul, Korea. We managed to squeeze in a quick tour of a few palaces in the downtown area. These were here in the 15th century until the Japanese colonized Korea and the palaces were burned down. Since then, they've been reconstructed and walking through the grounds feels a little bit like walking onto the set of the Last Samurai (so says my chapina prima). The Japanese influence is present in the food, the written and spoken language and the culture. We liked the city's modern feel, cleanliness and ease with which you can get around. Wasn't as humid as Thailand either.

I bid you adieu for now, my plane to SFO is boarding. See ya'll soon.

Our last day in paradise...

Here's the view from the sky bar 'lebua' in downtown Bangkok (the State Building). The view is from the 64th story of this building that sticks up out of the Bangkok skyline. Check out the haphazard
development, apparently there is no city planning department here.
Ko Samui was our final beach stop on our way to Bangkok and onto our final stop on the Asia tour before heading home. Served by its own boutique airline, Bangkok Airways, our travel was relatively simple and painless, unlike moving from island to island on the Andaman coast. Anyhow, check these photos out...we left Bangkok in style. Until we meet again!

This one's for you sis

Kho Phang Ngang, Thailand.

It's Beachin'

The view from the pool onto the beach at Yah Hao on Ko Phang Ngan at sunset.

A desolate beach on the other side of the world (shortly after 6 a.m.).

We went from the jungles and mountains in the North to the warm sunny beaches along the gulf coast in the South. Enjoy the photos from our stops at Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, and finally to Ko Phang Ngang- more famous for its full moon parties than for the beaches, but we found a nice quiet stretch to rest our weary traveling selves.

Hat Yao is the little town we ended up crashing on for two whole glorious days. Our biggest dilemma is whether or not to lounge by the pool or ten paces away on the beach. Right now we're trying to figure out if we want beer or cocktails. Life is rough.

The beach sports blue-green water perfect for swimming and snorkeling given the promontory on the east that protects us from ocean waves. The sandy and desolate beach has very white sand and bath temperature water. you can walk out for at least 100 yards and still be only waist deep in water. It's, to put it simply, perfect. Like in the Corona commercials. Ahem.

Bazaar Life- Chiang Mai's Markets

Chiang Mai's markets were fun to explore, although exhausting. I used my free day in town to explore the biggest markets. The shots here show the variety of goods available to the consumer including authentically crafted home decor, gardening supplies like the statue here and colored stones for immaculate gardens.

The Warorot Market in the city is second to none during the day but really comes alive at night. When I get home, I'll post more pics of the Night Bazaar- truly Thailand's best and liveliest market offering affordable handmade crafts, jewelry and a great selection of antiques- both real and replicas. Thailand is truly a sensory place, as you shop, you smell the variety of food being prepared at the hundreds of food stalls that line the streets, ready to cook you up an authentic dish, right there while you watch. Enjoy the photos. More to come when I get back to the states.

Warorot Market, Chiang Mai. Four stories of dry and fresh goods. Very Thai place, I was the only tourist there on a Wednesday morning, despite this I felt very welcome and was even able to pick up a few hair products before I went and got my hair done...yes, I am changing it up once again...you'll see when I get back. Back to black.