I have been blessed with many wonderful life experiences, but our day with the elephants at Patara Elephant Farm in the mountains near Chiang Mai is undoubtedly one of the best. Hubby and I are still rhapsodizing about it two weeks later! As an ardent animal lover, spending time with these magnificent creatures was a […]
Asia
Celebrating Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai
The Loi Krathong Festival is a celebration of Buddha that takes place all over Thailand, though Chiang Mai’s observance is perhaps the most famous. Images and video of the mass release of thousands of lighted paper lanterns have enchanted me for years so we planned our trip to coincide with the festival. As fate would […]
Exploring Thailand’s Incredible Sukhothai Ruins
The ancient kingdom of Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the birthplace of modern Thailand, contains some of the most stunning ruins in the country. Sukhothai was founded in 1238 AD by Sri Indraditya, when he and and his brother took the city from Burma. His son King Ramkhamhaeng proved to be a […]
Celebrating Loi Krathong Festival in Sukhothai, Thailand
Loi Krathong is a festival celebrated in Thailand during the full moon of the 12th lunar month. We scheduled our trip to Thailand to be in Chiang Mai for the festival, during which thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky. Loi in Thai means “to float,” while a krathong is a decorative vessel usually […]
Battle of the Egg Tarts, Shanghai Edition
I first discovered the wonders of the egg tart on a trip to Portugal a few years ago. The Pastiés de Belém in Lisbon were life changing, almost like a creme brulee in pie form – but better. Since then, I have been on the lookout for these delectable treats. It should be no surprise […]