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And here's a little video we made of our trip to the Caymans! I didn't realize how clear the water was until we went to DR a month later!
Details on all the places to come!
Showing posts with label travel diary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel diary. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Travel Diary Bangkok Last Days
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On our last days in Bangkok we did some last minute shopping at Chatachuk Market, Siam, and Platinum Fashion Mall and topped it off with some of the best ramen I've ever had. I've had Ramen in several places in the D.C. metro but none have compared to Mitsuwa in SoCal and Ippudo in NYC. I've even had ramen my friends raved about in Hong Kong, but I found it overly salty and lacking in flavor.
After googling the Eakamai Thonglor areas in Bangkok for nightlife potential, I came across a site dedicated to food in the area, specifically ramen. Though none of the places listed peaked my interest until I googled ramen in Bangkok and came upon Bankara. It had almost 5 stars on Tripadvisor, but Sean was not convinced. He had to consult a long time friend in Thailand who legitimized it was the best ramen in Bangkok.
And off we went on our last day early, which turned out to be good because there was a line out the door by the time noon came around. It lived up to all the hype has the best ramen I've ever had, beating out Ippudo and Mitsuwa by miles. The tonkatsu broth was rich and brimming with pork flavor. It was so rich neither of us could finish our bowls, which is so sad. A return visit is already planned on our next trip to Bangkok.
After googling the Eakamai Thonglor areas in Bangkok for nightlife potential, I came across a site dedicated to food in the area, specifically ramen. Though none of the places listed peaked my interest until I googled ramen in Bangkok and came upon Bankara. It had almost 5 stars on Tripadvisor, but Sean was not convinced. He had to consult a long time friend in Thailand who legitimized it was the best ramen in Bangkok.
And off we went on our last day early, which turned out to be good because there was a line out the door by the time noon came around. It lived up to all the hype has the best ramen I've ever had, beating out Ippudo and Mitsuwa by miles. The tonkatsu broth was rich and brimming with pork flavor. It was so rich neither of us could finish our bowls, which is so sad. A return visit is already planned on our next trip to Bangkok.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Travel Diary Koh Samui
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In the middle of our Thailand adventure we decided to take a break from the city and hop over on a quick 1 hour flight over to Koh Samui. Chaweng was every bit as beautiful as described, but we found our little piece of paradise at Crystal Bay. An idyllic little bay between Chaweng and Lamai, it's the type of beach you'd want to be stranded on forever.
Chaweng was a bit crowded but the wonderful shallow waters extended for miles leaving plenty of room for frolicking in the waves.
Instead of staying at a hotel we rental a 2 bedroom villa near Bangrak Beach toward the northern part of the island. Having our own pool to dip in any time we wanted was a definite treat.
Not to mention the outdoor sunken in stone tubs that came with each room...
Weather in Koh Samui in July is not ideal however. I read everywhere that Koh Samui is not in rain season in July, it's actually high season...the internet lied! We were there for 6 days and only 1 day was sunny, the last one! I think during the summer everywhere in Thailand is rain season.
And rain season in Thailand is not the same as hurricane/rain season in the Caribbean where it rains for 10 minutes then the clouds break into sun. Almost our entire stay was covered in perpetual clouds with no sun in sight. It wasn't constantly rainy but it was definitely not sunny. If you want to visit I'd advise going before summer, in the January to April time frame. As a result of the poor weather conditionals all the tours I had planned didn't happen. I never got to see the surrounding islands unfortunately.
But I did get the chance to go to the most amazing spa sitting on top a mountain. Surrounded by the most lush greenery I steamed then plunged then was massaged to a pulp under an open air canopy...bliss is the only word to describe Eranda Herbal Spa.
And they give you the most amazing little sweet treat and tea after your treatment.
In the middle of our Thailand adventure we decided to take a break from the city and hop over on a quick 1 hour flight over to Koh Samui. Chaweng was every bit as beautiful as described, but we found our little piece of paradise at Crystal Bay. An idyllic little bay between Chaweng and Lamai, it's the type of beach you'd want to be stranded on forever.
Chaweng was a bit crowded but the wonderful shallow waters extended for miles leaving plenty of room for frolicking in the waves.
Instead of staying at a hotel we rental a 2 bedroom villa near Bangrak Beach toward the northern part of the island. Having our own pool to dip in any time we wanted was a definite treat.
Not to mention the outdoor sunken in stone tubs that came with each room...
Weather in Koh Samui in July is not ideal however. I read everywhere that Koh Samui is not in rain season in July, it's actually high season...the internet lied! We were there for 6 days and only 1 day was sunny, the last one! I think during the summer everywhere in Thailand is rain season.
And rain season in Thailand is not the same as hurricane/rain season in the Caribbean where it rains for 10 minutes then the clouds break into sun. Almost our entire stay was covered in perpetual clouds with no sun in sight. It wasn't constantly rainy but it was definitely not sunny. If you want to visit I'd advise going before summer, in the January to April time frame. As a result of the poor weather conditionals all the tours I had planned didn't happen. I never got to see the surrounding islands unfortunately.
But I did get the chance to go to the most amazing spa sitting on top a mountain. Surrounded by the most lush greenery I steamed then plunged then was massaged to a pulp under an open air canopy...bliss is the only word to describe Eranda Herbal Spa.
And they give you the most amazing little sweet treat and tea after your treatment.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Travel Diary: Thailand Wat Arun
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I couldn't be more excited to return to Thailand after my initial trip there a few years ago. I'd been plotting my way back there for years but other people's lives got in the way.
Thought not ideal, we ended up going in the midst of monsoon season in July. The weather was steamy and cloudy, but we tempered it by ducking into the many shopping malls for some reprieve from the heat and unexpected showers.
This time we went to the amazing Wat Arun, Temple of the Rising Sun with the beautiful burmese style architecture so different from the Grand Palace which I visited last time. The most amazing site of this temple though is not actually within, but across the river at the Deck Restaurant. We took the boat from the temple to Tha Tien Pier, bought some fruit and snacks from the multitude of street vendors, then headed over to watch the most amazing sunset from the bar at the Deck restaurant with drinks in our hands. We got here about an hour before sunset and scored a great table right at the balcony. When darkness came the temple lit up beautifully as we finished our drinks and fruit.
I couldn't be more excited to return to Thailand after my initial trip there a few years ago. I'd been plotting my way back there for years but other people's lives got in the way.
Thought not ideal, we ended up going in the midst of monsoon season in July. The weather was steamy and cloudy, but we tempered it by ducking into the many shopping malls for some reprieve from the heat and unexpected showers.
This time we went to the amazing Wat Arun, Temple of the Rising Sun with the beautiful burmese style architecture so different from the Grand Palace which I visited last time. The most amazing site of this temple though is not actually within, but across the river at the Deck Restaurant. We took the boat from the temple to Tha Tien Pier, bought some fruit and snacks from the multitude of street vendors, then headed over to watch the most amazing sunset from the bar at the Deck restaurant with drinks in our hands. We got here about an hour before sunset and scored a great table right at the balcony. When darkness came the temple lit up beautifully as we finished our drinks and fruit.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
the best marketed island...ever
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Bali, Indonesia, an international destination for honeymooners. Famed for their sunsets, seafood and corn. Never did I think I would go there, but I did. Mostly because it was the only place that wasn't in monsoon season in September.
It's hard to describe how I feel about Bali, but I know I'll never return again. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, perhaps it's the mediocrity that kills Bali for me. The sunsets and seafood were just that, mediocre, but that corn was amazing.
I would describe Bali as a very well marketed tourist trap (and I'm sure it's even more so now after that Julia Robert's movie "Eat, Pray, Love"). We stayed just north of Kuta in a private villa in the Seminyak area. The villa was quite luxurious, though I never got to use the tub since we never had enough hot water for more than a quick 10 minute shower.
The beach on our side of the island was not the picturesque beach seen in most marketing materials. The water not turquoise, but it had it's charms. For those picturesque beaches you have to go to Nusa Dua on the other side of the island (which we did visit and I'll get into later).
We had fun that first day negotiating for souvenirs (can't beat $1 for a sarong and $3 for a panama hat)and lounging on the beach drinking beers.
But then the second day...we made the fatal mistake of visiting Kuta beach. It started with the cab driver making derogatory comments toward women as he saw them walk by, completely unprofessional.
The beach itself looked mostly like ours except full of aggressive rude hawkers. One lady tried to sell us the same sarongs we got the day before for much much more than what we paid. She tricked us telling us "1 dollar," but when we got to her wares she rudely said "1 dollar just to look." Needless to say we left.
We hung out at the beach for a bit...but even getting umbrellas and chairs was kind of a hassle.
The best part of Kuta was probably the shopping. We negotiated snake skin hand bags for $80 each and I bought a pair of snake skin sandals for $12.
Another big disappointment was the food. I think they try to make the food suitable for western tastes, ending in a big mess. We only truly liked one restaurant we went to.
Though Bali did come through with the best pork I've possible ever had at the famed Ibu Oka in Ubud(yes the same one Bourdain went to in No Reservations). Crispy skin and juicy bits of pork over rice, yum!
And we did have a wonderful and really affordable spa experience at a spa in Ubud, complete with massage, flower bath, facial, and manicure. Extremely relaxing.
We also visited Nusa Dua which had the clear turquoise water I love. A lovely relaxing day in which we frolicked in the calm water and ate noodles from a cart. On thing did disturb me was all the trash around the beach. And knowing that all the wrappers were left by tourist really annoyed me (clean up after yourselves!).
Bali did have it's high points, but I think some of the rude people and the sexist comments made to me and my other girlfriends prevent me from returning. I don't know if it's the culture, but I had several different sketchy looking men leer and throw disgusting comments at my girlfriends and I. I know this happens everywhere including the US, but I don't know I didn't expect it in an asian country. Perhaps because I've never had it happend in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Thailand. It's a been there done that kinda thing with Bali, been there never need to go back.
Thailand on the other hand is marked for several more return visits until I've seen every island!
Bali, Indonesia, an international destination for honeymooners. Famed for their sunsets, seafood and corn. Never did I think I would go there, but I did. Mostly because it was the only place that wasn't in monsoon season in September.
It's hard to describe how I feel about Bali, but I know I'll never return again. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, perhaps it's the mediocrity that kills Bali for me. The sunsets and seafood were just that, mediocre, but that corn was amazing.
I would describe Bali as a very well marketed tourist trap (and I'm sure it's even more so now after that Julia Robert's movie "Eat, Pray, Love"). We stayed just north of Kuta in a private villa in the Seminyak area. The villa was quite luxurious, though I never got to use the tub since we never had enough hot water for more than a quick 10 minute shower.
The beach on our side of the island was not the picturesque beach seen in most marketing materials. The water not turquoise, but it had it's charms. For those picturesque beaches you have to go to Nusa Dua on the other side of the island (which we did visit and I'll get into later).
We had fun that first day negotiating for souvenirs (can't beat $1 for a sarong and $3 for a panama hat)and lounging on the beach drinking beers.
But then the second day...we made the fatal mistake of visiting Kuta beach. It started with the cab driver making derogatory comments toward women as he saw them walk by, completely unprofessional.
The beach itself looked mostly like ours except full of aggressive rude hawkers. One lady tried to sell us the same sarongs we got the day before for much much more than what we paid. She tricked us telling us "1 dollar," but when we got to her wares she rudely said "1 dollar just to look." Needless to say we left.
We hung out at the beach for a bit...but even getting umbrellas and chairs was kind of a hassle.
The best part of Kuta was probably the shopping. We negotiated snake skin hand bags for $80 each and I bought a pair of snake skin sandals for $12.
Another big disappointment was the food. I think they try to make the food suitable for western tastes, ending in a big mess. We only truly liked one restaurant we went to.
Though Bali did come through with the best pork I've possible ever had at the famed Ibu Oka in Ubud(yes the same one Bourdain went to in No Reservations). Crispy skin and juicy bits of pork over rice, yum!
And we did have a wonderful and really affordable spa experience at a spa in Ubud, complete with massage, flower bath, facial, and manicure. Extremely relaxing.
We also visited Nusa Dua which had the clear turquoise water I love. A lovely relaxing day in which we frolicked in the calm water and ate noodles from a cart. On thing did disturb me was all the trash around the beach. And knowing that all the wrappers were left by tourist really annoyed me (clean up after yourselves!).
Bali did have it's high points, but I think some of the rude people and the sexist comments made to me and my other girlfriends prevent me from returning. I don't know if it's the culture, but I had several different sketchy looking men leer and throw disgusting comments at my girlfriends and I. I know this happens everywhere including the US, but I don't know I didn't expect it in an asian country. Perhaps because I've never had it happend in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Thailand. It's a been there done that kinda thing with Bali, been there never need to go back.
Thailand on the other hand is marked for several more return visits until I've seen every island!
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