Travelfish correspondent David Luekens

Usually found exploring Bangkok's side streets or south Thailand's islands, David Luekens is an American freelance writer & photographer who finds everyday life in Asia to be extraordinary.
Website: http://bodhidharmaseyes.com

Posts by David Luekens:

• Air Orchid Farm & Market, Bangkok

  First published: 20 Apr 2013
  

  Of all the abundant flowers that burst with colour year-round in Thailand, none can match the delicate beauty of orchids. Located just outside Bangkok, Air Orchid Farm is perhaps the best place in the kingdom to experience the many types of orchids in all their splendid glory. Encompassing some 25,000 distinctive species of orchid, the … read the full post

• Review: Loy La Long Hotel, Bangkok

  First published: 17 Apr 2013
  

  On Chinatown’s most charmed street, a hand-painted sign hangs lopsided from a tree along the footpath that fronts an ancient wat. It leads us past the temple’s chedis and monks’ quarters, into a narrow alley where a couple of kids play with a shaggy dog. Here, tucked along the Chao Phraya River in a restored … read the full post

• Talaad Mai: a feast for the senses in Bangkok’s Chinatown

  First published: 15 Apr 2013
  

  Dim sum, fish heads, gingko, shark fins, oolong, incense, Vespas, smoked duck, egg noodle, sala bao, tea cake, goji berry, fish maw, stinky fruit, salty people, pickled cabbage, pig intestines, pumpkin seeds, dried squid, Teochew great grandmums sipping lo-han-guo and the oldest Chinese shrine in Thailand — mix it all together and what do you … read the full post

• Changes on Thailand’s Ko Lipe

  First published: 13 Apr 2013
  

  After updating Travelfish’s Ko Lipe content over a couple of trips in late 2011, we recently returned to this tiny yet popular Andaman island for a quick getaway. We managed between swims to find out how the island has changed over the last year. The first difference popped up before we had even reached the … read the full post

• Ghost of Mae Nak shrine, Bangkok

  First published: 10 Apr 2013
  

  Spirits, deities and ghosts have long held an important place in Thai culture. Most Thai people don’t question their existence, and stories about them — usually with heavy doses of love and revenge — are exceedingly popular. The most famous is the legend of Mae Nak (aka Nang Nak), a tragic tale of a woman who … read the full post

• Boat trip: Ko Lipe to Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rawi and Ko Adang

  First published: 08 Apr 2013
  

  Part of what makes Ko Lipe so enticing is that while it offers comfy accommodation, 24-hour electricity and a wide selection of food, it’s also surrounded by several pristine national park islands. A boat trip to Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rawi and Ko Adang sprinkles a bit of nature, adventure and perhaps an evil curse … read the full post

• Review: Siam Journey Guesthouse, Bangkok

  First published: 07 Apr 2013
  

  The tiny Siam Journey Guesthouse opened in 2011 and has become popular with creative types looking for a cheap bed somewhere other than Khao San Road. We were told the guesthouse “attracts a mix of party animals and bookworms” — it sounds strange but makes perfect sense once you see the place. It’s artsy, laidback … read the full post

• Ayutthaya’s best budget guesthouses

  First published: 01 Apr 2013
  

  If not satisfied with the accommodation that 150 to 700 baht per night will get you in Bangkok, come on up to Ayutthaya for the ruins, the eclectic food scene and some outstanding but cheap guesthouses. Here’s the lowdown on this historic city’s best budget digs. First, let’s make it clear that although the majority … read the full post

• Review: Baan Cedarberg Guesthouse, Bangkok

  First published: 25 Mar 2013
  

  Previously known as Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse, Japanese-Burmese owned Baan Cedarberg opened 10 years ago, well before nearby On Nut BTS Station materialised. The guesthouse struggled at first due to its out-of-the-way locale off one of Sukhumvit Road‘s higher sois, but today it draws a steady stream of happy return customers. With a good vibe, … read the full post

• Exploring Ayutthaya’s outlying temples

  First published: 22 Mar 2013
  

  Many travellers complain that the ruins of Ayutthaya, while historically important, are not all that remarkable to look at. Those expecting a neatly packaged, easily accessible and awe-inspiring historical park will likely be disappointed. Yet the city does boast a string of often overlooked but outstanding outlying ruins that require some effort to reach. If … read the full post