As a traveller I find myself on a neverending quest for something “real”, something that doesn’t involve being hoarded around by a leader holding an umbrella or scrambled in a sea of other lost tourists.  If that seems to be your M.O. as well, then a visit to Baan Bat will surely not disappoint. Tucked … read the full post

Ayutthaya was once one of the richest cities in the world and the capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. It was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, bringing down both the city and the kingdom. It’s estimated that its population was more than 300,000 by the early 1600s, and grew to almost a million inhabitants … read the full post

While not the stuff that office escape daydreams are made of, getting medically protected while travelling is an important consideration. Travelling with a bit of stomach flu is possible, but travelling with malaria is not. If you’ve left home without arranging malaria treatment or have made a mid-journey change of destination that carries a higher-risk … read the full post

A few posts back, we talked about museums that give a history of Bangkok. Today, I’ll focus on a few homes-turned-museums that give more personal glimpses into Thai life of the past 200 years.  These four museums are all former homes, and all of them afford stellar looks into Thai architecture and design as well … read the full post

Suan Chari, or as it is sometimes spelt, Jarin, is a resort and restaurant located in Mae Suai district of Chiang Rai province. It’s located at a highly scenic spot on the banks of the Mae Lao river, set in extensive and well-tended gardens — and it’s probably our favourite stop-off/lunch place on the road … read the full post

I must confess, I was tempted not to post on Wat Rachabophit and just keep all of its under-the-radar splendour to myself, but mother always said that “sharing is caring”. On a recent research pilgrimage for Travelfish.org I spent some quality time sampling dozens of Bangkok’s illustrious wats. Of course I was impressed by the … read the full post

Along with the excellent aquarium, the aviary is another of our favourite spots in the vast Chiang Mai zoo. It’s actually one of the older parts of the zoo but was completely renovated in 2004 and now incorporates 2.5 acres of a steep valley on the lower slopes of Doi Suthep. Indeed the entirety of … read the full post

It’s easy to find a bucket filled with booze on Khao San Road; in fact, it’s hard not to find one. But where to go if you need a fast (and free) WiFi connection, some coffee, and some quiet? No matter if you have some pressing Facebook work to do, need to write some of … read the full post

I love reading about a place that I am travelling through, and all-the-better if the book makes me squirm with horrible recognition: This is how we count the days. June: the Germans come to the islands — football cleats, big T-shirts, thick tongues — speaking like spitting. July: the Italians, the French, the British, the … read the full post

While on the backpacker trail it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of bikinis-are-appropriate-everywhere. But do bear something in mind: Bangkok is not a beach town and that soupy khlong is not the sea. Despite the insufferable humidity, Bangkokians are quite chic and they appreciate when tourists do what they can to … read the full post