I spent all morning trying to get one photo of the reclining Buddha without any tourists in the frame. I also tried to get in a few prayers without terribly disappointing those same tourists when they figured out I had not crawled down from the hilltops, grains of uncooked rice taped to my knees, to […]
So much to give thanks for, even if I wasn’t eating Pad Thai in Paradise, escaping the intentions of well-meaning friends now that family is no longer an obligation. The Thai people are so genuinely sweet, to visitors and each other. I especially love the wai, the traditional greeting of a slight bow with hands […]
There’s nothing like the street markets in Thailand, especially at night when the cities come to life. You can find anything and everything at these markets, from fresh seafood to tourist souvenirs, foot massages and Lady Boys. The markets are a total visual and olfactory assault. Not for the claustrophobic, either let yourself get swept […]
You really can’t visit every wat (temple) in Chiang Mai. There are so many of them. It would sort of be like petting every cat in Istanbul or buying a baguette at every boulangerie in Paris. Or, riding every cable car in San Francisco, popping into every church in Rome…you get the picture. There are […]
From Babar to Heffalump, children love them. Our fascination and affection for these majestic creatures seems to transcend childhood. We identify with them, recognizing their intelligence and admiring their memories. We are amused by their playfulness and moved by their capacity to grieve their dead. At our best, some of us are humbled that a […]
Chiang Mai is Bangkok on training wheels. Actually, the vibe here is completely different, sort of like comparing San Francisco to New York. I live in San Francisco so it’s understandable that Chiang Mai is more my speed. All the guide books warn against tuk tuks, the open-sided three wheelers that whizz through the streets […]
After Bhutan, I am so ready for this. The hotel has been curated so every nook and cranny offers a moment of aesthetic delight. From the design to service, it’s all very understated with a lot of smiles and traditional Thai greetings. Except for the tea service, which is over the top. I think I […]
Thanks to everyone who has taken this trip with me, for all your good intentions, love, and healing energy. I have carried you with me every step of the way as I’ve hoisted prayer flags and spun wheels, bowed for blessings, and reclaimed childhood lessons that were abandoned along the path to adulthood. Feel free […]
The jaw-droppingly beautiful monastery clings precariously to a cliff at an altitude of over 10,000 ft above sea level and nearly 3,000 ft above Paro Valley. The hike up from Paro Valley requires 2 – 4 hours, depending on your fitness level and tolerance for the high altitude. Starting out in the early morning, the […]
Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 after the site was blessed by the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529), also known as the Divine Madman. It is said that Lama Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a nearby rock. He was known as the “Mad […]
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