Christmas in Bangkok

Here are some clips I've captured around Bangkok during the Christmas season.

I think Christmas could only be better in New York City, maybe.

Merry Christmas!

Pattaya

What I thought was a Russian paradise and a very "seedy" area turned out to be a great location for a long weekend.

Day 1: Traveling, finding a (wicked awesome) burger joint, watching international jetski races on the beach... it was awesome.


Day 2: 20 baht ferry ride to Koh Larn (small island off Pattaya), water games, fruit smoothies


Day 3: Nong Nooch Gardens, just outside of Pattaya

Baby Tigers, Anyone?

For English camp, we went to Safari World, a zoo in Bangkok. Here I got to feed and play with baby tigers of varying sizes. Safe to say, this was the best day of my life. I can't fake a smile like that.

MJ-Tastic

I think Thais went just as overboard as Americans for the King of Pop. Over a thousand people gathered, incorporating Thai pop stars, DJs, radio stations, to dance to MJ's Thriller. My boyfriend won tickets through a Bangkok radio station to "Thrill the World" and to opening night of "This Is It." Hanging out with pop stars and free movie tickets? Count me in.


Photographers around the dancing Thai pop stars.




Jordan and me at the premiere for "This Is It."

Best Cupcakes

Shortly after moving to Bangkok, I started frequenting a cupcake shop on Sukhumvit 53 called Sparkles. It's owned by a Thai-American named Sophie who makes the best cupcakes I've ever eaten. I would say sorry Mom, but she agreed that they were the best. The shop is neatly decorated for each season, and new cupcake flavors often appear with Sophie's new inspirations. Although I'm in love with the apple cinnamon cupcake, I also love strawberry, chocolate orange and lavender- all made with natural ingredients.

Longtail Boat Expedition

Stop One: Monkey Island





Stop Two: Maya Bay (Where Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" was filmed)




Stop Three: Snorkel and View Scenery




Stop Four: Bamboo Island

Sunsets over Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand

The first night spent on Phi Phi Island, we climbed to the view point. The sweaty hike was totally worth it.



The second night we saw the sunset from a longtail boat. Same effect... less work!!

Engrish

This is what we "falong" (word Thais use for foreigners) call "engrish."

Halong Bay

So, 6 days in Hanoi, Vietnam... what on Earth can we do? Go to Halong Bay, of course!!! Booked through Hanoi Backpacker's Hostel, this trip was three of my most memorable days in SE Asia. After a bus trip from Hanoi we arrived at Halong Bay, where we traveled by boat to where we'd anchor until the next morning. The entire 3-hour journey was spent weaving in and out of massive limestone rocks, cliffs, and mini-mountains. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.


After anchoring, everyone started jumping off the top of the 3-story boat. Safe to say, I did a massive belly flop! It only stung for awhile... and was completely cured by the time our kayaking adventure began. We kayaked through the bay for close to an hour before finding a cave... leading to a beautiful lagoon.


Originally I only planned on spending 2 days and 1 night, but after given the option to stay another night and travel to "Castaway Island" for another night of adventures and extreme living, I had no option but to agree. I met so many wonderful people who would make the second night unforgettable.


Castaway Island was occupied solely by the hostel's small staff, wall-less huts, mosquito nets, white sand, hammocks, volleyball net, and meeting area which served as a kitchen, lounge and bar. It was the closest to paradise as I've ever seen. And, for the first time in my life, I experienced pure silence.

English Camp

On the first day of English camp, the school was packed with 3rd and 4th grade girls who were not bound to their typical uniforms and braids. Instead they were able to express their individuality for just one day: colors galore, headbands, pearls, bows- anything girly. The morning was a rotating schedule of games, and the afternoon was a full-out production. Each team met with their English teacher to learn something awesome (like dance moves, the "YMCA", the cat walk, all incorporating the English language).



Day Two blew Day One out of the water: road trip to Safari World, a massive zoo. Here I got to check off a box on my life's to-do's list: pet a baby tiger.

Hanoi

Hanoi- What a magnificent city! It has tremendous French influence in it's culture- sidewalk cafes, baguettes sold everywhere, cheese, wine, French architecture, colorful buildings, Latin alphabet. English is well-spoken, so it was easy to get around. Although tourism is relatively new to this city, unlike many other cities in Asia, the locals are willing to give you directions, smile, and make you feel like you're right at home.












We stayed at the Hanoi Backpacker's Hostel. It was my first experience at a hostel, so I was a bit nervous staying in a room with 9 strangers. But the hostel's staff was warm and welcoming- willing to suggest places for massages, motorbike rentals, drinks, dinners and tours. The hostel was situated in 3 different buildings: the main building (containing the kitchen, front desk, free high-speed computers and wi-fi, coffee lounge, rooftop bar and rooms), the other side (containing a bag check, laundry service and more computers), and the annex (containing free DVD rentals, couches, big-screen tv, and more rooms). All three buildings were on the same side street within 50 meters.


Do I love Hanoi? Yes, without a doubt. Would I recommend staying at the Hanoi Backpacker's Hostel? Yes, without a doubt. Just be wary of taxis trying to take you to Hanoi Backpacker's Hotel from the airport. If they do, know that the real hostel is just blocks away!

Run, Archer, Run!!!

Teacher Archer races against thin air to the temple on the mountain in Hua Hin, Thailand.



He's so far zoom doesn't even work!!!

I Was On a Mission

...A recruiting mission.

I tried recruiting 4 or 5 of my closest friends to come live and work in Thailand. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. But then, just as I was about to give up, my long lost childhood friend Veronica asked me about coming over. And within the next month she'll be here. This is excellent news!

Mission: Completed

Soi 38

Sukhumvit Soi 38 (Street 38) is a famous street in Bangkok; it's even referenced in the Lonely Planet guidebooks. Soi 38, directly outside of my apartment complex, comes alive at night when over 20 vendors serve Thai food favorites: fried rice, mango and sticky rice, pad thai, spicy papaya salad, fried noodles, smoothies... you name it- it's here. Almost all dinners are less than 50 THB... which is about $1.50. The food here is so good that I don't ever want to eat from any other street vendor in Bangkok.

Heaven on Earth

Literally. Koh Samet is my favorite place in the world, even when it rains for the entire weekend, or a firework explodes in my hand. The island, unlike many other "touristy" locations in Thailand, is untouched. Only part of one road is paved, and the rest are winding, pothole-filled, muddy roads traveled by a few motorbikes. The bungalows are cheap, the locals are friendly, the sand is white, the water is gorgeous, and the food is true island Thai food.



Ocean view during my beach-front breakfast

Tid Bit on Thai Culture

It is really bizarre when my students have birthdays.

The conversations go something like this...

3rd grade students: Teacher, happy birthday me. Gift.
4th grade students: Today is my birthday. This is for you.

And then I'm handed a notepad, a gel pen, or (my favorite) a boutique, made to order cake with cream and fresh blueberries.

Why am I getting the gifts? It's your birthday, not mine.

Come to find out, in Thai culture, when it's your birthday you give everyone else gifts. When you go out for dinner or drinks on your birthday... you pay.

Now I've got to think of something cool to give my students for my birthday coming up on the 23rd!!!

Go explore the mountains,
The jungles and the seas.
You'll find new life in all the things,
Your eyes have never seen.
Don't forget its beauty;
Embrace its every scent.
For after all is gone you will
Decipher what it meant.
Pennies grow to dollars,
And dollars turn to dirt.
When you can't predict the future,
You'll never know their worth.
Constant climbing, reaching,
Always trying to overcome.
But when you finally stop you'll see
You've only just begun.

Elephant Trekking Through Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

For the combined price of 1,200 baht ($35) Jordan and I went to Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. There was a free shuttle that took us from their store in Hua Hin to the vineyard about 45 minutes away in the hills of Thailand.



We did a wine tasting of 7 different blends, of which one was even featured as an official wine selection for the ASEAN Summit. After, we had a sampling of 5 wines paired with delicious food creations to complement each flavor.



Then we set off on an elephant tour of the vineyard- this is the only vineyard in the world with elephant tours. To finish the day trip, we went back to the restaurant and ordered steaks imported from New Zealand.



All in all, I'd say the day was a success!

Why I Love My Kids

They give me gifts... pretty much every day. Sometimes it's food, sometimes it's a small trinket (earrings, scarves, etc), origami flowers. But my favorite gifts are drawings because, well, let me show you...


Made by a 4th grader named Mon.



Made by a 3rd grader named Friend (number 44, as she wrote in the top right-hand corner).



Made by a 3rd grader who abbreviated my name (Teacher Jordan) as T.J. Getting pretty creative with that English language.



Made by two 3rd graders, June and Aom. I love, I love, love, love. This one is fantastic.

Steal My Motorbike!!!!

Motorbike taxi "gangs," if you will, hang out at major intersections. The gang by my school sits about 20 meters away from their bikes... and their key holder, which is firmly nailed to a tree.



Pretty sure this scene screams, "Please, steal my motorbike!!!!!" But somehow I doubt these bikes have ever been jacked.

Food Galore

Bangkok has a nice selection of street food: pork satay, ice cream sandwiches (served as ice cream in a bread bun), chicken on a stick, cotton candy, fried cashews. 7-11 also carries a variety of snacks: cookies, noodles, ice cream bars, cereal, lays (even sushi and seaweed flavors). But every day I CRAVE American food. Little "healthy" (processed and vitamin infused) food can be found in the city without paying an arm and a leg- thanks, but I'd rather keep my limbs.

And this is where my parents come in. The best part of being away from home is receiving large boxes filled with American snacks.

Kanchanaburi

A few weekends ago, a group of us went NW towards the Burmese boarder to the lovely town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. You'd know this town as home to the Bridge on the River Kwai. Though we had some set backs (buying tickets for the wrong city and actually getting on the wrong bus, a friend getting attacked by a swarm of jungle bees, no big deal), we were able to climb up a 7-tier waterfall, which was absolutely breathtaking. At some of the tiers, you can actually jump or slide in to swim in the crystal clear water.



And of course, I got a cheesy kiss under the waterfall...

Thai Mother's Day

In Thailand Mother's Day is celebrated on the Queen's birthday (and likewise for the King). Mother's Day is awesome here- no school, no work, total admiration of mothers.

The day before Mother's Day, my school had assemblies all day honoring the homeroom moms. Here's a bit of the hour long ceremony...

Thailand: Where (Most) Signs Are Comical

Both of these signs were found at a concert I went to this week.

No food, no pets, no... guns?!
And please note that there was "no entry for student in uniform." Students wear their uniforms everywhere.


Is there a better way possible to convey the international "toilet" sign?