to listen, watch and reflect..

I stare at the lines on the blank page, twisting the blue ballpoint pen through my fingers. It has to be blue, not black - I don't like black pens. I am a bit funny like that - set in my ways.

Every now and then I look up to take in the scene around me, the hundreds of people who line the coastline, couples old and young, families, friends, all enjoying the serenity of this paradise.

One thing I notice is from where I sit I see no one like me....no one else alone {unless you count the little Thai lady walking up and down the beach selling corn on the cob - what is it with these people and corn on a cob!?}

A young couple move in and sit down in front of me, he sits first before taking off his shoes and offering them to her to sit on so as to not dirty her tiny white shorts.

I sit with my headphones in trying to drown out the noise. Mostly country music occupies my playlist - songs about love, loss and life, over and over again. I wonder if I could write songs what the song of my life would be.

I close my eyes, enjoy the breeze across my face, take in the air - deep into my lungs, and try to clear my thoughts, sift through the chaos.... searching.

For some reason writing that word brings a lump to my throat....searching....but what am I searching for?

Tonight I've come here for the same reason as many others, to watch the sunset. It's been a while since I've had an unobstructed view of a sunset, and never have I seen it set over the ocean.

In the next hour or so it will be gone for another day. We'll be another day older. Another day further away from something and another day closer to something we don't even know yet. 

A man walks up and stands in front of me to take a photo of the same view. The same view many many people are looking at. I'm staring at him immediately and feel bad. His prosthetic leg cannot be ignored, I instantly wonder what happened to him, has it changed him, has it stopped him doing things he's always wanted to do? 

I guess we all have a story to tell.

The sun is fading fast now, it's like the ocean is sucking it into its grasp. Like no matter how hard it tries it cannot be stopped. The colours are so strong.

And just like that, as Hunter Hayes sings 'Wanted' in my ears, the sun disappears over the horizon.

I, like many others, pack up and move on from the beach. I wander the street looking for somewhere to have dinner, not really because I am hungry but because it is 'dinner time'. I find a Thai/Italian restaurant and ask for a table for one, "only for one?", the waitress asks with her cute Thai accent. She shows me to a table in the corner.

A different waitress brings me the menus and asks, "only one?", I nod and she scoops up the cutlery opposite me, leaving it obvious that there will definitely only be one here tonight.

I order a beer. I never order beer at home. I never eat out at a restaurant by myself either. I guess that's what this trip is about really. Doing things I would never do at home. I order and eat my meal in silence. Stroll back to my accommodation, back to my room. 

When I revealed my plans for this year people asked why. I am still yet to sort through the many 'whys' that fill my head and articulate it. But I do know that it was more than that I just wanted to, it's that I needed to. I am thankful that I am in a position to be able to do this. I know that at times I have concerns that I have done the wrong thing, but I also know that it's the right thing. And after only such a short time away, I already know I cannot go back to my life the way it was. 

{taking a little diversion from blogging about my tour for this reflection and linking up with Ann from Help! I'm Stuck! for Things I know, and A Brit and a Southerner for Weekend Wanderlust}

for the cooking class, the night market & the lady boy show

Master Chef here I come!! 

I wasn't sure how I'd go today as I am not exactly known for my culinary skills, and Thai food is never my first choice when it comes to dining out, but I was a little excited to give it a go! That's what this trip is all about after all.

Pom and her little husband (whose name I didn't quite catch) met us at our hotel and drove is to the local food market! A feast for the eyes and senses, everything and anything was on offer. 

Pom and her husband

The local market

Pom walked us around showing us different traditional ingredients, explaining there properties and uses before giving us time to explore while she shopped for our cooking class.

We were then driven to her house which has the perfect set up and would give the MKR kitchen a run for its money I think. 

We watched her complete each dish with ease before heading back to our own workstations to enjoy our creations, and given that I am still here to write about it I must have done ok! 

First course to cook was actually our dessert, Banana Pudding, as it needed time to cook in the steamer and then cool. Because apparently you are meant to eat cooked dessert at room temperature!

Setting that aside, we then made chicken and coconut soup, which we were then allowed to eat straight away.

Followed by Pork Mince Salad and Pad Thai. 

Almost looks edible right?

Everything was delicious, even if I do say so myself. We were also given a cookbook to take home with many other recipes included. I am not sure I'll be holding a Thai inspired dinner parties anytime soon, but I had a great time! 

If you happen to find yourself in Chiang Mai, do yourself a favour and go check out Pom and her kitchen and have a lesson, you won't regret it. Check out her website Cooking @ home.

We were chauffeured back to the hotel with a few hours until our next commitment, which was spent, collecting my washing and laying by the pool (again!)

Night markets are a big thing in these parts and the biggest ones in Chiang Mai were within walking distance of our hotel. Raht showed us a few of the main parts and then left us to explore on our own. I tagged along with the Aussie Mum and Daughter as we weaved up and down and in and out of the many many stalls each selling something a little different but a lot the same. 

As we strolled down on lane of stalls a small group of school children came running up to me and the lead boy ranted something at me that I could obviously not understand, I made it clear that I was sorry but I didn't know what he was saying, he shook his head in obvious disappointment and lead the group away. A lady at a nearby stall must have sensed the 'what the...' look on my face and explained that he was asking if I would go to his school and teach English! Seriously!! Is it tattooed on my forehead!? 

We had been told by a man we met earlier by the pool of a lady boy cabaret show at the night markets and our curiosity got the better of us, so we wandered down for a look. We were told to get there early as it packs out very quickly, sure enough we followed this warning and ended up front table! 

It was all harmless good fun and I was in awe of some of the costumes they were wearing and how in shape they were.... But sad when a lady boy looks better in a leotard than an actually lady {I do not actually own a leotard but you get my drift}. Co-ordination and dancing in heels left a lot to be desired, especially when said heels were broken, but what they lacked in that department they more than made up for in enthusiasm and smiles. 

Another big but great day!

{Linking up with Ms Mystery Case for Worth Casing Wednesday and Brown Paper Packages for Wednesday Wanderlust!}

for the pedicure, the blessing and the dinner show

Day three of my intrepid tour saw us arriving in Chiang Mai at a little after 8am on the overnight train from Bangkok and head straight to our hotel.

Accommodation not too shabby!

We had a pretty cruisey day with no set commitments until 4 in the afternoon so my Canadian roomie and I hung by the pool as there were no shops open yet.

It was hard I tell you!!

At about 10 o'clock we set off in search of the perfect massage and pedicure place to enjoy some downtime and relax. 

The perfect place turned out to be right across the road

Can't say I've ever had a pedi from a male before! He was so meticulous and gentle and it cost me about $8!

At 4, we met our tour guide to head to Wat Phra Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple about 15km from the city up a long and windy mountain road which had amazing views of the city below.

There are many stories as to why the temple is placed here but the one told to us by our guide was that an elephant believed to be carrying a bone from the Buddha's shoulder was released in the jungle by a King.

"The Young Ones" as we were dubbed by some on the trip! I was a little chuffed to be considered "young!" lol..

The elephant is said to have climbed the mountain, stopped, trumpeted 3 times, then dropped dead. This was interpreted as an omen by King Nu Naone who immediately ordered the construction of a temple on this site.

We wandered around for some time, taking in the sights and the beauty of the construction of the temple and the glittering gold.

There was a monk in one of the rooms doing blessings and handing out Sai Sin bracelets which are a shortened length of sacred thread which has been blessed by monks and thought to bring good luck and fortune.

Some of our tour group being blessed

We went up to the temple via funicular however some of us chose to take the 306 steps back down the mountain.

After this we were bused to Khum Khan Toke for a traditional northern style dinner and dance show.

So much food that they just kept topping up!

Was a little difficult to get a good picture.

I think it's pretty safe to say I am a bit of a fan of the largest city in Northern Thailand, the weather is a little nicer and it seems to be a little more relaxed than Bangkok.


Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT..

{If you are visiting from IBOT today - please go back to my previous 2 posts to read about the start of my journey here!}

the Grand Palace, the crazy catfish & the long train journey

On our second day we caught a public bus to the Grand Palace. The complex was established in 1782 and is an extremely important place for the Thai people which, Raht tells us they must visit at least once in their lifetime. As it was Sunday, there were a lot of local people visiting as well as cruise ships which meant the crowd was a little intense.

The grounds of the Grand Palace consists of many smaller buildings, royal residences, throne halls, government offices and the temple of the Emerald Buddha - which is actually made from jade but for many years Thai people thought it was made from Emerald as they mistakenly thought all green gemstone was emerald. 

Temple dress was required - no knees or shoulders on display

In Thailand they have 3 seasons {Raht told us they were hot, hotter and hottest but I believe it's more like Summer, Winter and Rainy Season}. With the changing of each season someone, usually the King, will come and change the golden clothes that they Emerald Buddha which represent each season. 

After spending some hours exploring the grounds we walked to the canal to catch a long boat. We travelled up and down the canal, seeing Bangkok from a different view. We pulled up beside a floating bread stall and Raht bought 5 loaves of bread for us to feed the big dirty gross catfish that live in the canal. I don't recall seeing catfish so big and it was a little crazy how nuts they went for the bread.

We had the rest of the afternoon free to have lunch and prepare for the long train ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai that night. 

Bangkok Train Station

We departed Bangkok on time at 6:10pm and I was pleasantly surprised how spacious the seating which then converted into a bed was. My Canadian roomie was on the top bunk which was a little narrower. 

The Aussie BFFs

We arrived in Chiang Mai at about 8:15am the following morning and had to reach for the cardigan due to the crispness in the air. It reminded me of a Autumn morning in Toowoomba, that chill that then heated up to a beautiful day. We headed straight to our hotel for breakfast.

The drive from the train station to the hotel was long enough for me to realise I was going to like it here...


{PS....So I can link up with Kirsty at My Home Truths, I must confess my middle name is Frances...

Also linking up with Alicia at One Mother Hen for Open Slather}