Southeast Asia

Lush landscapes, warm sparkling waters, and some of the best food on the 🌎. Oh, and the usual madness. Read more

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Trip start
December 8, 2022
Southeast Asia
16 hours in Bangkok
December 9, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Just enough time for some delicious food (Pak Wan, I ❤️ you), a good night’s sleep and a short boat ride on the river before we head to our home away from home near Hua Hin for a blessed month!
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Southeast Asia
Hua Hin
December 14, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ 🌙 73 °F
We are now on day four in Hua Hin. Nice place on the coast of the gulf of Thailand, about 2 1/2 hours by car south of Bangkok. It’s the town where the Thai Monarchy would spend their summers (or winters).
Food so far has been absolutely delicious. It’s one of the few ethnic foods that I would be happy to just eat greens. Cooked in garlic, ginger, chili and whatever else they cook them in. Delicious. Rented a scooter for $4 per day. It’s great but Google maps here…not so great. Spent some time driving to dead ends.
Our friend Mick Valentine paid us a visit for a couple of nights. Good times.
Played golf today. Caroline kicked my ass again. Course was lovely, greens were fair and the mandatory female caddies were fun and competent.Read more
TravelerWow, it all looks amazing. Enjoy your month long "staying in one place" stint
12/16/22Reply
TravelerIt’s pretty fantastic. I think Donny is worried I might just meld with the furniture and never leave. 😝
12/16/22Reply
Traveler😂😂 how about i come over and keep Donny company?
12/16/22Reply
TravelerTrouble
12/21/22Reply
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Southeast Asia
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Hua Hin Market & Food Tour
December 15, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Another great food tour organized by the princess. Taxi into and a cocktail beforehand and off we go. Only four of us on the tour plus the guide. The Dinosaur street market to start…there we tried all kinds of local dishes and I have to say I was full before we got out of there. Everything was so good and there were definitely some interesting sights at the market. (See captions by Caroline.)
This was followed by a bumpy journey which helped move the spicy food around. A restaurant this time where we had more delicious food. I’m now up to my gills.
Back to the bumpy transportation. Sitting above the rear axle is always fun. And yes, another restaurant. (Did we tell you that the food is really inexpensive here). Here we sampled more dishes. I could barely do it. But we persevered.
The final was desert from a street vendor, where I abstained and Caroline wished she had!
Then we went for a final final, and a taxi ride home from there. A good time was had by all. We think. The other two guys might’ve had their personalities surgically removed. 😶

Full rundown of all the food sampled:

Dinosaur market:
* Fish curry over fermented rice noodles with add-your-own shredded veggies
* Northern Thai: larb w/ szechuan pepper; steamed green chilies; jackfruit salad; ground pork & tomato dip, with chicharrones & sticky rice (this is where Donny overdid it)
* Fried sweet potato balls (turtle eggs) (chewy on inside)
* Fried chive pancake
* Sausages with lime-pickled ginger & Thai chile
* Thai “rum”, w/ green mango dipped in chile salt

Restaurant 1: Krua Chadakaew Hua Hin
* Seafood medley (spicy) with aubergine and peppercorns (Donny’s fave)
* Prawns in sour curry with seaweed omelette
* Fried rice with shrimp paste & salad
* Fried larb with blue sticky rice & chile oil
* Kao Soi: Best noodle soup in the world - chicken, egg noodles, coconut milk, yellow Indian curry (Caroline’s favorite)

Restaurant 2:
* Green papaya salad with forest snails
* Fried fish
* Fried pork neck bites
* Hot pot with chicken, prawns, & veggies

Street vendor:
* Weird chewy fruit with sugar syrup, coconut milk, & shaved iceRead more
Traveler Rat?
12/21/22Reply
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Southeast Asia
Going in!
December 17, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Yesterday Caroline woke up with a bit of a head cold. And I woke up early. Those of you who know me, know that sitting around is not my thing. (CE edit: THAT’S an understatement!)

Hopped on the scooter and went out the backside of the compound to get gas. Strangest thing. There’s a full on Muslim community there. What’s more is that I have not seen any of these people around the town. Must find out more.

Rode the scooter into town for the first time. About 8km. A little intimidating. But once I got the hang of it, no problem hanging out with the masses. It was actually fulfilling to be right in there with the culture. Big smile. 😁Read more
TravelerGood for you mate. I can only imagine you hanging on for dear life on the scooter. I would have given anything to be risking my life navigating the streets with you on a scooter 😉
12/16/22Reply
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Southeast Asia
Chilling
December 17, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Not sure if I mentioned previously that we have a condo here for about five weeks. Kind of feels like a home away from home. Settled in now and living the dream. Golf clubhouse is but 2km away. We overlook the 14th green. We have been playing golf every second or third day.
The course is in wonderful shape and greens are running at 9.7 on the stimpmeter. So they are FAST. But here’s the best part. Caddies are mandatory and are paid for with the green fee. 350baht or $10. Caddies are always ladies. It’s kind of like a golf tax. One that we will gladly pay.
One of the ladies has been working as a caddie for 20 years. They have all been quite good at reading putts. If only I could follow directions.

Stay tuned. Tonight is date night in Hua Hin.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Date night
December 20, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Date night start it off without a hitch. The Uber service here is called Grab. It’s extremely efficient and inexpensive. I took the Princess to Holiday inn. Romantic? It is in fact the tallest building in the area with a rooftop bar that provides gorgeous sunsets over the mountains.
We had a few cocktails and watched the sun go down. It was lovely. Then proceeded to our next destination, called Korean Conner. I think they meant corner… I missed the part in the details that said the place is closed on Tuesdays. Crap!
We found another Korean restaurant nearby and rescued the night. HoorayRead more
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Southeast Asia
The good life, Christmas edition
December 25, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ 🌙 73 °F
Sorry! It’s been a few days. Well shoot, it’s Christmas. We picked up a local expat publication which had two pages on where expats should go for Christmas Dinner.
One of the top rated ones was an Irish bar called Father Ted’s, (If you have never watched the series by the same name, go to YouTube, it’s brilliant.) so Caroline and I went down to sample their food. Just okay and hard to get the servers’ attention for refills.
Christmas day we golfed and cooked at home. It was wonderful.Read more
TravelerI loved father Ted, watched it so many times
12/28/22Reply
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Southeast Asia
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Caves, temples & a night market
January 3, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Traveler Ahhhhh. 🦇
1/8/23Reply
Traveler Who is the girl? Jack's girlfriend?
1/10/23Reply
TravelerThat looks amazing, have to come visit
1/10/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
Goodbye, Hua Hin
January 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
After having a wonderful time in Hua Hin, it’s off to the next destination: Chiang Mai.
Hua Hin is a town that has a lot to offer. Great golf, wonderful restaurants and beautiful beaches.
We were fortunate to be invited to cook Thai food at Gegee’s restaurant (Avatar Garden) yesterday. Beef broth for boat noodles, Panang curry (red Thai curry) and Tom Yam. It was all absolutely delicious and really very simple. Like all the best food is.
We said goodbye to our golf caddies—Nam & Pim. There were actual tears involved- so sweet. And said goodbye to Tawi our driver who was so kind and helpful.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Chiang Mai & Muay Thai
January 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
First day/evening in Chiang Mai we stopped at a bar to cool down and play some pool. Fast forward a few hours and we are walking down a dark alley on our way to a Thai kickboxing event. Ya just never know…Read more
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Southeast Asia
Chiang Mai
January 17, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
We got in on Jan 6th. Had only heard good things and we were not let down. We stayed in a small boutique hotel called Elliebum which is located in the heart of old town. Our host was wonderful as were all of her staff. We kept quite busy during our stay. Market and history tour, trips to temples, day markets, night markets, discovering Khao Soi, trip to the movies, relaxing afternoon on a lake, Muay Thai (kick boxing) event, day long cooking class (Caroline will write about it), lots of playing pool and beer and more caves. (This one with a 7' live snake included for free).
We also got three extra nights because we didn't do the research on getting visas for Vietnam. Hooray. None of us were really upset about that.
Also got to meet my cousin’s son, David who is teaching English in CM. It also appears that he is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter. Impressive.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Saigon
January 18, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
It is amazing to wake up in a city of just under 10 million and listen to the sounds of roosters screeching. It may be a little heart warming to know that urban civilization has not completely given up on its roots. Just below the sounds of the roosters is the beeping of 10 million scooters. I firmly believe that every single inhabitant of this city rides one all day, every day. It’s nuts.
We embarked on foot our first day to see some of the sites. Not for the faint hearted. Crossing streets that don't have traffic lights is a calculated endeavor.
Jack found a hole-in-the-wall bánh mi place which was totally worth the death-defying street crossings. It was gooood. We then continued to march along, getting a little lost. Saw guys fishing for turtles out of the river with a net. And the city gearing up for a serious New Year celebration. It was wonderful. We had northern style Pho for lunch. Yummy.
We closed out our day at a lovely third floor cocktail bar where we ran into an Australian couple and their two 9 & 11 year old kids who happen to be traveling the world for a year. I commend their adventure!Read more
TravelerWow
1/25/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
Slow train to Da Nang
January 22, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Took the slow train from Saigon to Da Nang. 18 hours in a four bunk box with Caroline and Jack. Its the lunar new year in the region so all the fancy trains were booked out way in advance. We were rewarded with Vietnam railways. Hooray.
So picture a toilet half full of water in a moving train? It was scary. One had to think and move on their feet. I held back for four hours and dramatically reduced my beer intake on that dang train, just because of the toilets. We all survived and ran to the loo at the train station in Da Nang. The End.Read more
TravelerOh You’re real backpackers now 🤣
1/29/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
Hoi An
January 23, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
So after our exciting overnight train ride to Da Nang, we got to our Airbnb. Two Bedroom on the 31st Floor. It had quite a lovely view of the beach and the East Vietnam Sea. It's a short stay so our first full day we went for a lovely long walk along the beach. The next full day we were to go to Hoi An. Well, we woke up to what can only be described as a soft day. Pissing rain in other words.
Our plan to rent scooters and scoot down to Hoi An went out the window. Ended up watching TV and braving it to Korean BBQ in a downpour. Sometimes its just good to chill.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Hanoi
January 25, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
What to say? Over 9 million people and 6.5 million scooters. A little different than Saigon. It feels older and more compact, at least the Old Quarter. Couldn't say that the people were nicer in either as there were no bad experiences. Our highlights were seeing Hanoi Hilton, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and generally avoiding making eye contact with the scooter drivers so they have no choice but to avoid you. Oh! and we took a trip to the outskirts of Hanoi to a knife making class. Something different and fun.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Angkor Cambodia
February 8, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 81 °F
Ah Cambodia! A great escape from the madness that is Vietnam. Found a lovely self catering spot near the center Siem Reap (Siam Defeated) in the center of Cambodia. This is the home to Angkor and its Wat's which are a bunch of temple's built around the 9th to 13th Century. At the same time it is said to have been the largest city in the world with an estimated population of over one million inhabitants. And then in or around 1431 someone turned the lights off and the whole place went dark of humanity. No one know why. It was rediscovered in 1840 by a French Naturalist Henri Mouhot. Its a fascinating place. I have put some links below.

For those who have not heard of the US bombing of Cambodia only to open the door to Pol Pot it is a very sad history for these lovely people. Pots theory was to bring its people back to the year zero. So when he was ousted in 1979 the country was in ruin. 45 doctors left living in the country. No Currency and few international supporters.

Sorry it isn't supposed to be a history lesson but it is valuable to understand what this great civilization was subjected too. Everyone that we met there had a smile for us.

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/angkor-wat.ht…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Pot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siem_Reap

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_genocideRead more
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Southeast Asia
Bangkok Sightseeing
February 17, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
Got to Bangkok without a plan except for the hotel and how long we confirmed to stay. One week. We stayed just off of Sukhumvit Road. This area gives great access to the transit system and spectacular people watching.
We took a few boat trips on the Chao Phraya River. Went to a polo match way out of town at VS Sports Club & Siam Polo Park. Which was wonderful and all the people there were so nice. Did a tuktuk food tour with a chef & archaeologist—delicious foods but 🥵 strolling markets tucked into tiny alleys. We also took in an afternoon of horse racing at The Royal Bangkok Sports Club. Another fun afternoon. For those who like big cities, this one is hard to beat.Read more
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Southeast Asia
Hua Hin (Golfing Mecca)
April 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 82 °F
We went dark for a while on posting. Sorry. Taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin and back to the same condo in the Palm Hill's Golf community. Since arriving in February we joined the Hua Hin Phoenix Golf Society. What a great group and so much fun to be around. We have been playing golf with these guys two to three time a week.
Less than two weeks left here in Thailand. Then we head south. Leaving here will be bitter sweet. We have made friend and will miss the comradery. The show must go on. There is a big world out there and here we come. Stay tuned.

Check this golf course out https://www.blackmountainhuahin.com/Read more
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Southeast Asia
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Kuala Lumpur
April 26, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
After a lovely send off in Hua Hin and Bangkok we flew to KL. Caroline found us a lovely hotel “The Majestic”which was two metro stations from Chinatown and five stations from Petronas towers.
I had not heard about Merdeka 118 but looking out the window of the hotel one couldn’t help but ask. How tall is that building that commands the skyline?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merdeka_118

The food was first class. The butterfly exhibition was well worth the visit, as was the bird park. Within walking distance of each other.

Next stop Bali…Read more
Traveler $8 Ray-Ban Aviators!! 🤣
5/15/23Reply
Traveler Well done CE!
6/6/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
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10 days in Bali
April 30, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
Stress-free flight to Denpasar. We went for a quieter location to stay given that if we wanted to participate in the madness that is Bali we can get a taxi, which we did once or twice. We stayed in a quiet area called Nusa Dua. Nice place for someone like me who likes his walks.
We golfed at a lovely 18 hole par three course called Bukit Pandawa Golf and CC. I finally beat Caroline. Hooray. We hired a car and driver for a day and went up into the mountains where we got a view of Mount Agung, a still active volcano and the highest peak in Indonesia. We drove around the crater lake of Lake Batur. I must say that getting anywhere in Bali takes time. Once off the major roads, expect to travel at a snails pace. Or as fast as the slowest scooter. So. Much. Traffic.
Food was lovely but if one wanted it "spicy" you have to ask. That said, Indonesians pride themselves on liking spicy food. Me Too. Beaches were great and water beautiful and clear. Accommodation was very fairly priced and happy hours were good.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_AgungRead more
Lovely photo [Me]
5/25/23Reply
Traveler Great pic
7/20/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
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The Gili's
May 10, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
We took the Fast Boat from Bali to Gili Trawangan one of three Gili's off the cost of Lombok. Getting on the boat was no problem and didn't know what to expect. I think it was on the boat that it came to me that there would be no motorized vehicles on the island. Getting off the boat was a little bit of chaos. Once off the boat one has to pay an island fee. Small Dock, lots of people, no directions, no management, it's a shit show. We survived. Then to get to the hotel with bags requires transportation. Haha. Horse and buggy. Thought I was going to die.
So this is the party Island for those young people getting away from Bali. Perhaps they just come here for the shrooms? Whatever, there's lots of both.
We went to the north of the Island, quieter. Go snorkeling on the beach front of the hotel there are plenty of turtles to be found. A walk around the perimeter of the Island is about 3 mile. Do it early because it gets HOT.
Took a snorkeling trip which took us to the other two Gili's. Meno and Air. Saw lots of beautiful fish, about 8 turtles, two of them sleeping on the coral. And then there was the man made underwater statues which were I have to say pretty cool. Web link below. All in all we enjoyed our time on the Gili and would probably return if the world was a lot smaller. :)
Gili T for party, Gili M for Honeymoon and Gili Air for retirees.

The little guy in the last photo was hanging out over the bed in our room....

https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations…

https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations…

https://www.guestreservations.com/wilsons-retreat/Read more
Traveler What the hell is this?
6/6/23Reply
TravelerMagic mushrooms. They were all over that island (shacks selling them but im sure also growing somewheres)
6/7/23Reply
Traveler Oh hell no
6/6/23Reply
Traveler Magic mushrooms 😳😵‍💫
6/23/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
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Lombok Part 1
May 16, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
It was my Birthday. 41st.... Moving day again. Fast boat to Lombok. For those who never heard of it, Lombok is supposed to be the Bali of years gone by. The journey was horse and cart to pier. "Fast Boat" Bayliner with a 75HP from Gili T. Arrive in Lombok in 20 minuets. Taxi to the hotel. Qunci Villas. Well impressed and reasonable considering that breakfast was included. See photos.
During our stay we did some walking, golfing and a lot of hanging around as it was HOT. Did walk to the town of Senggigi which was a little depressing. I guess that over half the small businesses closed down over the Covid 19 lockdown. Did find a bar there called The Office which was on the beach and owned by an English man called Howard. Good people watching....Read more
Traveler That is one sensuous chair. Beautiful
7/9/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
Lombok Part II
May 18, 2023 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
In our adventures for food we discovered Coco beach Restaurant. Lovely location by the beach where all the local kid's come for the sunset. Sammy the host was great as was the food.
Another night we ventured just north of our hotel to a hangout Pizza and Sole Food and drinks. Verve Beach Club. Again a lovely spot to watch sunsets. Here is where we met Mal Ryan the owner. What a treat. Australian and a big horse racing man. That first night will never be repeated. Mal and I solved all of the worlds problems while Caroline taught the bar staff how to make her special cocktails. O Boy!
We met Mal a day or two later and he invited us to help in some local event. We were not sure what was happening. Anyway we showed up at the agreed time. and off to the local schools we went. What a treat. We got to help give out ice cream and candies to the local school kid's. See photos.
We have stayed in touch with Mal and want to cross paths again sometime. We told him we were going to Singapore so he put us in contact with Thaim. Story to follow on our Singapore visit.Read more
TravelerDid donny just make a new best friend? Please send me a photo when they make bunk beds
7/3/23Reply
TravelerNo bunk beds but they’re starting a band….
7/3/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
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Kota Kinabalu "The other side of Borneo"
June 4, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Exhausted from turtle and orangutang hunting, we took some time for ourselves to recoup. Five nights in Kota. We got a stay and play (Golf) package at The Pacific Sutra Hotel. Nothing overly exciting here that we found. Some good restaurant's. Golf was wonderful because I beat Caroline. Hooray!
Energized and now ready for the next adventure. Singapore....

Borneo is the third largest island in the world. It is also occupied by three sovereign states. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BorneoRead more
Traveler Donny should look happier in this photo. Was it because he didn’t get a hole in one again on a par 4?
7/13/23Reply
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Southeast Asia
Singapore
June 8, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
Got into Singapore and checked in to Oasia Hotel Downtown. I don't think we unpacked our bag's and I received a text. Our friend's back in Lombock put a call into their friend in Singapore who was now in the lobby of our hotel waiting to take us to lunch. Wow.
Thaim and Cynthia took care of us for the three days we were there. Drove us around, brought us to lunch, The Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore horse races (Thaim's tips were not so good) and finally to the Airport. We can't say thank you enough for their hospitality.
On our own time we did Chinatown and some good walks around City Center which included a stop at Raffel's the home of the Singapore Sling.
If traveling to Singapore one should allow some time at the Airport on the outside of security. It is a sight to behold.Read more
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