Bright Lights of Bangkok

Until this week we have avoided big cities on this adventure, but Bangkok beckoned, and our next flight departs from their big airport. I only scheduled four days here, which was not enough to really see much, but I did my best. Khaosan Road is the backpackers haven and location of the cheapest hotel rooms…

Up Close with Elephants

Elephants are awesome! I’ve always liked them from a distance, and had enough respect for their giant size to admire from afar. At over three tons, they can easily squash a human being, so you definitely want to stay on their good side! I have always wanted to get a closer look at one of…

Just Phuket

When Nantucket is under a bucket of snow, head to Phuket. (pronounced Poo-ket) The beach is sunny and hot in Thailand this time of year, and all has been beautifully rebuilt since the 2004 tsunami. We came over on the ferry from Phi Phi this afternoon. (pronounced Pee-pee). Both islands are fun, but Phi Phi…

Drawing in the Sand

It began simply as a thank-you note to good friends at sunset. I was going to email them a photo…(sorry Hallmark, it’s a different era). A very small girl from the Sea Gypsy fishing village watched me write in the sand with a stick, then came over to show me how it’s really done! She…

Artist friends

I met Ismail Kadir in China in 2008 during the International Watercolor Masters Invitational. He is the best watercolorist in Malaysia, that is… when he’s home. I’ve never seen him at home though. I’m in southern Thailand now, probably a four hour drive from Ismail’s studio, and somehow couldn’t coordinate my schedule to drop in…

Thailand’s Islands

The Sea Gypsies that operate the long tail boats in the Andaman sea have made a great life for themselves, ferrying travelers between the hundreds of small dots of land in the turquoise water. Some of the islands jut straight up out of the water with sheer cliffs topped by lush jungle. They make for…

Ferries, islands and dreams

Sitting on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi I am reminded of many such water crossings I have had in my travels. Orcas Island, Wa and Ocracoke Island NC have been among my favorites. My family used to hitch a ride with the National Park Service boat to Horn Island regularly when I was a…

Southern Thailand

The small spit of land that is Southern Thailand is a most beautiful gateway to Malaysia, and a fun place to play! We landed in Krabi a couple of days ago and have been walking the beach and boating through the mangroves, much like we did in Punta Gorda, Florida a couple of months ago.…