I woke up kind of sluggish this morning. It kind of always happens in trips like this; there is always a day that the non-stop pace just catches up with you. I had planned out my day (I realized last night that I only have two full free days left; the other ones are taken up with a couple of excursions and the cooking school) and it involved a lot of walking. Didn't really feel up to it so I decided to do the other sites that I had left on my list. First breakfast and making my way through the asian breakfast menu ... this morning Khao Pad; fried rice with chicken and it came with this little side dish of sauce with chopped thai peppers. Spicy in the morning; heartburn in the making but ... read more

I have made a point of getting up early to really get going before it starts getting really hot. The weather today was slightly cooler which means about 30 with some serious humidity (I have officially looked like crap since setting foot here!) Breakfast consisted of another choice off of the Asian breakfast menu, wok fried noodles with chicken and vegetables. Again it was a very thick soup; beef broth, cracked pepper, celery, carrots and topped with a poached egg. It was so good. Poon, the waitress, was impressed that I knew how to eat soup with chopsticks ... years of practice at the New Mee Fung! The plan today was to see the sites in the Royal part of the city as well as in the Old City with a quick stop across the river ... read more

First of all, I barely know which day this is ... I had to look at the newspaper to actually figure out that this was Tuesday. This is the first sign that you have officially disconnected and your mind is completely in vacation mode. I had a giggle when I saw the first page of the newspaper. There it was ... a huge photo of the King making an offering of food to a monk during the ceremony of Coronation day held (well we know where ...) Wat Phra Kaew and the grounds of the Grand Palace. So I didn't scammed ... they really were closed. I am so bringing that newspaper home with me. So I had my first breakfast at Flava, the hotel restaurant. You had a choice of continental, american, healthy or asian ... read more

We were up bright and early this morning because we had to pack as much in as possible on Jana's last day here. We were on a mission! So off on the Skytrain we were to find that darn Golden Mount ... we had to wait a few minutes at the train because everything stops at 8 am in Bangkok for the playing of the national anthem. It is piped out through loud speakers everywhere! We had the same thing at the train station yesterday. We finally found the Golden Mount ... basically it is this hill with soft earth that they had to build around it so that it would actually hold up the chedi and temple that is high up there. There are 318 steps to climb. I had pictured it as being all ... read more

So I finally got some sleep. After eating by far the best pad thai (and hottest, I should add!) with a big glass of red wine and long shower, I slept like a log and woke up bright eyed to start my first day in Bangkok. So off I went to buy my Skytrain pass and then off to the Chatuchak weekend market. The skytrain is so well indicated that the one fear I had about getting lost in Bangkok soon vanished. The market is well ... mind-boggling. Oh the randomness of it all. You can buy food, furniture, jewelry, antiques, buddhas, Bob Marley wear (you think I'm kidding but ...) and I even saw a bag with Che Gueveras all over it. Note to self, if I go back next weekend check which doorway I ... read more

So what does a 23 hour journey to Bangkok involve? Well let's see ... * 4 airports * 3 legs (Toronto - Hong Kong - Bangkok) * 1 rough start. Let's just say that there were about 75 hockey players all with oversized luggage in line, moving at a snails pace and once I reached the counter to be told that my flight to Toronto "does not exist, ma'am" ... Ma'am???? When he actually found my reservation, the words "Oh My God you are my new best friend came out". Such a Caroline thing to say! * 1 friendly face going through security courtesy of Madeleine Brillant * Over 14,000 kms travelled * Watched 4 movies and countless episodes of Will and Grace, Sex and the City and Friends * Listened to the best of Genesis, ... read more

So right now it is about 5 pm on Friday. At this very time next week, the captain will have turn on the seat belt sign and announced that we will be starting our descent into Bangkok. The flight attendants will be scurrying around trying to collect headsets, blankets and I will have dutifully put my seat back in the upright position, stowed all carry-on luggage under the seat and returned my table to its locked and upright position. After having spent 23 hours flying to this destination, you guys all know that I will also be slapping on the lipstick because I will undoubtedly be looking frighteningly like my passport picture!! I have to say that any fears or worries I have had in the last couple of weeks have now officially turned to sheer ... read more

Today is April 20th and I am 10 days from leaving on my first real solo trip. I am so proud of myself for having undertaken this new adventure and I know that in a way this will be life changing for me. I have decided to not focus on the horror stories that I've been told and/or negative things. Yes, they could happen but I choose to believe that nothing is going to go wrong. And if it does, then I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself. What I have decided to focus on instead is the fact that this can only open many doors to many more travel adventures for many years to come, regardless of whether I have a travel partner or not. I know that I can do ... read more