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Star Date: April 2014 |
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Hello Dear Family & Friends! "Yai-puan” (Hey Friend, Thai)
"Carry out
random acts of kindness with no expectations of reward, safe
in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for
you."
(Princess Diana) I love how random the reaction to our webpage has become. We never know who will contact us, or from which corner of the planet. Our goal is to simply share what a magnificent planet we all live on; a little bright spot to balance off CNN and the other negative mainstream media. We continue to put a new page up every month, spurred on by this feedback. Recently a local girl we had walked on the beach in Mozambique with 3 years ago; wrote to tell us the quote I chose inspired her in a crisis she was facing in life. (see more below). Thanks so much for following us and keeping in touch. It means a lot. Your interest in our world is inspiring to us!
"I love your webpage, What a beautiful cyber-monument to the diversity and inter-connectedness of all of Life! You two will be my ears and eyes to the rest of the world." (Gene) Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama has loved your trip The Big Fat Indian Adventure – Part 1 http://www.tripoto.com/users/view/1718
"Hello nancy n joseph,
my name is sergio ...We met at the airport in Costa Rica
march of 2013. I was traveling alone and sat down. I was
wearing a cowboy hat. Anyway, I relocated from long
island to sunny phoenix.
As I scan my junk emails, i stop to read your travel
blogs. They are reassuring & confirm that life is a
blessing. Don't take things for granted & to stop and
look around, absorb what life has to offer.
I know these things but sometimes we get lost in our
busy body worlds of work work work OR the pity patty of
woo is me ... From east coast to almost west coast
has been tough. 44 years old and starting all over .....
VERY HARD
Sad ... yes, guilty ... yes, scared ... yes, excited
...YES. This new life I was offered by a higher power
is a blessing and I wont take it for granted. Im choking
up writing this and we met briefly but your blogs
inspire me to travel more n see & appreciate diversity
in people and our beautiful planet. Thank you!
Bless you both."
(Good Luck Sergio - please take our notices out of your junk/spam mail! Hurts our ratings - Thanks) Siam. The word conjures exotic visions of a mysterious country in the Indochina peninsula, a revered king, intriguing art, beautiful dancers in exquisite silk gowns and elephants lazing in the forests. Not much has changed in the countryside but the city of Bangkok has exploded into an international center of trade and technology. Gone are the canals and rickshaws, replaced by 4 lane highways and jammed streets. This city never sleeps and the same can happen to you if you don't find a quiet corner in the midst of the cacophony. While travelling in Asia or in transit from Hawaii to Africa, India or China a preferred stop has always been Bangkok. Great flight deals, visas to anywhere, supplies galore, inexpensive decent rooms and the best Thai food to please any appetite. There are several distinct areas to stay in Bangkok and we prefer the Khao San area near the Grand Palace. Khao San has morphed from a basic backpacker/drug scene with plywood rooms, to a rowdy get drunk/act stupid then fall into a bed in a boutique hotel area. Noisy and crowded this one block long hotspot is good for a look and laugh, but give staying here a miss. Just 2 blocks away, our 'home away from home' for years has been the short alley of Soi Rambutri. Getting busier by the year but still quaint, especially at the quiet end, this lane supplies everything from fresh squeezed orange juice, to ice cold coconuts, to a large phad thai noodles or fresh curry for a buck, to the latest screen printed t-shirts to money changers. You want it they have it or can get it. A place to just chill out in one of the little alley side cafes and watch the parade of travelers from all over the world pass you by. Wild hair-doos, bizarre tattoos, strange clothes, bedraggled travelers crawling in from their latest adventure, transvestites on the prowl, saffron robed monks and proper dressed Thai girls off to work. A little something for everyone. This alley surrounds a 2 block square serene, exotic Thai Buddhist monastery. One is able to meditate in the temples or simply walk through to connect and recharge from the hustle and bustle outside. The variety of Thailand has a little bit for each person's taste. The northern highlands have a colorful mixture of mountain tribes people. The coasts boast magnificent miles of white sand beaches and the islands are a magical place to sail to, then hide away for a few weeks. Good prices, friendly people, great infrastructure easily allows you to move around and to see this cultural diversity of the Kingdom of Thailand. Siam always remained neutral or played the right side of the fence over history. During the Vietnam War it became a haven for tired and frisky service men on R & R leave. With that came an increase of prostitution and sex slavery. It is not uncommon for northern tribes people to sell a daughter into prostitution. The idea that women are in this profession because they like it or want to be is a lie and is old patriarchal thinking. This, I believe personally, has changed the way Thais look at foreigners and especially men partaking in these extracurricular activities. And there is something for everyone. Just realize the damage that is being done. Sixty year old foreigners with 20 year old Thai wives is yet another matter. To each his own, but equalize the socioeconomic levels and this would possibly all but vanish. True love will always survive.
Visions of the "King & I" dance right out of your head
when looking at the current political situation.
The Kingdom of Thailand, was 'ruled' by King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (in his 80's) but although his photo adorns
every building the spoiled royal family has come under
scrutiny of late. The Prince recently threw an
expensive poolside birthday party for their French
poodle "Foo Foo", which made press when a video leaked
out. Claiming that the King was being led around
by a group of cronies the military, under General
Prayauth Chan-ocha's leadership staged a junta and
tension was high in this already high strung capitol
city. Weeks later all seems to have calmed down,
the military is gaining support, and as the newspapers
recently reported: And so we arrived from our lovely 2 months visiting family and friends in Hawaii to the Kingdom of Thailand. Within minutes we were settled into our guesthouse, feeling a peculiar warmth from scowling staff at our old regular haunt. After all these years we know they are smiling on the inside - somewhere. Their rooms in the new section are clean, comfortable and convenient - that is if you don't mind hiking up to the 4th or 5th floor. Our workout for the day! Walks in the park, rides on the river boats to the market, and sojourns through the bustling streets kept us busy. We enjoy finding unique little corners of this eclectic city, from old world markets selling live snakes to high tech malls to classy historic sites reminding us of days of old. We explored and discovered many such places with our good friend Stan, from Hawaii, who jumped ship 8 years ago and loves living in Thailand. Sure beats the high prices in Hawaii. Always interested in healing techniques of various countries I randomly visited the Om Room. I arrived unannounced and was drawn to a notice telling of a 4 day seminar on Biotherapy. Led by a doctor from Croatia, it had been full but one spot had just opened up. I walked in the following day and greeted him with "Caco si" ("Hi there!") having been raised with my Croatian 'Little Grandma'. We were immediate friends. Knowing this was what I should do I started the journey into the world of Energy, Qi, Life Force. Most of us realize we are made up of energy; the world, the Universe is made of energy; yet we know very little about it. My 'accidental' study of Qi Gong in China with Master Jianshe introduced me to a more in depth understanding and now working with Ivan I was able to feel the energy surge in my body. He could actually use a person's energy to bend them in whatever direction he chose without touching them. Remarkable. He is a true healer, caring, intelligent and global citizen. All his work is by donation. He has offered to continue with his work with me long distance, months later. Ivan knew the head Chinese doctor at Rangit University and before I knew it I sat across from him. He checked my pulse, my eyes, my tongue and could tell what meridians needed clearing. Within minutes I looked like a porcupine with acupuncture needles from head to foot. Blockages in my energy meridians were cleared over the next couple of weeks and between that and Ivan's golden touch I was feeling great. The ancient secrets revealed opened to me as a gift; as are so many things if I remain open while wandering Mother Earth.
Love, Light & Laughter,
Travel notes:
$1.00US = 32 Thai Baht Health & Healing in Bangkok:
Omroom
Bangkok's little spiritual haven Ph. +66 (0)2 655 6282 http://omroom.net
Many
wonderful healers to choose from!
Biotherapy at Omroom - with Ivan Roca
Most of
my advances were by mistake. Hi Nancy, here is your testimony on my FB wall. If you want to publish on your web site my contacts and web sites are: www.facebook.com/lifeenergetics or do a search Life Energy Healing & Transformation on Facebook You can use my documentary as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5-7dsR_amo https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=661704763878569&set=vb.385478994834482&type=2&theater Best, Ivan J-Seitai:
Japanese chiropractor & massage clinic - RSU Tower
4th Floor Soi 31 Phrompong
(02-262-0831 or 099-447-4055) Phyathai 2 International Hospital - great moderate priced private hospital, 943 Phaholyothin Rd. They speak good English and have a representative guide you around the hospital for tests or doctor visits. Email for an appt.: irc@phyathai.com. Tests about 1/10th to 1/4 the price in the U.S. Sometimes we need to be diagnosed so we can choose western medicine or alternative. (about 100bht in metered taxi from Khao San.)
Bangkok: Turn
left at end of Soi Rambutri - walk down left side of
street
Travel Agencies: Go out the rear door and look for a small bridge. Catch a river taxi back to near the Democracy Monument (last stop) for 10bht and avoid the afternoon congestion. Also catch it behind Siam Discovery Mall. Great inside look at old Bangkok- worth the trip just for that. We have been to Bangkok so many times we forget to include sites to visit such as the Grand Palace, the water taxi up and down the river (drop off along the way at Chinatown, etc), the national museum, the floating markets. Ayuthaya is a 2 hour drive from the city. A smaller version of Angkor Wat in Cambodia but with tickets so cheap why not just fly on Air Asia to see the real thing? Don't miss an up close encounter with a 600 lb. tiger the Tiger Monastery in Kanchanaburi about 3 hours away. Also
check out past webpages for more info on Thailand: click
here to see Mango Lagoon Place - 2 doors from Roof Garden but twice the price unless you have booked ahead on Agoda.com Try room # 503. We always choose higher floors. Better security, cleaner rooms and good exercise. We ask for our bags to be brought up initially. Roof
Garden (Sun) Guesthouse, 62 Soi Rambutri,
Sunset along the river with the locals is a relaxing event. Just head down the alley from Soi Rambutri towards the Chao Praya River and keep walking 1-2 blocks until you come to a sharp right bend in the road. The park is on the left side along the road and is a fun people watching place. The impressive span bridge lights up at night. Navalai River Resort: 45/1 Phra Athit Road, great wifi and good view of the river. Order a drink at this upscale hotel and get caught up on emails; if your room wifi is slow. We always turn off wifi at night - safer. Don't miss going to see the 'circus' at night along Khao San Rd., and the lights along Chao Fa Blvd are spectacular, especially around the time of the King or Queen's birthdays. The Grand Palace and a ride up the Klongs are not to be missed. The list of sights in Bangkok is endless. Take the river taxis up and down the river. At the far end, away from city center, is Nontha Bri Market. Get off at the clock tower at the end of the line. Amazing sights to behold. The taxis run back every 30 min until 7pm, but you would want to leave before dark. Pantip Plaza: Computer heaven in Bangkok. If they don't have it, it doesn't exist. Keep your eye out for look alike products claiming to be originals - but charging full price. If you get a knock-off for $5 accept when it breaks but paying full price be careful. Bus #15 or 47 from near Khao San. Taxis: If there is ever question of a possible traffic jam bargain for the price ahead - point to point, or it will cost too much via meter. Once you know the prices you can bargain - ask a local standing next to you. Meter is always better price when there is no 'jam'!. The
'tuk tuks' will offer you a cheap city tour or ride to
the malls if you stop and shop in a jewelry or tailor
shop. They get a gas coupon - whether you buy or
not. We have helped out a couple of drivers when
we had extra time. DON'T take the tuk tuks back
during rush hour (5:30-7pm) or you will get gassed to
death in the jam. Vegan in Bangkok: The Happy Cow website lists vegetarian places in Bangkok, but every restaurant can whip you up something vegan in a jiff. They love vegetables here and haven't added all the terrible western diet items yet. A little ferry crossing to Pra Arthic pier from behind Soi Rambutri to Wang Lang has a small organic vegetable produce market. Just ask. Ethos Vegetarian & Organic Restaurant. Left at Burger King on the end of Khao San Rd, right down alley, left into lane. Tasty food, juices and deserts. Siam Paragon, Gourmet Grocery: Longing for anything familiar overseas? You can find it here! Also has a delicious salad bar you can eat safely and a whole organic vegetable section to purchase.
Tamarind Vegetarian Restaurant:
Mandarin
Oriental Hotel:
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