Friday, November 24, 2023Walking around the perimeter of Chiang Mai The travel from home to Thailand, then a full, very busy day in the very hot and sweltering heat of Bangkok left me somewhat tired. I arrived in Chiang Mai on Wednesday afternoon, checked in to The 3-Sis, where I stay every year, then walked to Street Pizza for a large salad, a small pizza, and a watermelon smoothie. Street Pizza is a restaurant where […]
Tuesday, November 21, 2023Finding Jazz in Bangkok After a long day in the bright and hot sun and humid air, I realized I made a mistake for which I shall pay. Not a large mistake, but a stupid mistake. I forgot to take my hat with me. I have it, the same hat I used every day walking across Spain. My forehead and the top of my head are now quite burnt in places. Henceforth, […]
Tuesday, November 21, 2023Favorite Temples in Bangkok My plans for today echo almost exactly my one full day in Bangkok last year in early December, so this post will be quite similar to that from last year, and years past when I only had one full day in Bangkok. I arrived in Bangkok on Monday, very tired after the long journey from Los Angeles. Wednesday (tomorrow) I leave for Chiang Mai shortly after breakfast. Today, […]
Saturday, November 18, 2023The long journey to Thailand The journey to any Southeast Asian location is long from the United States. For me, it is easier to fly from Los Angeles International, and the most convenient way to get there is to walk about 3/4 mile to a neighborhood Avis location, pick up a car for a one-way drive to Los Angeles International (also known as LAX), drop off the car at Avis there and […]
Sunday, October 1, 2023Preparing for an Eleventh Winter in Chiang Mai For new readers, this blog records my eleventh successive winter in Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Thailand planned for November 20, 2023 until February 2, 2024. The intent is to share my journey, a little of what I did each day with a few pictures of what I saw, the places visited, and the food I ate. This blog is a continual travel blog of […]
Tuesday, September 12, 2023Returning home from Spain On Friday, May 12, four months ago, I arrived home in San Diego from Spain leaving my shortened Camino pilgrimage walk behind. How did I get home? I gave a very basic outline of my plans to get home in my last post. Because of the worsening tendonitis in my left leg after walking about 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Seville, I stopped walking in Granja de Moreruela. […]
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 A notable highlight of my winter in Chiang Mai Before I get to traveling home and my reflections on this longer visit to Chiang Mai, there is one highlight to share. When I returned from Thailand a year ago, I went back to my routine of walking in the morning, cycling most days (about 120-140 miles per week), and practicing yoga at home. But I had some recurring lower back problems. […]
Wednesday, February 1, 2023A short walk on my last day Today is Wednesday, February 1, and my last day in Chiang Mai. The day started fairly normally with breakfast and then my last yoga practice at Wild Rose Yoga with instructor Annie. I said goodbye to Rose and John after practice, and went back to See You Soon to finish packing and mentally prepare for the long journey home. The flight does not leave until […]
Saturday, January 28, 2023Lunch at Woo Cafe I am in my last week, and have been busy seeing various friends for the last time during this visit. I leave in five days, so today is my last Saturday here. And the day started with breakfast, then a walk to the O2 Gym and a strength workout with Ning, my trainer. These workouts balance my fitness and while challenging, I find them interesting and fun, too. […]
Monday, January 23, 2023Third temple on this Monday After walking through a few sois and finally getting to Hussadhisawee Road, I continued south, into a familiar area and near Wat Santitham. The last temple I visited, Wat Chiang Chom, was a little uninspiring, and it was odd to see not a single person there. Nevertheless, I soon arrived at Wat Santitham. As I mentioned in my previous post, why Wat Santitham is not on Santitham […]
Monday, January 23, 2023Visiting a second temple this Monday Being up north of the old Chiang Mai city, I perused the map and decided to visit a temple I had never seen, a little closer to the old city. I would still need to get a ride because crossing the busy highway can only be done at major intersections, and in either direction that would mean walking 2-3 kilometers out of my way. Wat Chiang […]
Monday, January 23, 2023Visiting three temples on Monday I will be leaving Chiang Mai and returning home in just nine days. I have been in the Kingdom of Thailand for 50 days now. As is often said, time flies by when you’re having fun. And I am enjoying my time here in Thailand, mainly Chiang Mai. I am comfortable here, this being my tenth yoga-focussed visit to Chiang Mai. I have Rose (the owner of […]
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 