This is called "fusion"1

Many good restaurants are located in the city center of BKK, which can be reached easily by taxi. But the 'Authentic' ones are normally a little far away, cheap rent & big space are probably the main reasons. If you are a real street lover, you probably wouldn't mind to go an extra miles for the treasure hunting. 45 mins drive to the north is Nonthaburi, nothing much to see except the seasonal Durian & a 3 stories Thai-Chinese restaurant. I don't need to give any more compliments about this restaurant, their dishes are simply the best in town & all recognized by the locals.
Pan -fried garlic pork liver: not a simple liver that you can find in the market, which is very rare and the texture is crunchy & a bit like goose liver. I normally order this dish in advance as they are sold out very quickly.
Stir-fried thick rice noodle with pork: Very simple & beautiful, the sliced porks are as big as a name card, which is soft ( no tenderizer for sure), juicy & full of meat flavour. The rice noodle is marvelous, they fried it until a little bit burned and then finished with the pork sauce, which is still remained elastic & chewy.
Cont...

Coconut art

What a meaningful thing! This artist make use of coconut shell and turn it to a piece of art. Every piece has a meaning behind, from politics to old Thai phrase. Some of them serve practical function such as desk lamp, toilet paper holder & coffee cup etc....
Sustainable, Artistic, Functional, Meaningful, Practical- what more can I expect from a single object?
http://www.pbase.com/trufflers/coconut_art
The shop is hidden in a fruit orchard in Samut Songkhran, about 1 hr drive from BKK. It's not easy to find (in the middle of nowhere) and language barrier is also a problem. Every work must come with a brief description so people would appreciate more.
I hope to distribute these wonderful works very soon...

Lightness 2

Day 3,4 & 5- which are similar, the purpose is to allow friends & relatives to catch up if they couldn't come on the first 2 days. The meals were delicious, the sadness was washed off gradually day by day.
Day 6- The person (male) who used to be closest to his ancestor became a monk for that day, The monks help to shave off all his hair and eyebrow, which symbolize the 'peace within ', buddhists believe that the ancestor need his beloved ( who becme a monk) to send him away (heaven). One last pray were performed by the monks, eventually the coffin was opened again for the final encounter with the family, after that the body was burned.
The next day family came to pick up the leftover, known as ash. The ash was presented in a human shape prepared by the staff in the temple.
Life is heavy, but after all, only memories and a jar of ash.

lightness 1

Not really a nice memory, but it's worth to remember, it's teach us how light that a human being can be, after all it's just another history.
I've attended a funeral a week ago.
In Thai tradition, when a person pass away, the body is kept in the hospital's cold room (like a bed room with a powerful air-conditioner) for a day, and then send to the temple in the next day.
The following is how a Thai person finish the emigration procedure before leaving the mundane:
Day 1- Announcement of death, the hospital staff will help to change back the clothes brought by his/her family, after the gathering, the body will be kept in the cold room until next day.
Day 2- Deliver the body to the temple from the hospital, a big space with/without air-conditioner is already reserved, the staff will move the body into the coffin with the lid opened. Family and friends will gather to meet the beloved one last time. In the evening, 3 monks will come to pray, food is provided shortly after that. Cont...

True Flavour Spot: Bangkok Sea View

Tourists are always amazed by Sirrocco restaurant, the tallest rooftop restaurant & bar in Thailand. For me, it's just another 'hot spot' as recommended by Conte Nast Traveler.
It's not difficult to find a fancy place like this in metropolitan cities, but it's certainly not easy to find a place which can reflect a "true flavour" of one culture. It's simply because these places are normally non-touristy or inconvenient to access, Japan is for sure the classical example.
There is one very special place that I think worth a merit, it is Bangkok Sea View Restaurant.
First of all, it takes about one hour drive from the city centre of Bangkok. The 'Entrance' of the restaurant is located at the end of the long & straight ( but not flat) road where there are many opened air seafood restaurants flank on both sides. The 'Entrance' is a small pier where you need to take another 15 mins long-tail boat ride, you will have a glance of thai river life-style along this pleasant journey, very soon the river is near its end and you will find yourself surrounded by the sea, a 100% Bamboo structure is sitting right at the sea-river junction; that's where we will have our good time. Arrive by around 4pm, you will have fresh seafood, icy cold Singha beer ( or local whiskey) while enjoying the beautiful sun diving into the sea slowly.
Again nothing fancy or luxury, but an unpretentious, true flavour & naturally beautiful experience.

Please note that the restaurant is non English speaking & inconvenient. If interested please contact Trufflers for arrangement.

http://www.bangkokseaview.com/
more photos

Urban Retreat- Phranakorn Nornlen in Bangkok

Bangkok is like the fat on a steak; it gives food a strong flavour but is not good for your heath. You like it, but you also try to avoid it. Bangkok has many layers like this, from the chaotic traffic to the convenient sky train; Jim Thompson to Mandarin Oriental; street vendors to royal thai cuisine… it suits whatever you need.

But you do need a break in a city like this. Phranakorn Nornlen is something that can calm you down after a culturally shocking day. Situated in the historical part of Bangkok, not far from Grand Palace and Khaosan Road, this boutique hotel is hidden in one of the small local communities where you will find houses, a primary school, and many street vendors.

Don’t expect this to be another hip boutique hotel. Instead, it emphasizes harmony, nature & preservation. The moment you enter the hotel gate, you see a pleasant little garden with an open-air breakfast area and a living space, where you can read a book, sip a coffee and fall asleep.

The hotel is modified from a 30-year-old guest house with 40 rooms, but the owners only open 20 rooms for business to keep the place more spacious, Every room has a different theme such as flowers, birds and butterflies… all are hand-drawn by local artists. There is no TV in the rooms (there is only one in the lobby), but there are MUJI CD players because the owner wants guests to have a truly relaxing stay with fewer distractions. Most of the furniture in the hotel is either antiques or recycled, polished with light, bright colors.

A hotel can’t be good without a human touch from the staff. They are friendly and very helpful. If you are tired of big chain hotels, identical design, and are also looking for something peaceful and original, this is where you should take your naps.

http://www.phranakorn-nornlen.com/
more photos: http://www.pbase.com/trufflers/phranakorn_nornlen

live with enthusiasm

What I was

Travelling became my motivation since I was very young, thanks to my mum as she has been very supportive and generous by taking me and my brother around the world. Through travel I 've learned a very valuable lesson: alternatives, means there are many ways to deal with the same thing, such as life style, work or just a simple meal.
I was lucky to have a chance to study in England for 9 years, during that period I got to see most of the european countries ( also many other countries), specially after I started my degree in Architecture ( lots of field trips). From a group tourist turned to be a backpacker, and eventually an independent traveller. I knew travelling is the thing that keep me going, every holiday is a chance for me to see the world, I just can't stay at home and doing nothing.

What I am I was an architectural designer, In that three years I was trying hard to convince myself that I love it, but the fact was- I like it. very different between like and love, I came to a bottle neck: should I get my part 3 (means I can be qualified as a registered architect)done or I should do what I love? My fiancee love travel as much as I do, travelling is her only motivation to work harder, in my family the major topic is all about 'where shall we go travel next?' I realized travel is all I love; meet local people, try local food ( most important), see an alternative ways of living & this 'mode' can keep me happy and passionate. The answer is very obvious.

What I will be

I travelled to Thailand to see my fiancee every two months during my 'employee' period. Not only her but I seriously love this country, so as my mum. We always look forward to have a break there. I felt inspired by all these, the people, street vendors, culture, chaos.... I was engergized after every visit.
with the supports of my dear team mates in livinism. I quitted and start a travel business with my fiancee, I believe everything will be far more sucessful if things are being treated with enthusiasm. If the thing that I am doing is what I love, I won't be able to draw a clear line between two. when the time I was writing this, do you think I am working or living?
I am a full time traveller now, my duty is to find some nice things to see and eat, give some useful advice to people who has the same passion, help people the learn and get inspired through travelling.
And I live with my enthusiasm.