Living in the present

Travelling makes me live in the present, there is no room area to think about the past in my mind, as we’re revisiting the history of each new unexplored city. Anticipation and planning only make things or the journey more unpredictable. After facing the unforeseen situation in Myanmar, I realize living in the present is what it means travelling with an open mind. It makes me reaffirm the teachings of Lord Buddha; all that is certain is uncertainty. Every bus I take, every train I slept, I delve into the unknown; where to go, which guesthouse to sleep, who you’ll meet, what you’ll eat, that’s what makes the journey momentous.

Living in the present can be liberating and surprising if you do it with an open heart, assuming and dictating every move you made will only make you more frustrating. Just like after leaving Myanmar, flying back to Bangkok has one of the best outcome in the decision I’ve ever made (even if the expensive USD$114 one way Yangon to Bangkok air ticket makes my heart ache a little), visiting Kan’s parent in Amphore lee, staying in the tree house in Pai, meeting Sally & Olivia, 2 fun-loving and untamed girls from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, igniting my passion for knitting in Bangkok, inspired by 2 backpackers, Casey & Ellen, staying in Thailand teaching English in a nominal wages. I’ve learned every adversary has its perks; you just need to turn “shit” into fertilizers that’s what I told the girls in the tuk tuk, after learning they have been ripped off by the locals. Even losing my 3G Motorola phone in the bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, there is no sense of loss or frustration; you live with it and deal with it, “what if” only gets you mind bobbling with anxiety and the blame game has no resounding success. I started to live every moment of my life.

Returning back to Singapore only drives me to work harder and hopefully in the near future travel longer. I put every of my experience into test, challenge the past and creating my present into the future…

Bangkok's New Nightlife

25 new things to enjoy after dark without having to pretend you care about hip hop and electro. Reading verse in dead-end sois, sipping egg whites with chili, painting nudes while knocking back gin n’ tonics or running for your life in a haunted manor—we have it all.

Reported by BK Magazine
http://bk.asia-city.com/nightlife/article/life-after-djs

Bye bye Pai!

Bad decision makes great stories!

Yoga Yoga

I did hot Yoga once in Singapore and this time knowing it’s only 200Baht in Chiang Mai, I went for it and I love it the second time, the control of breathing is liberating, as you concentrate the breathing, you let go of the past and forsake the future, what you have is only the present, and at this present state there is no I, just the breathing. I love it! So when I ‘m in Pai, I pass by a Yoga shop, and decided to continue this form of exercise. I’m simply in awe with the stretching of muscles that allows you to manipulate the body like you’ve never seen before. Let’s just put it this this way, for me, there are just some muscles that are unwilling to work with me, but when I’m doing the head stance (head holding up your whole body). I laugh my head off thinking I can never do that and I surprise myself. I love Yoga and I think I’ll continue this form of exercise when I’m back in Singapore.

Do nothing in Pai

“Do nothing” that’s what the town Pai philosophizes. Even though I’ll eventually try to find something to do in this town but it’s that spirit, that community bonding, people to people interaction and the way how the Pai people live with passion and fervor through the handicraft, photography, artistry and music make this small little town with no amazing attractions attractive. It means let everything hang loose, just like what I’m doing right now, not wearing underwear beneath my black hippy and baggy ¾ pants.

This is the second time I’ve been to Pai but I feel like this time I know a little better about this place as this trip I’m not rushing myself. I take my time to explore this quaint little town. It’s funny how I even bump into this tree house website while searching for an accommodation in Pai. Rooms build on top of a tall and “turnkey” tree; make me eager to go to Pai. To escape from the high living expenses in Bangkok, I decided to chill in the northern part of Thailand, which means to spend 700 baht on a tree house will be too much for me so I somehow pondering If I can meet someone on the bus to Pai and share it with me, that’ll be wonderful. With a wishful thinking, I travel to Pai, without anyone seems to connect with me except an insensitive Israeli whom says he doesn’t like Muslim (mind you, my cousin and some of my best mates are Muslim) loudly on the bus converse with me like a narrow-minded child and keep on asking about what to do in Pai ( I said nothing) triggers the rest of the passenger on the bus to ask me lots of question after they arrived in Pai (I can seriously think of opening a travel agency). When this Scottish girl, Ellen starts to ask me where would I recommend staying in Pai. I immediately light up my face with full enthusiasm and started to tell her about this tree house I saw on the website, I even have the tree house photo on my mobile just to convince anyone in any case. She delightfully agrees and I call the tree house to pick us up from the travel agency.

It is love at first sight just looking at the tree which I’m going to sleep from below. I squeak like a little child, climbing all the way up, makes me realize this could be the best accommodation I’ve ever slept through my entire bagpacking trips so far. When we get into the room, I can’t believe there is Fridge, TV and even free wi-fi and and breakfast included. It’s surreal; I nearly want to scream from the top of the tree like Tarzan. After marveling at the tree house for about 55mins, Ellen and I decide to walk around the tree house and then get some food in town; even the transfer from the tree house to town is free. The scenery around the tree house is tranquil. There are also elephant rides for the guest and you could swim at the nearby lake. All in all, it’s a 5 start adventure with bagpacker price 

http://www.paitreehouse.com/eng/index.html

Saying Goodbye is always the hardest way to leave

Before I leave, Mae keeps ensuring I’ve enough to eat on the road so she packed some biscuits and water for me. She tied a blessed white string by a famous Luang Por in Lamphun on my hand and Por gave me some amulets for my protection. I, in return gave Mae a Jade bracelet I bought in Myanmar and a mobile phone pouch for Por, together with a set of key chain holders for them.

We then set off to Lamphun & Chiang Mai which Mae insisted they should send me to my guest house. But before we head directly to my guesthouse, we visited a few beautiful temples in Lamphun. See below for details

To thank them which are never enough, but as a token of my appreciation I want to buy them lunch. Poor Por and Mae, I discover they have to endure with my vegetarian diet for the past 2 days. Por and Mae ate two plates of rice, Chicken rice and Char Siew rice. I feel like they have been meat deprived.

Finally, the time to bid farewell is here, Mae make sure my room is good enough to stay before they decided to leave. It reminds me of the first day of school where my mum has made the final check on my wallet, class, friends and everything that deems secure and safe before reluctantly let me go. I sincerely wish them happiness and grateful for what they have done to me. May the good merits I’ve accumulated share with them and they have an amazing life ahead! Pom Rak Por Mae!

WAT PHRA THAT HARIPHUNCHAI
This temple was built during the reign of King Athittayarat in the 12th Century on the site of Chamma Thewi's Royal Palace some 800 years ago. The attraction place is the 46 metre tall golden Chedi whose present was the result of the restoration work in 1443 by a King of Chiang Mai. The style of the pagoda is a square-shaped Chedi and a Khmer-style Buddha statue.

WAT CHAMMATHEWI
The villager called "Wat Ku Kut" which this wat was establised by Khmers around 755 then renovated by Mons during the Haripunchai Dynasty. The image Buddha in this period is special characterized by their long ears and generally wider faces and Devarai style. Ashes of the queen are enshrined within the Chedi.

WAT PHRA PHUTTHABAT TAK PHA
This temple located around 9 km further south of Pa Sang. Which the well-known has the Load Buddha once stayed here, leaving a trace of likeness of monk's saffron robe and his footprint of stone ground.

More pictures
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Surprise! Surprise!

I’m in for a surprise; the thing about staying with Gan’s parent is that they have planned your itinerary without you knowing it. I woke up around 8am, funny how in the northern Thailand breakfast is Lunch, Lunch is breakfast. We ate rice in the morning but noodles for lunch. Nonetheless, food is delicious and I’m grateful for being vegetarian. Por promise to show me how to hula when we saw the granny hula hooping when making Som Tam on the news yeaterday. So before breakfast, we did some hula hooping, I’m shocked when I saw Por having a big belly but hula hooping non-stop, then Mae join in after finished cooking Phat Say Yew. They indeed are Mr & Mrs Incredible. They easily put me to shame simply with 20 times in a minute which they can do more than that. It seems that Por talent didn’t stop there. He picked up a Chinese instrument, Er-hu and start playing melodious tune. A bit sad but lovely tunes, really bring me to another era, it’s like enjoying a concert. What a morning to begin with!

We took a long drive to Mae Ping National Park, What I didn’t expected is to see waterfall (Nam Tok), flowing ceaselessly from the mountain. The water is clear, cool and refreshing; I almost want to dip myself into the river. The bamboo that surrounded the whole area looks carefree and the breeze makes me want to take a nap at this tiny paradise. The trek all the way up to the waterfall makes us hungry so we took out the Phat Say Yew, Mae cooked this morning and places it on the wooden table, and it feels like having picnic except no mat. I really adore Mae as she is so domestic, she makes sure plates, forks and spoon are catered, and even chili powder and seasoning for the Phat Say Yew is brought along.

After lunch, we went to the Ping River, Kaeng Koh view which Mae said, Mai Suay (No pretty) as there is not much water in the river. The floating houses are not high enough. This river when it’s deep enough can travel all the way to Chiang Mai. Also, weather is hot and Por jokingly say it’s like Microwave.

Surprise comes when we took another long drive to Por’s mango plantation. It’s huge and I think this is the first time I get so close to Mango tree after eating Som Tam so many times. Por told me he enjoy managing the farm on his own even though at times, with the help of his 2 dogs, I can see from his eyes that if his sons can help along it’ll be great. He asked if I’m willing to stay and help jokingly and I said, maybe a few years later, 2560, but I also said one day, Maybe Gan, Tak and me together we can find some time to help him clear the forest for more mango trees.

I plucked a few mangos and guess what Mae will teach me how to make Som Tam for dinner later…

More pictures
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What a difference a week made!

Just last week, I desperately wanted to get out of Yangon. This week now is a total 360 degrees turn over. I left Bangkok to Gan’s parent house in Amphoe (Ampur) Lee, Lamphun. It definitely is not a touristy town, much left along hotel existing in this town. Gan’s father whom I call him Por (father in Thai) picks me up at 4.30 outside the town centre. At first, I was worried about the communication as I speak little Thai and they do not know how to speak Chinese (Jin) or English (Ang Grit) but I worried for nothing. My Thai turns out to be good enough to get by. Although, at times, I’m like playing win, lose or draw trying to gesture certain meaning or words. Once I’m trying to tell them, the woods in Alisan, Taiwan smells good and Por thinks that I’m sniffing morphine on the highland. We laughed so much loudly together.

On the first day, as I spend overnight on the bus, feeling lethargic, I slept a few hours at Gan’s room before I was woke up by Por to have breakfast. Breakfast is great, fresh vegetables especially cooked in Thai style by Gan’s mother, whom I call her Mae (mother in Thai). After the breakfast, Por and Mae bring me to several the temples around the town; I must say once again I’m memorized by the Buddha in Lanna style, the lotus bud above the head, orb shaped hair curls, round faces and the slightly chubby curvy chest. It’s endearing!

We went back home for lunch, delectable fried noodles with vegetables and mushroom. Mae must have known from Gan I’m a vegetarian. She really spends time thinking about the dishes. After lunch, Por and I took a nap before we set off to other nearby temples. This temple is very special, it’s a cave temple and we do need to hike our way to the top. Mae legs are not very strong so she skips this trip with us. The cave temple is surreal, even the temperature inside the cave is about 10 degrees Celsius different from the outside. It’s cool and you can see bat’s dropping at some areas but the Buddha statues peacefully situating inside the cave is peaceful. Then, we went to another temple, It’s surprising in the northern part of Thailand, Luang Por or Ajahrn are very well-venerated especially those whom have passed away, demonstrated miracles or benefited to the society, there is also a mummified monk, Kuba Srivichai display in the Viharn (temple hall). Statues of these venerated monks are sometimes oversize and equally as big as the Buddha statues. Por is very patient, helpful and sometimes telling me stories of theses Luang Por but I sometimes don’t really understand and keep on nodding my head…

Time goes by quickly, it’s time for dinner; we sat and eat the dinner in front of the TV. The Thai soap drama on TV3 is fascinating to watch, just looking at the beautiful people and the body language is good enough to understand it.

To read more about Kuba Srivichai, please click on the below
http://www.mungkhalung.com/event/kruba-srivichai/

More pictures
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