A Life, Lived

Travel Tuesday - Bangkok

I haven't posted much about my time in Bangkok - I was just too bloody busy with the Congress. Nonetheless, I did manage to find the time to take a photo or two. This should keep me set for the next few Travel Tuesday posts.

Bangkok Temples and Palaces

Last Saturday I had a free day in Bangkok. I booked a half day tour that took in some of the main sights in the old city. The tour visited the Temple of the Golden Buddha, or Wat Traimit, and Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, then explored the grounds that once housed the royal Siamese court. 

Located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road, near Hualampong Railway Station, Wat Traimit houses the world's largest massive gold seated Buddha measuring nearly five metres in height and weighing five and a half tons. In the past, artisans crafted the Buddhas in gold and disguised them from invading armies by a covering of stucco and plaster.

The Buddha at Wat Traimit was discovered by accident when it was accidentally dropped as it was being moved, revealing, under a casing of plaster, a beautiful solid gold Sukhothai style Buddha. Pieces of the plaster are still kept on display.

Our next stop was the former Royal Palace. Built in 1782 - and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government - the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom.

Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand, and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings.

Our last stop was a temple known as Wat Pho - the temple of the reclining Buddha. It's one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famed for its giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 metres long and is covered in gold leaf. Wat Pho serves as home to the massive 46-meter long reclining Buddha image, the size of which must be experienced in person as it is simply breathtaking. The amazing feeling of taking in the sight of the enormous golden figure of the ‘enlightened one’ cannot be explained with words, and even more rarely captured in photos due to its massive size.

The temple grounds were beautiful and the tranquil setting almost manage to convince me that it was not a million degrees and humid as heck outside. :-)

I Made It

Yes, I arrived in Bangkok in one piece. Exhausted, but in one piece.

In fairness, I was less exhausted than I would have been had I been seated in coach. Thank goodness there were points to be sued to fly first class. What a difference it made to be able to lay down and sleep. In the end I slept 8 hours on the journey from Toronto to Taiwan.

We arrived early in Taiwan so I was first in the lounge - and first in line to have a shower.

They had all of the amenities you'd need and soft music playing. . . . talk about making you feel normal again.

The flight to Bangkok wasn't eventful or anything.

Well, not completely. We flew on the famous Hello Kitty plane.

When it pulled up to the gate people screamed and ran to the window to take a pic so I knew it was a big deal.

Arriving in Bangkok was eye opening. It was hot and humid. Immigration was a treat. There were thousands of people.

Fun wow.

I was supposed to see someone with my name on a sign at the exit - that would be my driver to the hotel. Of course I didn't see anyone. I called the number of assistance and eventually worked out that I needed to go to door 6. Apparently I was just supposed to figure that out by using my psychic abilities.

Whatever, soon I was racing into the city.

OK, not racing. Bangkok traffic doesn't seem to allow for racing . . . ever. It took 90 minutes to go about 15 km. Thank goodness I was sitting in the back of an air conditioned car.

When I got to the hotel I immediately ran into some folks I knew from the Canadian delegation.

Check in was smooth. As soon as I got into my room I hopped into the shower to erase the remaining travel grime.

Now to have some adventures in Bangkok!

I'm Off!

Here I go off on another adventure.

Every four years Education International holds a World Congress. The World Congress determines the policies, principles of action, program and budget of the organization, and elects the President, Vice Presidents and General Secretary as well as other members of EI’s Executive Board. The World Congress is composed of delegates nominated by and representing its member organizations.

This year I will be one of the Canadian delegates gathering fro World Congress in Bangkok.

This should be an adventure.

The 19 hours in the air should be an adventure.

Luckily I was able to utilize points to travel first class but it means an odd assortment of flights. By the time I return on the 28th I will have circumnavigated the globe.

I leave today at 1:45 in the morning - to be honest I didn't even know flights left that early. ARGH

I'll chat from Bangkok . . .

Travel Tuesday - Cape Cod

I have friends visiting Cape Cod. Of course looking at their pictures has inspired today's Travel Tuesday post.

Stonehenge Explained

Strawberry Mint Fizz

This Summer Strawberry Mint Fizz Cocktail is light, delicious and refreshing. The sweet strawberry is balanced by lime and fresh mint for a bubbly, fruity drink for the summer heat!

This summer vodka cocktail is super refreshing. Not overly sweet, and certainly not flat.

Plus, strawberry and mint are two of my favorite flavors, so you know we’re bound for goodness there. Also, if alcohol isn’t your thing or you can’t drink it right now, then you can just leave out the alcohol and add more club soda. You’ll still be left with a super refreshing beverage to hydrate with.

Strawberry Mint Fizz

1 cup strawberries
10 mint leaves
1-2 tsp sugar, depending on sweetness preference
1 cup crushed ice
4 oz vodka
6 oz club soda
2 oz prosecco
1 tsp lime juice

Slice and smash or muddle strawberries in a cup or bowl. Add the mint leaves and sugar.

Add ice, vodka, club soda, prosecco and lime juice and shake.

Garnish with strawberry slices and more mint. Enjoy!

We Took the Airports

During his 4th of July speech Trump spoke about the revolutionary army and how they took the airports. An interesting statement given that the plane wasn't even invented at that time. As usual social media was full of amusing posts  . . . this was one of my favourites.

Travel Tuesdays - Bermuda

Just over three years ago we were on a cruise to Bermuda for a friend's 50 th birthday. I had never been on a cruise before but we had such a good time that we would do it all again.

Firecracker Salmon

This salmon is marinated in an Asian-style mixture with just enough spice and heat to give it a little kick (but not too much if that worries you. :-) ). Perfect for any occasion and a great way to spice up a healthy choice.

Firecracker Salmon

1/4 cup/60 mL peanut oil (use vegetable oil as substitution)
2 tablespoons/30 mL soy sauce
2 tablespoons/30 mL balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons/30 ml green onions (chopped)
1 tablespoon/15 mL sambal chili paste (or 1 teaspoons/5 mL pepper flakes)
2 teaspoons/10 mL​ brown sugar
1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon/5 mL grated ginger
1 teaspoon/5 mL sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon/2.5 mL salt

Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl until sugar and salt have dissolved.

Place salmon in a large resealable bag (or two, if needed).

Pour marinade mixture over top, making sure fish is well coated.

Force all the air from the bag and seal.

Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 1 hour.

Preheat grill for medium high heat.

Make sure to oil the grill grates well before grilling fish. This will keep the fish from breaking during the cooking process.

Remove fish from bag and place on a hot grill.

Brush liberally with some of the marinade and discard the rest.

Cook over a high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes per side or until done (between 145-150 F.). Time might vary because of the thickness of the fish.

Once fish has cooked, remove from grill.