Thailand travel 12. Solo travel for women and boomers
Many people travel with someone who is not fun to be with because they feel they cannot travel alone. And many people don’t travel because they don’t have the right (or wrong) person to travel with. And that’s a real shame…
Thailand travel 11. Chiangrai Saturday walking street food feast
Near the city gates in Chiangmai on Saturday night is a fabulous street food market frequented by locals and tourists that stretches on and on and has irresistible “everything” from whole fish being grilled over the fire, coated in coarse salt, to fat prawns and squid and — you name it. Smells, visual temptations and fresh fruit stands.
Thailand travel 10. To market, to market in Chiangmai and boomer no-buy joy
Walk down my side of the Ping River to upscale coffee shops and arty places. At some point across the Ping to Talat Warorot, which I now know is Chiangmai’s oldest and most famous market. Right next door to Talat Ton Lam Yai, which is the city’s fresh flower market.
Thailand travel 9. Monk chat with Nit and foot massage envy
The young monk’s English is broken, but OK. I have been surprised at the unselfconscious lack of English to date. “Thailand has never been colonized,” the young man explains. Guess a self-confidence comes with that. Of “just being Thai.” He says here in Thailand they belong to the Theravada school of Buddhism. Asks me if I know anything about Buddhism. I tell him I lived for three years at the San Francisco Zen Center. Have meditated for many.
Thailand travel 7. Kamala for best Thai massage in the world
Thai massage has deep roots a history dating way back. And Being a modern-day pilgrim is something open equally to all. Women going solo. Men going solo is more of a norm. And boomers. Because to travel, to pilgrim, requires that we stay fit and healthy.
Thailand travel 6. Single boomer? No need for the Marigold Hotel
You don’t need India’s Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to have an adventurous life-out-the-box post-60. It’s easy to live the ex-pat life in Thailand. Men and women, hundreds, it seems, do this. Couples. Singles. Party person. Creative person. Find your spot and enjoy.
Thailand travel 5. Kamala massage makes you Happy and Smile
At some point, suddenly, a wind comes up and the rain comes down and huge umbrellas are dug into the sand and staff hold onto them to keep them planted and the fairy lights twinkle and people laugh and it’s all delightful.
Thailand travel 4. Kamala Market cooks in a swirl of pink flounces
A walkabout in the village and down a side street brings me to a food market. It’s hot. Humid. The market is buzzing. Veggies, fish, meat, cakes. People frying stuff. Grilling stuff. And Markets are always places to be trigger-finger happy with a camera, aren’t they?
Thailand travel 2. Spin-the-bottle and true confessions
Travel writer, boomer and solo traveler Wanda Hennig recently spent a month journeying with a backpack and camera through Thailand and Laos. She blogs about it here.
Thailand travel 1. Solo and on a whim
Travel writer, boomer and solo traveler Wanda Hennig recently spent a month journeying with a backpack and camera through Thailand and Laos. She blogs about it here.