Thailand travel 15. Onward from Chiangmai to ‘foodie’ Chiang Rai
From the bus to Chiang Rai see many rice paddies cut into the tropical vegetation, when the areas are flat. Women (and men?) in those large-brimmed conical hats. Look like themed movie-set paddies. Make mental note to do the unaccustomed and eat rice here.
Thailand travel 14. Sunday Walking Street Chiangmai and artist dinner
An hour is not enough time to get there. Again I am a monsoon by the time I concede defeat. Am past where the map indicates he lives, when I show the address to a woman standing with friends down an alleyway. She calls the number. She talks in Thai. She tells me to go stand on the corner I just rounded and someone will fetch me. And so it is I meet Buppha when she picks me up on her scooter. Takes me to their house. Serves two scrummy dishes she’s cooked, fresh, spiced, nutted, then goes off to her shop near the night market.
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 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 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.
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Poland is enjoying a culinary renaissance. Krakow is Poland’s favorite destination with tourists. Travel writer Wanda Hennig meets top Polish chef Adam Chrząstowski, is introduced to Poland’s fledgling wine industry and lists 7 Krakow culinary highlights including the legendary Pod Baranem restaurant, the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec, lovely Lanckorona, Carp Valley and lunch in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
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Wanda Hennig, blogging about her month-long ‘roots’ and culinary travel trip to Poland, visits Toruń, which becomes the city of gingerbread, Copernicus, sublime food and devastating World War ll reminiscences.
Travel to Poland: Chełmno and on to Toruń
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