Author Archives: andrew

I’m staying at the ‘Garden Guesthouse’ in Chiang Mai which is essentially just three bedrooms upstairs from a bar and cafe.  Their street sign is so sun-faded that I can’t read it (I just look for the blank sign when … Continue reading →

These are photos from an afternoon trip from Chiang Mai to Samoeng and back again — the loop goes around and behind the mountain that Doi Suthep is on.  My little 110cc Honda Click could only barely get me up … Continue reading →

Back end of a cendol cart Exhibit caption from Siam Ocean World, an aquarium with nearly as many snack bars as exhibits. Yep, they provide glass-bottom boat tours in one of the fish tanks. Also in Ocean World, a spa … Continue reading →

Doi Suthep is one of the landmarks of Chiang Mai.  In theory I should be able to see it from town, but it’s way too smoky for that right now.  (I’m not clear why the jungle is on fire, but … Continue reading →

I’m on the train to Chiang Mai.  It’s a 12-hour trip but it’s been fairly pleasant — nice meal service, whole row of seats to myself, etc. I’m a bit nervous about arrival.  Last night I would’ve read a bit … Continue reading →

Yesterday I took the ferry from Penang back to Butterworth and had a quick lunch with a guy named ‘So’ who I met on the ferry.  We took a taxi to a dim sum place that was highly rated on … Continue reading →

The day before yesterday I hired a car to drive me out to “Kellie’s Castle“, the ruins of a hundred-year-old colonial estate. It was both more modest, and less ruined than I expected.  Even though it was built in the … Continue reading →