Visiting Thailand’s North Provinces

Although Thailand is a great place to visit, when you venture out of the main cities and tourist locations, you will often be confronted with third world conditions. While this is nothing to be alarmed by, it is something that all travellers should be aware of. 

Theft and poor food preparation and hygiene skills are something that you may notice in certain areas, which is why it is important to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Not only will this cover your medical bills should fall ill from something simple such as gastro (even treatment for this illness can be expensive), but if something should get stolen, that too could be replaced, depending on your policy. 

Discover Thailand 

Some of the most popular places for tourists in Thailand are Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi Island and Koh Samui. However, there are many more destinations that should be seen, to really be believed: 

• Chiang Mai – full of traditional heritage 

• Chiang Rai – situated 785 kilometres north of Bangkok 

• Kamphaengphet – the name means “strong as walls” or “forts made of diamonds” 

• Lampang – famous for their horse-drawn carriages 

• Lamphun – located on the bank of the Kuang River 

• Mae Hong Son – this town has been isolated from the western world 

• Nakhon Sawan – where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom and Nam all meet to form the Chao Phraya River 

• Nan – a province rich in rock salt deposits 

• Phayao – intriguing religious sites 

• Phetchabun – the name means “land of crops and food” 

• Phichit – several crocodile farms can be found in this province 

• Phitsanulok – a great base for those wishing to adventure throughout the north and western northeast 

• Phrae – one of the largest reserves of teak forests 

• Sukhothai – the first truly independent Thai kingdom 

• Tak – known for the area’s beautiful mountains and forests 

• Uthai Thani – rich with native wildlife 

• Uttaradit – a well known port for goods transportation 

Now, if that seems like a lot of places to visit, there is still so much more! The aforementioned provinces are only the ones located in the north of the country. The central, east, north-east and south are also there for you to enjoy!


Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_4437.shtml

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Korean Poem

When I took the bullet train from Yongsan to Cheonan Asan; I found one beautiful Korean poem. Although I didn't understand a single word at that moment but I was amazed at the beauty of Korean calligraphy. A month later, I met Mr Lee from Santisuk who is a serious learner of Korean calligraphy. Talk about coincidence! ^^

Mr Lee; an amazingly talented teacher perfecting his art.

After checking with Mi Hyeon 언니 for translation of the poem, she told me that the poem is about autumn! Second coincidence in a row. Arghh..I am so much in love again and again with autumn.

The poem goes like this:

Title: 그리움

Poet: 맹 주 상

갈변이 머무는
강당골 어느 초당
홀노인은
매운 고추 배를 가르고
저녁노을속
알토란 캐던 아낙네들
긴 그림자
멀어지면
그 눈시울이 붉다

Year: 이천팔년 2008
Time: 하늘 높은 계절
Pen Name: 소하-이천섭
He has written this 씀
 
Mi Hyeon's translation
 
가을
어느 강당 옆 작은 초가에
한 노인이
매운 고추를 반으로 가르고 있다
저녁이 되어
토란 캐던 여자들의
그림자가 길어지고
눈빛도 노을처럼 붉어진다

English Translation:

Leaves turned brown in fall
It was during one fall afternoon,
I saw an old man sitting at a small thatched cottage
Separating spicy peppers into halves
Women were digging out taros
As time goes by, their shadow getting further away
Finally their face and eyes turned red reflection of the sunset
Perhaps I miss this peaceful sight

Check out Wikipedia for Korean poetry and Shi.

Note: Anyone can translate this poem better? Tell me!! Although Mi Hyeon has done her best there might be other different interpretation.

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Guesthouse in Hongik

All these guesthouses are very near to Hongik University, Yonsei University, Ewha University and Sogang University. Numerous cafes, clubs, bars, restaurants, boutiques and musical playgrounds catering for the university students and there's a flea market at Hongik Universit (Hongdae), opens at 1pm every Saturday from March to November.

They serve free breakfast (bread, butter, jam), tea/coffee. All guesthouses are equipped with 100Mbps internet speed and WiFi.

Hongik to Incheon airport
1 hour 16 minutes, 17 stops, 51.6km
4,500 won by t-Money, 4,600 won by cash
Transfer at Dangsan Station and Gimpo Airport Line 9

Hongik to Myeongdong
28 minutes, 11 stops, 10 km
900 won by t-Money, 1,000 won cash
Transfer at Dongdaemun History and Culture Station

Bebop Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
20,000 to 75,000 won

Lee and No Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2 - 6 minutes walk
20,000 to 80,000 won

Namu Guesthouse (for family)
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2
Near to Lee and No guesthouse
22,000 to 90,000 won

Hongdae Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
22,000 to 120,000 won

Hey Backpackers
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 5
22,000 to 120,000 won

Guys and Dolls guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 4
28,000 to 22,000 won

Blu guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
18,000 to 55,000 won

Grape Garden House
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 1
17,000 to 63,000 won

Stay Korea Guesthouse
Hongik University Subway Station, Line 2, Exit 2
19,000 to 80,000 won

Source: SeoulBestHostels

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Persimmon or Gam/Kam in Korea

You have to try persimmon because it is abundant only in autumn (which is my favourite season) or early winter. Some people called it as 'Pisang Kaki' in Malaysia. Don't mistake it for tomato because it does look like it but the taste is far from same.

I used to frequent Chinese traditional medicine shop with my parents to buy some herbs when I was small and I would ask them to buy some dried persimmon for me too. Never thought that it is the persimmon that I love eating so much in Korea! There are so many shops selling persimmon during autumn. I bought 3 for 1,000 won while visiting Korean Hanok Village near Chungmuro Subway Station.

Dried persimmon

In Korea, there are 2 types of persimmon:

Fuyu - you can eat it when it is not fully ripe and it is still sweet (my favourite) and I like it when it is crunchy just like apple. The shape resembles tomato and in Korea it's called tam kam (단감). The taste is not that sweet. Have you have tried eating sugar cane? Almost like that.

Hachiya - Notice the difference in shape? It's kinda heart-shaped. However, you can only eat it when it's fully ripe. If you eat it before it's ripe, very bitter. I don't like Hachiya persimmon because it's kinda gooey when you consume it. Ack! Just like the picture below.

Persimmon's Health Benefit

• source of vitamin A
• high in fiber
• contains shibuol and betulinic acid that are thought to have anti-cancer properties
• A study conducted in Japan showed that the peel of the persimmon contains phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins which may protect cells against oxidative damage associated with aging. (Is this one of the reasons why Koreans look young?!!)

Source: HealthMad

Get all your Persimmon related recipes at Epersimmon.

Check out my WWOOF trip to Jangheung where I helped the family picking persimmons.

For more information about persimmon, check out Wikipedia

Picking persimmon

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