While spending two weeks on Koh Samui recently, we stayed at a great vacation rental on the quiet northwest corner of the island, not far from the Four Seasons resort. We were directly across from Bang Makham Beach. We discovered a delicious eatery, called Kalasea, within a 5 minute walk of our place. The food was tasty, the prices extremely fair, and the atmosphere was truly charming. We enjoyed it so much that we ate lunch and dinner there several times, we also ordered takeaway more than once. Be sure to seek this little gem out. Continue reading Kalasea on Koh Samui
Category Archives: Thailand
A Day at the Beach on Koh Samui
We recently spent two weeks on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The plan was to relax and spend time on the beach. That’s pretty much all we did… and it was fantastic.
Most people that visit Koh Samui stay in or around either Lamai or Chaweng, the two most popular beaches and the biggest tourist areas. Both beaches are lovely, but we also wanted to explore the islands “less visited” spots. Continue reading A Day at the Beach on Koh Samui
Afternoon Snack in Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown”
It was very hot and humid today as we were exploring Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” district, so we were on the look-out for ice cream. We happened upon a really charming little spot, called Thamel Coffee & Restaurant.
Continue reading Afternoon Snack in Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown”
Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” and Warorot Market
Warorot Market, locally referred to as Kad Luang (big market), is located in Chiang Mai’s Chinatown district. It’s comprised of a sprawling 3-story covered market as well as a series of street markets that spread out on both sides of Chang Moi Road and cover an area roughly between Ratchawong, Tha Pae Road and the River. It’s just north of Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar. Continue reading Chiang Mai’s “Chinatown” and Warorot Market
For Geologists, Life is a Field Trip
Way back in 1990, Lisa Rossbacher, then-editor for GeoTimes magazine (now Earth) published a list of the top places every geologist should visit in their lifetime. It has been revised and modified several times over the years. A copy of it can be found here, or presented a little differently here. And a nice variation on the list is here. There are many more around. Continue reading For Geologists, Life is a Field Trip
A Geologist and a Pirate Go For a Walk on the Beach
As part of our homeschool lessons over the past few weeks, Ethan and I have been studying and discussing Tropical Coasts and Ecosystems. Our recent trip to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand made for a perfect, and relevant field trip.
Our vacation rental was located across from Bang Makhon Beach near the northwest corner of the island and it was an optimal spot for beachcombing. We set off on a long walk at the peak of low tide so that we could wade as far out toward the reef as possible and observe as much as we were able.
Heading north along the beach toward the headland, I pose some initial questions for Ethan to ponder. “Why do you think there is a wide, sandy beach here but a mountain up there where we’re going? What do you think we will find when we get there? And why do you think the beach here is so wide and flat?” Continue reading A Geologist and a Pirate Go For a Walk on the Beach
No Gravity in Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you are looking for a climbing gym in Chiang Mai, then be sure to check out No Gravity. It’s a large space that was designed and built from the ground up in 2013. There are more than 370sqm of climbing walls with routes for total beginners and experienced climbers.
Royal Park Rajapruek (Flora Gardens) in Chiang Mai, Thailand
We visited a beautiful and extensive garden at the edge of Chiang Mai, just down the road from the Night Safari, called the Royal Park Rajapruek. It boasts almost 200 acres of gorgeous scenery and 2800 different plant species. Because of the large scale, bike rentals are available and, for less active travelers, an electric bus is available to take you around.
The Royal Park was opened in 2006 in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday and 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. Since then, has twice hosted the International Horticulture Exposition.
Continue reading Royal Park Rajapruek (Flora Gardens) in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Art in Paradise
Last month we visited a fun art museum in Chiang Mai, called Art in Paradise. We decided to go because our son, Ethan, loves to draw, so we thought he’d enjoy it. It turns out we all had a great time.
Riding Elephants in Thailand
Most people visiting Thailand have “ride elephant” on their to-do lists. We were no exception. There’s been much debate about whether it’s cruel or right to visit elephant camps in Thailand and we certainly weren’t oblivious or indifferent to the concerns. In fact, we did a fair amount of independent research before deciding to move forward with our plans and selecting a destination that focused on providing a sanctuary for rescued elephants. You can read more about some of our thoughts on the broader topic here. Continue reading Riding Elephants in Thailand
Meandering Family: Beyond the Nest 