Sunday, December 18, 2016
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Thailand Part 1
Skipped a season or two, but now seems as good a time as any for a new post. So much has happened since last I wrote (February?), but I'll try to keep this short-ish and Thailand-centric and share a bit more of the past few months in later posts. Every time I'm inspired to add to Franland I'm convinced, or rather hoping, that the inspiration will last and I'll finally get this whole blog thing rolling. Here's to hoping.
November was a good month -- a month of vacation, really -- so no complaints there. Max and I spent three weeks in southeast Asia; mostly Thailand and a bit of Cambodia. The entire trip was adventure-filled and I would recommend every leg of it.
Bangkok was mesmerizing and chaotic and vast, but we only had time for a small part of it. We did Chinatown, the temples, the street markets, and a whole lot of wandering in what direction neither of us knew. It's a great city that warrants a longer trip, if only to try the varied street food.
Siem Reap was a really special place. Also chaotic, but peaceful, humbling, and really happy. Such friendly people and oh my god the vegan food is to die for. Thank you, Peace Cafe, for taking me in as one of your own. And then there's Angkor Wat; magical and expansive and such a gratifying experience to walk through a city of temples nearly 1000 years old.
Last but not least, there's Katie (love you, boo), one of my best friends from Vermont whose temporary residence in Cambodia partially prompted our vacation. Thank you for being the best tour guide and yoga teacher ever!!
Next we made a quick stop in Khao Sok National Park for some jungle trekking and longboat tours, and finally we headed to my favorite place: the beach.
Ko Lanta is an island on Thailand's Andaman coast, not yet overrun with tourists. We wanted something secluded, so we headed to the southwest of the island, where we spent ten days on Kantiang Bay in a bungalow directly on the beach. Turquoise, warm waters and a sprawling beach nearly all to ourselves made this place a perfect paradise.
My morning ritual consisted of a very sweaty run, a breakfast of tropical fruit and a fresh coconut (freakishly obsessed with coconuts), and then a sunny beach lay. After a few hours of lounging and swimming, we'd have a bite to eat and hop on our motorbikes to explore different parts of the island. The best spots, aside from Kantiang Bay, were the other most southern beaches on the island. Bamboo Beach and Mu Ko Lanta National Park, in particular, were untouched beauties. After motorbiking we'd go back to our Kantiang paradise where we'd hit the beach again, this time with some fruity cocktails or cold beers from the local watering hole, Why Not Bar. Then came dinner, usually at one of our three favorite spots (more on that next post) and more fruity cocktails.
Everyday on Ko Lanta was truly a dream, especially the days with the seaside full body massages...
Favorite Ko Lanta spots coming soon!
November was a good month -- a month of vacation, really -- so no complaints there. Max and I spent three weeks in southeast Asia; mostly Thailand and a bit of Cambodia. The entire trip was adventure-filled and I would recommend every leg of it.
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| The Grand Palace: Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Wat Pho: Bangkok, Thailand |
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| View of Wat Arun from Sala Rattanakosin Rooftop Bar: Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Our hotel's rooftop pool: Bangkok, Thailand |
Bangkok was mesmerizing and chaotic and vast, but we only had time for a small part of it. We did Chinatown, the temples, the street markets, and a whole lot of wandering in what direction neither of us knew. It's a great city that warrants a longer trip, if only to try the varied street food.
Siem Reap was a really special place. Also chaotic, but peaceful, humbling, and really happy. Such friendly people and oh my god the vegan food is to die for. Thank you, Peace Cafe, for taking me in as one of your own. And then there's Angkor Wat; magical and expansive and such a gratifying experience to walk through a city of temples nearly 1000 years old.
Last but not least, there's Katie (love you, boo), one of my best friends from Vermont whose temporary residence in Cambodia partially prompted our vacation. Thank you for being the best tour guide and yoga teacher ever!!
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| Downtown Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Lotus fields: Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Rice paddies and floating villages: Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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| Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia |
Next we made a quick stop in Khao Sok National Park for some jungle trekking and longboat tours, and finally we headed to my favorite place: the beach.
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| Khao Sok National Park, Thailand |
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Ko Lanta is an island on Thailand's Andaman coast, not yet overrun with tourists. We wanted something secluded, so we headed to the southwest of the island, where we spent ten days on Kantiang Bay in a bungalow directly on the beach. Turquoise, warm waters and a sprawling beach nearly all to ourselves made this place a perfect paradise.
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| Kantiang Bay: Ko Lanta, Thailand |
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| View from our balcony: Kantiang Bay, Ko Lanta |
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| Kantiang Bay, Ko Lanta |
My morning ritual consisted of a very sweaty run, a breakfast of tropical fruit and a fresh coconut (freakishly obsessed with coconuts), and then a sunny beach lay. After a few hours of lounging and swimming, we'd have a bite to eat and hop on our motorbikes to explore different parts of the island. The best spots, aside from Kantiang Bay, were the other most southern beaches on the island. Bamboo Beach and Mu Ko Lanta National Park, in particular, were untouched beauties. After motorbiking we'd go back to our Kantiang paradise where we'd hit the beach again, this time with some fruity cocktails or cold beers from the local watering hole, Why Not Bar. Then came dinner, usually at one of our three favorite spots (more on that next post) and more fruity cocktails.
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| Bamboo Beach, Ko Lanta |
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| Bamboo Beach, Ko Lanta |
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| Bamboo Beach, Ko Lanta |
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| Mu Ko Lanta National Park |
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| Mu Ko Lanta National Park |
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| Mu Ko Lanta National Park |
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| Mu Ko Lanta National Park |
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| Mu Ko Lanta National Park |
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| Old Town, Ko Lanta |
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| Kitty in a hammock shop: Old Town, Ko Lanta |
Everyday on Ko Lanta was truly a dream, especially the days with the seaside full body massages...
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| Kantiang Bay, Ko Lanta |
Favorite Ko Lanta spots coming soon!
Friday, February 26, 2016
Rainy Days in NYC
Rainy days can only be enjoyed from indoors, preferably under a tin roof and preferably at night. If we're going to be specific, wine should be in hand, fireplace should be crackling, guilty pleasure TV show should be playing, and godlike man should be near, pretending to enjoy said show. They absolutely cannot be enjoyed three days in a row in the middle of winter during the work week in NYC. I sit at my desk, peer out the window at the dismal world beyond, pout, daydream of summer and repeat. And once I've realized that I've forgotten my rain boots, the depression really sets in. Dramatic, I know, and exactly why I did some planning ahead for these very soggy days.
Combat again the rain began on Monday with a visit to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. I hadn't been in three years, and was pleasantly surprised with the new exhibits, most notably, the Titanosaur. At 122 feet long and weighing 70 tons, this thing was a beast. Its front tooth was literally the size of my torso. My favorite exhibit, however, has always been the fuzzy animals. There's nothing like a little taxidermy to lighten the mood. After the museum, I ended the night with great friends, good beer and free candy at Dive 75, and no thoughts were wasted on the rain.
Adventures on Tuesday came next, with a long overdue visit from a best friend. She was visiting with her boyfriend, so we started our double date night at a tapas spot, Donostia, in the East Village. The dishes were small, but the food was exquisite and the wine affordable. The Chorizo Picante Banderilla and the Plato de Charcuteria y Queso deserve a special shout out. Just say the words "salt-cured meat" and I'm sold. The real highlight of the night, however, came later. After a good two hours of eating and drinking, we headed to a comedy show in the West Village. The Comedy Cellar, on the corner of MacDougal and West 3rd, might be the best comedy club in all of NYC. While it's the only one I've been to, I have nothing but praise for both the venue and the performers, and mine seems a shared opinion amongst New Yorkers. The club seats up to 200 people in its cozy underground location, and it's slightly tiered tables guarantee all parties a great view. The brick walls, stained glass accents and the close proximity of the viewers and comedians help create a perfect ambiance. And then there are the comedians. Each show is comprised of roughly six acts, big names and rising stars, and every performance we saw was absolutely hilarious. Additionally, famous acts that aren't listed on the line-up frequently drop in. These surprise acts include Louis C.K., Amy Shumer, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. We were lucky enough to have the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, unexpectedly make an appearance. Thank you, Comedy Cellar, I've officially been charmed.
To conclude the week of bad weather, Max and I went to see Aladdin on Broadway. I have never seen so much glitter, and extravagant doesn't even come close to describing the show. The actors were phenomenal, the set beautiful, and the performance over the top in the absolute best way possible.
Here's to hoping this weekend can compete.
Beasts.
Unfortunately (but understandably) taking pictures inside the Comedy Cellar isn't allowed, but here are a few from their website:
Also no pictures allowed within the theatre, but here are a few of Aladdin I found online:
Combat again the rain began on Monday with a visit to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. I hadn't been in three years, and was pleasantly surprised with the new exhibits, most notably, the Titanosaur. At 122 feet long and weighing 70 tons, this thing was a beast. Its front tooth was literally the size of my torso. My favorite exhibit, however, has always been the fuzzy animals. There's nothing like a little taxidermy to lighten the mood. After the museum, I ended the night with great friends, good beer and free candy at Dive 75, and no thoughts were wasted on the rain.
Adventures on Tuesday came next, with a long overdue visit from a best friend. She was visiting with her boyfriend, so we started our double date night at a tapas spot, Donostia, in the East Village. The dishes were small, but the food was exquisite and the wine affordable. The Chorizo Picante Banderilla and the Plato de Charcuteria y Queso deserve a special shout out. Just say the words "salt-cured meat" and I'm sold. The real highlight of the night, however, came later. After a good two hours of eating and drinking, we headed to a comedy show in the West Village. The Comedy Cellar, on the corner of MacDougal and West 3rd, might be the best comedy club in all of NYC. While it's the only one I've been to, I have nothing but praise for both the venue and the performers, and mine seems a shared opinion amongst New Yorkers. The club seats up to 200 people in its cozy underground location, and it's slightly tiered tables guarantee all parties a great view. The brick walls, stained glass accents and the close proximity of the viewers and comedians help create a perfect ambiance. And then there are the comedians. Each show is comprised of roughly six acts, big names and rising stars, and every performance we saw was absolutely hilarious. Additionally, famous acts that aren't listed on the line-up frequently drop in. These surprise acts include Louis C.K., Amy Shumer, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. We were lucky enough to have the host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, unexpectedly make an appearance. Thank you, Comedy Cellar, I've officially been charmed.
To conclude the week of bad weather, Max and I went to see Aladdin on Broadway. I have never seen so much glitter, and extravagant doesn't even come close to describing the show. The actors were phenomenal, the set beautiful, and the performance over the top in the absolute best way possible.
Here's to hoping this weekend can compete.
Beasts.
Unfortunately (but understandably) taking pictures inside the Comedy Cellar isn't allowed, but here are a few from their website:
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| Bill Burr |
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| Louis C.K. |
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| Judah Friedlander |
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| Robin Williams |
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| Jon Stewart |
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