The Fun Of Learning To Cook Authentic Thai Food

Thai food has become an international favorite of many individuals. Unlike Italian or French foods that taste good almost anywhere in the world, Thai food can sometimes be a bit bland when it is not enjoyed in Thailand itself. This does not mean that there are no authentic Thai restaurants that deliver the genuine product, but they are sometimes difficult to find.

Certain individuals who are familiar with Eastern cooking techniques are not as familiar with Thai flavor profiles. For this reason some people choose to visit Thailand and enroll in a Thai cooking course. The Bai Pai Culinary School located in Bangkok Chongnonsee area is a popular favorite of many Thai cooking students. 

One of the nicest features of this school is their traditional outdoor approach to Thai-style cooking. Most Thai homes feature compact indoor kitchens inside the home while a generous kitchen is located outside the dwelling. This is due to the smoke and intense high heat resulting from the various oils that are a big part of traditional Thai cooking, which make it almost impossible to prepare certain dishes indoors.

The Bai Pai school's kitchen is located in a stylish but small Thai house in one of the town's quieter neighborhoods. The school's instructor will guide students through the preparation of meals while the geckos croak and the wind wafts through the palm trees. It is a great treat to experience nature and cooking simultaneously.

Classes at the school are led through step by step instructions in order to prepare several dishes as individual courses. Students can take breaks in between dishes to sit down and sample their creations as they go along. Meals range from basic dishes such as prawn in tamarind sauce and green papaya salad and red curry roasted duck.

Students are taught everything from the simple tasks such as cleaning of shrimp, the proper way to use a mortar and pestle and how to tie pandan leaves. Students are even instructed in the art of separating coconut milk in order to isolate the thickest, creamiest part of the milk.

Many students find that it makes a pleasant day to learn interesting and helpful cooking techniques while enjoying the tropical outdoors. It is a great way for one to indulge a love of nature and a love of cooking at the same time. For me, it's a truly unique hand-on experience that worthwhile to gain in my life.

Talking About Bangkok

Many folks like to begin their exploration of this fabulous city by simply starting out walking up and down it's very busy streets. They will often stop and treat themselves to one of the popular local dishes as a snack to enjoy on their journey. One always popular choice is the red pork and wontons in the egg noodle soup. They may then at some point opt to enjoy the boat ride down the river which is always a thrilling and fulfilling way to see so many of the beautiful sights and many different monuments and landmarks contained within the city. Of course there can and will be if desired a stop at one of the special restaurants on the river such as the one located at the Thewet pier known as the In Love restaurant.

Many choose to depart at Saphan Taksin from the ferry in order to head to Siam via the skytrain. After enjoying the ride and the magnificent sights, many will choose to unwind even more perhaps with a Thai massage or perhaps a very relaxing swim. Bangkok is truly a city of alternate expressions and offerings where a person might find whatever it is they are seeking. That could be sunset cocktails at a beautiful rooftop bar such as the Vertigo which sits atop the Hotel Banyon Tree to enjoying local cuisine at one of the many street side cafes dotting any of the city's busy thoroughfares. Of course there are also so many tiny bars along the avenue where one might stop to refresh themselves with some salty beans and ice cold beer.

Of course, another special treat available for visitors to enjoy are one of the evening dinner cruises that the better hotels usually organize and offer. So many folks thoroughly enjoy these trips. Many of the even more adventurous though will choose to venture out on their own exploration of the many small clubs dotting the city, many offering terrific live music and performances.

One visit that must be made by everyone spending any time at all in the city is to the Erawan Shrine, the Four Faced Buddha. Literally, hundreds of good folks will visit there daily and offer their prayers and promise of good works should their requests be answered. Centrally located in the city with so much to offer it's visitors, the Erawan Shrine is guaranteed to be a place that will remain seared in a person's mind and heart long after the visit is over.

Venturing Morning To Night at Exciting and Relaxing Hong Kong

It is early morning as I walk leisurely in Hong Kong Park, and then pause, entranced by the graceful, slow-motion sweeps of "Tai Chi" enthusiasts. I linger, marveling over the Edward Youde Aviary's wondrous birds.

I seek a hearty breakfast next, pondering the numerous cafés in the Central and choosing Eating Plus in at the IFC Mall for its entertaining crowd. Afterwards, the bullet-shaped skyscraper Two IFC catches my upwards, squinting gaze as I attempt to take in the entire outline of this tallest building in the city before cramming myself among hoards of commuters to ride the Star Ferry to Kowloon, across the gleaming Victoria Harbor. When I reach Tsim Sha Tsui, I wander the promenade and admire the spectacular cityscape views, all the way back towards Hong Kong Island. Ducking into a favorite Hong Kong attraction, the Space Museum, I must decide between taking in its giant planetarium or watching the latest IMAX film.

My itinerary flows onward and I walk the Golden Mile upwards (that also goes by its official name Nathan Road) so I can revel a while amid the exciting commercial chaos there and give due respect to the famously and delightfully dilapidated Chungking Mansions, before plunging into the MTR station of Tsim Sha Tsui, a place nearly deserted by tourists, where wandering Temple Street downwards and observing the lively street scenery of stall holders setting up the Night Market charms me thoroughly. Now I sense hunger again, so I ride the MTR further southward and stride purposefully into the Kowloon Hotel basement, for this is where I have already booked ahead a highly anticipated feast of dim sum at the restaurant Hoi Yat Heen.

Riding the Star Ferry back over the harbor I muse that one trip is never enough, then I decide to catch the Peak Tram's steep roll to fabulous Victoria Peak during the waning late afternoon. Next, I jump back on the tram down to the Central Escalator just to be trundled up once again through glimpses of life in Hong Kong at the Mid-Levels, peeked at through residential and bar windows crowding all around. The Lan Kwai Fong alleys provide a perfect final hideout for celebrating this exciting (yet relaxing) day of adventuring the familiar (yet exotic) over many tossed-back drinks and trays full of tasty treats.

Lan Kwai Fong has a reputation as the home of the best Hong Kong bars, so naturally it also goes by a more flippant nickname: none other than - you guessed it, perhaps - party central. It is a cobble-stoned, L-shaped lane encircled by Central's striking skyscraper cluster. Lanes near this haunt also buzz with noisy pubs and bistros, so that the whole neighborhood around Lan Kwai Fong might accurately be called the trendiest nightlife destination in Hong Kong. Foreigners (called "gweilos") and filth abound among rows of bars spilling people forth in all directions onto its streets. This notable Hong Kong night life place defies adequate description and must be experienced to the fullest, blaring music, boisterous crowds, and all. This is where people of all professions, with diverse and fascinating life stories, flock to relish drinks with colleagues and friends.

Short Stay in Bali

If I were staying in South Bali, I would get up and go for a walk north on this fantastic beach that runs from the airport in the south past Legions, Kuta, and Seminyak, and beyond for at most another five km. This clearing of sand is buffeted by the type of surf that put Bali on the chart for backpacking boarders in the nineteen sixties. Get involved in a volleyball game with some locals, rent a bench or chair, take surfing lessons, buy a beer from one of the numerous vendors or get a massage from one of the veteran masseuses, it is a rather mellow sight that stretches as far as the eyes can see.

Moreover, let's say that you must get from Seminyak to Kuta quickly, using the beach route is the fastest and most attractive route to getting there as of yet. In the afternoon, I would go to one of the many great Seminyak restaurants for lunch, later I would go to one of the numerous clubs spontaneously. If I were staying in Ubud, I would get a room and simply chill out. I might stir to go for a walk through the river valleys and rice fields, but I would soon return and stay by the pool. I would absolutely make time to wander the streets checking out some of the great little shops, which seem to emerge like mushrooms after the rain. In fact, at night, I would go to watch one of the enchanting dance performances provided all over town at venues. After that, I would go out and eat alfresco at a fine neighborhood restaurant. Grab a shot of Cappuccino and get ready to drink in some fresh air. Then, take a leisure walk along the breezy paths of South Bali.

On the next day, I would make my way to Pura Tanah Lot ("Temple of Land in the Middle of the Sea"), one of Bali's most famous sea temples, for a fascinate sight, especially at sunset. Tanah Lot temple stands on a rocky island just off the south west coast of Bali. The temple itself was told to be guarded from evil by the sea snakes stays in the caves below.

The temple itself is not reachable to tourists, however good views can be had from a variety of hotspot nearby. Visitors especially gather on the verandas in the vicinity to watch the glow of the sunset behind Pura Tanah Lot. Of course I would not miss this.

Pristine And Delightful Chiang Mai

My morning begins at the café with a mug of steaming coffee, brewed from Arabica beans which are roasted locally and a plateful of French toasts. After a leisurely read of the Bangkok post and observing the local monks on their morning rounds for alms, I am ready for an interesting ride on my bicycle to investigate the old city's surrounding moats that date back 150 years. I go past Pratu Phae which has brick remnants that are restored, and enter the cultural heart and geographical center of Chiang Mai.

Making an initial stop at the monument of the Three Kings, I offer my respects to the fathers who founded the Lanna Kingdom of Chiang Mai. Then I ride on to check out the latest exhibits of culture and art of northern Thailand. These are preserved in a provincial hall dating back to 1924, which itself is an architectural masterpiece of post colonial Thailand. If I find the need to still indulge in fine architecture, I would head for the quadrangle in the old city which has about 33 Buddhist temples of historic importance. I am always inspired by the Chedi Luang which houses the monument with the tallest stupa, and also the exquisitely carved panels in wood of Wat Tao.

Later I will make a stop for lunch at either Heuan Phen or Si Phen where I would get a taste of the sausages of Chiang Mai accompanied with a flaming dip of green chilies. Scooting randomly through winding and narrow lanes called Soi, I will get a marvelous taste of the street life in Chiang Mai. I will get to observe young housewives busily hanging laundry, backpackers from Europe trying to find a guesthouse, giggling school children and the ever-present noodle vendors. When the heat and peak of afternoon traffic gets too much to handle, I am going to pack my bike on the back of a truck taxi which is locally called the sawngthaew, and head for the Doi Suthep's lower slopes which are to the city's west. I am looking forward to enjoying a cool Singha at the restaurant called Huay Kaew which has an excellent view of a beautiful waterfall that tumbles off rocks shaded by trees.

In the evening, warm the body with a 2 hours Thai Traditional Massage at Chiang Mai Oasis Spa, a Thai Herbal Hot Compress on the stomach and back finishing with an Aromatic full body oil massage. High recommend to this wonderful service and such a lovely place, you will be pampered like never before and totally relaxed, that worth for every Thai Baht paid.

Seoul - Exploring The True Colors Of The City

You cannot enter the soul of Seoul if you do not encounter its unique drinking and eating habits and mix with the locals who are not any less unique. You can start the day in Namdaemum with a breakfast of spicy-cold noodles, surrounded with all kinds of sounds that are inseparable with the Korean eating customs: a belching woman on the left, a shopkeeper shouting welcome or rather, 'Oh so seyo,' in front and maybe some old man noisily slurping down his bowl of noodle on the right. Koreans in fact have a unique audible and personal relationship with food. For a different color of Seoul, you can however head to the district of Apgujeong, the most happening entertainment and sopping quarter of the city. An out-and-out commercial center, it is still steeped in an exclusive Korean beauty.

One can then make his way to Samwon Garden. The restaurant is famous for its barbecue preparations and you will like your piece of meat there. And when the stomach is full and content, it is time to check in to one of the many bathhouses that dot the city. On the Myeong Dong street is located the bathhouse Hurest Well Being which is a nice one to take your bathe in as it is a big one and does not stay overcrowded in the afternoon. After an hour or so rotating between clod and hot tubs, you will feel rejuvenated and will be rearing for more. The healthy feeling of thirst will swoon upon you and you will probably like to sit at a quiet pavement chair placed outside one of those many shops lining the Myeong Dong street. Just as you quench your thirst with some tasty vital fluid, you may get to see a gaggling bunch of college students approaching you. Invite them for a drink and you will surely enjoy the happy chatter together. And as the day slowly spins out, you will wait eagerly for the surprises awaiting you the next day.

Recommend to pay a visit to Korean Folk Village, which located at Gyeonggi province. The village presents with the traditional culture of South Korea. Do enjoy the Korea folk performance, wood craving, sculpture garden, art gallery and understand why amethyst and Ginseng are one of the most popular products in Korea by foreigners. One more thing, you should try out the yummy traditional foods that sold in the market place. Don't miss it!

A day in Beijing and its surroundings

Beijing is an interesting place that you will never run out of new things to see.  There are many historical places and it is also rich in culture.  I could ride my bike around and drop by a simple nearby store where I can eat breakfast that serves local dishes.  I will go sightseeing and enjoy the surroundings.  I was able to visit the Forbidden City.  Then pass by the Gate of Heavenly Peace where Tiananmen Square is close by.  I can find a variety of things being sold there.  Right now it is all about the propaganda-era posters.

In the square area I managed to witness a huge display of kites and it ended before the Arrow Tower. I can not fully enjoy this experience without seeing myself on the wall walk.  I could not believe my eyes when I saw the Mongol hordes tumble down the city.  They did distribute lamb hotpot to the people.  I am glad they did because I have something to eat later on that day.

Later I managed to visit Liulichang St to look for souvenirs I can bring home.  It will be convenient for me to head there since it is on the way to the Summer Palace.  It is peculiar to go there at this time knowing the fact that it is a huge place and they close early in the summer which is (6pm in the evening).  Even though it is closing time, they do not force anyone to leave.  I was able to stay long enough to enjoy the sun set at the same time finish my alcoholic beverage near the Kunming Lake.  It was the best experience I could ever ask for.  It is one of the most relaxing places in the world.  There is no other place like Beijing.