So, during my travels, I tried several types of beer. Vietnam definately had the most variety of beers, but I think I liked Chang beer in Thailand the best. Below is a list of brews I tried
CAMBODIA
Tiger Draft
Angkor
VIETNAM (they had several local beers, so most of these were only available in their locality. the list goes from north to south)
333
Halida
Hanoi
Huda
Festival
La Rue
Saigon
Zorok
Da Viet (this one is naaaasty...see pics)
THAILAND
Singha
Chang
To "cheers" in Vietnamese, you just say "Yo," but I think that's super informal. In Thai, you say "choke dee."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Chiang Mai, Thailand
After an overnight train and a sad good bye to the GAP Adventure group, I headed to the airport and flew to Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand. My hotel for 3 nights is the Tri Gong residence. Very clean, and free internet! Chiang Mai had the old town area, which is surrounded by walls and moats.
SHOPPING, SHOPPING, SHOPPING
As soon as I settled in, I walked around..I stumbled across some cute botiques called Ginger and Nomad. Funky and cute, but more expensive. I had a nice dinner of BBQ pork and sticky rice in their cafe and I hit the night markets.
Ok, to say I went berzerker in the night bazaar, Kalare market, and Anusan markets is an understatement. They had everything and super cheap. Bartering is key, and is fairly easy. I got jewlery, t-shirts, purses, and more! I had to have a Red Bull to keep my energy up. BTW, Red Bull is originally from Thailand, and the original formula is more concentrated and not carbonated. It's called Krating Daeng.
COOKING CLASSES
I took two cooking classes during my stay in Chiang Mai. These were my main reason for coming to here. First, I took one from Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School. Check out the website at:
http://www.thaicookeryschool.com/
It is the oldest and most established cooking school in Chiang Mai. I took it at Sompon's house, who has made televesion apperances and such. I learned how to make: Panaeng curry paste and curry, Chiang Mai curry, Fried fish with basil and chilis, Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Spicy Glass Noodle Salad, Black Sticky Rice Pudding. It was neat to make the curry paste from scratch....a lot of work with a mortal and pestle. However, you can use a blender, but only with larger quantities.
The second class I took was at Thai Farm Cooking School. I preferred this class better. We had only five people in this class, we went to the market, and we were able to cook at and walk around an organic farm. Check out the website at:
http://www.thaifarmcooking.net/home/
I learned how to make: Green curry paste and curry, Tom Yam soup, Green Papaya salad, Pad Thai, Bananas in coconut milk.
MASSAGES
I totally took advantage of cheap massages here! I went to really nice places and paid no more than $40 USD for an hour and a half. That is kind of pricey for here, but I went to really nice places. I went to a really nice place by the river called Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort by the river. Super nice. I actually got a massage that used a Tibetan gong therapy. Kinda weird, but cool at the same time. Totally relaxed me and put me to sleep. They hit a small gong near your ears and different points of your body. You can feel it vibrate and the sound is soothing.
FOOD AND DRINK
After the massage at Rarinjinda, I went across the street to a posh bar/restaurant called Deck 1. Kind of W-esque, and nice just have a glass of wine. I also ate at a place called Jeruselem Falafel while I was there, and it was sooo good. I'd have to say that falafel, hummus, and other mediterranean food always tastes soo good abroad.
SHOPPING, SHOPPING, SHOPPING
As soon as I settled in, I walked around..I stumbled across some cute botiques called Ginger and Nomad. Funky and cute, but more expensive. I had a nice dinner of BBQ pork and sticky rice in their cafe and I hit the night markets.
Ok, to say I went berzerker in the night bazaar, Kalare market, and Anusan markets is an understatement. They had everything and super cheap. Bartering is key, and is fairly easy. I got jewlery, t-shirts, purses, and more! I had to have a Red Bull to keep my energy up. BTW, Red Bull is originally from Thailand, and the original formula is more concentrated and not carbonated. It's called Krating Daeng.
COOKING CLASSES
I took two cooking classes during my stay in Chiang Mai. These were my main reason for coming to here. First, I took one from Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School. Check out the website at:
http://www.thaicookeryschool.com/
It is the oldest and most established cooking school in Chiang Mai. I took it at Sompon's house, who has made televesion apperances and such. I learned how to make: Panaeng curry paste and curry, Chiang Mai curry, Fried fish with basil and chilis, Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Spicy Glass Noodle Salad, Black Sticky Rice Pudding. It was neat to make the curry paste from scratch....a lot of work with a mortal and pestle. However, you can use a blender, but only with larger quantities.
The second class I took was at Thai Farm Cooking School. I preferred this class better. We had only five people in this class, we went to the market, and we were able to cook at and walk around an organic farm. Check out the website at:
http://www.thaifarmcooking.net/home/
I learned how to make: Green curry paste and curry, Tom Yam soup, Green Papaya salad, Pad Thai, Bananas in coconut milk.
MASSAGES
I totally took advantage of cheap massages here! I went to really nice places and paid no more than $40 USD for an hour and a half. That is kind of pricey for here, but I went to really nice places. I went to a really nice place by the river called Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort by the river. Super nice. I actually got a massage that used a Tibetan gong therapy. Kinda weird, but cool at the same time. Totally relaxed me and put me to sleep. They hit a small gong near your ears and different points of your body. You can feel it vibrate and the sound is soothing.
FOOD AND DRINK
After the massage at Rarinjinda, I went across the street to a posh bar/restaurant called Deck 1. Kind of W-esque, and nice just have a glass of wine. I also ate at a place called Jeruselem Falafel while I was there, and it was sooo good. I'd have to say that falafel, hummus, and other mediterranean food always tastes soo good abroad.
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