So, it has been a while since a blog post! I have finished my first semester of culinary school. Straight A's bitches!!! I LOVE culinary school and am so glad I decided to do it. The more I ask around, and talk to people in the industry, it seems like I have made the right decision to go to Santa Barbara City College, instead of going to a private school like CIA or Le Cordon Blue. I learned a lot, and never new homework could be so fun. It's interesting to be back in school, because I really want to be there, and not just going through the motions like college the first time around, or like the younger kids (fresh out of high school).
Now that school's out for the summer, I am working at a new restaurant called Root 246 in Solvang.
http://root-246.com
It's by celebrity chef Bradley Ogden. See his website for all the restaurants he has done:
http://www.chefbradleyogden.com/
He has a farm-to-table philosophy, utilizing a lot of the local farms. It's a really good opportunity, but it has been challenging. That's what I wanted a challenge!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Beers of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand
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."
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 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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Change of Plans...Krabi instead of Ko Samui and Ko Tao
So, we learn that there are 5m waves and shitty weather over in Ko Samui and Ko Tao. We make the executive decision to change course and head to Krabi. I'm actually excited about the change, as now I have a chance to check out the several small islands and beaches along the Andaman Sea.
It's about a 3 hour drive from Khao Sok National Park to Ao Nang, our home for three nights. We stay at a small hotel called J Guesthouse, just outside of Ao Nang (which is better, because Ao Nang isn't super nice, just really touristy and a hub to head to other beaches/islands). The hotel is super clean, and I am excited to stay in a nice place for a few nights. We walk around town, lots of touristy shops, etc. and we head to an amazing seafood dinner. Everything is caught fresh. I got a whole red snapper and a tiger prawn. Just simply BBQ'd and served with sauces like sweet and sour sauce, fish sace, something with garlic and chilis.
SNORKELING IN PARIDISE
Our second day in Krabi (BTW, Krabi is a province, but also a city. We stayed in Krabi the province, but the city of Ao Nang), we head out snorkeling and off to different islands. This was an INCREDIBLE DAY. We take a speed boat and hoppped around. We went to:
- Monkey Island
- Ko Phi Phi Lei (Maya Beach...this is where "The Beach" was filmed)
- Ko Phi Phi Lei Lagoon
- Ko Phi Phi Don
- Bamboo Island
My favorite by far was Bamboo Island. So quite, no buildings, as it is a national park. Super white sand beaches and blue/green clear waters. Maya Beach was beautiful too, but it was super packed with people and boats coming in and out.
MUAY THAI BOXING
That night, we head to a muay thai boxing match. By the way, there has been a truck that has been driving up and down the main street in Ao Nang announcing the boxing match nonstop. We hop on a bus to take us to the stadium. It's a free bus (if you have a ticket) and it is suuuuuuper packed. We get there, get some Chang and Singha beers and get setteled. They start off with youngies, about 9 or 10. Kind of weird seeing kids fight, but that's how they start training. Muay Thai boxing is very neat. First of all, there's a live band. By a live band, I mean snake charmer like music...a gong keeping the beat and a recorder type instrument doing the tune. The sport itself is quite spiritual. The fighters wear a head piece and do prayers before each match. After they fight, they help each other up, sometimes hug. Good sportsmanship. We saw about 3 knockouts! Kind of crazy....fun night!
ROCK CLIMBING AND RAILAY
The next day (our last full day in Krabi), I head with a few folks over to Railay (a near by beach reachable only by long tail boat). We rock climb for the morning. A lot harder than I rembember, but I made it to the top of all 4 of my climbs. In the afternoon, we head to Pra Nang beach. This beach is great. One, it has a shrine of penises, called Princes Cave. Two, the sand is super fine and almost white. Three, the water is clear and nice and blue/green. You can stand up far away and see your feet! Four, there are cool caves that you can crawl/swim around. In general, it is a smaller beach, not TOO crowded and made for a fantastic day. After this day, we topped it off with a nice beach side Thai Massage for 200 Baht (the conversion rate is 34 Baht/dollar)
LAST NIGHT IN KRABI/AO NANG
After a splendid time in Krabi, we all hit the bar called Chang Bar. Chang means elephant. This is the last real night with everyone in the group. Some people in the group even got tattoos today!!! We all have some drinks, do some dancing and have a grand time. They play some reggae, one of which is a group called Job 2 Do, which I guess is really poplular Thai reggae. Just my style...I pick up the CD the next day before we leave.
It's about a 3 hour drive from Khao Sok National Park to Ao Nang, our home for three nights. We stay at a small hotel called J Guesthouse, just outside of Ao Nang (which is better, because Ao Nang isn't super nice, just really touristy and a hub to head to other beaches/islands). The hotel is super clean, and I am excited to stay in a nice place for a few nights. We walk around town, lots of touristy shops, etc. and we head to an amazing seafood dinner. Everything is caught fresh. I got a whole red snapper and a tiger prawn. Just simply BBQ'd and served with sauces like sweet and sour sauce, fish sace, something with garlic and chilis.
SNORKELING IN PARIDISE
Our second day in Krabi (BTW, Krabi is a province, but also a city. We stayed in Krabi the province, but the city of Ao Nang), we head out snorkeling and off to different islands. This was an INCREDIBLE DAY. We take a speed boat and hoppped around. We went to:
- Monkey Island
- Ko Phi Phi Lei (Maya Beach...this is where "The Beach" was filmed)
- Ko Phi Phi Lei Lagoon
- Ko Phi Phi Don
- Bamboo Island
My favorite by far was Bamboo Island. So quite, no buildings, as it is a national park. Super white sand beaches and blue/green clear waters. Maya Beach was beautiful too, but it was super packed with people and boats coming in and out.
MUAY THAI BOXING
That night, we head to a muay thai boxing match. By the way, there has been a truck that has been driving up and down the main street in Ao Nang announcing the boxing match nonstop. We hop on a bus to take us to the stadium. It's a free bus (if you have a ticket) and it is suuuuuuper packed. We get there, get some Chang and Singha beers and get setteled. They start off with youngies, about 9 or 10. Kind of weird seeing kids fight, but that's how they start training. Muay Thai boxing is very neat. First of all, there's a live band. By a live band, I mean snake charmer like music...a gong keeping the beat and a recorder type instrument doing the tune. The sport itself is quite spiritual. The fighters wear a head piece and do prayers before each match. After they fight, they help each other up, sometimes hug. Good sportsmanship. We saw about 3 knockouts! Kind of crazy....fun night!
ROCK CLIMBING AND RAILAY
The next day (our last full day in Krabi), I head with a few folks over to Railay (a near by beach reachable only by long tail boat). We rock climb for the morning. A lot harder than I rembember, but I made it to the top of all 4 of my climbs. In the afternoon, we head to Pra Nang beach. This beach is great. One, it has a shrine of penises, called Princes Cave. Two, the sand is super fine and almost white. Three, the water is clear and nice and blue/green. You can stand up far away and see your feet! Four, there are cool caves that you can crawl/swim around. In general, it is a smaller beach, not TOO crowded and made for a fantastic day. After this day, we topped it off with a nice beach side Thai Massage for 200 Baht (the conversion rate is 34 Baht/dollar)
LAST NIGHT IN KRABI/AO NANG
After a splendid time in Krabi, we all hit the bar called Chang Bar. Chang means elephant. This is the last real night with everyone in the group. Some people in the group even got tattoos today!!! We all have some drinks, do some dancing and have a grand time. They play some reggae, one of which is a group called Job 2 Do, which I guess is really poplular Thai reggae. Just my style...I pick up the CD the next day before we leave.
Overnight train and Khao Sok National Park
After I met up with the group, we went out for dinner to THE BEST PAD THAI EVER!!! It was soo delicious. It was the kind that has the egg omelet encasing it. It's located near Golden Mount (a temple that has 360 degree view of the city). I got that with an orange juice. BTW the orange juice is to die for here. Most of the time, it is fresh squeesed, and made from tangerines. YUM.
The next day, Tara (my room mate) and I headed to the Grand Palace. It was huge. I think I like Wat Pho better, but the Grand Palace is super bejewled and beautiful. Then, we did some more shopping on Ko San Road and saw Golden Mount.
Took the overnight train from Bangkok to Suratthani. The trains in Thailand aren't that bad. Better than Vietnam. We were in a car with about 40 seats. They then transformed them into beds and a bunk folds down. Actually quite comfy and clean. They use fresh sheets (they are in plastic bags so you know they are clean).
Once we arrive in Suratthani, we head to Khao Sok National Park. The hotel here consists of simple bungalows. That afternoon, we had a lazy day of tubing down one of the rivers there. I had a yummy dinner of Tom Yum Soup (a sour soup). We head to bed, but you can hear TONS of saketas. So many of them, it sounds like an alarm. They are huge, but harmless. We head to bed, but one happens to get into our room! It was quite an ordeal to get it out.
The next day, we head to the lakes. There are two lakes in the national park. We take a long tail boat to a floating hotel. It was awesome! clear waters, simple bungalows. You can jump right from your door into the lake or kayak. We had a fantastic lunch of local fish, curry, and fresh dragon fruit and apples. We then take a hike and take a bamboo raft to a cave. Before heading back to the hotel, we take a nice swim in the lake. That night we had a yummy BBQ dinner of kebabs, fried rice, FRENCH FRIES (which were a nice treat), and fresh fruit.
The next day, Tara (my room mate) and I headed to the Grand Palace. It was huge. I think I like Wat Pho better, but the Grand Palace is super bejewled and beautiful. Then, we did some more shopping on Ko San Road and saw Golden Mount.
Took the overnight train from Bangkok to Suratthani. The trains in Thailand aren't that bad. Better than Vietnam. We were in a car with about 40 seats. They then transformed them into beds and a bunk folds down. Actually quite comfy and clean. They use fresh sheets (they are in plastic bags so you know they are clean).
Once we arrive in Suratthani, we head to Khao Sok National Park. The hotel here consists of simple bungalows. That afternoon, we had a lazy day of tubing down one of the rivers there. I had a yummy dinner of Tom Yum Soup (a sour soup). We head to bed, but you can hear TONS of saketas. So many of them, it sounds like an alarm. They are huge, but harmless. We head to bed, but one happens to get into our room! It was quite an ordeal to get it out.
The next day, we head to the lakes. There are two lakes in the national park. We take a long tail boat to a floating hotel. It was awesome! clear waters, simple bungalows. You can jump right from your door into the lake or kayak. We had a fantastic lunch of local fish, curry, and fresh dragon fruit and apples. We then take a hike and take a bamboo raft to a cave. Before heading back to the hotel, we take a nice swim in the lake. That night we had a yummy BBQ dinner of kebabs, fried rice, FRENCH FRIES (which were a nice treat), and fresh fruit.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tham bien Vietnam, Sa wat dii kha Thailand!
Goodbye Vietnam, Hello Thailand!
Lily and I stay in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) for one night on the 9th before we have our flights. We don't really see much of it, as we are wiped and ready to move on. After a sad goodbye at the airport, I'm off to Thailand!
I arrive in Bangkok on the 10th, and I have basically two days before I meet up with my tour group. I signed up to do the "Southern Thailand Sojourn" with GAP Adventures. You should check out the site. www.gapadventures.com There's several different types of tours, from involved activity ones to super laid back ones. It's kind of like backpacking with a local. Even if you're not interested in a tour, it's some real fun travel inspiration.
Once I'm in Bangkok, I stay at Trang Hotel, the meeting point for my tour. I need a little time on my own to readjust the brain to a different culture/language/money and also be on my own and without Lily, my travel buddy for the past two weeks.
WAT PHO AND TEMPLE ETIQUETTE AND MASSAGE!
I check out Wat Pho, which is a beautiful temple with a HUGE reclining buddha. Quite stunning and pretty. BTW, when visiting any sort of Wat or temple, you have to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and you have to take off your shoes when you enter. I guess the feet are considered dirty/unholy, so when you sit in a temple, you have to sit on top of your feet with your knees facing the buddha. You can't point with your feet in that direction...that is considered disrespectful.
After the temple visit, I head to the Wat Pho Massage school and get a foot reflexology massage for an hour. It was fabulous and cost me about 360 baht (coversion rate is 34 baht to 1 USD), which is actually a little on the expensive side here. It was great though!!
KHAO SAN ROAD
I do some shopping on Khao San Road on the way back to the hotel. Aweseom shopping! You can haggle here (not as good haggling as in Vietnam), and they have really cute stuff! This street is also a party street, and lots of vendors and people. It's best in the evening/night. I think Thailand is big on the night markets.
I meet up with my GAP Adventure tour, and everyone is really cool! Most did a tour right before in the northern Thailand hill tribes, so most of them already know each other. My roommate, Tara, is a Canadian, and she is super nice and normal!
Lily and I stay in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) for one night on the 9th before we have our flights. We don't really see much of it, as we are wiped and ready to move on. After a sad goodbye at the airport, I'm off to Thailand!
I arrive in Bangkok on the 10th, and I have basically two days before I meet up with my tour group. I signed up to do the "Southern Thailand Sojourn" with GAP Adventures. You should check out the site. www.gapadventures.com There's several different types of tours, from involved activity ones to super laid back ones. It's kind of like backpacking with a local. Even if you're not interested in a tour, it's some real fun travel inspiration.
Once I'm in Bangkok, I stay at Trang Hotel, the meeting point for my tour. I need a little time on my own to readjust the brain to a different culture/language/money and also be on my own and without Lily, my travel buddy for the past two weeks.
WAT PHO AND TEMPLE ETIQUETTE AND MASSAGE!
I check out Wat Pho, which is a beautiful temple with a HUGE reclining buddha. Quite stunning and pretty. BTW, when visiting any sort of Wat or temple, you have to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and you have to take off your shoes when you enter. I guess the feet are considered dirty/unholy, so when you sit in a temple, you have to sit on top of your feet with your knees facing the buddha. You can't point with your feet in that direction...that is considered disrespectful.
After the temple visit, I head to the Wat Pho Massage school and get a foot reflexology massage for an hour. It was fabulous and cost me about 360 baht (coversion rate is 34 baht to 1 USD), which is actually a little on the expensive side here. It was great though!!
KHAO SAN ROAD
I do some shopping on Khao San Road on the way back to the hotel. Aweseom shopping! You can haggle here (not as good haggling as in Vietnam), and they have really cute stuff! This street is also a party street, and lots of vendors and people. It's best in the evening/night. I think Thailand is big on the night markets.
I meet up with my GAP Adventure tour, and everyone is really cool! Most did a tour right before in the northern Thailand hill tribes, so most of them already know each other. My roommate, Tara, is a Canadian, and she is super nice and normal!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Easy Riders - Day Three, the fare well!
Lily and I are STOKED to get out of the hotel in Bao Loc, as it sucked. Both Tuy and Hung met us in the lobby, and Tuy's eye is totally swollen from the bee sting! SAD! He says he feels fine though.
We head to Dambri (sp?) Falls. A even bigger waterfall then the last. It was kind of like an amusement park, as they also had a zoo there.
After that, we drive for a while and see a hill tribe. I forget the name of it (I'll have to email Tuy and Hung), but the houses traditionally on stilts, with the kithen in the center to heat the house. Tuy tells us some crazy stories about the Vietnamese government trying to educate the hill tribe about birth control, and how it took a while for them to understand how to use a condom!
Bad luck strikes agan, and Tuy gets ANOTHER flat tire! Amazing! I must be really heavy or something! He gets it fixed in a jiffy this time and we are off and running.
DRAGON FRUIT FARM
We check out a Dragon Fruit Farm. This area of the country gets super hot, perfect for Dragon Fruit. They are pretty easy to grow, they don't need much water or care, but just heat. The plants look kinda creepy like something from Little Shop of Horrors, but the fruit is sooo pretty. Tuy buys us some, and we eat road side
RICE PAPER
We stop off and see a family making rice paper (for food, like we learned in the cooking class). Cool too see a family making them. This time, they are putting black sesame seeds in it. BTW, there are not shortage of flies in this joint. The family is super welcoming and happy to see us. Tuy says families are usually pretty welcoming to foreigners, as it is a sign of good luck. Even weddings he says. Sometimes he says he stops at a wedding if they see one with tourists, and the bride and groom want to take pics with the foreigners.
We end up in Mui Ne, which is where we part with Hung and Tuy. We are sad to say good bye...it was so well worth doing the easy riders! Lily and I splurge on a beach resort for one night, as we deserve it after "roughing it" for a few days.
We head to Dambri (sp?) Falls. A even bigger waterfall then the last. It was kind of like an amusement park, as they also had a zoo there.
After that, we drive for a while and see a hill tribe. I forget the name of it (I'll have to email Tuy and Hung), but the houses traditionally on stilts, with the kithen in the center to heat the house. Tuy tells us some crazy stories about the Vietnamese government trying to educate the hill tribe about birth control, and how it took a while for them to understand how to use a condom!
Bad luck strikes agan, and Tuy gets ANOTHER flat tire! Amazing! I must be really heavy or something! He gets it fixed in a jiffy this time and we are off and running.
DRAGON FRUIT FARM
We check out a Dragon Fruit Farm. This area of the country gets super hot, perfect for Dragon Fruit. They are pretty easy to grow, they don't need much water or care, but just heat. The plants look kinda creepy like something from Little Shop of Horrors, but the fruit is sooo pretty. Tuy buys us some, and we eat road side
RICE PAPER
We stop off and see a family making rice paper (for food, like we learned in the cooking class). Cool too see a family making them. This time, they are putting black sesame seeds in it. BTW, there are not shortage of flies in this joint. The family is super welcoming and happy to see us. Tuy says families are usually pretty welcoming to foreigners, as it is a sign of good luck. Even weddings he says. Sometimes he says he stops at a wedding if they see one with tourists, and the bride and groom want to take pics with the foreigners.
We end up in Mui Ne, which is where we part with Hung and Tuy. We are sad to say good bye...it was so well worth doing the easy riders! Lily and I splurge on a beach resort for one night, as we deserve it after "roughing it" for a few days.
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