Jazz Trio

Jazz Trio is the name of a dark bar across from my condo. I had noticed the red and white sign for months, but had never bothered to venture inside until today.

It has a very unique and highly marketable concept: this is an ART bar. The bartender/ owner is not only skilled at shaking the cocktails, but she is an accomplished artist too.

The walls of the bar are lined with her original acrylic finger paintings (yes! finger painting!) and pastels. While waiting for my drink, I walked around to get a good look at the art. She tends to prefer female, human subjects and the most popular ones being nudes.

Attached to each painting is a price tag and she seems to be doing well. Several of her works held sticky notes reading: "Reserved" or "Sold". At 12,000 Baht each ($360), I see her business idea is quite successful.

Other "starving artists" out there should give this one a try. Small bar + your art = customers 'a plenty.

Flute Lessons

After months of frustrations, I have finally found a flute teacher who can teach me on a regular basis. His name is (big breath):

Chatchawarn ATTHAKIJKOSOL.

Naturally, during our first lesson together, I asked him: How do I pronounce your name exactly? And he said:

ah + tah + key + gee + ko + sol

But, he continued, you can just call me "Chatchawarn" (Cha + cha + wa + arn). Whew!

He is a very mellow person. He told me he often goes on meditation retreats, which he describes as "boring". So, it sounds as though he has reached the level of "deep honesty". ^_^

We go over some very boring warm ups, which are to improve my sound and tonguing, and then move on to some Reichart exercises (which he told me to memorize! >_<), an etude (you have to play this faster!) and an incredible difficult piece by Doppler.

I asked him if he thought the Doppler piece was over my head (I think it is), but responded no. Since are no known recordings of this piece, it is hard to understand HOW to play it. We are going to challenge it together. My teacher said he will likely play it for an upcoming concert. Nice!

His studio is in the middle of nowhere (which is surprising considering Bangkok is a city of 12 million people). I have to take the elevated skytrain to the last stop, and then a 15 minute taxi ride to an open field basically.

Here is the shot to prove it:

(Those rows of houses in the background? His studio is there, somewhere..)

The Floating Market

Some friends were visiting me in Thailand, so we took a tour together to Amphawa, a water market north of Bangkok. Most would agree their images of Thailand are: elephants and floating markets. I had never been to the latter, so we decided it was time to check this one off our list. There are lots of long boats selling goods, some offering river tours, some just carrying people who live along the river. Lining the street leading to the river was a seller's market; filled with food, candy, snacks and hundred of postcards, it was quite enjoyable.

Extra: 

Today is Mother's Day in Thailand. It is celebrated on August 12th, because this is the Queen's birthday. The King and Queen enjoy immense popularity here. To my mother: Happy Thai Mother's Day! ^_^

Ko Chang #2 - Trat Airport

**I had a bit of technical difficulties, but here is the missing Ko Chang post**


The airport was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Very remote, completely open, built of bamboo and straw roofing, it was like a gateway to paradise.

The hedges were all cut in the shape of elephants, to coincide with the island's name.

A very unique airport!

The arrivals area:


Inside the arrivals area **Interesting note: our luggage was just dropped off the side of the building. There are no conveyor belts here!


A garden outside the arrivals area:


Mosaics on the walkways:

Ko Chang #7 - Farewell

I spent our last night on the island enjoying a dinner with an ocean view. I could just see the sun sneaking under the water before a squall hit.

My Last Supper:

Ko Chang #6 - Canadians here?!?!

I stumbled across a bar called "Canucks". Noticing the all red interior, Canadian flags in prominent positions, I felt this must be owned by a Canadian. The owner wasn't there that day, but the Thai staff said "the big boss was from Canada".

I drank a beer and ate some pizza, pondering over which part of Canada he must be from. I thought BC was likely...what do you guys think?

All red interior..

Canada and Thailand!

Ko Chang #5 - Views of the Island

There is not a whole lot to do on the island, so I rented a truck and drove around.

Here are some photos from that day:

Typical Thai tourist shops.

The ocean and some lonely benches above.

A roadside cafe.


A fishing village built over the harbor.

Ko Chang #4 - The hotel

I stayed at the Amari Resort and Spa hotel. It was one of the top hotels on Ko Chang. This hotel boasted a 50 meter long pool with ocean views. The garden and walkways throughout the hotel grounds were very impressive at night.

A great place to relax.

Ko Chang #3 - The boat

Trat airport is connected to mainland Thailand. In order to actually get to Ko Chang, you need to take a 30 minute ferry ride. The wait was 20 minutes, the ride 30; and from the port, it was still another 20 minute ride to the hotel. A bit of a journey!

The boat is a simple car / passenger type. It reminded me a lot of the old PEI ferries.

Ko Chang #1

I took some time off work to enjoy a small island off the coast of Thailand. It's likely not that well known overseas, but in Thailand, it's famous for its rugged, tropical forests and mountains. It's called Ko Chang or in English, "Elephant Island".

Getting to the island itself is a bit of an adventure. I flew in a small Douglas prop for about 40 minutes to Trat Aiport. Trat is actually connected to mainland Thailand. From there, I would next have to take a boat to get to the island itself.

Keep posted for more Ko Chang posts...

Vietnamese

I tried a new restaurant on Rumrudee street near Ploen Chit station.

I ate stuffed squid, spring rolls and a lot of raw veggies. Delicious. I was surprised at the bill -- with two drinks, the total was only 800 Baht.

Basket o' Veggies. Argghhh!


Squid me Timbers!