When someone learns that I am a travel writer, the next question out of their mouth is usually, “What’s your favorite travel destination?” It’s a question that’s almost impossible to answer. There are so many incredible places in the world, and every destination has a different allure. I adore Italy for its passionate culture and colorful seaside villages where ancient buildings hang from cliffs. Zimbabwe was a particular favorite because the people were genuinely warm and welcoming, despite the political struggles and economic adversity they were enduring.  New Zealand had the friendliest people I have ever met, and breathtaking scenery, to boot. But, if forced to narrow it down to one place, my favorite travel destination would have to be Thailand.

Krabi islands and karst stones in southern Thailand

I’ve visited Thailand four times and will be traveling there for a fifth visit this fall. Just the thought of returning is exciting, but this time something extra special is in the works. I have been invited to stay at the the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay, located in Krabi on Thailand’s southern peninsula. I have been to Krabi – or I should say I have been through it; on my most recent trip I caught the ferry from Krabi to the Phi Phi Islands – but I have never stayed in Krabi. In this area of Thailand, jungle-clad limestone pinnacles protrude from a sea of such pure turquoise that it makes my eyes hurt. The scenery is so exquisite that it’s it’s how I imagine heaven must look, and the photos I’ve seen of the new Ritz-CarltonReserve Phulay Bay are equally gorgeous. I simply cannot wait!

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve at Phulay Bay arrival pavilion

The property has been designed for those who wish to escape the stresses of everyday life and immerse themselves in a personally-tailored-to-suit luxury vacation experience. Set on the shores of the Andaman Sea, Phulay Bay is a striking 54-villa and pavilion boutique hotel offering unspoiled views of the naturally rugged shoreline.

The resort is the vision and work of Thai architect Lek Bunnag, who has combined modern styling with distinctive accents from Thai, Middle Eastern and Moroccan cultures. Bunnag takes inspiration from beautiful things from around the world to create an environment where the senses are continuously Read the rest of this entry »

This young boy peeked out at me with soulful eyes as I crossed a bridge at the Angkor Wat Complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on my way to to the Preah Khan Temple

OK, maybe a few words. These teens at Bangkok's Chatuchak Market seemed intimidating when I snapped the shot, but when I lowered the camera, they broke out into broad grins.

Mixed in amongst the rock, R&B, blues, and folk songs that comprise my music collection is a CD that contains a 20-minute recording made at a lake at the Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2004 I visited this Sanctuary, which is located in a remote area on the southern peninsula of Thailand. There are no generators at Khlong Saeng. No planes fly overhead. And cell phones get no reception, thus the ‘music’ of the CD is the mating calls of wild gibbon, the whoosh of giant hornbills soaring overhead, and the sounds of waterfalls cascading off the limestone towers that surround the pristine lake.

There is a resort of sorts at Klong Saeng. The only family living at the lake has constructed a series of thatched-roof bungalows that float on giant bamboo logs along the shore, tied together like boxcars on a railroad siding. Read the rest of this entry »

I learned today of the death of my dear friend, Ron Wilcox. I met Ron last May as I was walking through the village of Pai in northern Thailand. I was standing at an intersection that didn’t appear on my map, puzzling as to which way to go, when he pulled up on his little red scooter and inquired, in his delightful Welsh accent, “Are you lost, luv?” Little did I know it then, but this was Ron’s modus operandi; he was always helping people. And although I wasn’t lost, I took him up on his offer to give me a lift and hopped on the back of his motor scooter. Five minutes later we were at his modest house, where I was introduced to his wife, Nicky, and his two year old daughter, Briony. As I munched on fresh-picked lychee fruit and drank steaming hot coffee, Ron regaled me with the story of how he came to live in Thailand. Upon retirement, he’d come for a short visit, met Nicky, and never left. He’s been helping the local people of northern Thailand ever since (you can read about some of his good works in one of my earlier posts, here).

Read the rest of this entry »

You just GOTTA love Thailand. Check out this short video of a train running through a Bangkok market:

Hi Everybody! I’ve uploaded all my Singapore photos to the photo library, which includes all the shots from the Singapore blogs, as well as many shots that were not included in the blog. If you’d like to view all the Singapore photos, simply click on the above button labeled “Photos” and follow the instructions. I’ll be back once I get to Africa!!!!

Safe: Singapore may be the safest city in the world

Clean: Clean drinking water, clean river, clean streets

Orderly: There are lots of laws and regulations here, but they do not seem too onerous. The people are happy and everyone just seems to do what is “right.” For example, at a bus stop yesterday, I watched people automatically queue in an orderly line along the sidewalk, without benefit of stanchion and chains. There is no pushing or rudeness; only polite orderliness.