Khao Lak

Yesterday in Khao Lak, which is a small beach town on Thailand's southwestern coast, our day began with a taxi ride to the Chong Fah Waterfalls. This was no regular taxi though, but a pickup truck with benches in the back...very popular here.


Then, we hiked for around 20 minutes through jungley like terrain to the waterfalls where some tourists and locals were taking a dip in the pools of water.

Then, back to the hotel's pool for some R&R

Ironically, here in the middle of nowhere Thailand, we had some of the best pasta and pizza since Italy. Run by Thais in this open-air building, it even had a large brick wood-burning pizza oven.

Simply to die for so we ate here two nights in a row

Surf & Sand In Samui

Koh Samui

Samui is a 50 minute flight from Bangkok and the second most popular beach destination in Thailand after Phuket. Tourists started coming here in the late 80's and it has only grown in popularity with many people saying that is has become too commercialized with McDo's, Starbucks and Malls. Here we are doing a write up and photos for a hotel called X2 where almost all the rooms are private pool villas. Yes, our very own swimming pool.

Off We Go Again

We are on our way to Bangkok, Thailand and we now officially take on the fun roles of Freelance Travel Writers (that's what we'll be telling the hotels).

See you on the Thai Side.

Tokyo Food Tour

Today, a friend from The Husband's university days took us on a little food tour around Tokyo.

Desserts at Sadaharu Aoki... a famous Japanese pastry chef known for his French pastries. I remembered these desserts from Galleries Lafayette in Paris.

Japanese pudding in fruity and matcha flavours

On the food floors of the large department stores, there are fruit stands that sell perfect fruit, grown by experienced sellers, under optimal conditions. That square watermelon costs over $200.

These mangos cost over $100 each, mostly given as gifts.

Tokyo is filled with Parisien influences. Dalloyau is well-known for its macarons in Paris. Last week I blogged about Laduree (a famous tea and pastry shop in Paris)...well it has opened in Tokyo as well.


Japanese beef for Japanese Hot-pot (Shabu-shabu)

Snapshots of Yokohama

Home of the best ramen

Nippon Maru

Landmark Tower...tallest building in Japan

Caricature artist atop Landmark Towers

Ferris Wheel by day and night

Sushi Heaven

This morning, we explored Tsujiki Fish Market. Each morning, boats from all over the world (even as far as Africa) dock here, unload their catch and auction them off to the fish mongers. The fish mongers then sell them to the various restaurants here. Good restaurants in Vancouver will often sell sushi and sashimi from this particular market for exorbitant prices. Many tourists come here but it really isn't a tourist spot as you can get splattered with fishy water.

Next to the fish market are sushi restaurants where fish is literally carried over from the market. The Husband and I saw one particular restaurant with a long line outside and decided that those people must know something we didn't, so we got in line as well. The sushi was amazing! Tasted like nothing we've had before because of how fresh it was.

Tokyo Nights

After spending way too long on the plane and bullet train, we reached Tokyo...Shinjuku specifically. We managed to muster enough energy to find food (my comfort food - ramen soup noodles)and take a couple shots and video of the bright lights in the area we are staying.

Up..Up and Away!

We are currently on our way to Tokyo, Japan via the airport in Narita. Our plane left YVR at 12:45PM and the flight is just under 10 hours. Pray for a safe trip please.

More blogging to come from high tech Tokyo...

Paris. C'est La Vie!

My friends and fellow colleagues, Shirley and Hannah, are headed to Paris in a couple of days and were wondering which sights were of the Not to Be Missed quality. It got me thinking and reminiscing, and after typing out a long email list of MUST SEE PLACES...I decided to find some photos. After all, it is the City of Lights where The Husband and I got engaged.

The Louvre - home to Mona

Les tuileries - Garden beside the Louvre that has a fair and huge Ferris wheel.

Les uileries - One of my favorite places in Paris for some reason.

Speaks for itself...

Keen tourists such as ourselves stand in the middle of the Champs-Élysées to take photos with the Arc de Triomphe in the background.

The world famous tea and pastry shop on the Champs. Macaroons to die for and prices that match.

Classic

P.S. Han and Shirls, I hope you have a fabulous time in Paris! Eat lots of crepes, Parisien hot dogs, pastries, lychee yoghurt, cheese and baguettes.

Photography Class Day 3/3

I have learned so so much! Tonight's class started later so we could practice sunset and night shots.

30 second shutter on tripod to create a bit of a starburst effect

Zooming in and out while taking the photo to make it seem like skyline is zooming in/out...nifty technique

Trying to capture the motion of headlights

After the sun went down