From Asia and Beyond

It was a long Songkran Holiday here in Thailand. It was 5 days to be exact (including the weekends). So, our family thought to spend some time together outside the city and just have some time of quiet and reflection. It was sort of a last minute decision, so the places we originally wanted to stay were already booked. But thankfully, we found the Boom Forest Resort ( through a friend) and we were able to book it the day before our stay.

The resort was a bit outskirt but it was the place we were looking for. It’s not near the beach but still it has this beautiful scenery especially on the foggy early mornings. It’s nice that they put some beautiful cottages on the area and a small man made lake where one can go on a boat ride. It really made the place more interesting.

The rooms were very clean and nice! I was happy to see a coffee/tea making facility and a DVD player which you don’t often have in the hotels in Thailand. The staff were also friendly.

As for our family, we had a beautiful time together just reading our Bibles, praying and doing our devotions. The only times we went out was for some of our meals since their restaurant was not yet functioning. All in all, we had a wonderful stay and be sure going back there for our family retreats.

For more information:

Boom Forest Resort,

Tel. Number: 074305350-1

Hat Yai, Songkhla

I just saw that some of my friends posted their island escapades during the summer season. While I was admiringly looking at their beach activities, a part of me was reminiscing the time when we were at the islands too! Going to the beach or the islands has always been a beautiful and relaxing experience. Though I don’t like swimming in the hot sun that much, but sometimes it’s just as tempting.

Oh, how I wish we could go to the islands again.. I will always be ready to hiking backpacks if ever someone invites me for a holiday there!

If you’re looking for work here in Thailand, one of the most in-demand jobs for expats would be a teaching job. Several years ago, it was easier to apply for a teaching position here as they only require any 4 year Bachelor’s course and a TEFL/TESOL certificate. But now, they are a bit stricter as they require the teachers to have a major in Education and a TEFL/TESOL course. As you also process all the visas and work permit you also need to apply for a Thai teacher’s license, and you might also be required to go through some Thai cultural course.

I’m not so sure now of the exact details of applying a teaching job in Thailand, but before you pass your publix application form  , maybe you might also want to visit the site Ajarn.com as they have all the information on Teaching in Thailand there.

We went to Bangkok a couple of weeks ago with my daughter. As usual, I dreaded commuting in Bangkok because the Taxi drivers there are quite picky with passengers. Oh, not to mention that their meters seem to run so fast.. or maybe it’s just the ‘stingy’ me who thinks so. Anyways, on our way back to the South we had to go to the Southern Bus terminal ( Sai Tai Mai)  from our Hotel in Sukhumvit. Many people told us that it’s too far and the best way to go is by taxi. I was already calculating in my mind the possible costs of taking a taxi from Sukhumvit   to Sai Tai Mai. Imagine, I paid 90 Baht from Sukhumvit 20 to Central World on one busy afternoon that’s only supposed to be a 10 minute ride without traffic ( according to Google Maps). So, how much would then it would it cost for the more-than-an-hour ride to the bus station?

So, I thought of some cheaper options to travel and surely there must be public buses going to the bus station, right? And thank God for Mr. Google search because it was then I find out that there are indeed a public buses that go along  Sukhumvit road! Yehey! I checked and rechecked Bus 511 it is! .. Then lastly I asked from the reception desk and they confirmed. And sure enough, as we reached the bus stop at Sukhumvit, the 511 yellow-orange bus came. But I had to confirm with the bus driver again if it’s going to Sai Tai Mai ( that’s me.. I need a lot of confirmation and only then I can sit in peace). The bus ride was so comfortable and  smooth but the station was really faaarrr…but I was so happy because instead of paying hundreds of Baht for the taxi, I only got to pay 16 Baht with my daughter getting a free ride!!!

It’s to bad we only discovered about the ‘beauty’ of traveling by bus in Bangkok. But sure enough next time we visit Bangkok, we will arm ourselves with all BUS routes, numbers and information and commute inside Bangkok by bus!

I am in this very long and ‘choppy’ journey to be in good health. I’ve fallen off the wagon a number of times now and trying to get back to it. One of my struggles on this ‘health’ journey is when we travel. For several years now, I’ve equated travel with food. Like if we’re going on a long bus ride, I make sure we have some chips and lots of food to pass the time, then when we arrive at our destination, we make sure to eat the local delicacies and go on a food trip.

When I was on a healthy vegetable and fruit juice fast, I dreaded the thought of traveling while on the fast because it would mean a lot of temptations, and sure enough break my ‘healthy’ habits and then just go all out eating all the food to my hearts content. Sometimes, I wish there’s an easy way out to this and just take some appetite suppresant pills but then, when I read banital side effects , then I just shrug the thought off and continue eating my pizza .