Watching the locals do their thang, taking in all the sights while thinking about how life might not be need to be so complicated.



Till the next time.

Back from the "Land of Thunder Dragon", or what known as Bhutan to most of us and I think I left a part of myself there. Oh well, I guess I form attachment to things and people way too easily.

But I guess, like what the guide mentioned a few times, "Nothing is permanent". Haha, the sentence is probably one of the few things I remember among all of the things our guide shared on Buddhism. Okay, I do remember Guru Rinpoche, the 4 Guardian Kings and reincarnation as well. Maybe people only remember what they want to remember and well, the sentence stuck with me because it is something that I already strongly believe in - memento mori, which literally means remember you must die. Sidenote, here's a good article on it.

Before this trip, I thought my travel priorities were just food and nature. Japan? Most excited about ootoro sushi, Ichiran, tonkatsu and Mount Fuji. Australia? Beaches and the coffee. Bhutan? I didn't even know anything much about it before travelling there, other than it is a landlocked country that measures Gross National Happiness instead of GDP and there is a Tiger Nest Monastery nestled in the valley. After this trip, I guess I do travel for the interaction with the locals as well, albeit it wasn't a lot. 🤷 Hearing stories about what they like to do in the free time, their families etc.

Oh in case you were wondering, nope I didn't find the key to being happy. But I believe there's a difference between happiness and contentment.  Perhaps it's something about the thought that nothing last forever that brings contentment. Or maybe it's the vast greenery.

I will am missing the slow pace of life, along with all the mountains and rivers. Log Jay Gay. 

DAY 3

15 Jan 2018, Toscana Valley, A Cup Of Love, Bonaza Exotic Zoo, The Chocolate Factory and Ban Mai Chay Nam Museum/Restaurant

First stop of the day was Toscana Valley (which wasn't even in our itinerary). HAHA, suspect the driver wanted to visit the place and take pictures 😛 Anyway, the place was quite pretty so well, you might wish to stay there.


I guess I love how sunflowers look so cheery.

Next up, A cup of love where we fed fishes and goats. Realise this trip is a lot about animals hahaha.


Headed over to Farm ChokChai to realise it's closed -facepalm-. So if you want to head over to the farm and milk some cows, please remember they only open on weekends.

So we had dessert instead.
                        

DAY 4

16 Jan 2018, Khao Yai National Park

So, yup it was time for Khao Yai National Park, which is a UNESCO Heritage site. We met animals like monkeys, deers (many of them), lizard (ew) and porcupine (aww).

Because Khao Yai is still a relatively young travel destination (I think), many of the signs/facilities are a bit lacking (not sure if that's the right description). Hiking in this national park is a bit scary (not much concrete paths, signs are not aplenty and it makes you appreciate Singapore's hiking trails a bit more (hehe).



Was googling for the exact name when I saw this fact. Do you know that the movie, The Beach's jump scene was shot here? (Ok actually I don't even know the existence of the movie but hey, Leonardo Dicaprio starred in it).

DAY 5

17 Jan 2018, BKK

Hey there,

I am here to document my trip to Khao Yai (even though I don't know who actually even read this space).

Khao Yai is a town (is that the right word?) that is approximately 2.5 hours drive away from Bangkok and I first notice it for the pretty sunflower fields about a year back. And I guess in 2017, pictures/articles of Khao Yai appeared all over the place (Instagram/newspaper/travel blogs).

So, off we go to Khao Yai (before it becomes even more mainstream) 😁

DAY 1

13 Jan 2018, BKK 

DAY 2

14 Jan 2018, Primo Piazza, The Bloom and Pak Chong night market

                        

Look guys, a picture of the iconic pool at Bondi Icebergs. If I were to return to Australia (Sydney), I would want to swim here 😍

Tip: You can always consider doing the route the other way round i.e., Coogee to Bondi because Bondi beach seems to have more water activities (surfing?)