The Foodist Monk: Hua Hin, Thailand

It’s Throwback Thursday and US Thanksgiving – in honour of that here’s a repost of the original Foodist Monk blog.

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Getting off the train at the historic station in Hua Hin, with its red and white pavilion beckoning me to visit, I felt the welcome freshness of the seaside air. This is the playground of kings. King Rama VI and VII of Thailand, to be exact. They built their summer homes here. What better way to find relief from the stifling heat of Bangkok than to visit this sleepy, seaside town.

Bangkok friends had sent me to this town known for its beautiful stretch of beach; a great place to people watch from the seaside restaurants. I followed my nose to the fragrant aromas of spices and curry. As luck would have it, I did not have to walk too far to find some delicious seafood yellow curry.

 

Must be a good spot as many locals were here. While many seaside locales are popular hotspots for foreigners, Hua Hin is popular among foreigners and Thai alike.

The Foodist Monk: Yunnan, China

30 kilometers in 3 days – that was the goal of the hike through Southern Yunnan province, China. The lush, and pristine tropical rainforests of this area are popular amongst local Chinese. Many of the local people are non-Han (non-Chinese); ethnic tribesfolk. When I met my guide Ai Ni Pa (Sam) of the Bulang tribe, he was no exception. We met in the city of Jinhong; his reception was warm and he was excited to start the journey.

We took a local bus from Jinhong to the town of Xiding, two and a half hours away, where we began our hike. The minibus seating 24 people took us over precarious dirt roads. I peered out the window of the bus as we slowed down around some roads that were washed away by the heavy rains in previous weeks. I marveled at how adept the bus driver was in maneuvering this vehicle through the maze of roads and how non-plussed the other passengers were on the minibus.

We arrived safely in Xiding, and visited a local market for supplies. The local tribes would travel on foot up and down hills for several days to bring their food to the market to sell. The colours and sounds were a feast for the senses.