Pinky is our main co-host and also our cartoonist!
posted on the blog every Wednesday (well, almost every Wednesday)!
Video: Back From the Break!
James appears on a few of our videos each year. His role is that of the visitor from abroad who gives us a new perspective on Thailand, and gives Michael an excuse to act as a tourist in his adopted country!
James comes to Thailand every once in a while to hike waterfalls, do island stuff, and have weird Thai pizza parties.
Video: Japan Montage
Where it all began! Japan… arrived!
Over the next few days we will be posting a video featuring each “co-host”; Ryan, James, and Pinky!
It’s thanks to Ryan that this blog exists at all! It all began when two foolish English teachers decided to film their stopover in Japan…
We have tons of old footage of Ryan and Michael trying to learn Japanese. I wonder if anyone would be interested in watching our failed linguistics experiment…?
Three Cheap and Easy Beach Getaways Near Bangkok
For everything the vast and beautiful kingdom has to offer, Thailand might best be known for its idyllic islands, thanks to books (and movies) like “The Beach” and a few decades of beach-bound tourists swarming to the south each dry season.
Places like Krabi or Phuket may be world-famous, and rightfully so, but there’s no need to endure a ten-hour bus ride to the south to enjoy the sea. There are some very nice places within a few hours of Bangkok that make for an excellent weekend getaway from the big city!
There’s not much to do on Koh Larn besides relaxing on the white sandy beaches, but isn’t that the point of a beach vacation? It’s even close enough to Bangkok to be feasible as a day trip.
Ferry service round-trip 150 baht from Balihai Pier in Pattaya.
What to do on Koh Larn
- Rent a chair and an umbrella and relax
- Enjoy some fresh seafood and cold beer
- Basically just chill out on an island. You’re on vacation, what else are you going to want to do?
What to do in Pattaya
Pattaya is interesting. Despite its reputation, there are actually some very nice things to do in the city, especially as you get away from Pattaya City itself and more towards Jomtien Beach just south of the city. Besides that, there are a number of interesting attractions to visit in and around Pattaya, even for families. You can hire a taxi for the day to take you around the city to these major sites.
- Wat Phra Yai – Pattaya’s famous “Big Buddha Temple” on a hill with a beautiful view overlooking the bay
- The “Laser Buddha” – a golden Buddha image carved by laser into the side of a mountain
- The Sanctuary of Truth – a massive hand carved wooden temple depicting images from major eastern religions. It’s still unfinished, but open to visitors. (500 baht)
- Pattaya Floating Market – one of Thailand’s many famous floating markets. Wander around buying food from the vendors on their boats along the canals.
What to do in Hua Hin
- Cicada Market – a clean and fun night market with delicious fresh food, live music, and trendy souvenirs to buy
- Monkey Mountain – AKA “Khao Takiab”, a hill on the southern side of Hua Hin beach with a photogenic temple on top and a beautiful view of Hua Hin. It’s also overrun with hilarious monkeys, hence its nickname!
- Hua Hin Hills – take a day trip out to the hilly inland region near Hua Hin to visit the Thai Winelands! Hua Hin Hills Vineyard offers wine tasting and mountain biking around the vineyards
Koh Samet
What to do on Koh Samet
- Snorkeling tours – sign up at any guesthouse to take an evening snorkeling trip, combined with a sunset cruise around the island (400 baht)
- Squid Fishing – go out on an ancient wooden squid trawler for a late-night of adventure, being taught by the fishermen how to catch and barbecue fresh squid. BYOB! (600 baht)
- Party on the beach – not everyone’s scene, but Koh Samet can definitely be a fun place
- Relax – Koh Samet is one of the most laid-back and relaxing places near Bangkok. Head out for a restful weekend away of sun and sand (and beer!)
Comic #21 – Erawan
Comic #21 – 1 February 2016
Erawan Falls at Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi is one of Thailand’s most famous watefalls. Named after the holy three-headed white elephant from Hindu mythology, Erawan falls is a seven-tiered waterfall and one of the most famous and impressive views in western Thailand.
We arrived at the park early with the goal of hiking all the way up to the seventh-tier of the legendary falls…
But an hour later when, sweaty and tired, we climbed to the top to see the famous view of the legendary seventh fall…
Watch the video of our adventure in Kanchanaburi, including Erawan falls, the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai, and the Burmese Death Railway HERE!
Erawan National Park is located 1.5-2 hours out of Kanchanaburi by car. You can take a bus from Kanchanaburi bus terminal, or hire a songeaew driver for the day (about 1500 baht or $50 for a full day).
Entry to the park is 400 baht per person.
The trail isn’t too challenging, but there are some difficult parts past the fifth tier.
Video: Snacktime: Asia! Ep.8 – Bird Saliva and Mushroom Juice
We have another edition of Snacktime: Asia! today! My friend visiting from America gets the joy of experiencing Essence of Chicken, Essence of Mushroom, and Bird’s Nest Soup. Are they really as bad as I made them out to be? Find out here!
Previous Videos:
Comic #20 – Food of the Future
Comic #20 – 25 January 2016
It’s true… insects may well be the “food of the future“!
My friend James visited me in Thailand. We made a few videos where we try a bunch of different Thai snacks, and we wanted to do one really big unforgettable one!
I bought several snacks from my 7-11 convenience store next door. Excited, we opened the bag of cocoons… but when we saw them, we just couldn’t do it. They were a lot bigger than I expected…
Snacktime: Asia! – James tries a bunch of weird fermented foods
Travelogue – James and I take the infamous “Death Railway” to Kanchanaburi
Video: Death Railway to Kanchanaburi (Travelogue)
Travelogue #6
Michael and James ride the infamous Burmese Death Railway to Kanchanaburi, Michael’s favorite province in Thailand, located in the western mountains of the kingdom, and sitting along the banks of the River Kwai.
We visit the historic Bridge on the River Kwai, climb the legendary seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall, and explore the ancient ruins of the Khmer Empire.
Kanchanaburi is several hours west of Bangkok, and is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and scenic provinces.
Video: Snacktime: Asia! Ep. 7 – Fermented Stuff and Weird Crackers
Our first video of the new year!
Snacktime: Asia! Episode 7
This week, I have my friend James visiting, so I thought he should try some weird snacks found at the local 7-11 convenience store. Today he will taste: snackjack wasabi crackers, chicken crackers, salt and sour chips, natto (fermented soybeans), and khao mak (thai alcoholic fermented rice). …delicious?
Video: Japan… Arrived! (outtakes)
Let’s be honest, we aren’t the most professional… but even we have standards! Here’s some of the stuff that didn’t make it to the final (admittedly still less-than-unprofessional) cut of ourfirst Japan travelogue and original video, “Oishi” means “Delicious”.
We will return with tons of new comics, videos, and articles in the new year. For now, huge thanks to those of you who have stuck with us since the beginning! I like to think that our video editing skills and film presence has improved since those early days! For those of you who are interested, we hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at our clunky awkwardness and general buffoonery.
Happy New Year!
LB convert 