Island Life

Happy Monday everyone!

It is 6pm, I am in CocoLoco cafe in Ko Samui, Thailand and being eaten alive by mosquitoes, but what else is new. In just 12 short hours I will be leaving Thailand after nearly 3 weeks exploring parts of the entire nation. Taking with me a few great pieces of thin, cheap, printed pants and shorts, and a very serious tan, I am feeling ready for the next spot. Of course I could lie on the beach forever and ever, and its insanely gorgeous. See below.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, and here are TWENTY, I will save the 20,000 words and give you a play by play of Lyndsey and Brenna's island hopping tour of the past week.

sunset ferry ride from Surat Thani mainland to Ko Phagnan

the beach outside our bungalow on Haad Yao beach on Ko Phangan- true paradise and the most gorgeous beach ever.

an excellent beachside cafe and great beach cove to spend a day

gorgeous view from the worlds greatest beach bar.

genious. a necessity from here on out at Beach bars across the globe.

if you are ever in Thailand GO HERE

another fantastic beach side cafe/ hang spot. Seaboard cafe, Haad Yao beach.

Ok now I will do a bit of explaining. So as you can see, we mostly sat on the beach, ate and swam in crystal clear waters. But then it was February 23rd and the moon was full and we were on Koh Phangnan island and there was the monthly, very famed and notorious, full moon party. So off we went, not knowing what to expect. It was true madness. Very indescribable, but let me try. 

20,000 people, mostly white tourists, gathered on one giant beach at night. A line up of around 20 bars and a million drink and food stands surrounding. Everyone wore neon paint, crazy outfits, drank buckets full of questionable alchohol/soda/juice mixtures for $6 a bucket and danced and ran around. For some reason, Lyndsey became enamored with the varying fire shoes also on the beach. Jump rope, rings of fire and limbo were the options. All ridiculously terrifying to watch and so stupid I can hardly even think about them for one more second, but alas, extremely popular and somewhat entertaining. Until A FLAMING JUMP ROPE WRAPS AROUND A DRUNKEN ASSHOLES LEG, ARM, OR TORSO. SO SO SO SO STUPID. HOW STUPID CAN A HUMAN BE. 

Anyway this is a photo of it. 

this is 4am- we (barely) survived. but had a ton of fun.

Cheeseburger in Paradise (Full moon recovery- now on Ko Tao)

the next day we snorkled! 

Nangyuan islands, gorgeous and the best snorkeling ever. Saw so so many fish!

last night in Ko Tao cute pic.

last dinner in Thailand cute pic- now on Ko Samui island.

we bought lanterns and tried to light them but it was too windy.

and yet another fire show, this one less life threatening and more beautiful. 

So that sums that up. Lots of beaches, lots of ferries, lots of fun travelers met along the way, lots of memories. 

til next time Thailand, thanks for the bronze. 

Chill T(ha)imes in Chiang Mai

Enjoying a moment of blessed AC in our extremely colorful room here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai is in the north of Thailand, and super chill, much slower pace and less humid than Bangkok. I've been calling it the Boston vs. New York, but it's even more laid back than Beantown.
Chiang Mai is known for being the big city of northern Thailand, and being close to tons of tourist activities such as elephant parks, something called the Tiger kingdom, tons of mountains and hiking trails, waterfalls, ziplining, rafting, atv-ing, biking, all sorts of activities. Fearful of falling too deeply into tourist traps, we chose our excursions wisely. I voted cooking class, and Lyndsey elephant interaction. The cooking class was wonderful from start to finish- a fabulous reccomendation led us to MamaNoi cooking school, which is just outside the city on a gorgeous farm and HAD 4 PUPPIES! We played with the cuties, toured the farm, met the piggies and chickens and cooked up some delicious food. I learned how to make Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup and Panang curry. Lyndsey chose Cashew nut chicken, Sour chicken soup and Massaman curry. Highlights of the experience were, obviously the puppies, but mostly our instructor Kim and our group. 3 siblings from Argentina originally but with 10 passports between the 3 of them, who were so sweet and lots of fun to hang with and are here on an annual sibling trip because they all live on different continents. The other 2 women were both coming from Finland, one Finnish and one American, both international cat show judges...yeah, I'll just let that sink in. Truly the most hilarious profession to me for some reason, and I basically burst into laughter with each question Lyndsey and the sibs asked them about their line of work. What they look for, their personal favorite cats, and everything and anything you ever wanted to know about judging a bunch of cats in an arena. Absolutely hilarious situation. Our instructor Kim, was the icing on the cake and was just a total jokester, kept picking on the only boy in the group and adding more chili to whatever he cooked and then harassed Lyndsey with her challenging mortal and pestle battle at the end. Kim made the experience.

puppies!!!

Chef du jours

meet Kim!

Pad Thai & Tom Yum soup

Our elephant journey was also memorable, but less flawless. We were joined on our day trip by a lovely family from the south-west corner of France. We never got the parents names, but they were awesome, but the kids were Batiste, 9, and Gabrielle, 13. Super class family of four, much like my own. Big sister, annoying little brother, funny dad and a mom trying to keep it all together. We went to the Elephant Conservation center which has a hospital, nursery and huge property for the elephants to live on. Parts of the day were lovely, got to see a 6 month old ele with its mama, and other parts were a bit hard to watch- elephants doing a show for the huge tour groups such as painting, playing catch and lifting logs. We did have a nice ride through a few little lakes on the property for the big guys to cool off in and fed them tons of bananas.

Kao the elephant spraying it.

La belle famille

Mama e bebe

the tour guide took this

On our other days here we just explored the town, by foot and motorbike, hit the markets and shops and ended our week with a visit up to the Doi Suthep temple that overlooks the city. We met a man from the states at one of our delicious breakfast spots who is a foreign service officer and has been in Thailand altogether for nearly 10 years. He said it was a must see so off we went. Our mode of transport was a pick up truck that they put two benches along the long side in and a cover. Bumpy, sideways and driving in circles up a neverending seeming hill. Nauseating to say the very least.

our attempt at a "Wat Thaime is it" joke

overlookin the fog of Chiang Mai

We are off to the islands for the next week. Flight takes off in 2 hours so I should probably pack. Catch ya kids when I'm tanner and back to my comfort zone of beach life.

Sending some sun your way.

President's Day in Bangkok

Happy day off friends back home- hope it was relaxing and not too cold.

I am writing you from The Yard hostel in Bangkok, Thailand. Lyndsey is snoozing off the jetlag and I just popped downstairs for breakfast. I posted up at the bar to write you all, and when I opened my computer, our new friend Saam who works here saw my Avett Bros sticker and proceeded to put them on the speaker. So today is already the best day ever. She is Thai and so so cool, and said a british guest turned her on to them. Music, man. The universal language.

Anyway, this city is HOT. Like really seriously hot. I have never been somewhere so boiling.

Yesterday we got our asses handed to us by this town. We took tuktuks, taxis, trains, boats, more boats, ferries, and somehow finally made it back. We walked more than I think either of us ever have. We saw temples, markets, had a delicious riverside lunch, walked past a elementary school getting let out and haggled for taxis until we couldn't deal anymore. We ventured out later for dinner and to see Chinatown and enjoy some well deserved, late-night, $3 foot massages.

Bangkok is crazy. The subway is luxurious beyond belief- AC, so clean, wide and tons of seating. And they have tons of different neighborhoods, big office buildings and hotels, street stalls for days and then the area our hostel is in, which is a true hipster paradise. Coffee shops, hip fonts of every awning and the nicest hostel I have ever stayed in. They have ac in the dorms, free amazing breakfast, outlets at each bed and night lights, a perfect outdoor communal area with hammocks, tables for all and string lights. But above all is the family room- an ac-ed hang out room with bean bags, a couch, tv and stellar stack of movies and maps framed adorning the walls. Oh and a framed Beatles pic to top it all off. The living room of dreams.

Off to explore the city some more this morning before heading to Chiang Mai tonight. 

boat ride #1

Tuk tuk #1

Wat Arun temple

strong glitter game

Boat tour. a terrifying experience from start to finish.

BEACH WEEK- Bali style

Hello out there! Apologies for the slight hiatus, but I have been lost in paradise, with little sign of wifi. 

It all began a week ago when I headed south from Ubud, down to the southern most part of Bali, Uluwatu and reunited with Jake and landed at Rocky's Place on Bingin Beach.

Rocky is a true baller. He owns an insane piece of property on Bingin Beach (a completely secluded beach only accessible via a terrifyingly steep "staircase" above 150 "steps" down, and a bitch and a half to get back up). However due to the treacherous conditions you must endure to get to the beach, it creates this group down at the bottom of all very cool people. It is hands down the most beautiful beach I have ever been to, and despite the reef, the water is fantastic. I hate reefs I have learned. This is the first time I ever had to deal with it, and it sucks. It is so close to the edge of the water, filled with unknown things I hear with hurt or kill me and a real pain in the ass- literally because as I was coming to shore, a wave came and knocked me on my ass sliding me across the reef til I reached the sand. OW!

The entire week was just magical. Upon arrival we were greeted by the man Rocky, a spanish couple Veronica and Rafael, posted up at the bar and our new friend Jeannette we had taken the staircase down with. Our room was across from Ryan and Kyra of Cornwall, England. And so Jake and I and our 5 other guests at Rocky's all quickly became fast friends. The first night we were there, after some exploring, Jake and I returned to the bar area to find Veronica getting her hair and makeup done- turns out her and Rafael had asked Rocky the day before if they could get married there, and being the ultimate yes man that Rocky he made it happen in a big way. His wife and her friends did Veronica's hair and makeup, brought tradtional Balinese outfits for Veronica and Rafa and because Rocky is also a priest, he performed the ceremony....at sunset....at low-tide....on the beach. DREAM WEDDING FOR SURE. We then all went to Lucky Fish for dinner. Casual, spontaneous, stress-free and beautiful beyond anything a big to-do wedding could ever achieve.

Ok- Lucky Fish.
Maybe the greatest style of restaurant I've ever been to. Never in my life would I eat a place 4 nights in a row, while in a foreign place AND order the same thing more than once, if it wasn't absolutely outstanding. Lucky Fish is the last spot on the beach stretch and every night puts down 10 6-8 person tables in the sand, with plastic chairs and sets up shop. They have a table at the front with two coolers of fresh fishes and seafood inside and you literally go up to them, point at what you want, they weigh it, grill it right there and bring you at your table. It comes with a plate of rice and a communal portion of a stewed green and garlicky veggie we called seaweed, but tbd. I will recreate this somewhere, someday. The US health regulations would tear it up, which is ABSURD, because it couldn't be better.

The next 5 days of my time in Bali were spent the only way time in paradise should be spent. No plans until 30 seconds before the next thing happens, lots of beach talks around beers with our new friends about everything and nothing, but in the best way, and lots of laughs. Kyra, Ryan, Jeannette, Jake and I had an amazing last dinner at Lucky Fish and stayed up til 2am just sharing stories with each other and, as cheezy at it sounds, becoming lifelong friends. After Jake and Jeannette had to go Friday, Ryan, Kyra and I headed up to Canggu for my last weekend. Canggu is what Williamsburg, BK would be if there was a fabulous surfing beach attached to it. Countless coffee shops, overpriced but incredible looking stores full of cool hats, clothes, stickers, bags, etc. and lots of people who think and look like hot shit. We hung the whole last day together and I can't wait to our paths cross again in the future. Ryan is a true goofball, defintion of a British style cali surf bro, with a secret princess side that was discovered when he insisted on hitting the hottest spot for dessert. And Kyra might be my british twin, fav movie is Almost Famous, loves a great pair of jean cutoffs, to spend all day drawing, chilling out and watching Friends until she is in pain laughing.

Til next time Bali- thanks for an incredible month.

Now, Bangkok and to see what Thailand is all about. Lyndsey and Brenna take on the world take 8.

Enjoy these shots- xoxo too all my followers.

The Newlyweds!!! Happy, happy, happy to you two- Veronica & Rafael, Februrary 8th, 2016.

Wedding night crew

Single Fin- Uluwatu, Bali. IDENTICAL to the Beachcomber in every possible way. I could spend everyday here, obviously.

new pal.

Mastering the bike.

Bingin Beach, Bali. 

The man himself- Rocky. 

Lucky Fish- mahi-mahi

beach explorers

breakfast with Jeannette

Rocky's crew

Thank you Bali for bringing out my inner biker girl.

Kyra and Ryan, miss you already.

a parting gift to myself from Bali. love you Ziggy.