Author Archives: judyapiel

New Year’s Day the 5-Island 1 day tour AKA The mystery of the missing Island

We started 2016 with a snorkeling trip on Pern Poon Sub’s 5 island 1 day tour. When we booked the tour we specifically asked and were assured that it included a stop at Koh Wai which is supposed to be great for snorkeling. We paid B650 each for a one day trip which included pickContinue reading “New Year’s Day the 5-Island 1 day tour AKA The mystery of the missing Island”

New Year’s Eve in Koh Chang

We started the day with the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Coffee (which was instant), juice, fresh fruit, toast, eggs, salad and a couple of Thai dishes which looked good but we were not ready to eat rice for breakfast. The hotel like most beach areas we visited had two or three dogs hanging aroundContinue reading “New Year’s Eve in Koh Chang”

Winter Running Basics

Thinking of running outdoors this winter? Here is some basic advice to help you stay as warm and comfortable as possible. What to wear? Layers, layers, layers… several thin layers are better than one thick one. NO COTTON – cotton clothing absorbs sweat so you get cold and damp from the inside out. High tech syntheticContinue reading “Winter Running Basics”

Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok to Koh Chang

We booked a bus/ferry trip from Bangkok to Koh Chang for B500 at the travel agent in the lobby of our hotel the New Siam 3. We were told we would be picked up from the hotel at 8:00am. We were a bit surprized but basically ready when someone arrived at the hotel looking forContinue reading “Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok to Koh Chang”

Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok Day Two.

We had visit a floating market on our to-do list. This was our last full day in town and I thought I had seen a sign about floating markets by the water bus station so we walked over to check it out. The agent was not there but there was a lady there who wasContinue reading “Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok Day Two.”

Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok Part 1

We were awakened on our first morning in Bangkok by the sound of the monks singing at sunrise. We went for a brief pre-breakfast walk and discovered Wat Chana Songkhram almost across the street. Harold went onto the grounds but I did not as I was not dressed appropriately. Appropriate dress for Wats requires thatContinue reading “Mama, Papa in Thailand- Bangkok Part 1”

Mama, Papa in Thailand- It’s a long way from Ottawa to Bangkok.

After a successful trip to Ecuador last year we decided to go back to South America. We even took Spanish lessons. Then one evening we sat down and started surfing the Internet. A couple of weeks later we booked two tickets to Bangkok. We are not expecting the Spanish to be very helpful. It’s aContinue reading “Mama, Papa in Thailand- It’s a long way from Ottawa to Bangkok.”

Two Clueless Canadians in Ecuador-The Mindo Cloud Forest

We took a taxi to Mindo Ropes and Canopy to go zip lining above the forest canopy. There were two guides and the two of us. The zip lines and equipment were new and modern and the guides were young and enthusiastic. We had a blast, highly recommended! From there we walked up the roadContinue reading “Two Clueless Canadians in Ecuador-The Mindo Cloud Forest”

Two Clueless Canadians in Ecuador- Mindo

We flew from Manta to Quito and then used ground transportation to get to Mindo in the cloud forest. Having been stuck in the airport for 12 hours on New Years Day we had time to explore. We discovered a local bus back to Quito which cost a fraction of the cost of the touristContinue reading “Two Clueless Canadians in Ecuador- Mindo”