What's not to like?

We have spent the better portion of our trip indulging ourselves.  From foods, to massages, to pool sessions in the park... we are definitely living it up!  

Each morning, we start our day by leaving the hotel and making our way to the other side of Sukhumvit Road in search of breakfast.  Inevitably, we make our first stop at "the egg lady", or so Kristina calls her.  At her street stall, we get one fried egg mixed with our choice of whatever veg she has that day (usually carrots, onions, chilis, and either mushrooms or greens) on a plate of rice with a small bag of hot sauce for 20 THB ($0.60).  Once we have our egg in hand, we walk a few blocks to our favorite street where Todd pays 20-25 THB for a cappuccino or Thai Coffee (whichever is available that day).  We finish up our breakfast run by making our way over to Sukhumvit 77 for fresh pre-cut up fruit (usually papaya, pineapple, jabong, and bananas) and whatever other goodies catch our eye.  We have no idea what the thing in the lower left is... some sort of dumpling filled with dates or fruit and nuts?

On our way to and from the pool, we do our best to sample all that is available along the streets.  Kristina's new favorite thing is fresh pomegranate juice for 40 THB ($1.25).

Please note the omnipresent King Rama IX in the background... he's everywhere and has reigned since June 1946!  He''s the longest reigning monarch in Thai history.

Once the sun begins to set, we begin our search for a massage parlor.  More often than not, we end up at our favorite hole-in the wall near our hotel where the masseuses' hands are bigger and stronger than Todd's and an hour session (neck and back, or foot or thai) costs 150 THB ($4.50). 

After our hour-long pampering session and coated with menthol oil, we roam the streets in our area for more food.  Among the usuals are pad thai, green papaya salad, curry, and more fruit!

What's not to like... or LOVE about this city?

Break from Bangkok ... in Bangkok

After a day of searching, 5 miles of walking, a medical certificate from a clinic (which was not easy to find), a copy of our passports, two 1-inch photos each and 40 THB each, we are now members of a pool.  It's a 25 meter outdoor pool in the middle of Benjasiri Park next to the Phrom Phong BTS station.  Now that we are members, we pay 15 THB ($0.50) each per use and more often than not, get the pool to ourselves.

A few odd things:  swim caps are "required" but it seems that they are only required for tourists, swim caps are super expensive ~$8 USD, the pool is open in increments of 1.5 hours, the water has a bit of a soft slimy feeling, shoes of any kind are not allowed in the building.  All that being said, we love our pool and have used it twice already.  

p.s. I (Kristina) swam my 1st 50 meter no-breather in this pool!  Here I am celebrating my two laps...Wahoo!

Back again in BKK

Without fail, everyone we talk to seems to be less than impressed with Bangkok.  When we explain that we are flying into Thailand and staying in the city for a week their faces go sour and their response is usually "really?" or "why?".  Most people warn us that a few days in Bangkok is enough and in many ways, we can understand why this city would not be high on everyone's list.  The streets smell of a mixture of fish sauce, urine, dirt, and exhaust.  Most of the structures/buildings are rundown (or beginning to fall down).  The power lines are a spiderweb of low hanging wires that obstruct any potentially appealing views.  Prices vary by day, time, mood, skin color, etc.  When asking for directions, one is bound to have one person point to the left and another person point to the right regarding the same location; third and fourth opinions are a good idea.

All that being said, we love this city.  Bangkok is a place where we can buy bags of chopped pineapple, papaya, dragon fruit and durian for $1.  It's a city where the street food is better (and significantly cheaper) than most restaurants.  Where the mystery meats look and smell so mouth-watering while roasting on their bbqs that you disregard the fact that it could be rat or dog, and order up anyways.  It's a culture of people that will take 20 minutes out of their day to walk us from the BTS (skytrain) to the "small bus" to make sure that we don't get lost.  It's a place where we can pay 7 THB ($0.25 USD) to catch a ride on a "small bus" which is actually the back of a pick-up truck with monkey bars on the sides for safety to take us to our destination.  

Maybe the reason we love the city so much is because we stay outside of the bustling city center and therefore, get a more authentic Thai experience.  Maybe it's because we love Thai food and massages.  Regardless, underneath the somewhat unsightly and seedy exterior of this city we've found some things that we absolutely love and that entertain us to no end.

Home and NEVER leaving!

At least, that's what we keep telling people.

Our trip was wonderful.  We have been to so many incredible places (S. France, Perth, Manly, S. Africa, Thailand, and NYC just to name a few of our favorites), met and reunited with some really great people, and learned a lot about ourselves and each other.

Now, we're home and are working on laying some roots.  We just put down a deposit and first month's rent on a great studio on the north shore (thanks to the coconut wireless - especially Jamie and Mara) and we are in the process of finding cars.

Still no wedding plans... we have different fish to fry ;)  Our answer is still, "Not today".  And, eloping is still not off the table.

And, finally, THANK YOU so much to everyone - friends and family who we met along the way.  You all made each place and adventure so special (and sometimes possible) and we hope to see you again soon!

Aloha!
As Sue Collini on Californication would say:
ktwalkab-OUT

p.s. Congratulations Amanda and Greg!
p.s.s. Thanks Richard for letting us "house sit".

Seattle, Swimming, Saigon and Sunset

Last night we stumbled upon a restaurant that will definitely be reminisced about once our walkabout is over: the Saigon Boat Cafe.

It is a small Vietnamese restaurant on Alki Beach in West Seattle run by a nice Vietnamese couple, one of which is a famous singer in Vietnam and Thailand.  Upon our arrival, we were labeled their favorite guests (as we are certain all patrons are) and in less than five minutes, our table was covered in steaming hot pho, curry, and Vietnamese egg rolls - all of which were insanely good!

We were in West Seattle because we had gone to Colman pool in Lincoln Park to enjoy the last weekend at the 85 degree outdoor 50 meter pool before it closes for the year.

And, before heading to Alki Beach, we took in the sunset:

Seattle is a great place... at least during this time of year :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

We have been all over the place the last few weeks, which sadly means that the blog has fallen to the wayside.  But, a quick recap of our adventures...

A Week in Vegas - Kristina worked a shoe show at the Convention Center and Todd... gambled (knowing full well that if he lost the amount that Kristina earned in one LONG day of work, the engagement would be off).  Many cocktails and blackjack tables later, we got on the plane out of Vegas with travel, accommodation, food, and a Kevin Nealon Show paid for by Mr. black jack.

A Few Days in Oregon - Before heading back up to Seattle in our new ride (compliment's of Kristina's sister), we spent a few days with Kristina's family and took a day trip to the beautiful Oregon Coast!

KT do PNW

Summer in Seattle is a very pleasant change from NYC summer.  We have only been in the Pacific Northwest for three days, but already we have seen the BEST EVER meteor shower, enjoyed glorious warm days and crisp nights, and have made ourselves sick off blackberries a few blocks from our house:

Baby Ruth

Our neighborhood pool (McCarren Park) was closed today for the second time in only one month of being open due to POO.  Here's the full story:
http://gothamist.com/2012/08/05/mccarren_park_pool_horror_diarrhea.php
I discontinued my trips to pool after the first incident.  Todd, however, ignored my protests and continued his swim sessions.  In fact, he was in the pool the night before the "incident".  Sadly, he's talking about going tomorrow morning.  Yuck.

No sacrifice too great

Not far from our house there is a 30+ year old bakery, Peter Pan, with what some people call, "the best donuts in Brooklyn".

Of course, we had to sample the raved about treats... so we put aside our dairy-light diet for an hour and hit the pastry shop.  Kristina went for a red-velvet old fashioned, and Todd was forced to settle for an apple-crumple (sadly, they don't make apple fritters).

While the donuts were very good, Todd is still a bit salty about not having an apple fritter.  And, we've heard rumors about a donut shop in Piedmont that might put Peter Pan's to shame.  We feel obligated to investigate...

Two of the good ones

"Where to eat" is one of the biggest predicaments of living in NYC.  There are so many types of foods and restaurants, that many times, we end up just eating at home to avoid making a decision.

Last week, however, we ventured out to two new (to us) restaurants with Gayle and Jim Sells.  The first was a Brooklyn hideaway called Rye.  Although the tables were very close together, the food, service and overall experience was perfect.  The four of us shared the fried brussel sprouts (one of the highlights), crab cakes, ribs, tomato salad, risotto, meatloaf, asparagus, a 42oz steak (which they brought out and showed us before they cooked it), and a few bottles of red wine.  Everything was so good - we left with our bellies hanging over our pants and smiles on our faces!

The next night we ventured into the heart of Midtown to join the Sells and Jim's friend/business associate, Bob Liss at Becco.  There are many reasons to eat at Becco, but the most important one is the pasta special: a plate of salad or antipasto to start followed by a bottom-less plate of three different kinds of pasta (which change daily)!  Mmmmm......

Thanks Gayle and Jim for two fantastic dinners and evenings!  We won't eat as much until we see you again in the Bay Area!