multiple posts by Purple Roofs on Thailand

[lonelywombat]

http://purpleroofs.com/gay-travel-blog/ ... hraya.html

On a very hot and humid day, it was quite lovely to go on for a long sail onboard a long-tailed speedboat, along the Chao Phraya River and later penetrate the life along the khlongs of Bangkok, enjoy the breeze and every so often a cold splash of water.

Our tour began right at our host hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and from there we went on for approximately 3 hours. This is one of my many visits to Bangkok, but indeed the first time doing the tour of the khlongs, which gives of a totally different perspective of life in Bangkok in the banks of the river and its canals. See and follow my full Instagram Photo Gallery on BangkokтАж

Carlos Melia - ThailandA Khlong is the general name for a canal on the central plain of Thailand. These canals are spawned by the Chao Phraya, among other rivers, and their tributaries. The Thai word khlong is not limited to artificial canals.

As we sailed along the Chao Phraya River for 10 minutes, we arrived to our first stop. Wat Arun тАУ Temple of Dawn. A Buddhist temple in the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of ThailandтАЩs landmark.

As we left Wat Arun, we got back onboard our long tailed boats, and this time we left the main water artery of the Chao Phraya River, to enter the Khlongs.

As you sail through, you will immerse yourself in the picturesque riverside scenery, as you drift past stilted wooden homes, floating markets, shops, colonial mansions and all kinds of colourful culture and people along the riverfront.

By Carlos Melia тАУ Full Story at the Carlos Melia Blog

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Categories: Asia, Bangkok, Carlos Melia, Columnists, Gay Travel, Thailand Tags: bangkok, carlos melia, gay travel, thailand

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[lonelywombat]

[attachment=0:9vruhy9m]IMG_5787-550x550.jpg[/attachment:9vruhy9m]
http://purpleroofs.com/gay-travel-blog/ ... round.html
A night in Bangkok, can begin and end in so many waysтАж. I am sure you all have heard the stories coming from deep in the Sois. But I have been there and done that, and what I do these days, is to repeat those I have enjoyed the most over the years, and open to discover new ones by the hand of my dear local friends. This was the case of my first night in Bangkok a few days ago, which began in full luxury and molecular Dirty Vodka Martinis at the legendary and recently renovated Bamboo Bar, at the iconic Grand Dame of Bangkok, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

8PM and it was time for me to hit the road, and head one of my favorite classics in Bangkok restaurant scene EAT ME. For some, perhaps not the best restaurant there, but the one that always delivers the best experiences. And BTW it has been awarded AsiaтАЩs 50 TOP Restaurants accolade.

For the last 4 years, always at the same time, same table, same lovely companion тАУ superstition, not al all тАУ just the perfect recipe and mix for a marvelous night out. And of course, regardless where I am going and the budget, my choice to move around Bangkok are the Tuk Tuks. I just LOVE to interact with the drivers, and feel/smell Bangkok as we ride.

Dinner was over and it was time to move underground, and for this I trust blindly my local friends. My limits, was one bar an go home. I had arrived that morning to Bangkok after over 30 hours travel and flight on ETIHAD AirwaysтАж so between that, the time difference and the jet lag, I was exhausted.

Carlos Melia Bangkok But of course at least twice a year when I visit Bangkok, I want to spend time with this people. So they drove me to the NOVOTEL Hotel, and for a minute I second guessed their choice. As I walked out of our private transportation тАУ yes my local friends travel in style with their own chauffeurs тАУ I saidтАж are you crazy, are you taking me to the bar of the Novotel ?

Of course they were notтАж. we were coming to the legendary Maggie ChooтАЩs in Silom. If you havenтАЩt been there, I strongly recommend doing it. Of course, with the crowd I roll, we where instantly escorted to our private area and champagne started flowingтАж more than I did appreciated the following morning. Maggie ChooтАЩs offers a fun decadent-chic Cantonese food тАУ reminiscent of the prohibition era of 1930s Shanghai тАУ and live music nightly in a vintage Chinese setting for a very different and memorable experience.

Background music is good and the dimmed lights successfully recreate a speakeasy atmosphere. Time to call it a night, since the following day I had a very early morning, for a full morning Thai Cooking Class, and I know I would need enough time to get over the upcoming hangover.

By Carlos Melia тАУ Full Story at the Carlos Melia Blo

[lonelywombat]

[attachment=0:1adylope]FullSizeRender-103-768x1024-413x550.jpg[/attachment:1adylope]
http://purpleroofs.com/gay-travel-blog/ ... class.html

fter a long night out in Bangkok which began in full luxury and ended up right in the underground scene, I was awake pretty early, with a pounding headache and hangover, but determine to conquer the day ahead, which included an full morning Thai Cooking Class at The Oriental Thai Cooking School of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, follow by a 3-hours Khlong tour of Bangkok.

So my first stop was shades to conceal the damage of my late night out, and ultra healthy breakfast over an ultra spicy Khao Tom soup to sweat away the many bottles of Champagne I had. After that I was ready to start my day and master the arts of Traditional Thai Cooking.

FullSizeRender-272-1024x768Off I went to the adventure onboard one of the private barges, that would transport me across the Chao Phraya River to The Oriental Thai Cooking School by the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and to my master of the morning, Chef Narain Kiattiyotcharoen. The dishes, or better I should say the challenge, of the day were: Banana in Coconut Sauce, Steamed Leaf-wrapped prawns with spicy sauce, Green Curry with Chicken and Stir-fried squid with salted egg yolk.

Mastering all these four traditional four dishes would grant me the official certificate of Hands-on Cooking Course тАУ Class II. Now the most daunting part of these all, was being announced that at the end of the class, we would have to eat our own cooking, hosted on a formal lunch at their lovely traditional Thai restaurant Sala Rim NaamтАж so the pressure was on тАУ and my own health at risk, ha ha haтАж But I trusted my Chef blindly.

At their renowned Thai Cookery School people from all over the world have learnt the art of preparing fine Thai cuisine. All participants will learn how to create stunning Thai meals whilst gaining insights into the fascinating culture and traditions of Thailand. During your class, your instructor will skilfully demonstrate the methods and steps of Thai cookery from ingredient preparation to cooking. Class participants will be encouraged to try grounding pastes, chopping up meat and vegetables, stir-frying, deep-frying and stewing food to create dishes of the highest quality and flavour.

Carlos Melia - ThailandFunny enough, our Chef, preferred to begin the menu by the dessert, so off we went to learn and later prepare the first (or should I say last) dish of our traditional Thai menu тАУ Banana in Coconut Sauce. And in between we sampled some, very cute, amuse-bouche. It all looked so simple and easy, but when you start analyzing the amount and local ingredients that Thai cuisine includes, you pray to either, have a staff behind you like Chef Narain Kiattiyotcharoen did, and/or the Mise-en-place correctly done.

Next course, I must say was one of my favorites, and I found it to be quite simple to replicate and enjoyable to prepare. Steamed leaf-wrapped Prawns with Spicy Sauce. And he took some time to teach us the many secrets amd myth around Chili.

Next, a true classic, that almost everyone loves, Green Curry with Chicken. I have sworn to myself and the Gods, that one day before I die, I WILL COOK this dish at home. I promise. Of course, instead of calling the local Thai Restaurant delivery around my corner.

And last was the Stir-Fried Squid with salted Egg Yolk. I think at this point I was so overwhelmed, with my lack of cooking skills, that I decided to put my camera down and listen carefully, ha ha ha тАж because I do not have a single photo of this last dish at all. SORRY. !!!!!

Such an amazing way to begin my morning and second day in Bangkok. A different approach to learn about this amazing and intriguing culture and country, through the senses and their cuisine. You can book these Cooking Classes regardless being a guest at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, calling this number +66 (2) 659 9000. Have fun and may the Cooking Force be with you.

[christianpfc]

And of course, regardless where I am going and the budget, my choice to move around Bangkok are the Tuk Tuks. I just LOVE to interact with the drivers, and feel/smell Bangkok as we ride.

This makes me wonder if the guy has ever been to Bangkok:
interact with tuk-tuk drivers and feel/smell Bangkok during a tuk-tuk ride!

I think there are only three kinds of people who go by tuk-tuk: the ignorant (who do not know that taxi is cheaper, safer and more comfortable), the newbies (for a the experience of a Bangkok tuk-tuk, one time), and locals who buy foodstuff (at Klong Toey market you can see plenty of tuk-tuks at night, easier to load than taxis because there are no doors).

[arsenal]

Christian: Absolutely not true. I love the tuktuks. Riding in one is always an adventure, Yes it's a little scary at times and maybe it's more expensive than a taxi but way way more fun and if you're not in Bangkok for fun what are you there for? When in Bangkok they're always my first choice of transport.

[latintopxxx]

only dumbasses ride tuk tuks...i would rather walk...if you are involved in an accident chances are you will be severely injured....no seat belt, no air bags...fuck not even doors.

[arsenal]

Latin: I consider the way you claim (very few on this board actually believe you) to treat boys considerably more dangerous than riding in a tuktuk. Riding a tuktuk might get you hurt. Treating a Thai boy like he's a piece of shit WILL do.

[Surfcrest]

I think the membership is on a spectrum with on one side; the group that are looking to marry the best fuck they find in Thailand And on the other; the group that fucks them and then moves on. There's nothing wrong with either approach or either side of the spectrum, in my opinion and I happen to be way over on the spectrum close to latin...and he's my favorite poster. :x

You're both right on the Tuk Tuk's. It is a cool experience, one I'll still do if the price is right or nothing else is available. I imagine it's about as safe as strapping a jet engine on a bicycle, but hey...I use motorcycle taxi's in Bangkok religiously, but avoid them at all costs in Pattaya. If you grab a Tuk Tuk yourself off the street, you're probably going to be overcharged, ripped off or they'll suggest a scam.

Surfcrest

[cdnmatt]

So according to Christian and latin, I'm an ignorant dumbass. I take tuk-tuks all the time. I'll always walk or take a sangtaew into town, then take a tuk-tuk home. Mainly out of convenience and availability. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a taxi here, whereas tuk-tuks are every where. If I just finished grocery shopping for example, and am packing a huge duffel bag of groceries around including meat, milk, buttter, etc... there's always a huge line of tuk-tuks I can grab instantly, whereas finding a taxi may take a while.

[Jellybean]

Well, I wouldnтАЩt be so impolite to describe anyone as an тАЬignorant dumbassтАЭ cdnmatt, but in all the time IтАЩve been in Bangkok IтАЩve used a dt├║k-dt├║k only twice. Once on my first visit to Bangkok, after which I vowed never to use one again. It felt really dangerous, it was more expensive than a taxi, the wind was blowing into my eyes and causing a lot of irritation and we had to inhale all the noxious fumes from the other vehicles.

The only other time in Bangkok was several years ago when I went shopping to a Big тАШCтАЩ with my then boyfriend and another Thai boy. We couldnтАЩt get a taxi and, after waiting a long time, I reluctantly agreed to use a dt├║k-dt├║k.

Hmmm . . . looks like this is a Marmite issue. Sorry, but IтАЩm on the side of the stay clear of them if I can possibly help it brigade.

:ymparty: