A Cup of Chai in India

October in the Northeast is becoming cold, rainy and blustery.  Time for a cup of tea and cookies to capture memories of India!

In India, a cup of steamy chai (tea) in all of its sweetness, milkiness and spices is brewed anyplace, anywhere and anytime of day.

Teatro Nacional - Costa Rica

A source of cultural pride for the performance arts, Teatro Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica still stands like a grand dame even after being rocked by an earthquake.  Coffee plantation owners through their tax contributions financed the construction when it began in 1891 and completed in 1897.  As of 2014, major renovation is in progress to improve the quality of the auditorium, shore up the building structure to withstand earthquakes and preserve the ornate frescoes, murals and other art works created by European artisans. The interpretation of the work life of coffee plantations depicted in the murals was based on what an Italian artist envisioned at the time.

A Horse Whisperer in Costa Rica

Hello again! It's been quite some time since I posted any entries.  Hope to add new updates from my trips soon!  From a trip to Costa Rica early this year, I had the fantastic opportunity to experience such a small, compact country that is focused on sustainable eco-tourism. 

One such encounter was a horse whisperer, Alexander Cravajal with a horse farm in Costa Rica where he rises to the challenge each time he is presented with a horse that had been abused and must be rehabilitated. He exhibits his rehabilitated horses through performances to groups which provide funding to continue his work. Horses are his passion! Naturally, his love of horses is also shared by family and his young granddaughter.

Wat Rong Khun - White Palace/Temple - Chiang Rai, Thailand

Created by Thai visual artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat in his hometown of Chiang Rai, the main temple is dazzling white and ornate. But as you get closer, you are reminded of the dark side of life - death, human struggles and weaknesses - like in the outstretched hands trying to escape hell.

Grilled Field Rats - Thailand

Along the way to Phitsanulok, Thailand during the rice harvesting season, you will find stalls near rice fields selling grilled field rats. It is enterprising how rice farmers reduce the population of these little pests that can ruin a rice crop.

A River Camp in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Close to Hellfire Pass and the River Kwai is the Hintok River tented camp, a place of quietude and respite in the midst of a semi-tame jungle.  There are some modern-day amenities such as internet access and air conditioning so you are not totally cutoff from the rest of the world.

Production of Bamboo Skewers - Thailand

Just harvested bamboo

Sorting and selection of cut bamboo for milling

Production of bamboo skewers

Quality control of bamboo skewers prior to packaging

and finally, the nicely-packaged bamboo skewers ready for distribution.....

Wat Mahathat - Temple Ruins at Sukhothai, Thailand

For a historical background of the Ayutthaya temples and ruins, check out the following link:  http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_MahaThat.html