Monday, Jan 26

Kept things pretty simple today…and just toodled over to a coffee shop that I realized is very close to me. It’s called Double Eleven and it’s on the first floor of the other condo in this 2-condo condo complex.

It was small but neat. Empty, except for The Guy, who I think might be the owner, sitting behind the counter, phone scrolling. I got a chocolate croissant and an iced Dalgona vanilla latte (whoa). I brought my laptop to do some work but it was a very unfortunate chair to table height ratio and very quickly I was very uncomfortable, so…I switched from work work to blog writing.

The coffee was excellent. I’ll definitely be back, maybe I’ll bring my kindle instead of laptop. Maybe reading won’t be as difficult as typing.

Tuesday, Jan 27

I saw online about a “western-esque” supermarket in the nearby large mall. Plus, it had two food courts. So off I went.

I had breakfast at The Duke’s, which had a very large western menu. I had chicken fried chicken (like chicken fried steak, but chicken) with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli with hollandaise sauce, a salad and an excellent iced tea. Iced tea is easy. Excellent iced tea is not.

I haven’t seen a Swenson’s in abouit a hundred years. Thailand also still has Toysr’R’Us!

After eating (I was stuffed), I made a stop at an ATM for some cash. A lot of things are strictly cash here. Then to the supermarket.

Which was quite nice. Not huge, but it had a lot of options other stores have not. Among other things I got a closer-to-normal sized box of cereal, protein bars, and…SALAMI. Be still my heart. The package is just barely enough for one sandwich and was probably ridiculously expensive (cuz imported), but…SALAMI. I’m very excited for a salami and tomato sandwich.

Saturday, Jan 31

Met a new friend from TikTok – a fellow traveler from the US – at a charming artisan village called Baan Kang Wat.

It’s a series of winding pathways leading you through a cluster of small shops and studios made for people who love handmade things. Every space has its own personality: some cute, some just really cool. Each house feels different, but it all works together, and the whole place feels alive.

You can wander around and shop for clothes, bags, hats, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, all sorts of creative finds.

Some of the houses have been turned into cozy cafés, perfect for taking a rest and just sitting with a coffee for a while. There’s a restaurant serving classic northern Thai dishes like khao soi – we shared a bowl and it was delicious!.

It’s the kind of place where you can just wander, look around, and enjoy the vibe.

We split a bowl of kao soy.

Sunday, Feb 1

And then…it was February. I’ve been watching the snow and ice across much of the US…and am sad to be missing it. I like winter. I like the cold and the snow and the excuse to stay indoors.

Shrines and offerings outside the condo

It’s starting to warm up here. The first couple weeks in Thailand, the days had temps in the high 70s-low 80s. Now we’ve all of a sudden jumped to mid-high 80s…and even looks like it might start hitting the 90s by the end of the week. Fortunately I don’t feel any humidity yet…and it’s not like I have to be anywhere mid-day. So.

Hope everyone is well out there. See ya later luv ya bye.

More pictures from Baan Kang Wat…and just around…

No matter how beautiful you are you will be criticized

So many lovely flowering vines growing everywhere

Do not throw trash into the sink

You are amazing just the way you are

The End 🙂

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