This Means So Much

I am a fan of good food and quick cooking. This may not be a surprise to people who knows my style. Jamie Oliver's perfectly the guru I've been looking for.

A bit of history, my friends K&I are loyal viewers on this television program that features cooking in a reality show. I got to learn about it from their shout-outs which caught my interest. Unknowingly, a would be home-based chef is one of my frustrations. Problem is I don't have the luxury of time to do what I love. I then followed the links posted by my friend to my amazement. It was Jamie's channel in Youtube. I felt like acquiring a fever which wont subside unless treated immediately with an antidote. I summoned my courage and told K that a copy of Jamie's 30 Minute Meals was the only cure. *hide* To my surprise she reverted with a big YES! True enough, "Ask and it shall be given unto you."

I'm so full of gratitude to my dear friends K&I who endured getting the signature of Jme even if what I wished for is only the cookbook. Imagine the sacrifice they've gone through, only selfless people can do this. It made me feel so loved.

Finding Myself in Layers

Me & T watching a football game.

Just when I thought that I could send our comforters to laundry shop, the weather suddenly shifted to 16-18ºC in Thailand as recorded by the Meteorological Department. It feels like it's December as a result of the high pressure in China. This past few days made it pretty hard for me to wake up on time. Not to mention the thick clothes that were already kept somewhere. Although this is just a temporary reprieve from the warm and sunny days,I felt grateful for the experience. I was giddy to finally put on some layers and save electricity by turning off the ACs. Seems like I timetraveled to Europe or Japan to witness autumn.

Palio :: Little Italy in Khao Yai

I've been itching to travel to this place for a long time and finally the hub gave in to my request. We woke up a little late and did a quick google maps search before heading to our destination.

• First stop, at the bus station in front of Future Park, Rangsit (near Tesco). T and I waited for quite a while for the bus to arrive from Bangkok. The Pakchong! trip costs us 108.00 Baht each for a 3 hours travel. Not bad huh? The only setback was, we can't stop if we see some interesting stuffs on the roadside. But the good thing is, we spent less for this trip because we only had a single destination!
  

It was a Buddhist holiday called Makha Bucha that day so as expected the roads where bit congested in few cities that we passed by. Yet we felt so much relaxed knowing it's all part of the adventure. We were seated at the end row and the bus was full packed with others standing in the middle aisle.

• While in Pakchong! (exclamation point indicates the rising sound of chong! =) the locals can't fully understand if you say it in a monotone) we just walked backwards from Kasikorn Bank towards another short ride called Songtaew. A Songtaew is an open air type of transportation of either a pick-up truck or a delivery truck which can be found almost everywhere in Thailand. Within 15 minutes we arrived at our destination in Palio. Fare was just 25 Baht each, I guess.
  

Palio can be seen as a small village in the outside with each corners promising a beautiful treasure to be uncovered. It was such a lovely and romantic place akin to the picturesque Italy which I saw from the movie "Letters to Juliet". Finally, I have uttered the word... grazie (^_^) I know that was just the beginning of my Khao Yai travel affair. And more grazies are sure to come. Oh Lord, I pray that someone could drive us there next time. Promise I'll be a terrific tour-guide =) haha!

The weather was perfect that day. 2:30 pm at Palio, Khao Yai.

I fell in love with the windows and the blue sky. Obviously, I got my eyes on blues.

Took this one with the aide of a tripod.

At my fave shop, Jim Thompson! Care for tea?

Appreciating the view of a small piazza in front of us.

Thai Silk in its glory.

Window shopping for some wines and chocolates.