Historic Bangrak, food tasting and culture

South East Asia is the hub of the world for street food - in my opinion anyway. There is always something colourful, creative, strange and yummy being cooked on a corner somewhere. Sold for next to nothing and guaranteed to satisfied (but do be careful - be smart when buying and consuming street food - If others are eating from there, and its busy, its probably good - have a look around and check out how things are being handled/prepped - common sense will keep you tummy full and happy).

I love food - just because I choose to be vegan, doesn't mean I hate food - I LOVE IT! i love the smells, the colours, flavours and tastes (maybe its the French in me?)

So, after taking several strolls through the food markets, i decided to do a walking tour... why not. I love walking and meeting people and i love food - put the two together, right?

I booked through - Bangkok Food Tours. work up your appetite before hand. It's 1150 Baht ($45 AUD) which sounds a little steep, but you get soooooooo much food! if you're on a budget it may be tight, and walking around the markets would suffice.

The tour guide is great. You get a good mix of the weird and yummy. They also cater to Veggie heads like me!

I did the Bangrak tour - its the older section of the city and really interesting! i had a great time and the group I was with were really fun!

http://bangkokfoodtours.com/bang-rak-food-and-cultural-walking-tour/

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace, situated in the heart of the city, was the original official residence for the Monarchy of Thailand (Siam) up until 1925. The current King now resides at Chitralada Palace. The Grand Palace is still a hub for official ceremonies and functions.

The original structure was built way back in 1782!!! So, you can image the feeling you get as you walk through a place that has seen so much.

The architecture is stunning, so details an intricate.  you can feel the hours and hours of work that individuals invested in, in building The Grand Palace.

Entry to The Grand Palace will set you back about 400baht which is around $16AUD

There are strict dress codes. I had on leggings and a singlet (not knowing there were dress codes before going - I should have checked) but my tuk-tuk driver went and hired me two sarongs - One as a skirt and the other to wrap around my shoulders. Wear a long skirt and long sleeves - nothing tight!

TIP: Go early - there are massive crowds, and I went on a week day! Also, take a guide book. It will help to explain some of the structures you're looking at and the history behind it, as a lot of it is very interesting and there aren't many signs/information stands, let alone english ones.

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

I've always wanted to do a cooking class. I mean, I consider myself an OK cook, in that... I'll give something a go... Sometimes it works, most times it doesn't. I have h
Kind of been a vegetarian for most of my life, opting out of the meat free diet, before i even knew what the word diet meant, or even how to say meat.  So, Being the only vegetarian in my family, there wasn't too many 'hand-me-down' family recipes to inspire me to learn to cook or know what taste was. Put it this way, my mother is French, and they pretty much eat anything. And my dad is Aussie with English parents and they live of the old 'meat, mash and veg covered in gravy'.

I walked past May Kaidee's resturant/cooking school in Bangkok. I was so excited to see 'vegetarian' that at first I didn't notice that it was also a school...somehow I went from going to have dinner there to having a private 11course cooking class.

Out the back of the restaurant is a 'classroom'. I waited about 5min and the sou chef had cut and prepared all the ingredients I would need.

I couldnt beleive how fast it was to cook EVERYTHING - and I say everything becasue within a matter of moments I had cook myself 4 dishes... that I now had to eat.

CRAP - how do I fit all of this food into my tummy - and there was still another 4 dishes to go 9some of the 'dishes were sauces, so that was a relief!). I was encouraged to sit down, take my time and slowly eat.

IT WAS AMAZING - and, I'm not just say this because I cooked it. The taste, the balance - they know what they are doing!

What an amazing experience. I really do recommend everyone try this - it set me back about 1000baht (about $30AUD) not bad for a full evening of learning, entertainment and food!

nom nom nom...

www.maykaidee.com

The reclining Buddha - Wat pho

Everyone told me, 'when you go to Bangkok, make sure you see the reclining Buddha'. My tolerance for temples and pagodas where's somewhat thin, after you see the 20th temple. Now they are all incredibly beautiful and spiritual places of worship, and for these reasons, I feel uncomfortable sometimes about visiting them.

I really think that some of these temple should be preserve for what their original purpose was, in saying that, a lot of temple are also a place to bring people to tether and share experiences, so I don't feel all that bad...I guess.

So, I hired a tuk tuk driver to run me about town. I know, most people stay away from them, but if you can find a nice one and agree on a price it can be a cheap and easy way to see Bangkok.

So for 500baht (about $15AUD) I had my guy scoot me around to all of the sites. He warned me at each attraction...'Sarah, stay away from Thai pele trying to sell stuff...just keep walking'. So, with his words of advice still hanging in the air I entered into the Reclining Buddha.

To get in it will cost you 100baht (about $3AUD).

Now there is a lady that sits at the entrance with blue bags... I swear I thought she was trying to sell it to me... Mix that with my deafness and I just 'kept on walking' only to have someone grab me and yell...' hey you white girl take a bag and put your shoes in it'

I was actually awe-struck when I entered the room where the reclining Buddha relaxed in its horizontal poise.

Art Gallery of NSW

After a bit of culture? A bit of inspiration through art? WE either love art galleries or hate them. I am a lover of art galleries, I've been to some of the most famous ones in Europe, the UK, Singapore and China. Dont be too quick to dismiss how awesome our art galleries are in Australia. I think going to art galleries in AUstralia in an experience in its entirety. That is, the grounds of our art galleries are always stunning, and most them are situation with a far bit of land around them, allowing for a lovely stroll to take in the surrounds.

The Art Gallery of NSW is just beautiful. Set amongst the outskirts of the city centre, it gently falls onto the botanical gardens.

Most Sydney siders don't visit as frequently as they should, or, haven't visited at all.

You don't need a full day to visit, but I would save a good half day - Walk to the gallery from Hyde Park in Sydney - Its a lovely walk.

What's even better - if you're on a budget - It's free to enter!However, if there is a specific exhibition on, there is normally a charge to view.

My favourite thing is the Auslan guided tours. Check the galleries website for dates and times.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Charters Towers

Are you a historian buff? Love a good tale about the Gold Rush era? Love antiques and museums from this period?

Then head to Charters Towers. If you find yourself on a great Australian road trip whether it be carvaning, backpacking - or just cruising your way from town to town, you may find Charters Towers interesting.

Its about 140KM south west of Townsville in Australia's far north Queensland, it truly is a town the Time forgot. Boasting only a few of the modern day cons (a new McDonalds, a Subway and a Woolworth supermarket) most of the buildings here are still original Dating back to the days of the Goldmine boom.

There is a Country Target here - No its not the shop we are interested in, but the building. It still has the original arcade type display cases at the front. There is the old Stock Exchange building, which is just beautiful and the entrance to the 'Bank' (the converted theatre) is also quiet lovely.

There are plenty of tours to see and do - A ghost tour at night, The Old Miners Cottage, The Venue Battery - you can find a full list of things to do at this website, just make sure you plan your day as the tours operate at weird times and sometime not at all. So phone ahead, just to be sure.

www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au

In terms of accommodation - I didn't stay the night, I just drove out and back. There are plenty of options which can be found on the website.

Food wise - not that great. I found it hard to get soy milk! If you have allergies, bring your own food - or stock up at the Woolworth  There are plenty of places to eat at reasonable prices... but its nothing fancy - Basic sandwiches etc...

Kirribilli markets

Markets are always fun. They are jammed packed with many different characters, colours, tastes sights and smells. They really do stimulate all of your senses. and best of all, if you're on a tight budget and backpacking - they are free!

One of the best markets to visit when in Sydney has to be the Kirribilli markets. Set at the northern end of one of the most icons landmarks in the world - the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Kirribilli markets makes for a great days of sightseeing.

I would recommend starting the day by strolling over the Harbour Bridge, that is of course if you are staying in the city.

Save breakfast for when you get to the markets - There are so many food stalls with a wide range of food on offer. Aromatic coffee fills the air and gets your taste buds salivating. Save some room though if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of cupcake and macaroon stalls to feed your sugar kick!

There are there different market themes.

General markets
Art and design markets
Fashion markets

These run on different days of the month, alternating between the three. For market dates and theme click here.

If you're a local and feel you have a excess of clothing or shoes building up, why not hire a stall. My friend Kim did just that and was able to sell her once loved goods to someone else who will love them! What a great way to make some extra pocket money and spend the day!

www.kirribillimarkets.com