moves like petra

Now this is truly a most useful instructional video.

Have you ever wondered how to dance properly in a club? That is, not look like an idiot? Meet Petra Mahalimuyak.



Time to practice.

please come back

I waited a long time for this.

Who is Chris Botti, you ask? Oh, you Philistines.



OK, so we didn't have Sting last night, but it was still the best concert ever. I am so grateful that I was able to experience it. Worth every peso and the long drive to Resorts World Manila.

first night in chiang mai

My official reason for wanting to go to the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center on 26 April 2012 was to try the khantoke dinner set.

But I was really looking forward to seeing the dancers.

not the usual chiang mai

Actually, when we visited Wat Pha Lad on 28 April 2012, it was a whole day excursion for us. Our train back to Bangkok wasn't leaving until 6pm and we didn't really have anything planned, so we hired a songthaew (covered pick-up truck, similar to the Philippine jeepney but smaller) and went off the beaten track.

Armed with David's map, of course.

Our first stop was the lovely and peaceful Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

best temple award

This is David. He's an English dude who lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He and his wife Nuy own Funky Monkey Guesthouse which won tripadvisor.com's Traveller's Choice (B&B category) award for 2012.

I arrived in Chiang Mai armed with a list of temples to visit. It's compulsory when traveling in this part of the world. I asked David for directions, but he recommended that we discard my temple line-up and go to his favorite hangout instead.

After our excellent adventure at Warorot Market, which was one of David's tips, I became convinced that going to Wat Pha Lad might be worth the hour-long trip to the hills outside the city.