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Where's Jonny? Care to dine with me? You would think that 11 years of daily food tasting for a living might put me off?......au contraire! Chomp away with me across 6 continents. Seduced like a bloodhound to the scent of good food, I anticipate the misty waft of steaming broths, the satisfying crunch of mudbugs and the vibrant aroma of freshly pulverised lemongrass. Buon appetito

Trip: Thailand - top to bottom

There are [19] stories from my trip: Thailand - top to bottom


Rabies shot number 4

THAILAND | Wednesday, 25 Apr 2007 | Views [3526]

I departed the Germanically infused Ao Nang (even the menus are in German) on a much more serious scooter than on Koh Lanta. With flames licking my bum hairs I roared off in the direction of Krabi hospital some 10 kilometers away. (Born to be wild ringing ... Read more >

Tags: Doctors, hospitals & health


Gallery: Cambodian discoveries

CAMBODIA | Monday, 16 Apr 2007 | Photo Gallery

The Lost Ark is here somewhere
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Italian Stallions

THAILAND | Friday, 13 Apr 2007 | Views [1124]

Not many people will have sampled as many ice creams as myself - unless your name happens to be Ben or maybe Jerry. My boss, Chaz (aka Mr Incredible) runs 15 miles every morning in order to burn off ice cream calories.  I personally find that stress ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating


A poem about exotic fruit

THAILAND | Thursday, 12 Apr 2007 | Views [3222] | Comments [1]

A poetic guide to embracing natures sweetest creations To reveal the flesh of mangosteen, first crack the violet casing Exotic treats on Thailands streets, they send my heart-rate racing. ---------------------------------------------- Longans ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating


Chilled to the bone

THAILAND | Sunday, 8 Apr 2007 | Views [1168]

We find ourselves on long beach, not California but Koh Lanta Thailand.  Its a 1 hour ferry, 10 hours kayak or 6 day swim from Koh Pi Pi. All along the quiet, expansive drift of white grain are sleepy, underpopulated bars made of drift wood.  Many illuminate using candles ... Read more >

Tags: Relaxation


I could be your hero

THAILAND | Sunday, 8 Apr 2007 | Views [1954] | Comments [5]

As JJ and I sat waiting for our Thai salads to be served on the long sandy beach at Koh Lanta, we noticed that a woman had not been served. Her ensuing frustration and our amusement inspired this song.  (must be sung to the tune of Enrique Eglaisias' ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating


A buyers guide to the Thai islands

THAILAND | Saturday, 7 Apr 2007 | Views [1470]

The best thing about travelling with an ex-Sainsburys buyer is that they are expert negotiators.  JJ, a fellow colleague from my frozen past did great deals from scooter hire to 2-girl massages (although h e didn't manage to get me a Harley and ... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


The day my friend died

THAILAND | Saturday, 7 Apr 2007 | Views [1113]

My friend JJ (real name Jonathan James Stanley) and I decided to go Sea Kayaking on an apparently perfect day. Our destination, Koh Phi Phi Lay could easily be seen across the water from Koh Phi Phi and promised to be an eventful journey of discovery.... Read more >

Tags: Beaches & sunshine


Thai people taste spicy

THAILAND | Friday, 6 Apr 2007 | Views [2896]

"Thai people taste spicy," a hill tribe guide remarked, lightly smiling. He was right.  In the morning we were comparing insect wounds.  My legs resembled a kids dot-to-dot book whilst he had a single pimple on his elbow. To add insult ... Read more >

Tags: Doctors, hospitals & health


The art of eating alone in Asia

THAILAND | Friday, 6 Apr 2007 | Views [2163] | Comments [2]

A guide to high morale through eating even if alone 1. Find a place with the roughest furniture.  Environment is no indication of the quality of food in Asia - quite the contrary - you will find some of the best outdoor eateries next to sewage pipes.... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating


My "A" Team

THAILAND | Monday, 26 Mar 2007 | Views [972]

1. Merrel hiking shoes - without a doubt the best buy of the trip.  I have used them for walking streets in Hong Kong, the Great Wall in China, and Trekking in north Thailand.   They have prevented cobras biting my ankles and broken glass cutting my ... Read more >

Tags: Philosophy of travel


The day I became a traveller

THAILAND | Monday, 26 Mar 2007 | Views [1221] | Comments [3]

"Singha," our hilltribe guide very suddenly darted back from lead position to amongst the group.  The expression on his face revealed that something was wrong.  He pointed to something ahead.  It lay still, jet-black and half-coiled on the ... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors


Northern Thailand - Chiang Mai

THAILAND | Friday, 23 Mar 2007 | Views [1123]

Everyone treks in Chiang Mai.  Activities such as white water rafting, elephant riding, cookery courses, quad biking and bog snorkelling are touted evrywhere(the last one is a lie actually) The city itself is polluted and quite touristy - Boots and ... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors


Night at the museum?

THAILAND | Thursday, 22 Mar 2007 | Views [1083]

I don't claim to be Brian Sewell, nor would I want to be, although many people have been referring to my likeness to Ben Stiller. However, I'd like to offer my laymans observations on the Thai National Gallery. I arrived at 11.30am to find no vistitors.... Read more >

Tags: Culture


Reading list for sick patients

THAILAND | Thursday, 22 Mar 2007 | Views [832]

The nose runs, the eyes water and sadly I'm not just chopping shallots in northern Thailand. Yes at some point in a years of travel we get sick.  Even Michael Palin gets ill (doesn't he?) As a male, I have a statistically higher propensity towards hypochondriasis ... Read more >

Tags: Doctors, hospitals & health


Jonny recommends - Thai food tips

THAILAND | Tuesday, 20 Mar 2007 | Views [914]

1. Thai food is spicy so drink Thai Singha beer with your meal.  Afterwards a lassi (yoghurt drink) will cool down your piping innards.  A lassi is the antithesis of a bird eye chilli. 2. Eat rice for breakfast.  Dont fall into the trap of staying with ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating


More romantic than Paris

THAILAND | Tuesday, 20 Mar 2007 | Views [862] | Comments [1]

March is windy in Thailand and therefore designated to that most romantic of sports, kite flying. Its very much my cup of tea.  I stay on the ground whilst the kite endures, "any sudden turbulence." (pilot quote)  In fact you could liken kite ... Read more >

Tags: Culture


5 days in Bankok

THAILAND | Monday, 19 Mar 2007 | Views [1006]

As Confuscious famously decreed, "Man who walks naked in revolving airport doors is going to Bankok." and so I arrived for some relaxation after a few too many cities. Of course Bankok is a city too but I wanted to see the sites and do some ... Read more >

Tags: Culture


Ode to a world class dish

THAILAND | Monday, 19 Mar 2007 | Views [824]

Asking a Thai person to reveal the names of their national dishes is like asking my mate, Geordie Mick if he knows any of the footballers who play for Newcastle United. Today, after 2 flights from Beijing I was in the thick humidity of Khoasan road, ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating