Arriving in Thailand
As many of you know, I traveled to Thailand, for the first time, the day after Christmas. My companions were my good friends, Kevin Sharkey and Peter Arnell. It was a long journey for us, nearly twenty-six hours of travel including a twelve-hour time difference, but it was well worth it. After leaving a frigid New York State, the weather in Thailand was lovely - hot and sunny and a true tropical paradise. We were all fascinated by our visit to this most diverse country.
Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is bordered by Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. Its population is approximately 64 million people, mostly of the Buddhist faith. The currency of Thailand is the baht and we had so much fun spending it on inspirational items that we found in the many unusual markets of the area. Please enjoy these photos taken at the start of our trip when we arrived in Bangkok, the capital and largest city of the nation.
1 Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong's beautiful airport, was designed by British architect, Sir Norman Foster - it was an amazing experience. Travelling from our gate to the first class Cathay Pacific lounge, designed by my friend, John Pawson, was a a long trip. Luckily, we had an electric cart transport us and our carry on bags.
2 We took lots of photos of one another.
3 There are miles of moving walkways in addition to miles of hallways. After a fifteen hour flight, the long walks are actually good exercise, if you don't have too much carry on.
4 We looked at everything.
5 Peter Arnell is so much fun to travel with. He is always happy and enthusiastic and knows a lot about the architecture and technology. He is also a great photographer.
6 We stayed at Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. Here I am being warmly greeted by hotel executives - I received a big bouquet of flowers.
7 This ornately carved water melon was in my room - how very special!
8 My room was filled with lovely flowers.
9 I also found this amazing thing in my hotel room. It's a giant pomelo carved and filled with perfectly segmented sections of the fruit. I watched the fruit chefs carve and peel - once you get the hang of it it is not too time consuming.
10 Each segment is delicious and refreshing - crunchy and very citrusy.
11 There was also this fancy white chocolate bateau carved to look like the kings barge. It was filled with delicate sweets for a good night snack.
12 And more sweets
13 The first night, we got all dolled up and took the ferry across the river to a Thai outdoor restaurant - I wore my chiffon Hermes blouse.
14 The night lights on the Chao Phraya River are gorgeous and the river never sleeps.
15 The Chao Phraya River lit at night
16 The river barge ferry
17 Cruising across the river
18 We all loved these woven silver holders for beer and soda cans. We looked for them in the markets but could not find any to take home.
19 A blue curaçao drink with vodka
20 The view from my room looked out at the river.
21 The hotel lobby was still decorated for Christmas.
22 This is an amazing mosaic floor at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
23 This is the concierge desk and registration area. The service was extraordinary and friendly.
24 The central Christmas attraction was a composed flower tree in the lobby.
25 Kevin wanted me to pose next to this magnificent tree.
26 Downstairs, we found this beautiful wicker-filled room where an engagement party was taking place.
27 The flowers everywhere are so luscious and beautiful - very artistically arranged and contorted.
28 So many flowers in so many different colors
29 Breakfast was as beautiful as a flower arrangement - papaya cut to look like flower petals or leaves.
30 My favorite drink - coconut water from a freshly cut coconut
31 The fruit chef came to my breakfast table to show me how she peels the pomelo so perfectly.
32 These big pots are made in Thailand and are everywhere, filled with ornamental plants.
33 In the lobby we met up with my Thai magazine staff - they spent the day with me.
34 On our river cruise with the magazine staff
Thailand is intriguing. The pictures are very intersting. Looking forward to seeing more of the country through your lens. The delicateness of the fruit and flowers is inspiring.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | January 11th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Oh I miss my visits to Thailand! I have not been back for quite a while. I used to stay directly across the river from your hotel at the Peninsula. Those river views look familiar. Glad to hear you had an enjoyable time.
I have wanted to take the Thai cooking course offered at the Oriental for a while. I hear it is a week long and fantastic but I have always been too busy with work related things to be able to take it. Were you able to learn some cooking techniques while there?
Posted by: Wayne M | January 11th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Last January my husband, some friends, and I rode bicycles from Saigon to Bangkok. It was an amazing experience. Did you have afternoon tea at your hotel? Also amazing.
Posted by: Jay | January 11th, 2010 at 9:24 am
First Class - Yes. I want a melon with my name on it . . . . happy that you were able to make that trip.
Posted by: jeannette | January 11th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Hi Martha,
I am making a trip to Thailand in February meeting my daughter in Bangkok. She is getting married a year from now and we thought we might look for some linens either for her reception or for events that we will have at home in Washington DC. Do you have any shopping suggestions? Also, since my husband and I will be traveling more extensively once my daughter returns to her post in Bangladesh, I wonder if you could tell me what your favorite part of the trip was.
Thank you
Posted by: Kathi Sullivan | January 11th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Wow I really enjoyed going through the photos of your trip...I felt like I was there.
Love all the food decorations. I had taken a class years ago in San Francisco decorating/carving fruits and veggies, this brought back many memories...Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: delia | January 11th, 2010 at 10:54 am
wow. . . . . Now Martha will you have a video on how to create those beautiful looking fresh fruit presentations! What a beautiful trip you were able to experience. . .Wish I could travel. . .so please keep making my day with all the beautiful places you enjoy!
Regards,nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | January 11th, 2010 at 11:00 am
This is a great blog and pix of Thailand.
Some may not wish to fly at this time but
statistics prove that it is by far the safest
means of travel. What luxury to be able to
enjoy warm weather at this time of year, not that winter is not a joy to us here in Dakota.
Posted by: ann | January 11th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Oh...you were here in Bangkok. I wished I could have your autograph. It was a little strange and very exciting to see you in the photos with the familiar backgrounds. Can't wait to see more photos. I'm sure you visited some of our exquisite beaches.
Posted by: JeabBKK | January 11th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Hi Martha,
The CAT Show was wonderful! Loved every minute of it. It was great to see your beautiful cats. Thanks again for an informative show.
Joan
Hilton New York
Posted by: joan vogt | January 11th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Martha, your life is so exciting!! Something I will never eperience ...
Posted by: Sharon Hines | January 11th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Thank you for the beautiful pictures. You look adorable with that scarf in your hair. The cat show was awesome.
Posted by: Pam from Indiana | January 11th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I enjoyed each and everyone of your pics of Thailand.
Beautiful, Wish I could go there someday.
It would be a dream come true.
Posted by: Thelma Day | January 11th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
.
Great CAT show today. Nice PICS of Thailand. The other bloggers are such a great bunch and most are animal lovers, I thought they might get a smile from the following:
.
.
Fury Buriealis
.
A couple of months ago a neighbour came to my door.
She was holding something tight, but what? I wasn't sure.
Her worried expression got my attention, I asked why?
Her two dogs had cornered this little cat in their yard,
And it looked as though kitty would not survive unflawed.
Question - Would I take the cat and add her to the barn?
Well, that wouldn't work; the barn cats would do her harm.
The only safe thing to do was bring her into the house.
She had been dumped with her bed and scratching post.
Her markings are basic black with orange, tan and white.
Now, all I had to do was explain to my house mates that night!
But one is a horse whisperer; the other is a sucker for kitties.
Just when I thought I had it made, I was informed it was a pity
That the calico dumpee was carrying babies; no good turn
Goes unpunished; She took over the house, I'll never learn.
She beat up the two dogs, that's another rhyme, another time.
Her name is now Cagney, She tells the other cats it's a crime
To crowd her space;She hunted high and low to find a spot
Suitable for hiding her little treasures and that's just what
We got. Six little darlings of many colors; waddling about;
As I write one "blondie", is perched on my foot, no doubt
The others are in a knot somewhere writhing and arguing.
Mum Cagney swaggers around, I swear she looks down her nose
At the fixed cats. Pictures have been taken to entice all those
Friends who think they might want a kitty. Only heaven knows,
Maybe we will still have half of them when the bloom is on the rose.
One thing I do know for sure. When there comes a knock at the door
No matter how urgent the rap, I'm not allowed to answer any more.
.
.
Love as always. Smile awhile.
.
Posted by: celia stock | January 11th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Hi Martha!
I love your blog and appreciate all the effort you put into it. Reading your blog, and really enjoying it was part of the inspiration in starting my own, so thank you! It was great seeing your pictures of Thailand. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Monday!
Posted by: Wendy (Give Love Create Happiness) | January 11th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Dear Martha,
Wow how exciting, Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok is one of the best and most beautiful hotels and the presentations of food is amazing. You should try to go to http://www.chivasom.com next time a beautiful and amazing place. Check their website Martha and really I wish you can go there one day.
Best Regards,
Rowaida
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 11th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Thank you for sharing Martha! I loved seeing the fruit and flowers especially. Teach us how to make those papaya leaves, please. They're astonishing!
Posted by: Karen | January 11th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Yes Martha, this is a super group of people who follow and post on your blog.
Thanks for having it, the effort to keep it fresh and the work of getting the pictures and details explained.
Great group of individuals who share their comments/stories.
Posted by: Margie | January 11th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Are those fruit chefs using woodblock carving tools? Amazing! I want to carve papaya into flower petals and hope my kitchen tools do the task!
Posted by: Penny | January 11th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Hi Martha- my boyfriend and I just got back from Thailand a couple of weeks ago. We went to Bangkok for a week and to Phuket for a week. Bangkok was fun, particularly the shopping. The markets are great. The fresh fruit is also amazing. Unfortunately we were supposed to be there for 40 days but we headed home after Phuket because we kept getting sick. Glad to see you enjoyed yourself though.
Posted by: Francesca | January 11th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Hi Martha, It sure is easy to see how much fun all three of you had on the 1st part of your trip to Thailand. These photos are absolutely stunning and how I wish I could have been there, too! How thoughtful of the owners of the hotel to give you so many nice complimentary items to enjoy in your beautiful hotel room! The carved watermelon was superb! The pomelo was very neatly carved, also! The view from your room was absolutely fantastic! WOW! You sure had fun, huh?! I know the rest of the blogs about your trip are going to be wonderful! Thanks for all of it!! Loved your 'Cat Show' today! How amazing that that many cats in a studio were as calm as they were. In answer to your tweet, my favorite cat is my part-time cat, Bogie who visits me almost daily. He looks like that striped orange cat, only he is black and grey. Very talkative and very loving. Thanks again for making my day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 11th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Khom Khum Ka, Martha!
I KNOW you are having a fabulous time in Thailand, one of my favorite places to visit! When in Bangkok,you have to go to The Rubber Tree restaurant, near Patpong, if you dare the Heat!!!! Mom's Kitchen is wonderful in the fashion district. Also,Jim Thompson's home and silk factory are a must-see!!!
I also want to thank you for taking the time for featuring Jeremy Hopper's wedding in your MSW magazine. By doing so, you have helped the cause for marriage equality a thousand-fold! Your subscribers look up to you as to what is the acceptable and "proper" way to conduct yourself in modern society.Your presentation was treated just as any other loving family wedding would be treated. That is just the way it should be!
Only today,I purchachased your SS flexible spatula. For Xmas,I rec'd your 7 qt. enameled stock pot and the new multi-lock plastic and tempered glass storage containers at Macy's from my doctor hubby of 20+ yrs.
Thank you for being the trend setter that you are and voicing your opinion as to what is just.
Sincerely,
Kelly
Thank you
Posted by: Kelly Watson | January 11th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
I really enjoyed the photos. Thank you for sharing them. I lived in Thailand for three years as a youngster and went to the International School of Bangkok. The diversity, creativity and sweetness of the people made for lasting memories. Thank you again.
Posted by: Thom Mullins | January 12th, 2010 at 12:07 am
I adore the fruit and flowers! Exquisite ambience.
Posted by: sherey | January 12th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Hi Martha,
All those cats on todays show!! What a great show!!
You must add a Maine Coon Cat to your family Martha. I thought I could tell you seemed a little starstruck
We had the delight of stewarding two Maine Coons at our farm, along with many other felines of one variety or another during the years.
One Maine was only a small kitten, abandoned and forsaken and left to die when my mother found and rescued her during a terrible winter storm. A neighbor rescued her little sister found not far away. They looked like twins and poor babies were starving, shivering cold, and eyes full of fear. When taken to the vet after several days of holding and feeding and silly sweet talking, he said, "Why these are Maine Coon Kittens. And your in for a real treat!" He was right, and we were for the next twelve and fourteen years.
Spend one day with one and your hooked and you'll never look back and regret it. It's been said, "Lucky are those where the Maine Coon Cat goes!"
Your pictures of Thailand are exquisite. I was captivated with each frame. Those flowers, that food, the artistry, and the picturesque views....made me a little starstruck!
It must have been magical and bless you for sharing your adventures with us Martha.
Enjoying as always, Becky
Posted by: Becky HK | January 12th, 2010 at 12:56 am
the fruit cravings are incredible! glad you had a nice time!
Posted by: lynette | January 12th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Wow! Didn't you feel like royalty?! The flowers, fruits, lovely decor, scrumptious foods all add up to a presentation for a visiting Queen, for sure! Really enjoyed the photographs, thanks. I would love to visit Thailand someday. My eldest son is named for a famiy friend from Thailand. I missed the cat show, will catch it on the webshows. Loved the poem by Celia on the blog. I'd love to take a kitten, but I suspect she's far away. Oh well, there's always lots of kitties at the shelters.
Posted by: Frances Jackson | January 12th, 2010 at 4:12 am
Loved your pictures from Thailand! Thank you so much for sharing to the ones that may never have a chance to visit! Simply Beautiful!
Posted by: Sheri | January 12th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Hi,
I visited Thailand in 2008 and really loved their markets full of local crafts like the Chatuchak market in Bangkok where you can get silk products, jewelry, pots, blue and white ceramics, metalware, etc. Please post more pictures and videos of the markets you had visited!
I love the flower and carved fruit photos you have shown so far. The Thai people are very friendly and artistic.
Posted by: Charlene Eze | January 12th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Hi Martha:
So sorry to hear about your beloved Martyn. What a beautiful boy he was! You have always been an inspiration to me and I have almost all of your books and videos.
Thank you for sharing Thailand with us. I will probably never be able to go so I have had a wonderful glance at it thru your lens.
Wasn't that carved watermelon wonderful?!!!
Posted by: Norah Sempelsz | January 12th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Why can I no longer find your show on TV?? I live in Port Colborne Ontario Canada and have always gotten your show at 10 am on one of Cogeco's HD channels but when I looked for it today it was not there. Because of my location (close to Buffalo,NY) I get a lot of American channels but I can not find your show anywhere! HELP!!!!!!!
Posted by: kathryn Guitard | January 13th, 2010 at 11:28 am
@kathryn Guitard...
I was in the same boat, although I watch Bell TV. The only time I can find it on is 8am [MST, which is probably 10am your time?] on Fox-E. Gotta have the US timeshifting! Good luck. I totally miss Martha being on CBC 45 times a day... *sigh*
Posted by: R. | January 13th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Another great story by Celia in poetic form!
I swear, Martha, you should hire this woman.
Posted by: Nan | February 7th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Dear Martha: I love your show every day I see it, if I am not going to be home to see it, I record it, you are very inspirational , I also would like to ask you, 'how do you register for your dayly giveaway gifts, I would like to get one some day, I live in Texas and I understand your show is taped in New York. please let me know, I just got your book 'Encyclopedia of sewing and crafts, keep up the good work for all of us ladies that like to learn so much. Lupita Ontiveros
Posted by: Lupita Ontiveros- Laredo Texas | April 28th, 2010 at 3:13 pm