Journeys Within – Page 22 – Journeys Within Tour Company

Jim Thompson House – a quiet haven in busy Bangkok

Posted by Andrea on March 14, 2013 (Updated: 2013-03-15) | Leave a comment

Pemika takes a step back in time and out of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok with her visit to the Jim Thompson House…

Few could write a better tale than that of Jim Thompson. Educated as an architect, Thompson found himself in Bangkok at the end of World War II as part of an American intelligence organization. Though the war ended soon after his arrival, he decided to stay in Thailand, recognizing the potential of this new and exotic place.

With a strong passion for the hand weaving of silk, Jim Thompson devoted himself to reviving this traditional Thai craft, eventually becoming a highly gifted designer and textile colorist. However, his passion for the East did not stop with textile craft; he was also well-known for using his talents as an architect to help revive Thai-style design with the construction of a traditional teak house.

The view the quite, lush garden from the path Jim Thompson House. — The view the quiet, lush garden from the path Jim Thompson House.

The original Jim Thompson House and outbuildings were re-constructed from all or parts of six separate old houses — some more than a hundred years old — that were brought from various parts of the country to the present location.

He opened his beautifully heritage house to the public showing precious artifacts, and his collection of Thai art with the earnings to be donated to charities and projects that preserve local cultural.

JT house artifact — Decorative pieces in traditional Thai style.

Located across the street from the National Stadium, the Jim Thompson House is more than an homage to Thai culture; it is also peaceful place away from the busy Bangkok crowds.

A tour of the house takes about 40 minutes, but the Thai-Western restaurant offers the opportunity to relax after a day of shopping of sight seeing — there are even lockers provided so you can store your purchases.

In the 20 or so year between his arrival in Asia and his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands Thompson was credited with being instrumental in reviving the Thai silk industry, along with being one of the most famous foreigners in Asia.

Unexpectedly, Thompson disappeared during a vacation in 1967. No one knows what happened with him. It has been an ongoing mysterious and the source of much global speculation. His disappearance however, does not mean the Thai silks he worked hard to revive or his Thai house are gone with him. They are standing the reminders of his deep passion for Thailand.

How to get there: Located across from the National Stadium, The Jim Thompson House is easily accessible by BST (Skytrain).

When: 9:00 – 17:00, with the last guided tour at 17:00.

Contact information:
Jim Thompson House
6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 216-7368 Fax: (662) 612-3744… Read more »

Vietnamese Buddhas set records

Posted by Andrea on March 10, 2013 (Updated: 2013-03-11) | Leave a comment

At nearly 34 metres high and 1,700 tons the Maitreya Buddha on Thien Cam Mountain was recently named the largest Buddha atop a mountain in Asia…

Two impressively sized, Vietnamese mountain-top Buddhas are getting fresh recognition by the Asian Record Organization.

In the southern province of An Giang, the Maitreya Buddha statue on top of Thien Cam Mountain has been named the largest of its kind in Asia. Built between 2004 – 2006 by 60 artisans, the over-sized statue features the telltale smile and belly of a Maitreya Buddha.

big buddha — Situated on Ta Cu Mountain, this 49-meter long and 11-meter high Buddha Entering Nirvana was recently named the longest atop a mountain in Asia.

North-east of the Thien Cam mountain in Binh Thuan province, a giant Buddha Entering Nirvana is also receiving recognition as the longest Buddha on top of a mountain. Located on Ta Cu Mountain the monument was built between 1966 – 1969. It shows Buddha in the lying position, with the back against the cliff.

The Indian-based Asian Records Organization is expected to visit the two statues at the end of April to award their respective certifications.

Thanks for the memories…

Posted by Andrea on March 6, 2013 (Updated: 2013-03-08) | 1 Comment

Miranda tags along with the Journeys Within team as they work to make one lucky couple’s dream-date come true…

Few people would describe me as a romantic. I love the idea of love as much as the next girl, but my practical nature usual keeps life’s mushier feelings at bay. Recently however, I witnessed a day so enchanting it reduced me to likes of a love-sick teen.

Part of a special Conde Na st Dream Trip, the Journeys Within team was tasked with arranging an unforgettable day for a couple looking to commemorate their commitment to each other.

Starting early, the ground team and I headed about 125 km outside of Siem Reap; our destination was Prasat Banteay Ampil to arrange a private lunch at this very remote and untouched temple. After arriving in a neighboring village, we moved all the necessary equipment – gas burners, food, drinks, cooking utensils and a table and chairs among other things – into a cart, for transport us further off the beaten path.

Rath on tractor — Rath — a server at our Journeys Within Boutique Hotel and the hostess for the day — riding the cart to Banteay Ampil with all the necessary provisions.

While ours was a bumpy and dusty ride, one that made me nostalgic for fall and Christmas wagon rides back home, I was told the guests would sadly miss out on this portion of the journey as they were arriving by helicopter.

Isolated from the crowds that Angkor draws, this crumbling temple fits the bill of what is envisioned when you hear the phrase ‘ancient ruins.’ While the beautiful stones structures at the site are intact enough to be recognizable, nature has reclaimed Banteay Ampril enough to give it a wild and undiscovered feel.

SAM_0570 — Banteay Ampil, located about 125 km north of Siem Reap, seems as untouched a temple as one could find. It also makes for a very unique setting for a lunch-for-two.

Part of the appeal of lunching at a location that takes great effort or helicopter to see is that few other will get to venture there. There is not a person for miles save a dozen locals and their children using the temple as a jungle-gym, adding to the mystery and romantic feel of setting.

SAM_0576 — “Dave” and a pal exploring the inside of Banteay Ampil.

With coconut chicken curry, chicken and cashews, mango salad, friend spring rolls and a dessert of sticky rice with mangoes all on the menu for the luncheon, Chef Touch and her helpers quickly got to business. With stunning efficiency they made cooking in the jungle look like, well, a piece of cake.

Chef Tooch preparing a tomato flower for the lunch presentation. — Chef Touch preparing a tomato flower for the lunch presentation.

Soon enough, the chopper arrived and the guests were left to enjoy their gourmet lunch in peace and quiet, serenaded only by the sounds of nearby cicadas. After the pair had finished, graciously thanked the staff and flown the coop, the gang and I washed up and reloaded the carts for the trip home. And while the lunch was over, I learned the dream-date was far from it.

In the evening it was arranged that Sofitel would be catering a private affair at Thommanon in Angkor for the couple. One of the smaller, but well loved Hindu temples in Angkor, Thommanon was decorated with hundreds of candles and flood lights in honour of the evening, giving the already impressive locale an even more majestic atmosphere.

Thommanon at Angkor before the guests arrive. Set with hundreds of candles and flood lights, it was hard not to feel the romance in the air.

Venturing over the Thommanon I was blown away sheer grandeur of the gesture. Standing in the shadow of the 900-year-old temple it was impossible to feel anything but joy — and the slightest touch of envy — for the couple who had the pleasure of enjoying the evening prepared for them.

Just before the guests arrived the sun had almost completely vanished, setting the mood.

Driving out of Angkor back home, my eyes were brimming with tears and I was giddy with idea of such a romantic notion — exactly the reaction that pushes our planners to go the extra mile for guests, Narla, our Cambodian director informed me.

While the dream date I witnessed may be over-the-top and out of reach for many – helicopters don’t come cheap — it showed the caliber of experience that can be made with the care and detail of a good team, regardless of scale.

With a little help from your friends, or the hardworking Journeys With crew, our guest make moments that I can assure you, will never be forgotten.… Read more »

Best eats in Bangkok

Posted by Andrea on March 4, 2013 (Updated: 2013-03-04) | 4 Comments

Long has Bangkok been hailed the land of the mouthwatering street foods. Backpackers and foodies alike wander the city’s labyrinth in search of the best cheap eats that the many street stalls have to offer. Bloggers and travel writers have made entire careers out of documenting the ever-changing street-food landscape.

But what about those who prefer eating sitting down? That prefer their red wine slightly below room temperature and their cocktails served in the appropriate glass?

For those looking for an indoor dining experience it should be noted that three of Bangkok’s restaurants have broken the top 20 on this year’s prestigious The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Asia list, as voted by industry professionals.

While there may be debate about who voted, which restaurants were left out and which were included, nobody is denying that the lucky few who were chosen serve up some of the world’s best food.

With a total of five of the city’s restaurants making the list, there is little doubt that Bangkok has whatever your palate is looking for.

Here is a breakdown of those Bangkok restaurants that made this year’s top 50 Restaurants in Asia.

#3 Nahm – Thai food done with a high-end twist. Chef David Thompson’s London Nahm was the first ever Thai restaurant to earn a Micheline star. Must try: Bite-sized portions of smoky Chiang Mai-style chilli relish with quail eggs and pork crackling. Cost: Individual dishes 300 – 700 BHT range, or indulge in the 1,700 fixed menu gets you apps, main and dessert.

#10 Gaggan – A modern take on Indian classics. Must try: Slow-cooked Iberian pork neck topped with a vindaloo curry reduction. Cost: 300 – 700 BHT a dish.

#19 Eat Me -Hip and laid back, this art gallery-cum-cafe is perfect for a late meal. The food is described as “Pacific Rim with South-East Asian and Middle Eastern twists.” Must try: Grilled kurobuta pork loin with cumin, garlic and spiced apple compôte. Cost: 300 – 1,200 BHT range.

#29 Sra Bua By Kiin Kiin – Molecular Thai cuisine with a theatrical twist (read: liquid nitrogen serving trays and do-it-yourself syringed noodles.) Must try: Grilled shrimp with frozen satay ice cream sauce and coconut pearl. Cost: Dinner for two 5,000 – 10,000 BHT.

#36 Bo.lan – Authentic Thai. The chefs Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan ‘Lan’ Jones are alumni of David Thompson’s London Nahm restaurant. Must try: The Bo.lan Balance allows guests to try a little bit of all things Thai, from traditional dishes to more interpretive meals. Cost: 300-800 BHT for the a-la-cart menu, or go for the Bo.lan Balance, a multi (8+) course meal with a little taste of everything at 1,880 BHT.

P1020841 — Anna and Andrea from Journeys Within try out Amita Thai’s Cooking Class while in Bangkok.

And if, by some chance, you find none of the above restaurants tickle your fancy, you can always call on the Journeys Within team to whip something up. Or even better, include your own cooking class in your next tour of Bangkok.… Read more »

A local take on Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

Posted by Andrea on February 26, 2013 (Updated: 2013-02-28) | Leave a comment

Pemika from the Journeys Within Thailand office gives her take on Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, one of Bangkok’s newer museums that showcase Thai life in the area from the 1700s to present day…

Welcome to Siamese Rattanakosin Era, the fourth Thai kingdom, at Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. One of the newer tourist attractions in Bangkok, the multimedia showcase is designed to give visitors a feel for Thai culture, history, and religion using amazing, interactive multimedia.

Guests start with “The Colorful Thai Way of Living Hall” to see how Thai riverside lifestyle evolve from simpler times to a more modern lifestyle.

Thailand has many rivers and canals, and traditionally houses were set up alongside the river. This exhibit gives visitors a glimpse into how this water was used, past to present; from taking water for washing clothes and showering to traveling by boat — floating market are very popular – and catching fish and prawn to eat.

After talking about life on the riverside, guests are invited to take a trip down the “river” in their own “boat”. Life along the river is animated on a multimedia screen while guests take their seat small cart, whose movements simulate that of a boats.

View from the "boat" that takes you on a tour of river-side life. — View from the “boat” that takes you on a tour of river-side life.

Thai life is so simple and based on nature, this section helped show how the river is very important to my people. Even as Thais become more modernized – we now have roads and travel by cars – our connection to the water remains.

After the trip down the 3-D river, the screen then changes into the old city with the first road in Thailand while the seated voyage continues on as a faux-tram.

Next take in “The Heart and Soul of the Nation Hall” which illustrates the royal stories of 9 Kings of the Chakri Dynasty who bestowed great mercy one their people. Here you can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at some royal ceremonies and traditions.

The two-hour tour ends with “Grandeur Rattanakosin Hall” which gives a historical account of the construction of Royal Palace, Bangkok and surrounding temples. I was impressed by the light and sound performance of this exhibit; definitely worth seeing.

Ever wonder how all the traditional hand-made goods you see scattered around Bangkok are made? The museum uses multi-touch screens to give a glimpse of those Thai handicrafts that originate from the 12 communities of Rattanakosin Island.

Architecture buffs will come to appreciate those styles – Chinese and Western – that influenced Thai buildings over time. They will also get a look at the heritage and design of some of the area’s most notable projects like Wat Prakaew and the Grand Palace. Not to mention the great view of current day buildings from a viewing area on the third floor.

The view from the 3rd floor of the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. From here you can see the temple of metal castle at Ratchanadda Temple.

The exhibition hall has two routes; you can choose either one or do both, with each route taking about two hours. Just don’t forget to have a bite to eat before heading in!

It should also be noted that the exhibit is not entirely wheelchair friendly; the ground is uneven and has slopes built to fit with Thai theme. The tour is also not provided in English, though there are audio guides for rental. This presents a great opportunity to take your private guide along and have them answer any questions you may have.

The museum is located in Rattanakosin Island and can be combined with other nearby tourist attractions such as Wat Prakaew, Grand Palace, and Wat Pho. And while some visitors may come to take in the puppet shows and traditional dancing, which are not to be missed, most will leave with a better overall understanding of the area and its history.

Why not let us design your days in Bangkok with the added Siamese experience?