Photo-a-day 2015.11.30

Burning incense

This is a terrible picture, sorry...

Photo-a-day 2015.11.29

Souvenir sarong

Photo-a-day 2015.11.28

Beef noodle soup

No one does beef noodle soup like Taiwan does it... man, I miss this already.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.27

Chocolate ice cream in a toilet

Chocolate ice cream served in a toilet bowl. From Modern Toilet Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan

Everything was toilet themed, and I couldn't help laugh as they brought a mound of poop shaped bread into their kitchens.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.26

Old family portrait

Photo-a-day 2015.11.25

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong celebration at Lumpini Park

Photo-a-day 2015.11.24

Massaman curry

Massaman curry, from some generic tourist-oriented restaurant in Phuket.
This was pretty tasty, aside from the random bug I found dead in the curry... sometimes ignorance is bliss? =\

Photo-a-day 2015.11.23

Baby tiger!

As seen at Tiger Kingdom in Phuket
Tigers are like giant housecats - lazy, sleepy, occasionally playful, and cute

Photo-a-day 2015.11.22

Tak bat

Tak bat - almsgiving ritual in Laos
Monks walk quietly through the streets of Luang Prabang at the break of dawn, and locals offer them food to make merit and connect closer to the monks. It was quite a sight to see, unfortunately somewhat ruined by several tourists using flash and getting in the monks' way (I felt a little bad getting this photo, the first monk seems to be glaring at me...)

Photo-a-day 2015.11.21

Luang Prabang at dusk

Photo-a-day 2015.11.20

Elephant riding

From Elephant Village near Luang Prabang, Laos. Best experience of the trip by far. Elephant training, riding, and bathing, with a bonus trip to Tad Sae waterfalls afterwards.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.19

Kuang Si Falls

This place is amazing and fantastical. Totally worth taking a trip out to Luang Prabang, Laos

Photo-a-day 2015.11.18

Skewer buffet

In Luang Prabang, Laos
Pick several skewers and they cook it for you right there, roughly $1.25 per skewer

Photo-a-day 2015.11.17

Angkor Wat at sunset

Because, sunsets are always more awesome

Photo-a-day 2015.11.16

Angkor Wat

Technically the second visit to Angkor Wat, but today was so much more picturesque

Photo-a-day 2015.11.15

Banteay Kdei

Part of the Angkor World Heritage sites... this place was overgrown, in ruins, yet still walkable through. Extra bonus for the weather being cool (for once) as the rain was still falling.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.14

Fish amok

Fish amok - Khmer specialty of steam-cooked curry in banana leaves

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Hello from Southeast Asia!

I will be in the region for the next two weeks, sweating myself to death and wandering around aimlessly. First impressions-

• traffic signs and lanes are very very very loose guidelines
• crossing streets on busy roads is terrifying and also satisfying
• it is f*ing hot and humid. my easily heat-exhausted body is already unhappy
• tuk-tuk drivers are quite aggressive for business

anyway, without further ado, here are some pics from my first day in SE Asia!

Riverfront walking

Royal Palace building

Super sweaty selfie

Elaborate plant

Praying statues everywhere

Wat Phnom

Passion fruit soda thing

Photo-a-day 2015.11.13

Phnom Penh Royal Palace

One of the many buildings inside the royal palace at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This particular building is called Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay

Photo-a-day 2015.11.12

Hello Kitty mahjong set

Hello Kitty themed mahjong set, as seen at the Taipei Taoyuan international airport. The "crackers" are Hello Kitty's head, and the bamboos are her bows....

Photo-a-day 2015.11.11

Lucky bamboo closeup

Photo-a-day 2015.11.10

Sequential dollar bills

Brand new crisp dollar bills from my bank, in sequential order. Aaah, so fresh!

Photo-a-day 2015.11.09

Dusk downtown

Photo-a-day 2015.11.08

Lola spread

From Lola in Seattle, WA

Pita and spread of kopanisti, pistachio, and mavrodaphne (aka, feta, pistachio, and wine). Creamy tasty deliciousness, and the sprinkles of parsley and sea salt flakes on the pita was nice too.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.07

Blending autumn and winter

Autumn fall colors meets winter lights... it was quite pretty

Photo-a-day 2015.11.06

Amazon Books store

Amazon decided to build a brick & mortar store in Seattle.

Not quite sure how I feel about it. I liked that all the books face outward, so I didn't have to tilt my head to read all the book titles. Selection felt limited though, which is intended (they only stock highly recommended and bestsellers "in the region"), but that meant they primarily focused on the newer releases and old favorites. It will be nice to have an actual bookstore in that particular shopping center though, and I can see how a changing selection makes the store feel different each time you visit.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.05

Jian bun

From Dough Zone in Bellevue, WA

Jian bun is also known as pan fried steam buns. It's hard imagine just how delicious these are from the picture, but if you like steamed buns with meat filling, you'll love these

Photo-a-day 2015.11.04

Building reflecting the sunset

Photo-a-day 2015.11.03

Star potato puff

From Jhanjay - potatoes with curry seasoning between two roti pancakes. Filling was creamy, outside was crispy. Yum.

Photo-a-day 2015.11.02

Kitchenaid

At last... my very own Kitchenaid... aaaah it is so shiny and beautiful

Photo-a-day 2015.11.01

Autumn on N. 39th St.

Autumn colors are showing well along all the streets around here...