Sunsets and Sunrises of Thailand…I am home in my heart.

Hi everyone!!

If you happen to travel through south east Asia and Thailand, make sure you experience a sunrise and a sunset! Catch these miracles of life in a country setting and at the beach! You will have a spiritual awakening! I was born and raised in America, I don’t get to see sunrises and sunsets like I had experienced in Thailand. Those moments reminded me that as a world of transitional beings, we truly reflect ONE sun. A feeling of cohesive union of life and liberty enthralled my heart with an energy of security.

I truly felt at home. Being that I am a Thai born American, traveling in a beautiful country where most of my family lives, where my parents were born, where my grand father had fought and worked so hard for, knowing there is a lot of family history where my pure roots were born, I know that Thailand is truly the motherland of my heart’s joy.

Sunrises and sunsets now remind me that within my being, home is truly inside my heart. No matter where I go, no matter what I do, home is always here in this special place. When we rise, we grow. When we set, we stir energy for our next transition of growth.

The magic of Thailand follows me wherever I go now. I feel complete.

Here is a video of a sunset I took on Baan Tai Beach, Koh Phangan-Thailand. At the end of the video you hear people in the background saying, “I LOVE YOU…!!” “I LOVE YOU TOO” Ahhh….Thailand, how lovely you truly are…

And of course, here are some pictures I took!! ENJOY!!!

Sunrise over limestone mountains at Khao Sok National Park, Cheow Lan Lake-Thailand

Sky during sunset on Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Sunset behind the mountain on Koh Phi Phi. Taken from viewpoint.

Sunset, Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan

Long Tail boat and fisherman between me and Koh Somui.

Taken from Baan Tai Beach, Koh Phangan

Taken while standing in the ocean about 50 feet from shore, it never got deep!! =)

Taking a picture of myself in the ocean….what a blissed out moment!!

Thank you for taking a peak!!

Dreamy Jungle Lakes of Thailand.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in a dream in the middle of the jungle? Perhaps even on a lake with the sounds of birds, monkeys, lizards, and bugs chirping as the morning sun rises above limestone mountains?

You can definitely make this scene a reality by making a trip to Khao Sok National Park, Thailand! This national park is one of the oldest jungles of the world! It is even older than the famous Amazon! Once you arrive to the area, you will be surprised by magnificent limestone mountains shooting up towards the sky covered in the greenest plants and trees I’ve ever seen! It truly is a sight to see.

Khao Sok National Park is located in the South Western area of Thailand. To get there, I booked a flight from Bangkok on Air Asia for only $35.00 to Surat Thani Airport. I then took a mini-bus to Khao Sok which was about an hour and a half drive. I then booked my stay with Smiley Bungalows. http://www.smileybungalow.com/ Here I was able to stay the night in a brand new stone bungalow just underneath the mountains escaped in a refreshing jungle setting with frogs chirping through the night.

The next day, the people of Smiley’s offered for me to go on a jungle tour with their guide and camp the night on the lake! How could I pass up that opportunity? Though the adventure was an added cost, it still was worth it and very inexpensive.

So our guide “Gone”, lead us to a dock where we took a long tail boat ride on Cheow Lan Lake, which is located in the middle of the jungle. The boat ride took us to our stay for the night, which was a floating bamboo hut bungalow community right on the lake! We were served multiple plates of food throughout the day, hiked through the jungle, took a bamboo raft ride, explored the caves, went on a night safari, and also kayaked! You’re more than welcomed to swim in the lake as well! I was a bit too scared since I’m not that strong at swimming.

Sleeping in the floating bungalow was quite an experience! All through the night, I continuously heard little critters chirping on top of my bungalow. I also heard little pitter patter footsteps of perhaps maybe geckos running back and forth in or around my bungalow as well. I probably got 2 hours of sleep! But I at least survived the night! I am very impressed at how sturdy the raft bungalows were. The bungalows were furnished with mattresses and servants brought out fresh blankets and pillows for new guests when they arrive the day of.

My favorite part of this adventure was I woke up very early around 6:00am the next morning and had the lake to myself. No one else was awake. I decided to take a nice walk and enjoy the sunrise. The lake and jungle had such a nice surreal magical experience to its’ personality. I fell in love. The peace and stillness was something I have never felt before in a natural setting.

Here is the video I took on my way back down from my morning walk.

Oh how I loved this experience. Thank you to my family’s homeland country of Thailand for creating this moment for me.

Here are some pictures I took of Khao Sok National Park. Enjoy!!

Travel like a yoga bag

Ever wish that you didn’t have to bring so much stuff with you when you’re traveling? I will tell you right now that you totally can keep it light! It’s possible! Have you ever had those times when you had no idea what to pack? Or, has it ever taken you more than three hours to pack? For some travelers, packing can lead to a big ol’ headache! No bueno!

When I am on the road or flying somewhere, I try to pack as LIGHT as possible! Meaning, I only bring the bare minimum necessary items. The intention is to keep what I pack down to practical uses and to things I need for the intended style of adventure.

I planned a trip to visit my friend in Las Vegas. No No…this isn’t going to be a post about packing for a party. The trip was to spend three days with my friend and go hiking. What will I need:

• 3 pairs of shorts
• 5 tank tops
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 3 pairs of socks
• one pair of  trail running shoes
• A set of pajamas
• Bikini (just in case)
• A pair of pants and a sweater
• Small toiletry items
• Leave the dress at home.

While thinking about what I was going to bring with me on my trip, I knew I wanted to pack everything into my yoga mat bag! Not a backpack or duffel bag, but yes, a yoga mat bag! Yoga is a big practice in my life and I wanted the way I pack to be reflective of my practice. Packing lightly is also a reminder to myself that I am already in abundance of all there is in my life.

So yes I packed all my belongings into my yoga mat bag, and I also brought my small hemp back-sack with me to carry my wallet, water, ID, lotion, chap stick and a few other small traveling items.

There I was, standing in the airport with both my back-sack and yoga mat bag on my back. It wasn’t heavy at all. I am a fan of carry-on items! Keep it simple! You’ll be going in and out of the airport quickly and with such ease!

I also had no problems during the trip losing or organizing my belongings. All I had to do was keep everything in my yoga mat bag while I was out for the day hiking. The back-sack was great on trail for bringing energy bars, a sand-which, and to hold water.

Here is a picture below of my gear while I was waiting at the San Francisco International Airport.

Cool bags huh? =) The yoga mat bag is made through Michael Franti’s clothing company, Stay Human! The back-sack is by Kathmandu Imports! Both totally organic and eco-friendly. I’ve provided the information below for those who are interested in the bags!

Yoga Mat Bag: http://www.stayhumanstore.com/animalprintcanvasyogabag.aspx

Back-sack: http://www.kathmanduimports.com/index.jsp

I also do not use a purse; just to give you another idea of how I try to keep my days simple. I do suggest if you are having a hard time packing, just try to keep it simple. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress. Plus you will feel a lot lighter and free while you are traveling with fewer items!

My challenge  for you is: Go through your backpack or purse and take out the things you do not need. Travel with it for a day and see how it makes you feel. Going on a bigger trip? Try to pack under 30 lbs. =) See how it makes you feel and then let me know!

See you soon!!

=)

-Cindy

Do it! And do it DIRECTLY!

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” A quote by Aristotle.

This quote by Aristotle resonates with me very well.

I will share with you a funny story. My family took me up to Boreal in the Sierra Mountains to learn how to ski. I was seven years old at the time. They had entered me into a ski school with about twelve other kids. I believe after about twenty minutes of introduction to skiing and “pizzas” on a flat ground, I ditched the class with two girls of my age and headed to the chair lift by ourselves. We wanted to hit up the mountain!

Standing at the top of the mountain with my skis on, wearing my purple rainbow jacket, looking down at the snow, I did not hesitate at all and just went down the mountain! All I remember was, I was high on life.

I am still motivated just like I was on that day skiing, to continue to DO what I want to learn/do throughout my life. DOING is ACTION. ACTION is DOING.

To experience by doing, your learning becomes more valuable. Experiencing what it’s like to ride a skateboard for your first time creates a depth of open excitement that fills your soul. Compare it to watching someone else skateboarding, the experience is quite different.

When we put ourselves into direct experiences, we get a rush of all sorts of feelings. Our mind becomes expanded as we create our better selves. Direct experiences of doing becomes more personal for any individual.

I suggest for anyone out there to have LOTS of direct experiences. The possibilities are endless! This is an easy thing to accomplish while we as humans live in a reality of direct experiences all over the world! Don’t study about Thailand from a text book, why not GO to Thailand and learn directly! Don’t just listen to someone talk about how cool yoga is, go and try it for yourself!

This is where my life of experiential living comes into play with who I am and how satisfied I feel. I will go more into depth with experiential living in a different post and I’ll explain why it is effective.

My challenge for you is: GO and DO it! Whatever it is. Then tell me how it felt.

See you soon!

=)

-Cindy