Thanksgiving with a BANG!

Thailand. The ultimate backpackers destination. Everything to satisfy the burning desire for something new, exciting, and rebellious. The energy of adventure-driven 20-somethings fills the air along with streetside pad thai and various types of mysterious street meat. I was in love with yet another city along my journey. 

Within two hours of landing in Bangkok I was already 2 drinks in roaming the Kao San Road (aka backpacker row). I quickly made some Aussie (obviously) buddies and we arrived at an awesome club that had all the right ingredients for a good night...except for people. For those of you who know me I can't seem to go 5 minutes without thinking of some game plan to make things go the way I want. Thus, I assumed the role of club promoter along with a friend and recruited the hot traveling girls and other partiers needed make this place happen. It did. BIG TIME. I was handsomely rewarded with some serious drinks and woke up the next day feeling so accomplished. HA. Happy Thanksgiving!

Can I play with Dinner?

So we all have heard the rumors surrounding Chinese cuisine....you can satisfy your desire for everything exotic in the mass butchery they call local markets. PETA members don't flip out. No, I didn't chow down on puppies or kittens. But, I did get the chance to try snake. Here is how it went down:

1. They take the snake out of the bag and you play with said snake until you are thoroughly entertained.

2. You sit there creeped out as you realize what is going on in the kitchen.

3. They bring out a glass of snake BLOOD and you down it with a smile (until they walk out of the room that is). 

4. You are brought dishes that you would never assume consist of snake meat. Stew and snake with ginger were my favorites. Like everything else I try for the first time, "it tasted like chicken" with a more fishy consistency. 

You now know how to enjoy the delicacy that is snake. Below are photos, PETA viewer discretion is advised!

Animal Country

Coming from an urban lifestyle, a sandy kid from Newport Beach who became an urbanite in Los Angeles, I become fascinated when I encounter "wild" animals. Thus, I get picture-happy and shoot away as you can see from various posts. Here are a few from my "Wild China" trip...

Hong Kong

This was the proverbial "cherry on top" of an awesome trip to China. HK is the quintessential metropolitan Asian city. Offering everything from Michelin Star cuisine to the ever so tempting street food, I definitely ate my way through the foodie hillside streets of this island. The shopping was a bargain hunter's paradise, especially for finding that expensive digital cam you've been wanting for a while. With so much to do, so many ex-pats to hang out with, along with great food and dynamic nightlife - this city gets top ratings in my book.

HK by day

HK by night

The Ancient City of Lijiang

Formerly a mountainous safe haven for the ancient Chinese Naxi minority, Lijiang is now a traveler's destination for those looking for a peak into their vibrant culture. The potent smell of exotic food fills the village air, most of which incorporate Yak meat, milk, and appendages. A smell that you can't escape with all the cologne in the world...Elders dance in customary fashion around the main square accompanied by live instruments. Local people hand make decorative crafts using leather, silver, and wool similar to those of Native Americans. I spent a few days in this ancient flashback and though I felt like a tourist (not a traveler) when inside the protected Naxi village, I could feel the pride minority people have in their ancestral culture.

Leshan

In the mountains outside Leshan lies the famous Giant Buddah. This gargantuan creation is a testament to the synthesis of ancient Buddists and the natural world. In this day in age we need a serious resurgence of this relationship.

POUND IT!

Yangshuo

Some of my favorite experiences on this adventure have been getting lost in random towns. Whilst mountain biking with a friend I stumbled upon a vibrant village outside Yangshuo and even took a ride down the river in a bamboo raft!