Meet My Favorite Thai Food: Ga Paw Mu Khai Dhao

I love Thai food so much but what I really hate is the super spicy in most of their menus.




One of my favorite Thai recipes is this. It is called Ga Paw Mu Khai Dhao (stir fry ground pork, garlic and string beans with rice and fried egg). This was my lunch today. In the picture you will see that there are squid chunks included. Originally, there is no squid in the Ga Paw Mu Khai Dhao, it is called differently but the ending is still the same "Khai Dhao".

There are many variations of this recipe. You can choose either ground pork, beef or chicken. And some of them, are adding young corn and green bell peppers. It is really spicy, but if you tell them to cook it less spicy, you will say “phet nit noi” (means less spicy), nit noi means little or less and the Thai term phet is spicy. Or if you don’t like spicy food, then say it “mei phet”.

In other cozy restaurants, of course, they have a very beautiful food presentation. Since, I just ordered this across the road where we live and the nearest decent "carenderia" in our place, the presentation is just so-so. But I still love the taste. I know how they cook it, so I am 110% sure it is clean and healthy. It costs 40.00 Thai baht only. I like the way they cook my food because when I say a little spicy, they will listen to you (and your needs) unlike, other food stores at the Jatujak market, they won't listen, they still would put so much spicy peppers. Maybe because for them, it is delicious.

I often order this food like 2-3 times a week (if I feel lazy to make my own food) because it is really delicious. One day, I watched the cook the way she prepare this dish. And now I know how to cook this food so maybe tomorrow or next week I’ll try to post the recipe. But please check it out on my other blog… the Food Tripping and Recipes (http://elektra-foodtripping.blogspot.com). I love eating and cooking so much so I’ve decided to make a separate blog for it. Chow! ;)

Exploring Thailand: Koh Chang's White Sand Beach Resort

It was my sweetheart's holiday so we decided to go out of town. That was a month after his birthday. He would like to make up with me because he went out of the country to Singapore for his birthday celebration with his friends.




Koh Chang is a beautiful destination with long sandy beaches and a jungle interior. It is part of the Koh Chang national park in Trat province close to Cambodia and can be reached within 4 hours with bus or minivan from Bangkok. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat with daily flights.





When we got there on October, 2009, the weather was not good. But we still enjoyed swimming at the beach. We stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. I suggests if you wanna visit this place, try Buffalo Bill Steak House and Hotel because they have cheaper food and accommodation. The food was really yummylicious. Some of the food in the menu are good for two persons already. The room is clean, air conditioned, peaceful, and big enough for two. The service was really good. We've spent only 700 baht per day because it was not a peak season.


The Hotel and Restaurant Buffalo Bill Steak House is located in the heart of White Sand Beach close to shopping and restaurants, on the west coast of Chang Island (Koh Chang).


This was our room facing the road


...and our toilet with hot and cold shower

You will find this place at the left side going there, along the way. We just took a songkyeow (jeepney version in the Philippines). In front of this restaurant cum hotel (across), you will find other hotels and the beach resort. You won't need to check-in to other expensive hotels there just to get the room in front of the beach when you can just go to the public access passage/way. It is really economical.


But of course, we won't be eating steak all day and all night. We tried to go out and search for other menus. We found Thai restaurants there that served seafoods delight. The following day, we went to other restaurants there and ordered pizza. Oh by the way, you can also try fast food restaurants there if you wish because there are a few like Chester's grill (similar to KFC and Mc Donald's). There are also coffee shops and pastries. Actually, you will enjoy the trip because you won't feel that you're in an island. Banks with ATM machines are plenty, too.





If you want some relaxation by the white sand beach, there are Thai masseurs that offers different styles of massage. I had my oil massage for only 250 baht for an hour so cheap.

Exploring Thailand: Kanchanaburi Province

These photo shots were taken last July, 2009 when my sweetheart took me to Kanchanburi province here in Thailand as his birthday present for me. It is about 6 hours travel time from where we live. I really had fun and this was the happiest birthday traveling experience for me. I usually stay home and celebrate my natal day with my family in the Philippines and it’s always been an indoor fun, simple celebration. We were there for 4 days and 3 nights. This was my first trip exploring the beauty of nature here in Thailand.



At Elephant's World. I did not feed the elephants with bananas because I was super afraid of them. I love this photo. We are One BIG HAPPY family ;)


Kanchanaburi is one of the most beautiful provinces for nature lovers. It is close to Bangkok and borders to Myanmar (Burma). It has much more to show as just the Bridge on the River Kwai - many worth seeing attractions like the Erawan Waterfalls, the Tiger Temple or a ride at the Death Railway etc.




Erawan Water falls


We did not book our tour there because he knew how to get there through mere online researching. That’s what I like about him, he is so resourceful, innovative and wise spender. It is cheaper to just go there and explore around than book a package tour because if they knew that you are both foreigners, chances are, they will give you the high cost and won’t give any discounts. It is rampant here that when they knew that you are a foreigner and you can’t understand and speak their language they will take advantage of you (the price goes up, believe me). So.. we are very much aware of that.



a lovely pose at the Death Railway by the River Kwai. This was after we took a ride at the Death Railway.



Buddha's Temple inside the Tham Than Lot Noi Cave


At the lobby of our hotel, the lady cashier was asking me in Thai. Of course, I replied that I can’t speak any of their language (although I know quite a few basic expressions) in English. She was surprised because I look pretty much of a Thai citizen, but not when I speak. She laughed at me and gave me an advice not to speak at all when I am in public, especially if my sweetheart is paying so as we could guarantee that we will be able to get a fair and same cost of what they (Thai national) are paying. She suggested a reasonable price for a package tour going to Erawan Water Falls and Park, Elephant World, Bridge of the River Kwai, Death Railway Museum and War Cemetery and we agreed to book a tour. Inside the vehicle service, I noticed that I was the only asian passenger(except for the Thai driver and the tour guide, of course).



Baby tiger



The Death Railway Museum



Kanchanaburi War Cemetery



Don-Rak War Cemetery


The following day, which was my birthday, he surprised me and took me to the beauty spa to have my face scrub and body scrub with Thai’s famous aromatic hot oil massage. I thought we had a scheduled trip that day but he canceled and decided to surprise me. He succeeded ;)



This was taken before my scrub and spa service. Whatta smile :)



We decided to go around the place at night without even knowing where to go at first. I took a pose here, I was tempted to drink that soda behind me. But he told me I will be put in jail if I did... :)



We found this street sign. America Road??? hahaha we both laughed. We successfully arrived back at out hotel safely with tired knees and feet.

Girls' Day Out

A close friend of mine called me up last week to know if I am okay and what keeps me busy nowadays after Christmas and New Year. We decided to meet and have our lunch together at The Mall Ramkamhaeng this morning.

I got super excited because it has been a long time since our last meeting. I woke up at 7:45 am today and went to the meeting place an hour earlier. Good thing, we met there earlier than our expected meeting time. We ate lunch at the mall, and then we decided to go to Emporium Mall after our terrific lunch date. I told her that I would like to take pictures of me and us so I could document the event here on my blog. I gave her my Christmas present and she liked it.

When we we’re there at the entrance of the mall, she told me to pose near the snowmen and the Christmas tree. It was really exciting. She could really see the nice spot and shots. She has “eyes” for photography. And I love taking pictures so we make a good pair.



After our photo shots outside and inside the mall, she suggested to watch a movie with me because she would like to see “Couples Retreat” or “Did you hear about the Morgans?” I recommended that she must see Couples Retreat because it is really awesome movie and I’ve already watched it with my sweetheart (of course). I was willing to watch it again but unfortunately, it was not available anymore. That was shown on November last year. I told her to just grab a DVD copy of it. We both agreed to watch the other one and she did not want me to pay for my movie ticket (her treat). I was craving for caramel flavored pop corn and I bought for two (she liked plain).

After the movie, I offered her to eat sundae ice cream at Swenssen’s (my treat) before we go home. We both loved the taste of sundae. I ordered the nutty sundae with strawberry and blue berry cheese flavor. I just loved the taste and would like to come back soon.



I told her that I want to buy stuff for making a baby scrap book. She accompanied me to the stationery shop and I bought four kinds of pink paper with pretty designs, a set of acetate film and a cozy art paper cover. I still need more items to buy but I’d like to go home before the sun sets. I can buy those at the nearest stationery shops in our place. We went to the BTS station after my shopping spree and we parted at past 5:00pm. I really had fun with her.

My First Daughter's Birthday

My first daughter was born on January 2, 2000. I will never forget the day she was born; because she is my first child (I guess any mom would feel the same way on me because I am, too). She is celebrating her ten years. I can’t believe she’s growing up so fast. She is my little angel. Next school year, she will be in fifth grade. I remember her happy, smiling face :). I love her so much.

I remember when I took her in Boracay beach (in the Philippines) last August of 2007, she was so happy to be with me. It was her first experience to ride an airplane and to travel a little far from Manila. She used to go to some provinces in Luzon.

I used to take her many times at work and when I had travels for official business. She enjoyed traveling with me so much. She’s more of a mommy’s girl and she is really sweet like me. I guess she resembles most of my personality.

I hope she can be with me this year in Bangkok to meet her baby sister. My sweetheart told me if I wanted my daughter or my mom to come for a visit this summer vacation on May. I said, I would definitely love to see them. I miss and love them both.

If only I could take her with me here in Bangkok so she could live here. The problem is, the education system here is not good and yet so expensive. I am only concern about her studies as I would like her to learn English very well. If she’s going to study here, she’ll be required to study Thai language.

We are living here in Bangkok, for the mean time but not for good. It is because my sweetheart’s work is here and we have to stay here. The least that we can do is just invite her to visit us during summer vacation so we could be together somehow.

I called her up today to greet her a happy birthday and just to hear her sweet, lovely voice would be enough to make me happy. To know that she’s happy, safe and healthy. My sweetheart and I bought her a Christmas and birthday present last December. She already has got them a week after I sent them via EMS courier. We are happy to know she liked our gifts for her. I’ve been praying for her everyday.

I promised to call her again, next month. I am so grateful that she’s in good hands living with my paternal aunt and grandmother. I would like her to grow up responsible, independent, loving, God fearing, obedient and patient. She may not be the most intelligent student in class, it doesn’t matter. I know she’s an average like me. I would love her to learn good and positive values, especially to have more of spiritual values. As I don’t want her to repeat the same mistakes I had in the past. I love her so much.

Happy Birthday, Nikx!!! Mommy loves and misses you very much.