Blake and Deb Far Away

We returned to Singapore for a quick layover on our way to New Zealand. There is so much to see and do in Singapore that staying over there is never a burden. This time it was just enough to visit the National Gallery and their excellent zoo. Here are some photos of the latter. Iguana White-Faced Saki Monkey Yemen Chameleon Western Crowned Pigeons Mandrill Deborah's Video of Cotton Top Tamarins. These little guys weren't even in an enclosure; they were just hanging around the trees by a regular path. Many of the exhibits were immersive like that, which lets you get quite close to the animals. Flying Fox Red Ruffed Lemurs Deborah's Video of a lizard fighting with his own reflection. Chimpanzee (possibly either contemplative or depressed) Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins in love. Duoc Langur White Lion Ring Tailed Lemur Proboscis Monkey Ordinary Primates at Singa...

Our two months in Chiang Mai have ended. It is certainly a comfortable place to live with its good infrastructure and low cost of living. The people are nice, the food is delicious, there are some nice history and culture museums, it's very safe, the health care is excellent and inexpensive (we both used it), and Deborah loved every one of the eight dozen (or so) cheap massages she had. I suppose all those attributes are why so many expats and digital nomads park themselves here. (You also see a lot of old white guys with much younger Thai girlfriends – consensual relationships, we assume, so we try not to be too judgmental but, really?) Chiang Mai is not a beautiful city, though. It’s mostly a sprawl of low-rise retail and other businesses with unattractive signage and overhead wires everywhere. The residential areas we’ve seen aren’t much better, although some of the apartment buildings are at least modern, if uninspired. City parks are almost nonexistent. It’s all very ut...

Deborah says that for a person who isn’t religious I sure spend a lot of time in temples. (Or cathedrals if we happen to be in Europe.) She’s right. I just go where the art and architecture is. In Chiang Mai that is definitely at its 300 or so temples. Here are a few highlights from those I haven’t yet posted about. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Always mobbed with people due to its commanding view over the city from its perch on a hillside. The view didn't thrill us but the temple itself had its charms. Halfway up the 306 steps to the Doi Suthep Temple Don't forget to look up. Underside of a carved wooden pavilion at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Note that each panel has a different design. Monks chanting near sunset at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.  Wat Chiang Man. Chiang Mai's oldest temple dates back to the founding of the city in 1296. Elephant Chedi at Wat Chiang Man. Wat Chiang Man. Wat Chiang Man. Colorful paintings cover...