Much love and care went into designing this hotel. Though it took some time before actually locating this oasis of cool, calm and chic in steaming Bangkok, damn, my nerves were calmed when they opened those awesome doors and revealed Seven Hotel!

This is a fantastic boutique hotel having only six bedrooms, each room has a specific color according to the days of week, an interesting twist in Thai culture. I was offered to experience the Pink Room (Tuesday) as it is deemed the best room. You know a room is great when you do not feel guilty for not going out to discover the city that you’re visiting.

I was a little apprehensive as I’m not a “girly girl” and could never imagine myself wearing pink, let alone sleeping in a pink room! This is not Barbie pink, folks. This particular room is subtle in color. I particularly love the sleek but not slick design of the bathroom. Dare I say that I felt sexier in this room as the shower is transparent.

Note to self: Must bring my Frenchman here next time!

Located on a cul-de-sac, this place is beautifully quiet, but not secluded. No, luckily it is in one of the toniest neighborhoods in Bangkok: Sukhumvit. Here you will find, spas, galleries, and of course great food and fashion.

I was shown the other rooms (just four floors) and I marvelled over the rich colors that were selected, the balconies, and of course the hotel’s knowledgeable and endearing staff.

I thank the gracious staff and those heavenly sheets and pillows at Seven Hotel!

A great surprise: A cell phone! You won’t have to worry the staff about making reservations or even calling a cab! Seven hotel provides you with a sweet little cell phone (local calls only) with important pre-programmed numbers.

For a fashionable treat without exorbitant prices (by Western standards) head to Seven Hotel!

Seven Hotel

Just yesterday I was asked by Anne, creator of Pret a Voyager to give her some tips or information about traveling to Thailand. Of course I gave her advice about mosquito repellant, proper attire when visiting temples, etc. but I also had to share a gem that I discovered just before traveling to this extraordinary country: Phranakorn Nornlen!.

This is such a wonderful hotel that I stayed there twice! Why? After my horrible time at Good Time Resort Hotel on the island of Koh Mak, I was praying that “P.N.” would have a room for me! They did and it was even better! It was like being a child at Grandma’s house in the country, complete with ceiling fans and waking to beautiful music! They treated me like a queen (they surprised me with a gorgeous birthday cake and sang for me as well!) and I occasionally ate dinner with the staff members at their favorite haunts around the city. They were so welcoming, helpful and kind. It really was like coming home, except these family members were of Thai descent! Ha!

The rate is reasonable, the decor will leave your mouth agape and your eyes wondering how a place this lush, this green and relaxing, can be in one of the busiest cities in the world! Upon entering you are surrounded by tall and short green trees, bushes and plants, the coolness that they provides envelopes you as soon as you take your third step.

Phranakorn Nornlen is built to remind you of an old Thai village. You will find vintage fabrics, lighting, etc. They also have their own boutique where colorful sarongs, blouses, etc. are sold. They also have a sweet little cafe downstairs as well.

I was allowed to peek at their latest creation: an organic farm that they will have on the rooftop!

Added bonus among many: They serve a hardy organic breakfast every morning that is included in the price of your hotel room! Perfect!

Before visiting my family in the U.S. in June, I plan to travel to Laos and Cambodia. I will also book the nicest room at Phranakorn Nornlen. It will be my home away from home whenever I’m in Thailand.

I will post the second, and in my opinion, the chicest hotel in Thailand, soon!

Bon Voyage, Anne!

Happy Mother’s Day!

To my lovely mother who always always believes in me, loves me and who has the softest skin in the world! I can hardly wait to press my cheek next to yours. I thank God for you!

Your loving daughter,
Felicia

Out of all the sensational things that I photographed in Thailand this photograph in particular is the one that took me by surprise the most. It represents many things to me. When I look at it, I feel God, joy, silence and strangely, protected. I imagine that the lower light is me and the light above is where I come from and whether bright or dim, we are the same and therefore cannot exist without the other. To know what light is you must know the dark and to know darkness means cherishing the light.

I personally prefer what lies in the balance.

I chose to lunch at Fifty (in Apgujeong) to see if it would be a good place to shoot for my next project. It is and on top of that the Mushroom and bacon pasta that I tested was an added delight! I walked up to the cash register ready to move on to my next “who knows what” and saw this box of old CASSINGLES! Yes, I think that I repeated “these are so old” about five times and then proceeded to laugh at my own astonishment. Look it, M.C. Hammer cheezin’ hard in my face, in Korea at a hip cafe blasting Mary J. Blige! WT?! This doesn’t happen everyday, folks.

Do any of you still have cassingles? Do any of you still have a cassette player?

P.S. George Micheal was rockin’ the hell out of that Caeser cut!

or Chim, as it is know in Korean.
I have been practicing my yoga for weeks now at the very peaceful hour of 5AM. Yes, you read correctly. However, there’s been a tightening of my right thigh and hamstring for a week or so and as I was walking and booking photo shoots today for my book, I suddenly saw Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Am I lucky or what?! I’ve been wanting to try acupuncture for quite some time now and here was my chance. I only expected to make an appointment but Nurse Eun Hye (which means Grace in English) took care of me at once upon approaching the reception desk. She was so warm, professional and kind. It was as if she knew me and was welcoming me into her home. I filled out a questionnaire, the usual stuff and she explained to me that the doctor would see me in a couple of minutes. Wow! Someone had canceled and I filled the space. Divine intervention!
I was seen by the first and ONLY certified “western” Traditional Oriental Medicine Doctor in Korea, Dr. Raimund Royer. He educated me about the liver, why I have dry skin (but it’s wrinkle-free, OK?) and the importance of the kidneys and how it affects other areas of the body that I would have never known had I not met with him today.

What I thought would be a pretty humdrum visit complete with needles turned out to be one of the most enlightening experiences I’ve ever had with the medical community. He realigned my spine using a CHUNA BED (this bed realigns bones, joints and corrects the arch of the spine) as well as using as CHUNA manipulation. CHU means: push, and NA means pull. By doing this we both realigned my spine and the pressure that I had in my right thigh is gone. Yeah CHUNA!

And now the ACUPUNTURE: OH.MY.GOODNESS.
The first prick into the thigh sent a thunderbolt of energy (read:slight pain) straight to my lower abdomen, which surprised the heck out of me, but that was done on purpose because where he pricked me was a direct line to my abdomen. I could feel the pressure lessening in my leg and this eased my mind quite a bit. All in all, there were about five or six needles, one being in my decolletage.

I left that office smarter, happier and more relaxed but most of all, assured that I am in the right place and that I’m meeting people who are helping me in ways that I would have never imagined.

I mean, where could I go in the U.S. be met with kindness straight away, see a doctor so quickly and leave with instant results, peace of mind and with a smile on my face?

I want to thank the founder of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Dr. Jooh Shik-Shin.
See you next week Dr. Royer, and Nurse Eun Hye!

Consultation: 9 dollars
Acupuncture: 7 dollars
CHUNA manipulation: 30.00 dollars
Discovering Oriental medicine in Korea by an Austrian doctor who’s lived in Korea for 27 years: Priceless!

The man in the center wished me peace and happiness. I, in turn, wished him the same.

Korean float used in the Lotus Lantern Festival, used to celebrate the birth of The Buddha

My friend Catherine posed this question to me as we were walking though Hongdae. She never ceases to amaze me. If I weren’t a traveler I certainly would not have photographs of Korean monks strolling near Jogyesa Temple, nor shots of the some of the chicest cafes I’ve seen thus far. More than this it really forced me to slow down a bit and think carefully about the answer, if there is indeed an answer.

We spoke about how some family members or friends may think that our lifestyle is a bit selfish. Or how some people think that we’re somehow running away from something. The latter sentiment irks me to no end. I mean, what am I supposed to be doing with my life? OH! Get married! Have 2.3 kids, buy a house (and pay the mortgage!) have a “career” and wait to travel when I retire at 65! Um, no, thank you. I’m in no way against marriage (I will believe in love until I die), children are a blessing (well, if you raise if right, Ha!) and I would like to have a home of my own, complete with a private and studio out back (must have a backyard) and housekeeper, thank you.

I believe that I am a world traveler because I dream of traveling, living and working in far away places but I also like having a place to call home. Whether that permanent home will be in the United States, France, Sweden, Korea remains to be seen. I am however getting to be at an age where I do want to stay put for awhile. I have a tendancy these days to romanticize about my life in The Fan in Richmond, VA. I also know that I couldn’t run to an ancient temple to give thanks to my ancestors, bow to The Buddha in a gulf of heat and incense, and have a green tea latte in a cafe where I met Tom Dixon and was subsequently hired by him for a oeuvre that he has now completed!

I travel because it is what makes me glad to be alive. New sites, sounds, tastes and colors are make life beautiful to me. Perhaps what I do is rather nomadic, but I do long for that place, that one place where I can hang my hat, stack all of my books and invite friends over for long talks, big dinners and peaceful sleep.

How about you?

Today is the day before the great celebration of the Lantern Festival. I spotted these honorable monks near Jogyesa Temple this afternoon. This is a celebration of the The Buddha’s birthday and I thank The Buddha for the lighting the pathway that leads those who chose Buddhism to know God’s grace. Whether you are Buddhist, Baptist or Hindu I hope that you celebrate the light that surely flows through you each and every day, the light of Life and Creativity. I love the way that these Buddhist monks moved through the streets, steadfast and true…

Thanks to all who responded to my previous post. Thank you for supporting me and giving me much to think about during this at times, confusing moment in my life. I’m in a much better frame of mind now. I choosing to honor the present and not worry about the future.

I just iChatted with my dear friend Jacqueline T. in the NYC! Technology is amazing it was as if she were here in Seoul, in my cozy little apt. The monitor, power and sound of our iMacs are incredible!
There she was in a thick, lovely fisherman’s sweater as it is is quite chilly in New York and here I was in Seoul, thirteen hours ahead in my sleeveless summer blouse. Jacqueline would look great in any of these hats and she has a head for hats. People, some people look good in hats and other people should just wear big sunglasses and gorgeous scarves, you know, Jackie O. style. In any case, love what you wear or better yet, wear what you love!

The sun is shining so much today and that of course makes me think of the photo shoot that I did for the magazine last week. These hats are hand-sewn and can be found at the lovely shop, Comble in, Samcheong-dong. The designer’s name if Choi, Hye Jung.

I fell in love with hats as both my mother and father wore them to work or sometimes just to go to the grocery store. Hmm, maybe that’s why mom has such great skin, not a wrinkle on her face!

Well, in addition to sunblock I believe that I will have my head measured and fitted for one of these stylin’ hats! I believe it will be this one:

or this one:

this one would be great for a garden party:

or better yet, for just keeping it cool and simple:

Boutique: Comble
Designer: Choi, Hye Jung
email: chaapeaux@hanmail.net
tel: 011 315 3318 or 02 720 1146

Please, have something to drink and eat:

I want to reach out to you so that I may, hopefully, go forth fearlessly on several new projects. Really, I’d just like to ask you this question: Do you ever get tired of traveling and/or not really knowing what you’re going to do next while everyone else “seems” to be doing what they were born to do?
I know that looks can be deceiving and that probably everyone is trying to figure their lives out even though they may look cool as a cucumber and quite safe and secure in their careers, personal lives, etc.

As you know, I am a photographer and I also teach English as a means to put rather cushy sums of money in la banque de Felicia for future projects (books, better cameras, etc.) I do “seem happier when I’m abroad” as a friend just called and said to me, but I would also like to have a base somewhere stateside or at least in a country where I wouldn’t have to give my first born child as a downpayment on a nice little cottage by a lake. I could live in so many places, Italy (will go there this summer to learn beginner’s Italian as well as take cooking courses), Thailand, hell, even my native Virginia, although I wouldn’t know what to do in Virginia for a creative living.

If you’re a traveler, a free-spirit like myself, how do you make peace with the life you’ve chosen, when it seems so much easier, cozier to live close to friends and family you’ve known most of your life?

Very very soon, I will step out on faith and become a full time photographer. If I must teach English as a means to keep the money rolling in, I want to only do so part-time.

Your thoughts, opinions, advice will be very welcomed and respected.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. Here’s your menu:
Mugwort steamed rice cake (it’s delicious, really)
Omija tea (great for your liver and is perfection on the palate)
Pumpkin seeds, apricot
Pumpkin tea, mixed with crushed ice (Heaven)

Don’t worry, it’s on me.