As I near the end of my Southeast Asia bike trip, I’ve finally begun writing about the beginning of it. Eventually, I hope to be caught up… but for now I hope you enjoy these little stories from when I first got on a bike!
How can I describe those first few heady days of biking? I’m hopelessly naive about my timeframe, sunburnt, my knees, thighs, and BUM are endlessly sore, terrified to deviate from My Pumpy’s biking guide, and most importantly, excited again about travel. I’m happy to be off the bus, biking through rice paddies and past exquisitely decorated monasteries, while farmers, their faces protected from the sun with T-shirts functioning as masks, slowly overtake me on tractors. Where I go is entirely up to me. (more…)
Well, returning to Thailand to meet my little brother reminded me of some of the delicious Thai treats I never really commented on here. Fortunately, because I’m biking I feel that not only is it ok for me to eat many delicious sweets - it’s actually healthy to consume lots of calories! That’s how it works, right? (more…)
Well, I’ve run across some really delicious candy over the last few months. I’ve also tasted some very strange sweets. I hope you enjoy this little candy sampler! (more…)
This was a delicious gelatinous candy that I bought in the markets of Bangkok. I believe it is made of rice flour and coconut milk and had a sweet, pudding-like texture. The coconut flavor wasn’t strong, the texture was soft and squishy, and the candy was actually a bit bland. Still, it was strangely addictive, and I actually much preferred this candy to later, similar looking ones I found in Northern Thailand with much stronger tastes and textures. (more…)
Well, I’m back in Thailand again after spending several weeks biking through North/Central Laos. Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand, it’s easy to see the wealth differences between the countries. Seeing so many bright, shiny new cars on the road was a bit of a shock, as were all the international brands and air-conditioned stores along the highway! In Laos, you find air-conditioning in banks (and as a result, many local people seem to spend all afternoon just hanging out in the bank enjoying the cool air!) I liked Laos, but it’s nice to be back in the land of fast internet, at least for a little bit. (more…)
First, the Pyramids (and, I suppose, all the rest in Egypt.) Don’t worry, it will be over quickly, and I can move on to the Important Announcement phase of this blog entry. And no, the announcement isn’t actually that exciting - I’m not going home early or pregnant. (more…)
Malena loves candy. And travel. And both together. And thus, this site was born.

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