Life Digest. August 2023

Life is a travel in time.

For the last 10 years or even more I have been regretting not to be writing a diary. I should have started journals probably when I was 15. Because life was interesting, sometimes strange and often challenging. Growing up in a small grey town in Belarus, foreign languages school in Moscow, the Navy, the collapse of the Soviet Union, move to Australia, move to Japan. Few different lives in fact.

But finally, a few years ago I started a blog focusing on most interesting pieces of my travels, hikes and wanders.

This month I’m 65, so I have decided to at least try to write monthly digests/diaries to make up for my lack of earlier notes and to be able to compare Now and Then at some stage. I would briefly cover interesting places seen (the detailed blogs will still be done for the especially heady spots), good movies and reads, fun activities and foods. And I will still keep it under the umbrella of Hungry for Travel blog. Because all these things are part of our life. And one way I define life is that it is a travel in time.

TRAVEL

Stays. Bangkok.

Nearly half of the month I spent in Thailand for work and few days off in Hua Hin. When I stayed in Bangkok on my last two days before returning to Japan, I have booked into a really unique hotel. It is located inside the temple, right on Chao Phraya River, and has only six rooms. If you are in Bangkok, I recommend at least a night or two here.

The hotel name is Loy La Long. Truly unique!

In fact, after this trip to Thailand I have realized that I am a bit over this country. Probably because there are less convenient hiking opportunities compared to Taiwan, Korea or Hong Kong. Plus food. I like Thai food, but it is getting boring after 1-2 weeks, what I cannot say about Korean or Taiwanese food. Also I don’t like that there are restaurants and prices for “farangs”, and that there are real ones. Or maybe just one old man getting grumpy…

I am still planning to make a short blog on Hua Hin and especially a short guide on Charoeng Krung area of Bangkok where I wandered a lot during the last 10 years. Just need to put all the old notes together.

Other tips on Thailand

- Bolt is cheaper than Grab

- Most hotels will allow you to check in earlier than standard 2-3 pm (unlike Japan)

JAPAN

August in Japan is very hot and humid. I would not recommend visiting the country during July and August.

But in August we have many public holidays and festivals here. Some are really beautiful. I could not join, but Yuko went to lantern festival in Nagoya.

Seeing is believing…

I have come across another event when hiking from Mount Sokka (not far from my home) last Sunday.

Oh, and new discovery. Great walk along Tagoegawa river from HIgashi-Zushi station towards Hayama. Will repeat.

Not far is a secluded outdoor gym in Sakurayama Park.

FOOD

If you are in Hayama, please visit Little Burnaby cafe. Robinson is doing a great job in this cozy spot.

Morokyu izakaya is another comfy place. It is located not far from Zushi station.

Inside Morokyu.

Outside. No neon lights

EXERCISE

It is hot outside, so I am trying to do 3 indoor gym yoga classes per week, augmented by every morning HIIT at home, and occasional swims and weight training.

Talking about HIIT. Not so long-ago Penny launched a new workout which I have found pretty challenging.

Try it here!!

GOOD READS

Just finished (or rather swallowed) Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan. A very thrilling plot. The takeaway from the book is main character’s monologue about Man of Today and Man of Tomorrow. Today Man thinks about tomorrow, looks after himself, sleeps early, eats healthy, etc. The Tomorrow Man thinks he will start doing all these things tomorrow. I liked the concept and want to be the Today Man.

Another great read is Damascus Station by David McCloskey. An intelligent spy story.

In short reads I liked this piece about friendship.

And ruminations about how to choose your partner.

GOOD WATCH

British TV series Traitors is interesting and I beleive with enough actual history. One day we might see a movie showing which country was behind Brexit and election of D. Trump as the POTUS.

Another movie I like, although reviews are not so good, is Who is Erin Carter.

That is it for today.