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Bangkok

Thailand

September 18, 2025

Hello,

Today is my Birthday.  I am Eighty-five.

I am well.  I have family and friends who care about me.       

I am active.  I am happy.

Since I have been an expatriate and a traveler for more than twenty-five years, I have celebrated my birthday in several locations.

For example, in 2011 in Russia, I was visiting the small city of Vladimir.   I sang Happy Birthday to myself as I wandered around town.

In 2014 in Lithuania, in the small city of Palanga, I met Rima, a rehabilitation physician and her husband Mindaugas.   Since Rima was on duty the evening of my birthday, we three had a small party in her hospital office.

Over the years I have had several large gatherings in restaurants here in Bangkok and at Jomtien Beach, my get-out-of town pad.  Thai friends and expat friends from Afghanistan, America, Australia, Canada, England, France. Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, South Africa and South Korea have celebrated my birthday with me.

 At one party my Thai friend Nai came with her very young daughter.  Little Samantha kneeled on her chair, bent over the cake and helped me blow out the candles.  Samantha is now a high school senior!

This year I’ll have a party with my friends at Jomtien Beach.

You might ask, “So far, Jan, where was your favorite birthday party during your expatriate and travel years?”

That’s easy to answer:  Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China.

Click on the photo above for photos from Bangkok.

Scroll down for the videos from China.

Finally, My Friends, Thank You for your encouragement and friendship for all these years.  With your support, and continued good fortune, I’ll keep on goin’.

Be well,

Papa Jan

PS Click here for the full story from Dunhuang and the stunning Dunhuang Yardang National Geo Park.

Bangkok

Thailand

December 15, 2019

Hello,

Why travel hundreds or thousands of miles away when many interesting things can be found in our own neighborhood?   Just have to look around. 

I was pleased to join the Bangkok Photographers group since we started our tour a short walk from my apartment.

I doubt whether "skyscrapers" is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Bangkok.

Nevertheless, we have our share.

Bangkok

Thailand

Sunday

July 15, 2018

Hello,

I had the most delightful afternoon at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.  I attended the “Pakistan Single Country Exhibition.”

My goal was to obtain tourist information.  I had heard excellent stories from a group of German motorcyclists who I met last year in Tashkurgan, Xinjiang Province, China near the Pakistan border.  I had traveled from Kashgar through some spectacular mountain scenery.   Apparently, to the west, the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan is even more spectacular.

At the exhibit today, I did find a few brochures about the mountain and lake regions of Pakistan.  But the convention center had exhibitors from a variety of other businesses: Rock Salt Products, Marble and Onyx, Wooden Furniture, Rugs, Gems and Jewelry, Garments and Textiles, Agro Foods, Brass Artifacts, Cutlery, Surgical Instruments, Sports Goods, Leather, Fishery, Pipe and Steel, Handicrafts, and of course, a Food Court.

Bangkok
Thailand
February 16, 2015

Dear Friends,

It seems that the only time I travel to a local attraction is when I have a visitor and he makes a suggestion.  I suppose that I am so busy planning my next international journey that I forget that my own locale around Bangkok offers many rewarding adventures.   (I think I am not alone in this contradictory situation.)

The latest case: My old family friend, David L. made a stopover in Bangkok after he completed his work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  He had read about Ko Kret.* We decided to visit.

Bangkok

Thailand

June 20, 2014

Today I participated in the “Punk Rock Girl Shoot.”

Along with eight other amateur photographers and our leader, professional photographer Dennie Cody, we spent three hours this afternoon photographing the unique model Tanya, the Punk Rock Girl. *

The shoot took place at a vacant lot/playground/graffiti park at Ratchathewi in downtown Bangkok.

Tanya changed her outfit four times.   She was creative, emotional and beautiful.

Please see for yourself.

Jan