BOLT – Page 2 – BOLT: Black Old Lesbians Traveling

Traditional Thai Medicine

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 by BOLT, posted in buddhist, Chiang Mai, Thailand, healthcare, Medical, Thai Traditional Herbal Treatments, Thailand, Travel, WOC, Women

I recently was privileged to attend a lecture by Wanvisa Inthep. Wanvisa is the owner of Inthakin Green Village. She is a healer, a practitioner of Traditional Thai Medicine and a highly educated women in both modern and ancient practices. She is also a dear friend, the daughter of my heart.

I learned so much at her lecture and, with her permission, I am sharing the pertinent points with you.

What is Traditional Thai Medicine?

TARDS?

Diagnosis and Treatment

I recognize that this is a most basic of presentations for practices that are ancient, revered and highly complex. Wanvisa is in the process of the development of programs where this knowledge can be passed down and preserved. I promise to keep you updated. In the meantime, if you are in the Chiang Mai area, consider a visit to Inthakin Green Village…healing happens there!

Lotus Blessings

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 by BOLT, posted in Travel

It’s a rare occasion when I don’t have my phone, ready to take pictures and document our experiences. Yesterday morning was such a time and what a wonderful experience it was! Kathy and I were honored to take part in a traditional Buddhist ceremony, held in the Inthakin Temple.

Holding lotus flowers out to the Buddha we asked for health, well being, and blessings for the coming year. We asked, not just for ourselves, but for the community we are blessed to be a part of and for our family. We did this beside our dear daughter of the heart, Wanvisa, as her parents could not attend.

We then got to sit before the monk as he chanted his blessings for us and sprinkled us with water infused with lotus petals.

The next part of the ceremony was funny and inspiring too. Knowing I will be in a play, I got a special gold leaf blessing on my forehead. I was told to imagine all the applause I will get and being a shining star. I found this picture of the ceremony and of gold leaf (which I had never seen before).

When everyone in the temple had been blessed by the monk we went outside. For me, it was like a baptism. A pot, filled with water and lotus petals, was poured over my head as the monk chanted and gave me even more blessings.

Even though we have no actual pictures from our morning experience, it was special enough that I want to share it with you. You are part of our community and are included in our blessings.

Yi Peng!

November 23, 2018 by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, buddhist, Chiang Mai, Thailand, family, Long term travel, retirement, Thailand, Travel, Women

Yi Peng is a beautiful festival celebrated throughout Thailand, especially here in Chiang Mai. It’s a beautiful time for community and visitors. Folks gather all over the city, usually close to the river. Lanterns are released into the sky. Loy Krathong (small handmade boats, decorated with flowers) are sent down the river. It’s a beautiful way to set your intentions for the coming year, send blessings up for loved ones and to let go of anything you no longer need. Enjoy our pictures from this year’s Yi Peng.

Earthing Experience with Keidra

November 7, 2018 by BOLT, posted in African American, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Earthing, nature, Thailand, Travel, Women

Keidra King is an amazing woman and a dynamic force behind much that is positive here in Chiang Mai. She is a healer, a teacher and a proponent of many health and wellness practices. One of these is earthing.

Being grounded and making a connection to nature has many benefits! Plus it feels wonderful! Recently Keidra took some of our Chiang Mai family on a fabulous tour of the Erotic Garden and the Queen’s Garden. It was a great day of earthing and friendship!

Some benefits of earthing:

Improves Sleep
Reduces Inflammation
Stress Relief
Relieves Muscle Soreness
Promotes Healing
Provides Antioxidants
Improves Blood Circulation

Earthing is simple and easy to do. Simply stand and walk barefoot on grass, sand or dirt. Take a stroll along a riverbed, at a park or at the sea shore. Enjoy the sunshine and the sights that surround you.

I hope you will get outside and enjoy earthing soon. Please share your experience with us!

Chiang Mai Temple Tour

November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 by BOLT, posted in African American, Black, buddhist, family, Fun, generational, Long term travel, Thailand, Travel, Women

I had lots of fun this week playing tour guide to some visitors to Chiang Mai. They wanted to see some temples and since I love temples I volunteered. We spent the day visiting three of the over 300 temples here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Doi Suthep is probably the most famous and most visited temple in Chiang Mai. It’s at the top of Doi Suthep (doi means mountain). From it you have beautiful views of Chiang Mai City. It’s beautiful but a little on the touristy side.

So, after the hustle and bustle of Doi Suthep, I wanted to show my guests the more rural and tranquil Wat Umong. I love the grounds here. You can climb to the top of the temple, explore the meditation caves, stroll along a small lake and feed the catfish.

Our last stop was in the centerof old Chiang Mai city. They got to see the moat that encloses the old city and then glorious Wat Chedi Luang. It was a fun last stop because when we came out Sunday Walking Market was in full swing!

We’ve been busy and life is good! I want to be better about blogging every week. I’ve decided shorter but more consistently posted blogs are the way to go. Hope you enjoyed this one. I’d love to hear from you…questions, suggestions for topics or anything about living a life of travel. Thank you dear reader!

BOLT Reviews: San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

September 27, 2018November 7, 2018 by BOLT, posted in African American, Old, queer, retirement, Thai Traditional Herbal Treatments, Thailand, Travel, Women

Just about an hour outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand there is a place of healing and power. I don’t know (or care) about the scientific explanation of hot springs or mineral water soaks, I only know I feel great after I visit such places. San Kamphaeng Hot Springs is no exception. It is a delightful space, actually a large park with lovely grounds for strolling as well as many options for soaking. Both times I have gone with groups and that really adds to the experience. There is a large room with a communal tub. Enjoying that tub with girlfriends was a great experience. There is a really good restaurant as well as many food stall vendors. One thing everyone remembers about the hot springs is that the water is so hot in spots that you can boil eggs in it! There are baskets of eggs available as long with instructions for how long to cook them. I hope you will enjoy these pictures and if you are in Chiang Mai, please consider a visit to the springs!

BOLT Reviews: Royal Park Rajapruek

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 by BOLT, posted in African American, buddhist, Fun, Thailand, Travel

No matter how long we live in Chiang Mai, I feel I will always find new things to delight me. Our Royal Park Rajapruek experience was more confirmation on that. It is not at the top of any “Chiang Mai Top 10s” nor is it a place many I know have visited yet this lovely park is now a definite BOLT Top 10.

It’s an enormous place, with a shuttle bus to help one get around, and was built in 2006 in honor of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday and 60 years on the throne. There is a breathtaking pavillion dedicated to the King, surrounded by calming waters and expansive views.

There were amazing flowers and plants everywhere, especially in the orchid section.

Visiting the park with friends made it even more special. There were so many great photo opportunities and walking around the grounds between shuttle rides was very enjoyable.