I spent 16 days on holiday in Thailand and it was quite an experience. This was a beautiful trip and as promised, a blog post is a must.

Livethruthelens.com was able to capture and document authentic experiences and indelible moments to share, while inspiring others to travel abroad. Traveling abroad challenges you to escape your comfort zone and is a great opportunity to discover the beauty in other cultures. Check out the highlights of my trip!

DESTINATIONS:

Where I went, What I did!!

Arrived in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. Exotic Bangkok is a vibrant city with grand temples, rich culture, amazing cuisine, and bustling nightlife- nightclubs, cabarets, and red- light districts.

1. City Tour of Bangkok, traveled through Chinatown and then on to the colorful Indian Market- colorful/vibrant flowers and veggies.

2. Visit to Wat Po, the oldest and largest temple in the city, with a gigantic Reclining Buddha, over 150 feet long and almost 50 feet high, covered in gold leaf. The Buddhist temple complex is impressive and the other parts of the temple include gardens, tall decorated spires, intricate colorful carvings and numerous statues of Buddha, and Chinese statues. Walking around the complex is a relaxing and enlightening experience.

3. Hailed a tuk-tuk to a local Thai restaurant for dinner. Uncovered a gem of a restaurant in the alleyway- Dok Kaew House Bar. It was a relaxing atmosphere with great staff, craft beer and pretty good food. It’s supposedly a haunted craft beer bar taking over an 80 year-old, two story house.

4. Sunset views at Red Sky- Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. Set on the 56th floor, the Rooftop Bar offers 360 degree panoramic views of the skyline. Indulged in creative cocktails, small bites and an amazing dinner. An absolute must- amazing experience!

5. Escaped the busy streets of Bangkok and took a journey to the Maeklong Railway Market- fresh market selling seafood, fruits, vegetables, meats, and handicrafts and souvenirs. Located on a railway, watched as the vendors made a mad scramble to pack up stalls and goods when the signal of the arriving train rings. The trains pass at a great speed 8 times a day. After passing, the vendors unload again and customers continue to shop until next time!

6. Hopped on a long tail boat for a scenic ride along the canal to The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, admiring the local villages and farms. Caught a glimpse of the lifestyle of the locals who live along the river. The Floating market is one of Thailand’s largest and most famous Floating markets where vendors in wooden boats sell fresh produce, street food, and local handicrafts. There are also different stalls to shop and wander around.

Caught a flight to Chiang Mai (1hr, 15min), the largest city in Northern Thailand.

1. Visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple- Northern Thailand’s most sacred temple. The Buddhist Temple is located on top of the Doi Suthep mountain. To reach the temple, you must ascend a 306 step staircase. The beautiful architecture of the staircase is flanked by Naga.

2. Met a new friend at Elephant EcoValley Sanctuary. This was a no- riding Sanctuary, but I had a great time taking care of the elephants- making vegetarian snacks, feeding them, bathing them, touring the museum and purchasing elephant-poo paper! Elephants are highly intelligent, sociable, and sophisticated. They have “self awareness ” and strong memories. This was a remarkable experience.

3. Cooking class at Cooking at Home Thai Culinary School. One of the highlights in Chiang Mai. This was an Open-Air Thai style kitchen and the instructors were excellent! We took a tour to a local market to learn about local fruits and vegetables prior to class. The dishes were easy to prepare and delicious- restaurant quality. The class was super fun and a great way to learn about local cuisine and how to make a delicious meal. Amazing experience!

4. Enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner at Chef’s Together by Aod & Dan. The restaurant is located on a river and serves amazing cuisine and cocktails. Beautiful views.

Traveled to scenic Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, the northernmost province of Thailand.

1. Visit to The Golden Triangle – See 3 Countries at Once! Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, this is also where the Mekong meets the Ruak River. Embarked on a long tail boat ride along the banks of the Mekong River between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Interesting fact: Learned the history of the Opium trade. The Golden Triangle was the largest Opium producing area of the world since the 1950s.

2. Night Baazar- vibrant night market selling street food, apparel, jewelry, souvenirs. Also has live entertainment and colorful light show at the Clock Tower.

3. Admire Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, which is the most popular attraction in Chiang Rai. The Buddhist temple symbolizes purity and Buddha’s teachings. The all white exterior is adorned with intricate carvings, glass mirrors, and many Buddhist symbols. The Golden building on the grounds represent the cycle of rebirth and the bridge symbolizes crossing from the world of suffering to the world of enlightment. The gate of Heaven sculpture depicts many hands reaching from the grounds that symbolizes unrestrained desires.

Traveled to Sukhothai and Ayutthaya and visited the Historical Parks, UNESCO heritage sites. Enjoyed the history and liked exploring the sites. Marveled at the ancient Buddha figures, palaces, temples, towers, historical monuments and ruins.

Took a flight to Phuket

1. Visit to Bang Pa- In Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, is a collection of beautiful buildings in various architectural styles surrounded by a lake. Reminds me of one of my European vacations. The complex was formerly used by Thai kings.

2. Excursion to Phang Na Bay Lawa Island by a cruiser. Traveled through mangrove jungles and limestone peaks, enjoyed the white pristine beaches and the blue/green water. Discovered a floating Muslim Village(Koh Panyee), a fishing village built almost entirely on stilts. The village has a market with souvenir stalls, a school, and a floating football pitch.

More of Phuket!

Took a ferry to Phi Phi Islands, some of the most beautiful beaches. Maya Bay, was made famous by the movie, “The Beach ” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Also visited Monkey Beach and spotted monkeys steal bottles from boats as people left to snorkel or kayak through the caves.

James Bond Island , famous movie location where the Movie, The Man With The Golden Gun, starring James Bond was filmed.

Thailand is an Amazing travel destination that has a lot to offer travelers.

Thanks for reading my Blog

XOXO,

Rochelle M.

I recently traveled to St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands(September 15-22) and had the most beautiful trip… so many wonderful memories created in one week!

Interesting Facts:

*”Pirates of the Caribbean” hot spots in the 1600’s. The Virgin Islands were home to real life pirates.

*Most people know about three U.S. Virgin Islands, but the fourth is Water Island- a tiny island located off the coast of St. Thomas.

*The U.S. Virgin Island (USVI) is the only place in the United States where you drive on the left side of the road… Pay attention and make sure to stay on the left side (as told by a driver). The people drive aggressive on the narrow, steep roads. Driving in St. Thomas was quite the Adventure!

*U.S. citizens do Not need a passport to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Best time to go is between April and June- mild weather and to avoid cruise ship madness.

Things To Do:

There are many things to do in St. Thomas. It is a lively island with lots of sightseeing, shopping, white sand beaches(lined with swaying palm trees and Azure waters), cultural landmarks and historic sites… Beautiful views, incredible local cuisine and Island vibes awaits you!

*Walk around Downtown Charlotte Amalie (Capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands) for duty-free shopping, dining or just to wander around the cobblestone paths along the Historic District. I appreciated the Old World(Danish Colonial) architecture and cobbled streets.

*Main Street- Also known as Dronningens Gade is a famous Street known for souvenir shops, restaurants and many jewelry stores. Do yourself a favor and detour onto the alleyways/side streets where you will discover hidden gems- restaurants, bars and malls.

*Market Square- Formerly a slave-trading market in the early 1670’s-1800’s; it’s now an open air market with vendors that sell fresh produce. I saw a few people gathered at the Square and ladies selling cooked food, but not much happening there. No other vendors were in sight.

*Yacht Haven Grande- Marina located alongside the Charlotte Amalie Harbor with colorful murals, amazing views of Mega yachts, waterfront dining, shopping and entertainment. Once considered a shopper’s paradise with luxury brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari(to name a few)… the designer stores are now gone! The high-end boutiques appeared to have packed up following the recent natural disasters in the USVI.

*Island Hopping- Take a Day trip to a nearby island. There are 8 main islands in the Virgin Islands to explore- St.Thomas, St.John, St. Croix and Water Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). I took a 10 minute ferry ride from Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas to Water Island for $15.00 USD round trip. This was a day of relaxing on Honeymoon Beach— clear, calm waters and enjoying cocktails at Dinghy’s Bar & Grill. I kept it simple with Bubbles and wine; although, the signature drink on the Virgin Islands is the Pusser’s Painkiller(tropical rum-based drink with roots to the British Virgin Islands). Golf carts are available to rent on Water Island to get around and explore a little bit- panoramic views of the Island, winding hills, Limestone Beach, Fort Segarra(WW2fort) and Heidi’s Hilltop Grill.

*Magens Bay Beach- One of the most beautiful beaches in St.Thomas and ranked among the top 10 best beaches in the Caribbean. I strolled along the shoreline enjoying the Ah-mazing views of the calm, turquoise waters while feeling the soft, white sand between my toes. I also sat on the beach rocks; dipped my feet in the warm water and watched as the pelicans plummeted into the water to dive after fish… it’s just the little things. I enjoyed the beauty of the beach!! Snapping shots at the beach helped create summer memories that will last forever.

Restaurants

Where to Eat… Eat like the locals! Can’t forget about incredible Caribbean cuisine. No trip is complete without experiencing local flavor.

Some of my faves:

*My Brother’s Workshop(MBW)Cafe & Bakery is a non-profit organization that offers education, mentoring, job training and placement to at risk young people. We stumbled across this restaurant off the beaten path and it did not disappoint- this is a must try for Savory Eats! I popped in one morning for breakfast and enjoyed the perfect Latte and a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on coconut Dumb bread; it was delish and filling, I could only eat half. We sampled pastries and baked goods and had great conversation with the amazing staff!

*Northside Grind- Super cute cafe with great views, fresh coffee and great specialty sandwiches. We stopped by before a day at Magens Beach. I ordered the bacon, fried egg and cheese on sour dough with locally grown sprouts and the CCC(Coconut Milk Caramel Cold Brew); it did not disappoint. Great choice for Breakfast/Brunch and very friendly staff.

*Shama’s Specialties- Caribbean, Seafood, Bakery

Enjoyed the Rasta Pasta dish, oxtails, baked mac and cheese, jerk salmon and conch fritters. The manager was very hospitable and ensured that we had a great dining experience.

*Glady’s Cafe- Caribbean and American dishes. Great service and food. I ordered Grouper for breakfast one day; it was fresh and well seasoned. Also tried curry goat, oxtails, peas and rice, cabbage and plantains… perfect lunch spot!

*Parrot Fish- American, Peruvian, Contemporary & Bar

Nice, relaxed spot with delicious food, amazing Martinis and great customer service. The menu is limited, but a collection of Chef’s creations. The Ceviche was excellent with plantain chips.

*De’Coal Pot- Caribbean, Vegetarian/Vegan options. Hidden gem located in a strip mall. This white table cloth restaurant had very good authentic local food; my favorite was the chicken roti, peas and rice, plantains and oxtails. I couldn’t get enough oxtails in St. Thomas.

*T Restaurant and Chicken Fry- Cafeteria style local spot with Caribbean dishes reasonably priced. My first meal in St. Thomas; it hit the spot!

I didn’t do everything and see everything, but this will give me a reason to go Back to the USVI!! From St. Thomas, I ventured to Puerto Rico to continue my Caribbean Destination Vacation- flight time less than 45 minutes.

I hope this guide will provide valuable information for anyone planning to visit the USVI soon! XO,

Rochelle M.

My recent trip to Greece was a dream come true! Santorini is an Island alive with whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows, art, culture, and ancient history. There are so many scenic viewpoints in Santorini– See The World… let yourself Go! Explore! Live Your Life!

ABOUT SANTORINI

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands located in the southernmost region of the Aegean Sea. The official name is Thira. The island was the site of the largest volcano eruption in recorded history about 3,600 years ago. The eruption left a large caldera in which the towns of Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira are perched along the rim of the caldera.

THINGS TO DO!

• Watch a magical sunset. The crimson colors of the sun as it sets in the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea creates scenery that will remain an everlasting memory. The Oia Castle is the most popular spot to watch the sunset, but it becomes very crowded. Sunset is usually 8:30 pm so it is advisable to locate a spot a couple hours in advance. We reserved a table at one of the sleek, rooftop bars in Imerovigli to enjoy local wine and enjoy the magical sunset!

• Sail around Santorini on a luxury boat.

We booked a private Catamaran Cruise with lunch and drinks on board. The views of Santorini ‘s volcanic landscape were amazing, as well as views of the iconic Red Beach, White Beach, the Lighthouse, caldera cliffs, volcanic islands and a spectacular sunset. We were able to exit the boat to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea… so much fun!

• Visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini

Akrotiri -Sometimes called “The Pompeii of Greece” was devastated by a massive volcanic eruption between 1620 and 1530 BC and buried in volcanic ash. Well, preserved remains of frescoes, furniture, and pottery were reported, but no human remains were reported. Very nice tour, especially for history buffs.

• Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour

We chose to tour Santo Winery– A state-of-art winery with a variety of local wines, beautiful decor and outside space that overlook the caldera. This was a prime sunset viewing spot for dinner after the tour. We sipped amazing wines and enjoyed the Santorini sunset. It is advisable to make reservations beforehand.

• Explore Oia

Spend a day in Oia for upscale shopping in the lovely boutiques, picturesque views of Santorini- whitewashed houses with blue doors, pretty laneways and alleyways, staircases lined with gorgeous Bougainvillea, Blue Dome Church and Oia Castle. Also, enjoy lunch at restaurants on the seaward side for fabulous views of cruise liners sailing across the caldera of Santorini. Every angle is a photo op.

MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

•Jimmy’s Souvlaki (Imerovigli)

Fast food, affordable, delicious traditional Greek Gyros.

•Fish Tavern o Perivolos

Seafood Restaurant that I dined at several times. I enjoyed the grilled octopus, Greek salad, fried Calamari, fried sardines and anchovies, risotto, Domatokeftethes(Tomato Fritters), Saganaki cheese(Fried Cheese drizzled with honey) and Santorini wines.

• Pelican Kipos (Fira) Cafe and Wine Restaurant

Garden restaurant with wine cellar 10 meters under the garden. Enjoyed the beautiful views and Roasted lamb with potatoes and vegetables in a ceramic pot.

• Skala (Oia)

Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with spectacular views of cliffside houses, blue-domed churches and cruise liners sailing across the caldera of Santorini.

• Confetti Dessert Boutique (Imerovigli)

Patisserie with homemade gelato, cakes, and desserts. Enjoyed gelato after watching the magical sunset.

I enjoyed one delicious meal after the other and tried new and wonderful foods!

Santorini, Greece is a very popular vacay destination, but may not always be welcoming to women of color. I experienced disappointing attitudes while shopping at some of the boutiques in Oia. If shop owners do not feel comfortable acknowledging my presence when I enter a shop, I do not feel comfortable spending money with them. I take this opportunity to encourage women of color to travel more, explore more and not allow cultural differences to discourage us from world travels!

As in many parts of the world, pickpocketing is a crime that travelers become victims of. I experienced this while shopping in Oia. I have traveled to many touristy parts of the world and never experienced this. This incident will not discourage me from traveling to European countries, just to exercise the normal precautions.

Immerse yourself in every destination and enjoy the Beauty!

XO,

Rochelle M.

April 2, 2022

Charleston, S.C. is truly one of a kind! Charleston is rated one of America’s top trending travel destinations. I am super excited to share my travel experience and some tips for those who would love to experience Southern Charm!

My stay:

We checked into Marsh N’ Sea Serenity, a private home on Folly Beach (4570 sq feet)- this property had it all! Located on Eastend of Folly Beach, the home sits on a small saltwater tributary of the Folly River. The home offered easy beach access directly across the street and picture perfect marsh views from the deck, where you could take in the beautiful sunset. So many gorgeous views- river, marsh, beach, private dock and lighthouse.

Hotels worth mentioning: Immerse yourself in Southern elegance at these luxury Hotels:

•Hotel Bennett-Grand luxury hotel downtown Charleston with great vibes, Instagram worthy, provides the best aerial views of Charleston skyline.

•The Loutrel- located in the French Quarter has one of Charleston’s premier rooftops.

Where to Eat & Drink- Restaurants: Will travel for Food! Charleston is a foodies dream.

•Peninsula Grill- Fine dining/Southern restaurant located in Historic District. Ressies required, we made reservations before we left Chicago. Must try the 12 layer coconut cake-OMG!

•Poogan’s Porch- Traditional Southern cooking served in a Victorian townhouse, make reservations to avoid long wait time. I wanted to experience the old southern charm, “Charleston right of passage “, so I sat on the porch and sipped my Zoe’s Iced Coffee with my meal for an afternoon buzz! My fav dishes were chicken &waffles, shrimp &grits and bone in fried chicken. I saw she-crab soup on a lot of menus; will have to try next visit.

•Church & Union- American dining and cocktail bar; former Church transformed into a restaurant. The atmosphere is casual, yet refined. Cutting edge design, excellent service, great food and specialty cocktails – the Ghost was my favorite. There is also live entertainment on some nights.

•Hyman’s Seafood- no ressies taken, may experience long wait times-35 minutes for my party at 5:00pm. Amazing food and awesome service. Must try the Chilean Seabass croquettes and the crispy flounder. Met with the owners of the establishment for a great conversation!

•Carmellia’s Cafe and Dessert Bar- an Italian- American dessert boutique cafe with great music and vibes! Head over after dinner at 5Church; great selection of amazing cakes!! Wow… so many to choose from! I had the Red Velvet and it was very good. I also tried the Lemon Blueberry Cake and the Canoli cake. The cakes are shareable.

To Do:

•Fiat Lux- craft cocktails

•Camellias- premier Pink Champagne Lounge located inside Hotel Bennett. Has an extensive selection of champagnes by the bottle and by the glass. Loved the pink decor- pink marble countertops, plush rose chairs, drinks to match the decor and diamond chandeliers. Great spot for afternoon tea, reservations required.

•Rainbow Row- Stroll East Bay Street along Battery to see the Iconic pastel-hued Georgian rowhouses. There are 13 historical houses with beautiful flowers in window boxes and cobblestone walkways. So much history here.

•Battery Street- located on the other side of Rainbow Row- great photo-ops! Check out the Pink Mansion, a beautiful colonial home on East Battery Street that overlooks the Charleston Harbor.

•Joe Riley Waterfront Park- nice place to stroll along the Charleston Harbor with views of Ravenel Bridge and the iconic Pineapple Fountain. Great view of sailboats while relaxing on the parks bench!

• King Street: fabulous shopping in Historic District- luxury hotels, fine dining, boutiques nightlife, art and antiques.

• Charleston City Market- downtown Charleston, one of the oldest public markets and cultural heart of Charleston. It’s filled with vendors that sell an array of goods and handicrafts(beautiful baskets).

I hope this guide to Charleston, SC will provide insight to all who choose to visit the city soon!

Rochelle M.

Woke up with #vacay on my mind🐎🍹🏜!

The COVID-19 Pandemic has halted so much of my travel plans for 2020; therefore,  I had to cancel some really AMAZING trips- Thailand,  Bali, Dubai,  Greece, Costa Rica,  New York, and Las Vegas! I really miss hopping on the plane (with my overpacked luggage) and traveling to different parts of the world!

But don’t worry… As soon as I can safely travel again,  my pics will have lots of stories to tell!

I went down memory lane to share some of my most amazing trips.