serendipity /ˌsɛr(ə)nˈdɪpɪti/ noun: serendipity; plural noun: serendipities the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. "a fortunate stroke of serendipity"

Ren Man and I had a fabulous opportunity 

to attend a wedding in India...

where we absorbed and fell in love 
with the significance of family involved in each of the celebrations.

Since RenMan needed to be in another region of India the next week,

we hopped on our fave regional airline...

Indigo...

for a relaxing few days at Vivenda Dos Palhacos in Goa.

We hit the jackpot in our lodging choice...

 where we were welcomed home each return...

by Kitten and Gigolo.

Our daylight hours...

were spent... .

meandering...

along pathways...

through the village...

where locals...

were going about... 

their typical weekend... 

with family...

and friends.

This part of Goa... 

is much less touristy...

than the northern area...

so our sunsets were peaceful.

Back at the hotel...

meals are sometimes enjoyed here...

but fortunately, we relished a dinner

 with eleven strangers until 1:30 a.m. 

and just like that our world expanded.

The brother/sister duo behind Vivenda Dos Pallhacos
 have managed to create an environment 
conducive to privacy when wanted and mingling when preferred.
It's a gift really,
to know this and to allow it to happen seemlessly.

It was around this table when our first serendipitous moment arrived.  
As we discussed our next stop of Calcutta (Kolcata),
Simon mentioned a friend who is an art dealer 
and entertains people in his home for dinner.  
After reaching out, we were making plans to dine with Bomti.

Don't you just love it when this happens.

"Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions." ~ UNESCO

A French colony until 1953,

Luang Prabang, Laos

still retains the feel and taste of France.

 Your senses are filled with the smell of warm croissants

and the occasional sound of French being spoken while strolling through town.

Colonial architecture stands hand in hand,

like BFF's, 

with traditional structures throughout town.

Intently holding on to its Laotian heritage...

and Buddhist religion...

glimpses of the modern world and its constant changes...

seem to blend seemlessly with the more familiar way of life.

Life appears to be good...

while some work hard to make a living.

Hospitality has become important to the economy 
since opening its doors to the world in the 1990's.
Khaiphaen is a teaching restaurant 
where you can get a great meal and help in the educational process.
Win.Win.

Our favorite meal while in Luang Prabang
was savored at the inventive Tamarind...

which also offers cooking classes.

Another boost to Luang Prabang's economy is the Mekong riverside...

 where hotels offer...

 a perch for birds-eye viewing...

and afternoon lounging.

We opted for a little closer look at life on the river...
and the sunset...

so we hired a boat with friends...

with whiskey and pate' in hand.

We take boating...

and sunsets...

seriously.

That's a wrap for Luang Prabang, Laos.
Other post can be found here and here.
Make sure it's on your travel list.

"Home is where my habits have a habitat" ~ Fiona Apple

Yes, I am still here.

We have been busy with all the captivating 'firsts'.

You know…

FIRST Chinese New Year celebrated in Thailand…

which we celebrated with our FIRST visit to Chinatown...

and enjoyed dim sum at the Cotton Restaurant,

housed in the conveniently located and quaint Shanghai Mansion Hotel.

As we munched on steamed baskets of dumplings, 

the large tables filled with family members was endearing,

and I was reminded of the tradition of the red envelopes 

lovingly gifted to the younger generations seated around the table.

Ren Man also successfully negotiated our FIRST tuk tuk excursion 

back to the subway station, or locally known as the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit).

And when I say successfully,

I mean we made it to our destination with only one stop 

for the driver to ask a colleague where the MRT was. Ha!

Meanwhile…

our apartment search was fruitful,

and we received the keys to an amazing view of our FIRST sunset in Bangkok.

We are living with our newly arrived air shipment supplies, yay, 

and a few rented pieces of furniture until our sea shipment arrives in a month or so.

Not sure I will ever get fully on board with the minimalist movement everyone is raving about, 

but I have to admit the blank walls and empty spaces are very calming.

Although, at the same time…

filled with possibilities!

The apartment, from this moment on referred to as 'The Raj' because of its address,

overlooks the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, 

where the horse races, cricket games, and daily golfers 

have sent Ren Man on a search for the perfect telescope.

How else will we know which horse wins the race?

I, on the other hand, am in search of silver mint julep cups.

As you know, watching sunsets is a habit of mine,

and fortunately, our new habitat will offer a daily viewing.

I'll toast to that!