medicina integrale: TUTTI PAZZI PER...MANGOSTEEN

medicina integrale: TUTTI PAZZI PER...il MANGOSTEEN!

Around Phuket: BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha, a 45 meter tall white statue, 

is visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket.

Reachable by car or motorbike from Chalong, 

it takes a nice trip thru the tropical forest to arrive to the top of the hill where you

definitely have a breathtaking view.

Mostly built on people's donation in 2004 (but not finished yet), Big Buddha is made of white marble. 

Next to it is a smaller golden Buddha actually made of brass. 

In the large meditation hall on one afternoon, a small group of Thais and foreign tourists are seen receiving blessings from two monks, a peaceful scene familiar to anyone living in Thailand, but for visitors it reveals the contemplative side of Thai culture not always evident in the brash tourist areas.

If you come to Phuket... don't miss a Big Buddha bless. :)

cultural discovery: PHUKET OLD TOWN

The bustling centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do (and spend your money on!) in Phuket Town. Recently upgraded to "city" status, Phuket Town features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.

Phuket Town is where a part of the real Thailand can be found. 

You could walk around these streets taking photos every day, 

...during day and night time.

Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. 

In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.

There are some new buildings too, but the old early 20th century shophouse architecture predominates. 

The heart of Old Phuket Town is Thalang Road, 

in particular the block between Thepkassatri road and Yaowarat road.

 Thalang Road is the core of Phuket's Old Town 

and the commercial centre of the past. 

A lot of renovation has been done in recent years, 

and the ugly electric and telephone cables have disappeared, 

so the beautiful Sino-Portuguese shophouses 

and grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, 

in this area are great photo motifs now.

PINEAPPLE & SHRIMPS RICE: traditional thai recipe

 One of the most noted among traditional dishes: 

"FRIED RICE INSIDE PINEAPPLE" 

Come to Thailand to try!

Prep time: 25 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
    •    250g thai rice (normal, jasmine, or mix dark white rice)
    •    1 tb sp oil
    •    10/12 small shrimp (after peeled chopped)
    •    1/2 fresh pineapple (cut into small chunks)
    •    5 scallions (large, chopped)
    •    1 clove garlic (minced)
    •    2 ts ps soy sauce
    •    1 tb sp curry
    •    1 tb sp fish sauce
    •    fresh cilantro (for garnish)
    •    half fresh lime (optional)

Preparation:
    1.    Take 7/8 minutes to clean well the fresh pineapple: cut the fruit in the vertical half, use only one half. Empty the pineapple shell with knife and spoon, leaving about 0,5cm of pulp on the peel. Clean well the shell internally 'cause it will be the rice serving container. Chop the pineapple pulp and take 1 cup of it.
    2.    Set a pot of water on to boil for the rice. Cook the rice. Drain and set aside.
    3.    Heat wok over high heat, swirl the oil in pan to coat. Add minced garlic and chopped shrimp, and stir-fry 3 minutes or until done. Transfer to a large bowl, cover and keep warm.
    4.    In the same heated oil stir in scallions, pineapple and rice, and stir-fry 1 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Add cooked shrimps.
    5.    Combine soy and fish sauce with curry in a glass; stir into rice mixture.
    6.    Serve inside the pineapple shell, topped with fresh cilantro. Optionally squeeze over a slice of lime juice.

ENJOY!!!

LOS: do you know why?

Thailand is commonly called LOS in the slang language...

do you know why?

 

LOS actually means: "Land of Smiles" 

Thailand has been called LOS by many people who live here and many who visit this charming land. The “Smiles” seem to come from a combination of the beautiful countryside, the laid-back, pleasant Thai people, the lower cost of living, a more relaxing pace, many opportunities for fun and entertainment at affordable prices, and the many other advantages of living in the exciting Orient.

The people of Thailand are gentle, fun-loving and easy to get to know. 

If you try to learn the language, you will endear yourself to them as they love to hear foreigners try to say their words.

You can smile at any Thai you pass by, while walking on the street, and that person will most likely smile back at you.

:)

(Pic from Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK)

BANGKOK: the City of Angels

Do you know that Los Angeles is not the only "City of Angels" of the world?

The full ceremonial name of Bangkok enters Thailand in the Guinness Book of World Records as the place with longest name in the world:

-Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.-

  The original name was given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke that relocated the city on the eastern side of the river and gave the city its ceremonial name.

Luckily for the Thai people, their language allows many words to be shortened 

and the city picked up the official name of Krung Thep Maha Nakorn 

 – meaning "the City of Angles".

***

Wanna know the other "City of Angels" of the world?

WIKIPEDIA!

PADTHAI: the famous thai noodles

PAD THAI is one of the most famous and delicious traditional dishes.

Come to Thailand to try!

Here you can find the receipe to excite your palate:

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 8-10 mins
Serves: 2

    •    250g dried rice noodles (there are different qualities, chose the one you like!)
    •    3 tb sp fish sauce
    •    ¼ cup Thai sweet chilly sauce
    •    3 tb sp peanut butter
    •    3 tb sp safflower oil
    •    1 tb sp tamarind sauce
    •    3 cloves garlic, finely minced
    •    1 red chilly finely minced
    •    1 boneless skinless chicken breast, finely sliced
    •    10 prawn tails, peeled
    •    1 egg
    •    2 spring onions, finely sliced
    •    100g soy bean sprouts
    •    15 small cubes of fried tofu (optional)
    •    ½ cup chopped coriander
    •    ½ cup peanuts, roasted and chopped
    •    1 lime

Set a pot of water on to boil for the rice noodles. If using dried noodles, soak in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Combine fish sauce, chilly sauce, tamarind sauce and peanut butter. Set aside.
Heat oil in a wok or frypan and stir-fry garlic, chilly, chicken and prawns over high heat 2-4 minutes until cooked.
Add beaten egg and stir-fry until scrambled and just set.
Add tofu cubes, stir-fry for 2 minutes and set. (optional)
Drop soaked noodles into the pan. Lower the heat.
Add sauce mixture and toss for 1-2 minutes over medium heat to fully coat. Mix in most of the spring onions and bean sprouts. Toss over heat for a minute to combine.
Serve in bowls topped with reserved coriander and peanuts. Squeeze over a slice of lime juice.

ENJOY!!!