Traveling Tiara: Motorbiking to NANG LAE Waterfall

Worshiping God at River of Life Orphanage, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Thailand is SUCH a beautiful country and worshiping God here is extra special. My hubby Ron and I had the chance to attend church at River of Life Children’s Home with the kids and staff plus the Media Light students. We all sang songs to God in Thai (we TRIED) and listened to Pastor Robin from Myanmar explain to the kids how important it was to follow their elders just like how David was obedient to his father.

The honeycomb found by the kids at River of Life Orphanage!

Ron’s highlight at River of Life – a honeycomb some of the kids found in the garden. Ron just couldn’t get over how cool it was to enjoy honey fresh from it’s source! I tried some of the honey too: it tasted unbelievably light and not oversweet at all. So this is how Pooh Bear feels like when he finds some delectable honey!!

The students of Media Light, March 2010

After Church service at River of Life Orphanage in Chiang Rai, Thailand, the whole gang of Media Light students decided to visit a nearby waterfall called Nang Lae – since my hubby Ron and I were on a waterfall trip, it was POIFECT!

Ron T. and the blogging beauty queen on the motorbike again!

Once again, we zipped off on our rented motorbike: me driving, Ron navigating and reminding me to drive safely. I am a bit of a daredevil and my hubby is the perfect foil to my ‘over-adventurousness.’

Nang Lae Waterfall is not as far from Chiang Rai’s city proper as Khun Korn Waterfall. Niether is it as majestic. The footpath to Nang Lae Falls is also short and far less arduous. But I think I had more fun at Nang Lae because the pool at the base of the waterfall was much easier to swim in. It also had a tall boulder where the kids could jump off of – I was tempted to do some rock jumping into the pool myself but felt a little shy.

On the footpath to Nang Lae Waterfall...

I tried to make friends with this carabao I saw on the trail to Nang Lae but he/she wasn't in a good mood...

The middle part of the pool at Nang Lae Waterfall is deep, maybe 7 or 8 feet. Nice for some underwater swimming. The edges of the pool, on the other hand are shallow and safe for non-swimmers to play in. The surrounding rocks make lovely perches for those who DON’T want to get wet, although I can’t imagine WHY you’d trek all the way to a waterfall and NOT want to GET WET! LOLOL!!!

blogging beauty queen slowly enters the COLD water of Nang Lae Falls

Oh, you can also climb up and sit right in the middle of the waterfall – it’s like a natural JACUZZI!  I sat there enjoying the water rush all around and past me, massaging my back. I could have lied down in this place and died out of sheer joy but poor Ron wouldn’t have anyone to drive him back home so I just sat there grinning like a fool.

Verdict: Adventures of a Beauty Queen gives Nang Lae Waterfall in Chiang Rai, Thailand 10 out of 10 Tiaras!

Who needs a jacuzzi when you can have your own waterfall???

Traveling Tiara: Motor-Bike Trip to Khun Korn Waterfall, Chiang Rai

Me with my hubby Ron T. about to set off on our Waterfall Adventure!

When our blogging and internet radio workshops ended, my hubby Ron and I had the chance to rent a motorbike (300 Baht/P420 /$9.20 a day) for a few days and explore Chiang Rai’s city proper as well as the surrounding areas.

After we looked through a map of Chiang Rai province, we discovered that there were several waterfalls around so we decided to go on a waterfull hunt!!! We found THREE waterfalls and this story is about the first one we found: Khun Korn Waterfall…

Riding bikes is not something new to me. In high school, I scooted around in a 125cc dirtbike and enjoyed racing with trucks on Sucat Road. So getting used to the gearless motorbike we rented was easy as pie. Before we knew it, we were on a country road zooming off to see our first ever Thai waterfall.

blogging beauty queen with toes in a river coming from Khun Korn Waterfall!!!

Thirty minutes into our trip, we found a little river and took a pitstop for some photos. Little did we know that this river was being fed by Khun Korn Waterfall! The water was CLEAN and as cold as a milkshake. And safe for people to swim in! We saw families with thier children, swimming and playing in the river!

Soon, our bellies started to rumble so we stopped at a roadside eatery that had barbeque chicken on display. The owner of the place made us some Som Tam – a veggie dish very much like Pinoy Atchara. It’s primarily made of unripe shredded papaya. There are different variations of it, but the one we got had tomatoes, sitaw and some super spicy paste.

Ron T. enjoying a Thai meal of chicken bbq and Som Tam on the fly...

Som Tam - unripe shredded papaya salad common in Thailand. Its not unlike the Philippine delicacy Atchara...

blogging beauty queen enjoys some Thai buko 'dirty ice cream' by the river...

For dessert, I had some local ‘dirty ice cream’. There was only one flavour – COCONUT

Happiness!!!

Bamboo grove on the trail going up to Khun Korn Waterfall...

When we finally got to the park where Khun Korn Waterfall was located, we had to park the bike and go on foot. Just a note on the honesty of the people in this province – we did not need to chain the bike or bring our helmets along. We were told that no one really steals bikes or helmets here. In fact, there aren’t many theft problems in Chiang Rai city: Ron and I were able to leave the gate AND door of our Thai home unlocked without any fear of someone walking in and taking our stuff.

AMAZING for a Manila girl like me who is CONSTANTLY on guard against hold-uppers and thieves!

The walk up to Khun Korn Waterfall took around 15 minutes. It was an uphill climb of about a thousand meters – a tough challenge for many; a good workout for me and Ron. The jungle we walked through was very much like what I have seen in the Philippines – lots of bamboo and banana plants. Tall trees too, with ngarly roots all over the place. Leaves, leaves, leaves and an occasional butterfly…

blogging beauty queen at Khun Korn Waterfall

When we finally reached Khun Korn Waterfall, I waded first into the water – I am the waterbaby in the family and can’t resist the chance o get wet and wild. The wind generated the by falling water of Khun Korn was enough to knock me off-balance over and over again. I reckon the waterfall is about 300 feet high (I later discovered it was 70 meters) and standing under it is almost impossible. It feels like a thousand gnomes are battering you with golf balls from on high. But I managed to swim under the waterfall and sit on the rocks in the small cave behind the curtain of Khun Korn.

Can you see me... I'm right behind Kuhn Korn Waterfall!!!

It was so much fun that I went in and out of the waterfall 3 or 4 times. I am SUCH a child!

The water? Ooooooooooh, it was CHILLY! And clean – I somehow swallowed a little water two or three times but suffered no illness whatsoever.I find that if I stand in cold water for five or ten minutes, going deeper each minute, my body adjusts better to the teeth-chattering temperature.  Before I know it, I’m frolicking in the water and not feeling cold at all!!!

Khun Korn Waterfall was so much fun and breath-takingly beautiful. If you are in Chiang Rai on tour and you have time, take a car or bike to Khun Korn. The whole trip plus a dip in the waterfall takes half a day. Go either in the morning or in the afternoon but not too late. Kuhn Korn Waterfall Park officials close the place at sunset.

VERDICT: Khun Korn Waterfall gets 10 out of 10 Tiaras from Adventures of a Beauty Queen!

blogging beauty queen gets wet and wild at Khun Korn Waterfall!

Traveling Tiara: Review of Pong Phrabat Spa in Chiang Rai

blogging beauty queen at Pong Phrabat Hot Spring

To my American ear, the name of the countryside SPA we visited was decidedly funky. Pong Phrabat Hot Spring in Chiang Rai, Thailand was not only funky, it was also true to it’s name: it had a mild PONG from the sulfur content in the water. LOL!

It reminded me of Rotorua, the New Zealand geothermal town which I recently visited. Except Pong Phrabat’s PONG was waaaay MILDER…

If you are looking for luxury, beware. Pong Phrabat Natural Springs is run down and in dire need of an

Pong Phrabat's Grounds are surrounded by stone animals. This is the massage center. As you can see, it's pretty run down.

investor who can turn the place into a world-class destination for SPA fans all over the world.

BUT, there is ONE thing worth going back to this place for – the hot water that comes from a natural hot mineral spring.

Okay, there’s a SECOND thing too – you can enjoy the privacy of four walls. Each pool is situated in a room and has it’s own shower. The pools are good for two people; three might be sardines. For bigger groups, there are two pools that can fit about 10 comfortably.

L-R - Rory, Ron T (my hubby) and me (the blogging beauty queen) in one of the big Pong Phrabat Hot Spring pools. Looks like a giant bath tub...

Thankfully, the charge for renting a pool is LOW. A THIRD good reason to go back. It costs ONLY 30 Baht (P42 or 92 cents) per person for the small pools. Towel rentals are 10 Baht each. I admit that the el-cheapo price makes Pong Phrabat Hot Spring’s lack of aesthetics tolerable.

Rory Morales shows off her silver rings which changed color because of the sulfur in the water of Pong Phrabat's pools.

The only thing inviting about Pong Phrabat's Massage Center is the SIGN!

Pong Phrabat also has a massage center with communal massage seats and mattresses. No privacy here whatsoever. But you really don’t need privacy when having a Thai massage since it’s mostly about pressure points and being stretched around like a rubber band.

I did not go for a massage but a French lady who did said the Pong Phrabat masseuses were rough and used a lot of poking elbow-movements. I also got turned off by the rough attitudes of some of the masseuses; when I inquired about the massages they didn’t seem interested in being polite.

Here is my score for Pong Phrabat Hot Springs with 10 Tiaras being the best score:

Water: 10 Tiaras

Privacy: 8 Tiaras

Tubs: 4 Tiaras

Service: 2 Tiaras

Ambience/Design: 1 Tiara

Massage: 1 Tiara (based on the French lady’s review)

Cost: 10 Tiaras

Average Score: 5.14 Tiaras

blogging beauty queen with brontosaurus statue in Pong Phrabat

Pong Phrabat's T-Rex pounces on blogging beauty queen

Filipina Carl Crystle delos Reyes Wins Ms South East Asia 2010 Beauty Title!

Carl Crystle delos Reyes, Miss South East Asia 2010

Carl Crystle delos Reyes from the Philippines is the new Miss South East Asia 2010! She won the title last March 7, 2010 at the DBS Auditorium in Singapore. The 20-year old Tourism student from De La Salle University, Dasmarinas, Cavite was chosen over contestants from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, China, Korea and Laos.

Aside from the title of Miss South East Asia 2010, Carl Crystle delos Reyes won a thousand Singapore dollars, a trophy, sash and crown.

Although the pageant only involves two handfuls of nations, it is a noteworthy event; South East Asia is a powerhouse group and an event like Miss South East Asia is a wonderful way for South East Asian nations to get together and bond – minus much of the politics of course!!! This year’s beauty pageant was held in Singapore from March 5 to March 7, 2010.

Carl Crystle delos Reyes... super gorgeous!

A little more about Ms South East Asia 2010 Carl Crystle delos Reyes…

This Laguna grrrrrrl who is 5′7″ tall, was handpicked by Singaporean pageant organizers to represent the Philippines after she was recommended by her manager Ferdz Custodio of Artistudio.

Now that she has proven herself in Miss South East Asia, Carl Crystle delos Reyes is considering joining next year’s Bb. Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) beauty pageant and will focus on training for that once she graduates from university this October. Meantime, she is in Virginia, USA, doing 4-months of OJT (on-the-job-training), to fulfill her college requirements.

Carl Crystle delos Reyes representing Santa Rosa, Laguna in Ms Earth Philippines 2009

The Miss South East Asia 2010 is not the first pageant for Carl Crystle delos Reyes. She was one of my Top 13 Picks in Miss Earth Philippines 2009 (but was unplaced) and had competed in another international pageant in Las Vegas where she came in as one of the runners-up. Please click on the link above to read more about it…

Thanks to this article from Blog Philippines for most of the info!

Carl Crystle delos Reyes wins Miss South East Asia 2010!!!

ABQ Teaches ‘Purposeful Blogging’ at Media Light in Chiang Rai, Thailand

blogging beauty queen (that's me on the right in my tribal Akha jacket) with hubby Ron T. teaching blogging and internet radio at MEDIA LIGHT!

My 4-day workshop on Purposeful Blogging at Media Light in Chiang Rai, Thailand has been VERY PRODUCTIVE! We had 15 people in class from places like Myanmar, The Philippines, USA, Korea, India and Thailand (of course). They were representatives from different countries, and it felt JUST LIKE A BEAUTY PAGEANT except no swimsuits!!! LOLOL!!!

I’d like to introduce some of them to you and tell you a bit about the COOL blogs they started during the workshop…

MARJ LAURENA IS THE ‘FASTING DIABETIC‘.

Marj Laurena believes God will help her overcome the challenges of living with diabetes. Her blog LIFE IS SWEET will take you on a journey through her research about diabetes and fasting. Marj Laurena will also share her devotions and stories about discovering God’s heart.

the fasting diabetic (left) with the blogging beauty queen...

TRAVIS SHERLIN IS A FIRE-BREATHER!

Travis Sherlin started entertaining when he was 14. It all began with his fascination with magic. From simple tricks, juggling and unicycling, Travis Sherlin moved on to physical feats like multiple chain water escapes. So, it was only a matter of time before he entered the wonderful world of breathing fire. His blog FIRE TIME chronicles his life as a dangerous entertainer.

Travis the Fire Breathing Blogger. Or the Blogging Fire-Breather!!! Take your PICK!

RIA BAGATSING IS A GRAPHIC ARTIST!

When you enter Ria Bagatsing’s blog VINTAGE SPIRIT, you enter her world of Art. Ria Bagatsing is a graphic designer who is constantly broadening her skills and widening her knowledge in this wonderful field. Her blog is about everything MEDIA-related: fine art, typography, color, photography, film, advertising, packaging and graphic design… things that have left a lasting vibrant print in her brain.

Ria Bagatsing with MOI

AIM SAYS BREAKDANCING IS NOT DEAD!

Wow, I can’t believe that I have a Thai breakdancer in class who is blogging in THAI! Aim’s blog DANCE BY MY STYLE is a blog about his adventures as a young Christian who reaches out to other young people through his gift of DANCE!!!

Aim, showing me some of his break dance mooooves!

If you want to learn how to blog contact me! I specialize in helping people, specially non-tecchies, Baby Boomers and even grandparents understand the world of blogging so they can start reaching the world with their own blog ASAP.  Contact the blogging beauty queen at jaedeelight@yahoo.com

Article on Venus Raj: “‘Farmgirl’ is RP Bet to Ms Universe 2010″

The first time I saw Ma. Venus Raj in the flesh was a few weeks before she won Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 (Ms Philippines Universe 2010) at the Talent Show of the pageant at Ali Mall.  Her photos had already caught my eye and I had marked her down in my shortlist. But it wasn’t until I saw her face to face that I listed her in my Top 3.

The second time I saw her was at Araneta Coliseum backstage during the coronation night of Bb. Pilipinas 2010 (Ms Philippines 2010). My hubby and I had just arrived; we were late and rushing to our seats when suddenly, I saw Ms. Venus Raj standing next to the stairs leading up to stage right. I grabbed the chance to take a photo and tell her that she was my choice for Bb. Pilipinas World or International. She ended up winning the Universe title, LOLOL!

blogging beauty queen (left) bumps into Ma. Venus Raj backstage during the Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Beauty Pageant...

In this article by PDI reporter Armin Adina you’ll find out more about Ma. Venus Raj, all the special awards she won on coronation night, her thoughts on winning Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and her humble upbringing on a Bicol farm.

Traveling Tiara: Review of Sweet Mae Salong Coffee Shop, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Sweet Mae Salong's front...

On the sleepy hills of Mae Salong in Chiang Rai, Thailand, lies a lovely little cafe called Sweet Mae Salong where you can enjoy the countryside over a cup of designer coffee. 

Sweet Mae Salong, which opened shop a little over two years ago, is run by husband and wife team Ton and Mee who both speak fluent English but not without that wonderful Thai accent. Mee bakes all the breads and sweets while Ton takes care of everything else as well as making your coffee look and taste DELISH!

Ton's Coffee Art!

YUMOLA! Photo from GT Riders Touring Guide to Doi Mae Salong...

Sweet Mae Salong’s prices are similar to Manila prices, with the cheapest pastry being Mee’s hallmark Cheese Cake at 75 baht a slice (about P105 or $2.30 USD) and the most expensive one being the Blood Orange Mascarpone Mousse Cake (literally a mouthful, LOL!) at 135 baht per slice (P190 or $4.10 USD).

Although this is pricey for Mae Salong locals, it’s great value for city girls like me because the dining experience comes along with a priceless view, a computer with internet access that customers can use for free, and clean air you can only find in farflung mountains.

Enjoying Sweet Mae Salong's Porch with my friends - Rory (left), Ron and Pastor Chuck (right) with the Missions Man, Pastor Terry (back to cam).

On this visit I had the chance to try a Green Curry Chicken dish with some aromatic Roti bread. Now while the plating looks professional, I assure you the taste is homey. I love Thai curry and anything spicy, but if you have a sensitive palate, just ask Ton to make a less spicy version. The roti bread, btw, was POIFECT! Flakey and rich like a flat stretchy brown croissant…

Green Chicken Curry at Sweet Mae Salong... super sarap!

Oh, for breakfast lovers, Sweet Mae Salong offers several breakfast plates!

If you happen to be in the Chiang Rai area in Thailand, it’s worth the one hour drive up the hills to Doi Mae Salong for a lazy afternoon enjoying a slow meal with friends on the back porch of Sweet Mae Salong.

Sweet Mae Salong gets TEN out of TEN TIARAS from Adventures of a Beauty Queen!!!

More details:

Sweet Mae Salong Bakery,

41/3 Moo. 1 Mae Salong,

Nok Mae Fah Luang.

Chiang Rai 57110

Thailand

Tel No. 081-8554000

Operating Hours: 8am to 8pm

Look at more pics here

and at the GT Touring Riders’ Guide here.

I asked Mee (Sweet Mae Salong's owner) if she were a Thai Beauty Queen. She denies it all! LOLOL!!!

Sweet Mae Salong's Counter. That's Ton taking care of BUSINESS!

Please Pray that Thai Customs Releases Toy Donations

One of the Akha babies I met last year!!! There are a lot of baby toys in the box of donations - please pray Thai Customs will release it FAST!

Dear Friends,

I need your prayers.

Thai Customs has been holding a box of SECOND-HAND TOYS, DONATED by my friends in Manila. The toys are gifts for the children of an Akha tribe living in the mountains of Doi Mae SaLong. The little baby boy in this picture is one of the kids waiting for the toys.

There is no problem with the shipping company but the Customs folk have decided to hold on to the box. I’m sorry I can’t get into specifics except that we have already sent them the extra documents they are asking for.

Counting on your PRAYERS for the quick release of the box. Pray that the Customs officials will soon realize  that the box is filled with love from Manila to Mae Salong.

Warm hugs,

joyce

the blogging beauty queen

These Akha children are the recipients of the DONATED TOYS. I met them during my trip last year to Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Thailand

The Box of Toy Donations!

My friend Owie hanging out in church with an Akha child

My little Akha friend... I HOPE to God that I can bring you the toys you're waiting for...

Traveling Tiara: Working Out on a Rice Field in Chiang Rai, THAILAND!

Ron T. with the blogging beauty queen on a rice field in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Adventures of a Beauty Queen is currently in Chiang Rai, the nothernmost province in Thailand!!! I am super-blessed to have been invited to facilitate a workshop here on blogging.

People who know me well, know that no matter how busy I get and no matter where I go, I NEED to get my exercise in. The body is THE TEMPLE so I need to keep it buff and beautiful!

So on Day 1 of our working vacation here, my hubby Ron and I ventured out of our little Thai house and found ourselves a rice field just minutes away. Ron has some experience in walking through rice fields thanks to occassional visits to his farming relatives in Bicol; but I have NEVER had the chance to prance through the green blades of a rice field.  Actually, you can’t really do that anyway because rice fields are swimming in muddy waters that are covered in algae.

Spotted this dewy spider net in the rice field...

ICK!!!

So you don’t prance through rice plants. Instead, you prance on the little ridges or pathways that snake throughout the field. To be safe, forget  prancing and just walk.

By the end of our 45 minute exploration, my thighs and calves were aching and my one sneaker and corresponding sock were all muddy thanks to a slip. But it didn’t matter, I was happy to be back in beautiful Chiang Rai doing something a little silly…

blogging beauty queen prancing in the rice field!

Filipina Super Model Chat Almarvez Poses for Top British Designer

Filipina Super Model Chat Almarvez (right) in an Alexander McQueen creation. Photo from the March 2010 issue of V Magazine!

Congratulations to Filipina Super Model Chat Almarvez who placed 1st runner-up in the Super Model of the World 2010 competition last January! She landed on the pages of V Magazine (March 2010 issue) in her first major assignment modelling for the late Alexander McQueen!!!

Alexander McQueen is the famous British ’shock-fashion’ designer who reportedly committed suicide last February. He was lead designer for Givenchy for five years before venturing out on his own. Alexander McQueen’s clothes have been worn by Bjork, Lady Gaga and Rihanna and now, our very own, Chat Almarvez. In spite of his death, the Alexander McQueen brand will continue to produce and distribute high quality fashion.

Great job Chat Almarvez! You make the Filipino PROUD!!!

Check out photos of the night Chat Almarvez won the Philippines Super Model title.

Click here to see my interview with Chat Almarvez BEFORE she won 1st Runner-up in Super Model of World 2010.

Here is the story when she won 1st Runner-up in the Super Model of the World 2010.

Here is short post-win Q&A with Chat Almarvez.