Geologists and scientists can’t agree on how The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park were formed. But they do agree on one thing: these astonishing stone spires that pierce the golden-red sands of Western Australia are mysterious and stunning. Tourists also agree. They flock to see them in droves, making The Pinnacles the most visited attraction ... Read more The post The Pinnacles in Western Australia, Stunning and Mysterious appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

“Lake” isn’t an accurate description of Lake Ballard in Western Australia. They say there’s water in it, somewhere in the far distance. But the shoreline where I stood was a long expanse of caked red mud that morphed into brilliant white salt flats far in the distance. Where red met white, a cone shaped island ... Read more The post The Naked Truth about Lake Ballard in Western Australia appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

I squinted in the pre-dawn grayness, searching for signs of the tropical pink water lilies that carpet the surface of Nong Han Lake every winter. A few minutes earlier, my friend Anne and I had gingerly climbed into a tippy flat-bottomed wooden boat for our ride to the center of the lake. There, the lily ... Read more The post The Magnificent Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani, Thailand appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

Picture thousands of people dressed up as monsters, roaming the streets of a tiny village in northeastern Thailand. Giant ears, huge hooked noses, and foot-long spiked teeth sprout from their masks. Their chin-to-toe costumes are sewn from scraps of cloth into a kaleidoscopic patchwork of colors. Many carry wooden truncheons shaped into phallic symbols. Others ... Read more The post Phi ta Khon Festival – Thailand’s Answer to Halloween appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

Thai society erupted in controversy last month when the government approved a proposal to change the official name of Thailand’s capital from Bangkok to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. While this might seem slightly bizarre to most Westerners, Thais have always referred to their capital city as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. In everyday conversation, they shorten the ... Read more The post Bangkok – What’s in a Name appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

A couple of months ago I struck up a conversation with a young man at Cozy Coffee and Bistro, my home away from home in Chiang Mai. He was surprised to learn that after 18 years of visiting Thailand and more than four years of living here, I still didn’t have a Thai nickname. Chuu ... Read more The post Fighting the Blues with Blossoms appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

There’s a new attraction north of Chiang Mai that only locals seem to know about. Fortunately, I am blessed to have wonderful Thai friends who invite me along on day trips around northern Thailand. Most recently they introduced me to Dantewada Land of Angels Waterfall Park, a man made attraction with two massive waterfalls, caves, ... Read more The post Dantewada “Land of Angels” Waterfall Park, the Newest Attraction in Mae Taeng, Thailand appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

Most people barely give Krabi Town a second glance. If they visit at all, they stay overnight on their way to Railay Beach, Koh Lanta, or the Phi Phi Islands. But during a recent visit to Railay Beach, I decided to stop over in the town of Krabi for three days and was pleasantly surprised ... Read more The post Krabi Town, Thailand – Like an Outdoor Art Gallery appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

Every spring, when farmers burn their fields, a thick blanket of smoke descends upon my home in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Most years, I’m traveling at this time, but this year COVID-19 put a crimp in my normal schedule. I could leave, but if I did, I couldn’t come home. I thought I could... The post Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand – A Great Escape from Smoke Season in Chiang Mai appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more

The first time I saw the Dton Yaang Naa trees I was transfixed. I was returning from a press trip to learn about the care of Elephants in the Kingdom of Thailand, when our van driver turned down Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road. Twin rows of behemoth trees flanked the narrow, twisting road as far... The post The Ordained Dton Yaang Naa Spirit Trees of Thailand appeared first on Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel ..read more