People & Places

Am I Still Surinamese? What Suriname Means to Me
Every now and then I come across columns and essays that have “being Surinamese” and “feeling Surinamese” as their subject, but often I find t [ ... ]

The Legend of Eldorado – City of Gold
El Dorado (also known as Eldorado) — a Spanish phrase meaning the “Golden One” — is a mythical city of gold, which was supposedly head [ ... ]

How to Write a Hotel Review
Writing a hotel review is a rewarding endeavor as a personal reflection and a valuable resource for fellow travelers. Well-written customer reviews an [ ... ]

Uitwaaien | Dutch Wind Therapy to Clear the Mind
Uitwaaien is a little known but common Dutch Wind Therapy, or perhaps better — an outdoor Dutch Wind Relaxation Activity. In fact, in the Nether [ ... ]

Dos and Don’ts in Thailand | How to Behave
I’ve already written about the concept of Losing Face in Thailand, and of course, that already implies a lot of dos and don’ts. But then, let’s [ ... ]

Thailand | Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Thailand is a country, nation, a people with a beautiful, enigmatic, strong, and proud history. A place where losing face is as important as eating, s [ ... ]

The Thai Smile | Thailand’s Famous Visiting Card
The famous Thai smile is a mysterious phenomenon. In the “Land of Smiles,” as Thailand is often called, it can mean at least five differen [ ... ]

Thailand – Same Same, but Different
In Thailand, the expression “same same, but different” is a widely used and well-known slogan. Its origins are quite interesting, because it’s a [ ... ]

Crackdowns on Foreigners in Thailand
Thailand gives many of us the impression of a free, kind of Wild West, and happy disorderly country where everything is possible. And in plenty of way [ ... ]

Tourist Scams in Thailand – It Bites With a Smile
Unfortunately, tourist scam practices in Thailand are rather common. In fact, over the years, I’ve had my own part in being a victim in good old Sia [ ... ]