Steve and I had to don special gear - and these flashy outfits - when we headed for the Diamond mines.   However, like many of you, we began our love affair with gems decades ago in our own back yards.  Sunlight’s simple magic transforms driveway pebbles and rocky backyard outcrops, captivating us.  Rock collectors, with earthy hearts and passion, captured for life!

Summer is the perfect time to renew and share our connection with the earth’s mineral kingdom.  Close to home, Maine offers a number of spots for trying on a rock-hound hat.  Besides our widely acclaimed Tourmaline, other gem minerals such as Beryl and Quartz abound in many colors.   Here are some suggestions for exploring gem mining in Maine: http://activitymaine.com/rockhounding-in-maine .  In case mineral quests further pique your interest, the following article focuses on more summer fun searching for gems and minerals.  http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/Sparkling_Summer_Fun,201136763.aspx  Click the links or copy them into your browser.  Happy gem adventures – and enjoy your summer!

Some Nanas put several of these treasures on a chain, keeping all her Little Ones close to her heart.  To order a Personal Impressions pendant or charm, give us a call. We’ll make an appointment for you (or Mom or Nana) to bring in your precious Little One to make an impression of their thumprint.  Then Dustin will create your pendant or charm in the precious metal of your choice. Stop by for a  Personal Impressions Gift Certificate.

To Win One: Post a picture of your little Sweetie on our Facebook page. We’ll enter you in our Mothers’ Day Drawing.  Some lucky person will win a Personal Impressions Pendant and Chain. The drawing will take place on May 7th – in time for Mothers’ Day!

  Pedaling in the countryside several miles outside Bangkok, Kai, our Spice Roads bicycle guide for the day, pointed out rice fields and banana farms bordering the narrow paved road. Suddenly he signaled us to pull over. We glided off the pavement onto a dirt pathway, through an apparently un-noteworthy growth of trees and brush. “Fruit bats!” Kai whispered.  Leaning the bicycles against whatever palm tree was handy, we followed a small stream that cut through the woods. We followed his gaze, eyes straining to focus through the thick greenery above. 

Suddenly, there they were – everywhere! Fruit bats circled above the treetops like vultures. Many hung at rest from the topmost branches, like heavy fruit. Sometimes called flying foxes, others rose skyward in a dark cloud when startled. Coming in for a landing, a few swooped perilously close to a branch, only to grab it with one foot on the way by.  The result was a comical swoop, with the acrobat swinging like a pendulum before settling into stillness. 

Fruit bats in southeast Asia frequently have wing’spans of 3 to 5 feet and weigh over two pounds. Enjoy these pictures, snapped while we watched, mesmerized, before once more mounting our bikes for adventures ahead. For those of you who’ve followed our travels and posts, you know that we’re enjoying cooking Thai since getting home.  Recipes have not, to date, involved fruit bats. As of now, we doubt that they ever.  But never say, “Never!”

Unique gems and attractive values.  Heading for Thailand, one of the foremost centers for the world gem trade, those were some of the opprtunities we sought to explore.  How might we expand our collection and offerings for you?  At the left is a dazzling 6.03 carat Ceylon Sapphire oval, hand-picked and lovely.  We’re thrilled! 

In addition to discovering new sources for quality gemstones, our experience confirmed confidence in the decades-long gem partnerships we rely on at home.  We searched Thailand, without success, for a beautiful change-of-color Sapphire.  That is, one that mysteriously slithers from rich blue to deep violet, depending on the light.  Back home, we readily located this alluring 2.56 carat  oval from one of our favorite gem experts.  $9485.

Many of you have asked about the high points of our journey. Those who know us well understand that the absolute best was a terrific family visit!  Keep an eye out for new posts, sharing more highlights from the multi-faceted (sorry – couldn’t resist) adventures.  Though it’s good to be back in temperatures under 90+ degrees, we’re already thinking about our next gem foray.  Next time, we’ll be packing Wish Lists, along with our loupes, tweezers and sun screen!

  Bangkok was founded in 1782 when King Rama I moved the capital across the Chao Phraya River from Thonburi to what today is known as the Old City. At that time, Wat Po, home of the gigantic reclining Buddha (151’ long by 53’ high)and the country’s oldest university in Thailand, was already approximately 300 years old.  Today temples share the skyline with skyscrapers.   

Wat Arun, aka Temple of Dawn, sits across the Chao Praya River from Wat Po. Before the capital was moved from Thonburi across the river, this religious complex served as the royal chapel.  Its exterior is decorated with floral and decorative patterns created from ceramic fragments. 

These pottery elements were donated to the monastery by local people, at the request of Rama III.  The ceramic faces serve a couple of surprisingly practical purposes.  They cover the formerly white surfaces, masking the dirt.  In addition, they protect the wooden structure from termites. 

 Taking one of the city’s countless  elevators up for a top floor view affords a rich visual history.  We enjoyed one breathtaking view from the aptly named Vertigo restaurant atop the Banyan Tree Hotel, towering above Lumphini Park. Whenever we headed “up,” the view commanded us to look “out.”  Here’s another view, this one from our daughter’s office on Sukhumvit Road.

Having climbed Wat Arun’s tower by day, we were enticed to return at twilight for one of our last  dinners before heading home.  The guidebooks were ”spot on” in suggesting that the Temple of Dawn is even more lovely, viewed from across the river, at sunset. 

Wherever we walk, Bangkok streets are pulsing with commerce, sizzling with smells and bustling with action. Street offerings include tiny tuk-tuks – souvenirs fashioned from beer or soda cans – as well as every tee shirt imaginable and knock-off designer watches.  Heading out, we pass this seamstress every day. Had to snap a photo of her with her vintage black Singer sewing machine – exactly like the one mom still uses. The young lady stopped en route to work to have her slacks hemmed.  In the shade of his tree work station, the seamstress’ son replaces heels and soles on worn shoes. 

Food vendors line many streets.  Several guide books advised that Thai street food is often far better than the dishes in fine restaurants.  Prefer to cook dinner yourself?  There are plenty of fixin’s available streetside, as well as ready-to-eat.

Pineapple, mango, guava, papaya, grilled banana all abound, as do freshly squeezed passion fruit, orange and pineapple juices. We’ve never tasted fruit as sweet and juicy as these. So refreshing in these 90 degree temperatures.

We walk by this street chef with his Thai barbecued chicken, no matter what time of day we’re heading out or coming home. Fresh, cheap and tasty are the words of the day.

Unique cooking set-ups are another surprise, as are the street-side buffets. 

One thing is clear. As this time in Thailand draws to a close, we’ve decided to save bug-tasting for our next visit…   

  As most of the guidebooks promised, the trip to Jim Thompson’s house was a highlight of our time in Bangkok.  Jim Thompson was a New York architect who served in the OSS (precursor to the CIA) in Thailand during World War II and afterward settled in Bangkok.  He is credited with almost single-handedly reviving the long-neglected cottage industry of hand-weaving silk.  A gifted designer and textile colorist, he employed Thai Muslim silk weavers and contributed to the international recognition accorded to Thai silk.  Stories of his mysterious disappearance in 1967 enhanced the experience. 

  Jim Thompson’s home, composed of six teakwood houses from central Thailand and constructed according to Thai architectural principals, is now an outstanding museum. Built on stilts above the ground to protect against flooding during the rainy season, the house is filled with antique Thai scroll paintings, Khmer sculpture, Chinese porcelain, and a stunning collection of Asian furnishings. 

Behind Jim Thompson’s house is one of the klongs, or canals, which abound throughout Bangkok.  We made our way down the alleyways and across the klong to visit Baan Krua Silk. It’s a tiny back-alley weaving studio, a lone surviving remnant from Jim Thompson’s day when the silks were woven by hand.

 Three Thai women were at work at the hand looms, while another wound bobbins of colorful silk thread for the weavers.    The owner proudly showed us a faded letter of thanks from Bobby and Ethel Kennedy, following their visit decades ago.  A picture of himself and his weavers with the much beloved Thai princess during her visit to his workshop is his pride and joy.

  Today Jim Thompson stores, with all sorts of silks and Thai prints, are found throughout Bangkok, as well as at the museum.  Enjoy these pictures from our visit to the Thai weavers across the klong.

Angkor Wat, built in the 12^th century, is known for its staggering size and highly detailed beautiful bas-relief stone carvings. As a craftsman, I marveled at the level of detailed and deep stone carving, all done 900 years ago. To help us find our way around, we hired a guide and driver.  In addition to knowing where to go, they helped us strategize the logistics of touring in a blazing hot tropical climate.  Here is a shot from the rear entrance of Angkor Wat:

Lodging accommodations in Siem Reap vary from modest guest houses to luxury hotels.  We spent most of our time visiting significant temple sights. An additional highlight was spending a few hours bicycling around Siem Reap.  The best description of traffic is “organized chaos.”  Unlike Thailand, where driving is on the left, Cambodians drive on the right.  That helped.  BUT….one might be riding in a tuk-tuk (small motorcycle powered carriage for four), car, taxi, motorcycle or bicycle on the  correct side of the road, only to encounter a motorcycle coming at you in the wrong direction.  And yet it all seems to work.  People are very flexible and practice a form of blending in traffic, as well as in personal and business interactions.  Once over the initial shock, I found it impressive.

One thing I noticed, especially in the country side, is the ingenious use of bicycles, motorcycles and tuk-tuks to transport a myriad of things.  Here is one example – a basket-maker carrying her wares to market.  Other times one would see mom and dad with one or two little ones, nestled between, all on one motorcycle.  We even passed a fellow pedaling with 12 foot lengths of 2 x 8 lumber on his bike.  

I have always wondered where do cashews come from and how do they grow?  Turns out they grow on trees.  One day we toured a cashew plantation.  Here is a photo of the kidney shaped green covered nut.  After ripening, the outer covering comes off, revealing the nut that we know as cashews.

Our time in Siem Reap, especially at the ancient temples, was spectacular.  Apparently a lot of people agree.  The crowds were large and from all over the world.