Check out these five great posts I ran across this week. Good stuff!

Patrick and Akila at The Road Forks have a lovely post about how serendipity can hide in the most unexpected places (or ailments). In this case, a chest cold delayed them just long enough to stumble into a monk’s funeral in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Excellent writing and beautiful photographs. Unexpected funeral

Lillie at Around the World “L” has penned a sensitive and sobering piece about the Cape Coast slave castle in Ghana. Cape Coast Slave Castle

Answering one of my long-unanswered questions, SteveO of Asian Ramblings says “snake, please.” Snake: Does It Taste Like Chicken?

Chris at Chris Around the World has a juicy post: 5 Reasons to Visit Granada. My favorite is #3: you can hike in the rain forest in the morning and be on the beach by afternoon. 5 Reasons to Visit Granada

Ok, I’ll admit: I’m a fire freak — I consider the campfire to be the original, primal television. Growing up in the country, we always seemed to find an excuse to start a bonfire in the family fire pit. For the holidays, to this day, we still seek out the largest “Yule Log” we can possibly move and manhandle it into the pit — last year I got a hernia for Christmas. With that in mind, check out Lauren Girardin’s guest-post at The Brooklyn Nomad. Festivals for Pyromaniacs

I’ve been checking out the blogosphere for travel ideas for the Land of Smiles. Here are just a few of the most helpful links:

Travel to the Ancient Capitals of Thailand – Episode 210

The Amateur Traveler talks to Matt Kepkes of NomadicMatt.com about his trip to the ancient capitals of Thailand: Ayutthaya, Lopburi and Sukhothai. (Podcast)

Travel Happy – Backpacking and Travel in Thailand and South East Asia

With plenty of posts on getting around, budgeting, and destinations, Travel Happy is a site I find myself returning to over and over.

Bangkok’s 15-Course Street Meal on the Cheap

I love Dan and Audry’s site, Uncornered Market — they’ve been traveling for 3 years and their site is a perfect mix of great concise writing, inspiring photos, and useful tips. They’re currently in Bolivia, but this older post from Thailand really has me jazzed to get on the road and stuff my face until I can’t walk. Shrimp and asparagus stir fry for 25 baht? Yes, please.

Discovering Bangkok – Top 10

Legal Nomads has a great post on what to do in the crazy, chaotic city that is Bangkok. I’m really looking forward to landing here and exploring. I’ll eventually make my way to the more tranquil beaches and islands, but I know I’ll be drenched in adrenaline from the last minute trip preparations when I arrive. Sounds like a perfect time to dive into the madness.

Travelfish – Original Asia Travel Intelligence You Can Trust

I’d be remiss not to mention the best independent travel guide I’ve found for SE Asia — tons of helpful, current information here. Highly recommended.