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about us
We are a family, mostly based in Thailand and Norway, that loves being outside in nature and with our many animals.
Our dream and future goal are to be self-sustained and homeschooling our daughter.
Teaching her how to be independent, resourceful, thoughtful, openminded and hearted, as important as the academic lessons.
With nature and the world as our classroom, where we will learn as we travel, with an open mind and heart, always seeking to find those last few spots left on this planet, of untainted nature and cultures.
We wish to share with you our journey, as an inspiration for you to explore alternatives, spending more time in nature, and what adventures you can experience individually, or as a family with young and grown children.
Sincerely Serina, Cat, and Joe
Our dream and future goal are to be self-sustained and homeschooling our daughter.
Teaching her how to be independent, resourceful, thoughtful, openminded and hearted, as important as the academic lessons.
With nature and the world as our classroom, where we will learn as we travel, with an open mind and heart, always seeking to find those last few spots left on this planet, of untainted nature and cultures.
We wish to share with you our journey, as an inspiration for you to explore alternatives, spending more time in nature, and what adventures you can experience individually, or as a family with young and grown children.
Sincerely Serina, Cat, and Joe
all of our vidoes
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Eco friendly picnic in the jungle 🌿
with Banana leaves and Bamboo 🎋
Doi Chaang Drip coffee in
Bamboo Cup and Khao Kluk Kapi
Family hiking in the jungle of Thailand, preparing a delicious Thai dish, Khao Kluk Kapi, using banana leaves and bushcraft with bamboo, making plates and cups for drinking and making Drip Cofee.
Hiked into the jungle of Southern Thailand with our 2,5-year-old daughter, to prepare and enjoy a delicious lunch together.
t´s a very traditional Thai dish, Khao Kluk Kapi (ข้าวคลุกกะปิ) which translates into Rice mixed with shrimp paste,
served on fresh banana leaves, served on bamboo plates made by Joe, and the food was
prepared on palm leaves (Licuala paludosa) and Calathea leaves found in the jungle.
Joe also made bamboo cups with his bushcraft skills and a broken thumb.
One cup for Serina to enjoy a refreshing sip of water, and a cup for Cat to make her Drip coffee in with her favorite coffee brand, Doi Chaang Coffee, organically grown in Chiang Rai.
We hope you enjoyed this video, as this is the first video we feel that we get to show the viewers what we are about and what our future videos will be about... Quality family time spent together out in nature, making and enjoying delicoius food together and learning from nature and cultures from every corner of this world.
Hiked into the jungle of Southern Thailand with our 2,5-year-old daughter, to prepare and enjoy a delicious lunch together.
t´s a very traditional Thai dish, Khao Kluk Kapi (ข้าวคลุกกะปิ) which translates into Rice mixed with shrimp paste,
served on fresh banana leaves, served on bamboo plates made by Joe, and the food was
prepared on palm leaves (Licuala paludosa) and Calathea leaves found in the jungle.
Joe also made bamboo cups with his bushcraft skills and a broken thumb.
One cup for Serina to enjoy a refreshing sip of water, and a cup for Cat to make her Drip coffee in with her favorite coffee brand, Doi Chaang Coffee, organically grown in Chiang Rai.
We hope you enjoyed this video, as this is the first video we feel that we get to show the viewers what we are about and what our future videos will be about... Quality family time spent together out in nature, making and enjoying delicoius food together and learning from nature and cultures from every corner of this world.
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Family hiking trip in Beautiful Norway
Vallvatnet, Steigen
Incredible Northern Norway
Our first family hiking trip to a hidden viewpoint spot in Steigen, Nordland.
A beautiful spot and place to visit when you´re in the North of Norway.
This is an old video filmed with an iPhone, from our last trip to our cabin in the North of Norway, September 2018.
Our daughter was only 16 months then and had great fun hiking with us for 5 beautiful hours.
During our long hike, we got to see amazing arctic nature and found an offbeat path to a hidden viewpoint,
with stunning views over the beautiful fjords and the uniquely shaped mountains of this region.
A beautiful spot and place to visit when you´re in the North of Norway.
This is an old video filmed with an iPhone, from our last trip to our cabin in the North of Norway, September 2018.
Our daughter was only 16 months then and had great fun hiking with us for 5 beautiful hours.
During our long hike, we got to see amazing arctic nature and found an offbeat path to a hidden viewpoint,
with stunning views over the beautiful fjords and the uniquely shaped mountains of this region.
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Serina Growing up with her horses
Serina started riding before walking, with her many Arabian horses, pony, and Falabella.
Very sweet and lovely video of how she is growing up with her many animal friends
at South Arabian Horse Club
Very sweet and lovely video of how she is growing up with her many animal friends
at South Arabian Horse Club
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DISCOVER PHANG NGA | Klong Hin Lat | Khao Na Yak |
คลองหินลาด | เขาหน้ายักษ์ จ.พังงา
This is our first video in our new series called Discover Phang Nga, where we will show you places where most of us, both locals and tourists, haven´t seen or been before, to give you ideas and inspiration for where to go when you´re visiting the
Phang Nga province in the South of Thailand.
We loaded the car with our Feelfree Triyak and headed towards Thai Muang, where we drove on the whitest sand road ever seen in this area towards a small wooden pier, where we could take our Kayak down, and started kayaking on Klong Hin Lat.
We kayaked to a Mangrove island, and took a little rest stop there and found ourselves surrounded by beautiful Mangrove trees, and the Hin Lat river passing by us. We enjoyed a simple, and delicious picnic there and a
freshly dripped Doi Chaang coffee.
After our little break, we continued kayaking a bit more and passed by fishermen (and lady) making their living out of this abundant river. In the afternoon, we drove across over to Khao Na Yak, and had the whole beach to ourselves, and sharing the water with some few fishermen looking for krills and fishes.
It´s a beautiful beach, with pure withe sand and very inviting and turquoise water. On the way home, we stopped and took some lovely shots of wild Spathoglottis orchids and flowers.
A truly beautiful place with stunning and unique sceneries of nature, with pure white sand, mangrove forests, beautiful tree formations of Eucalyptus trees, Jambolan trees and Red Samet trees.
Phang Nga province in the South of Thailand.
We loaded the car with our Feelfree Triyak and headed towards Thai Muang, where we drove on the whitest sand road ever seen in this area towards a small wooden pier, where we could take our Kayak down, and started kayaking on Klong Hin Lat.
We kayaked to a Mangrove island, and took a little rest stop there and found ourselves surrounded by beautiful Mangrove trees, and the Hin Lat river passing by us. We enjoyed a simple, and delicious picnic there and a
freshly dripped Doi Chaang coffee.
After our little break, we continued kayaking a bit more and passed by fishermen (and lady) making their living out of this abundant river. In the afternoon, we drove across over to Khao Na Yak, and had the whole beach to ourselves, and sharing the water with some few fishermen looking for krills and fishes.
It´s a beautiful beach, with pure withe sand and very inviting and turquoise water. On the way home, we stopped and took some lovely shots of wild Spathoglottis orchids and flowers.
A truly beautiful place with stunning and unique sceneries of nature, with pure white sand, mangrove forests, beautiful tree formations of Eucalyptus trees, Jambolan trees and Red Samet trees.
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UNSEEN KHAO SOK National Park |
Khao Tor Tao Viewpoint
เขาตอเต่า อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก
A TRULY hidden gem. An unseen and unknown place for many, with stunning views over Khao Sok National park and the Ratchaprapa dam. อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก
We stumbled across this place when we were searching on Google Earth for new places to explore, where we noticed there was a road that went through mountainous jungle, and when we looked closer, we could see that there was a road leading to a beautiful viewpoint on the highest peak of the mountain. We decided then to take a road trip the day after so we could check out this place.
We took Route 401, on the way we took a little stop at Mae Yai Waterfall, for so continue to Khao Tor Tao.
When we arrived at the road that would lead up to the viewpoint, we found it closed with a road barrier, when asking the closest neighbors, they advised us to drive to the ranger station and ask for permission to enter.
When arriving at the ranger station, we asked the ranger nicely if we could please enter, and that we would be respectful and careful of the place and nature.
The ranger saw our good intentions and gave us permission to drive up to the viewpoint.
As we drove up, we could easily understand why they´ve put up a barrier, as we could see that there was a lot of wildlife there.
On our way up, we were fortunate to see a Malayan Sun Bear run across the road, a Wild Cat and a Squirrel, all too quickly before we got the camera recording.
When we arrived at the well kept, clean and beautiful viewpoint, we got immediately stunned by the amazing view over the green jungle, with enchanting mist and fog lifting up like a veil to reveal the beautiful nature beneath it.
We could also see the Ratchaprapa dam, the name was given by our late king, Rama 9, meaning Light of the Kingdom.
We enjoyed our visit at Khao Tor Tao very much, a truly private place, where we could relax, be peacefully and undisturbed deep inside nature, feeling like we´ve found heaven beneath the clouds.
On the way home, we stopped by to take some photos of a charming Bamboo Bridge and enjoyed a delicious shot of Espresso at Caligo Coffee Factory before returning home.
We stumbled across this place when we were searching on Google Earth for new places to explore, where we noticed there was a road that went through mountainous jungle, and when we looked closer, we could see that there was a road leading to a beautiful viewpoint on the highest peak of the mountain. We decided then to take a road trip the day after so we could check out this place.
We took Route 401, on the way we took a little stop at Mae Yai Waterfall, for so continue to Khao Tor Tao.
When we arrived at the road that would lead up to the viewpoint, we found it closed with a road barrier, when asking the closest neighbors, they advised us to drive to the ranger station and ask for permission to enter.
When arriving at the ranger station, we asked the ranger nicely if we could please enter, and that we would be respectful and careful of the place and nature.
The ranger saw our good intentions and gave us permission to drive up to the viewpoint.
As we drove up, we could easily understand why they´ve put up a barrier, as we could see that there was a lot of wildlife there.
On our way up, we were fortunate to see a Malayan Sun Bear run across the road, a Wild Cat and a Squirrel, all too quickly before we got the camera recording.
When we arrived at the well kept, clean and beautiful viewpoint, we got immediately stunned by the amazing view over the green jungle, with enchanting mist and fog lifting up like a veil to reveal the beautiful nature beneath it.
We could also see the Ratchaprapa dam, the name was given by our late king, Rama 9, meaning Light of the Kingdom.
We enjoyed our visit at Khao Tor Tao very much, a truly private place, where we could relax, be peacefully and undisturbed deep inside nature, feeling like we´ve found heaven beneath the clouds.
On the way home, we stopped by to take some photos of a charming Bamboo Bridge and enjoyed a delicious shot of Espresso at Caligo Coffee Factory before returning home.
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DIY Fabric Scraps Ideas | Upcycle a Shirt
Fabric Embroidery Hoop Wall Art
thai batik fabric
What is Batik fabric?
A piece of History and Art in a Fabric known as Batik
The word Batik is of Javanese origin, coming from the Javanese word amba ('to write')
and titik ('dot'), and *beCík ('to tattoo').
The technique is to apply wax on to the fabric so it resists dyes that allow the artisan to colour selectively by soaking the cloth in one colour, for so to remove the wax with boiling water, and then repeat the process with multiple colours and patterns.
The tradition and art form of wax-resist dyeing fabric is an ancient art form dating back to the Egyptians,
but today the Batik fabric of Java, Indonesia is the most prevalent and known.
Also here in the South of Thailand, it is common to see the older ladies wearing batik fabric as a long skirt,
and some of the younger people also wear modernized versions and dresses with Batik fabric.
*Source: Wikipedia
Repurposing leftover Thai Batik Fabric.
For the biggest piece of Fabric, I decided to frame it in an Embroidery Hoop,
becoming a beautiful piece of wall art.
Quick, easy and no need to sew.
With the smaller pieces,
I decided to Upcycle and Refashion an Old white shirt, it was
a perfect colour match with the blue batik fabric,
and made a double collar and sewed on fabric on the cuffs,
breathing new life to the old shirt.
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INCREDIBLE KRABI | KLONG ROOT NONG THALE
KAYAKING ON CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER
คลองรูด หนองทะเล คลองน้ําใส กระบี่
A hidden spring water pool with clean and crystal clear water, surrounded by beautiful green and pure nature. It is best experienced by Kayaking through the lake for so to get to the tranquil and hidden lagoon.
We took a family road trip to this Beautiful place, driving from Khao Lak to Krabi คลองรูด คลองน้ําใส กระบี่
Rented Kayaks at Lazanya tour ( 200 THB per person ) and started paddling, following the white balls left out on the lake as a trail towards the spring water pool. On the way, you get to see wild Orchids, beautiful trees like the edible Barringtonia Pendula King and Sagu palm, beautiful stone formations, different types of Fish and even Golden Apple Snail Eggs.
When entering the forest, the temperature cools down immediately and the water appears inviting. The crystal clear water is very pure and clean that makes you want to take a dip. We were lucky to go there during the early afternoon, with only a few people there before us, and when we kayaked a bit further in, we got a private spot to ourselves to take a dip in the cool water and explore the beautiful paradise.
We recommend going to this place before it will get too overcrowded due to future popularity, for now, it is somewhat still a hidden gem, with only a few tours and locals going to the spring water pool for a swim and having a relaxing time.
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AQUARIA PHUKET | อควาเรีย ภูเก็ต
Though this is somewhat beautiful and amazing that we humans can encounter with aquatic creatures and sea life through visiting Aquariums, it is an encounter that is mostly based on our selfish terms, where we have taken creatures out of their natural habitats, having them to spend their life and swim around in manmade tanks and artificial pools, kept away from their natural habitats and not able be do what they are supposed to do... Living a free life in nature.
It would be hypocritical of us to say Aquariums are all bad since we went there out of our own choice, because of curiosity and wish to show our daughter aquatic animals up close without having to go on a diving trip with a small toddler or fly across the world to see them in their natural habitat.
But as parents, we choose to teach that But as parents, we choose to teach that this is not the place where animals belong or should be, it is only a place of display and a manmade place where these animals are kept, like the Pinguins that you see here are Humbolt Penguins, who are supposed to live in South America (Chile and Peru), but sadly, those Penguins who live in their natural habitat are threatened due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.
It is a mixed emotion of beauty and sadness, it is beautiful to see them so up close
and sad that they´re being in kept in captivity.
Animals kept in captivity for entertainment or research, will not subside in this near future, but we as consumers, who contribute to this industry by visiting these places, should choose and demand these places and facilities of captivity, to be as best as possible, providing them with fresh and quality food, care, treatment, and proper stimulations based on their specific needs as a species.
And hopefully, Aquaria Phuket will keep on taking great care of their animals and give them the best in return for their freedom.
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HOW TO MAKE VANILLA SUGAR
Make your own Vanilla sugar, quick, easy and delicious.
You only need two pods of Vanilla Beans and 500 Gram of Sugar. (2 CUPS)
We prefer using Raw sugar since it is less processed and tastes good.
Prepare clean Airtight containers, a blender will help to get it mixed together evenly,
though just hands will also do the job.
The more time the Vanilla sugar gets to age in the container,
the more infused the sugar will be with vanilla fragrance and its delicious flavor.
It is also a great and tastier substitute for when recipes requiring the use of Vanilla extract.
A versatile and delicious ingredient to have in your kitchen pantry, or make it as a gift for someone you know has a sweet tooth.
Enjoy...
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SADDLE FOR TWO | Bertín Osborne two-seater potrera saddle
RIDING ON THE BEACH
We got so excited when we found this saddle for two by Marjoman, especially that this is a tandem saddle where the child can be safely in front and have a handle to hold on to.
For the first try of the saddle, we took Jarrod and Eliza out for a 3 hours trail ride to Khuk Khak Beach. Serina had so much fun and was very comfortable on the new double saddle, and when we returned back after 3 hours, she still wanted to continue to ride some more, a good indication that the saddle was comfortable for her to be on.
It is a Beautiful and well-built saddle by Marjoman, not only comfortable for the riders,
but also for the horse.
For the first try of the saddle, we took Jarrod and Eliza out for a 3 hours trail ride to Khuk Khak Beach. Serina had so much fun and was very comfortable on the new double saddle, and when we returned back after 3 hours, she still wanted to continue to ride some more, a good indication that the saddle was comfortable for her to be on.
It is a Beautiful and well-built saddle by Marjoman, not only comfortable for the riders,
but also for the horse.
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TAM NANG WATERFALL | SRI PHANG NGA NATIONAL PARK | FAMILY HIKING | MAHSEER BARB FISH | น้ำตกตำหนัง
A beautiful waterfall, with water pouring down from a 60 meters height that makes its way down from the lush and green jungle of Sri Phang Nga National Park.
In the crystal clear water, there are flourishing with Mahseer Barbs that are easy to
be seen swimming peacefully in this serene National park located in the heart of Kuraburi district of Southern Thailand.
อุทยาน แห่งชาติศรีพังงา น้ำตกตำหนัง จ.พังงา
In the crystal clear water, there are flourishing with Mahseer Barbs that are easy to
be seen swimming peacefully in this serene National park located in the heart of Kuraburi district of Southern Thailand.
อุทยาน แห่งชาติศรีพังงา น้ำตกตำหนัง จ.พังงา
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FAMILY HORSEBACK RIDING | ARABIAN HORSES
RUBBER PLANTATIONS IN THAILAND
One of our favorite family activities is to saddle up our Arabian horses,
Jarrod and Eliza, take a stroll through the many rubber plantations, and
have a relaxing time in the serene and green nature
that surrounds our property.
Jarrod and Eliza, take a stroll through the many rubber plantations, and
have a relaxing time in the serene and green nature
that surrounds our property.
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a family day trip to the Emerald Pool in Krabi
Sa Morakot | สระมรกต กระบี่
We took a family day trip to the Emerald Pool in Krabi.
Sa Morakot | สระมรกต กระบี่
The Emerald-colored water pool is located in Khao Pra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary park.
At the entrance of the park they will collect an entrance fee
and will check that you don´t bring anything you´re not supposed too, in our case, they do not allow visitors to bring a Drone, luckily they do also provide you a locker to rent for storing belongings, such as the Drone they did not allow to bring :)
After that, you will have to choose between two paths, whether the wide and spacious path through the lush and green jungle that is about 1400m in distance or choose the 800m path.
When we arrived at the pool, we were a bit put off by how many people there were there,
since we like enjoying nature as pure as possible, we found it a bit hard to enjoy this place fully, though it was strikingly beautiful and the water looks very inviting for a swim.
If you´re thinking about visiting Emerald Pool and loves a more calm and private feeling when you´re out in nature, we recommend to go there early in the morning and during the weekdays, for a less crowded experience of this beautiful place.
Sa Morakot | สระมรกต กระบี่
The Emerald-colored water pool is located in Khao Pra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary park.
At the entrance of the park they will collect an entrance fee
and will check that you don´t bring anything you´re not supposed too, in our case, they do not allow visitors to bring a Drone, luckily they do also provide you a locker to rent for storing belongings, such as the Drone they did not allow to bring :)
After that, you will have to choose between two paths, whether the wide and spacious path through the lush and green jungle that is about 1400m in distance or choose the 800m path.
When we arrived at the pool, we were a bit put off by how many people there were there,
since we like enjoying nature as pure as possible, we found it a bit hard to enjoy this place fully, though it was strikingly beautiful and the water looks very inviting for a swim.
If you´re thinking about visiting Emerald Pool and loves a more calm and private feeling when you´re out in nature, we recommend to go there early in the morning and during the weekdays, for a less crowded experience of this beautiful place.
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Short Hiking trip to a Small Sandy Beach, Khao Lak Lam Ru National park
อุทยานแห่งชาติ เขาหลัก-ลำรู่
When driving through the Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park, keep your eyes out for a small parking area, normally there´s a few cars already parked there, and you will find the entrance to the path leading to the Small Sandy Beach.
During high season they do collect money for entering the National Park, we were there during low season, so for us, it was free entrance and very little people on the beach.
It is a quick 7-10 minutes walk on the path that leads you through a lush and green jungle, with big trees, bamboos and you will find yourself surrounded by a nice tropical nature after only a few steps on the path. You will arrive at a small, yet charming beach, with some nice spots to sit, and hopefully, enjoy a peaceful and fun dip in the sea.