Lesley Klenk is a freelance writer living in Olympia, Washington. After completing a thirty-one year career in the field of education, Klenk now focuses on writing literary fiction, memoir and travel essays. You can read her work on the social media platforms Thurston Talk and Grays Harbor Talk. Klenk’s husband, Paul, is the inspiration for the travel blog Travels With Paul. Read on to find out about a locked bathroom stall in Mexico, a car surrounded by hyenas in South Africa, and a mysterious visit to a speakeasy in Paris. Check out her newest essays from their Thailand trip–monks, elephants, and barefoot temple visits.

Places
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel The Belmond Mount Nelson hotel was home during the first third of our trip. It opened in 1899. It is famous for its afternoon tea (see Palate page). We have many memories from our stay, but two of my favorites from the “Old Nellie” was first, the ringing chorus of … Read more Places

People
We met Masu, a bartender at the Table Bay Hotel. I told him to pick my beer, I didn’t care. He looked at me a bit frightened–I’ve see the same look on Paul’s face before. Paul’s afraid he will pick the wrong pizza at Papa Murphy’s, so I took pity on the poor guy. He … Read more People
Palate
South Africa takes its food seriously. From a strip mall pizza, to a lunch at one of the most renowned restaurants in the Cape Winelands, to our favorite dining room at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Paul and I blissfully ate our way through our trip. In absolutely no order at all, here are some of … Read more Palate