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Elephant Options

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

One of the must-do’s for Northern Thailand is a little quality time with the pacaderms. While Chiang Mai is a great place to make this happen, there are a few options in terms of how you experience these amazing beasts of burden. I have broken it down into options and explained the pros and cons of each:

Option 1: Mahout for a day

This is a more intimate experience that gets you up close and personal with the elephants while also having a strong theme of conservation and respect. Places like the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang and the Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai are some of the best in this category. The idea is that you learn about, care for and interact with “your” elephant for a day. In the morning you are given a briefing on the history and life of the Asian elephant before being introduced to your elephant and its mahout. Throughout the day you feed them, bathe them, ride them like a mahout does, no fancy chairs, just booty to big ol’ head. Lunch in included and then some more riding or bathing as well as practicing getting on and off (insider tip: watch out for those tusks, ouch!) You learn how to make an elephant stop and go and turn, or at least in theory you learn, I didn’t have a huge amount of success and I was glad the mahout stuck close by. At the end of the day you do feel connected to the animals and it is a magical experience.

Pros:

  • Usually the group size for these experiences are under 12 and you definitely feel as though you are having a unique experience
  • It’s an adventure of (pun intended) highest proportions.
  • It’s fun to just be in the elephants world for a while and there is free will for all (for the most part)

Cons:

  • Because of it’s uniqueness this is a more expensive option, but a lot of the money does go towards conservation
  • You are going to feel it the next day. Riding through the jungle on an elephants head is an amazing workout.
  • This is not for the faint-of-heart, you are face to face with these animals and you have to put a lot of faith in their good nature

Callie giving her elephant a bath
Callie giving her elephant a bath
Catching a ride on BoonPak and the Patara Elephant Farm
Catching a ride on BoonPak and the Patara Elephant Farm


Option 2: Elephant Nature Park

The Elephant Nature Park is a conservation-based experience that invites guests to care for and help with elephant care without any riding or other human-interest angles. In the morning you go to the market and help buy the food for the elephants and once at the camp you get down to basics: mucking out the elephants area, feeding them breakfast, bathing them in the river, taking them for a walk to their eating area in the jungle. The day includes many lectures on the history of the elephants in Thailand, as well as the challenges facing them today.

Pros:

  • A truly conscientious elephant-based approach.
  • As a not-for-profit you know the money you spend on the day goes directly to caring for the elephants
  • A very intimate, feel-good way to spend a day with elephants.

Cons:

  • You don’t get to ride them. While this may be better for the elephants, many people don’t feel the experience is complete without being up-top.
  • It is a hot, dirty and grubby day.
  • Sometimes the lectures about elephant abuse and elephant treatment can get a bit too much and you just want to go out and enjoy the elephants.

Bath time at the Elephant Nature Park
Bath time at the Elephant Nature Park

We book both of these options for our guests, depending on their interest, timeframe and physical fitness and we have gotten fantastic reviews about all of them. The trick is to pick the experience that works for you and your family and then relax and enjoy it. … Read more »

The Local's View on their Tourist Town

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Every Friday evening I’m reminded that I live in a tourist town. The grocery store is flooded with people shopping for their weekend away, the parking lots and streets are busy and hectic and I tend to curse way more than usual. Then I stop, breathe and look around at my beautiful Lake Tahoe surroundings and remember the days when I used to come up here for the weekend because it is such an amazing place. I am grateful for the locals who welcomed me into their towns to visit and experience their hometown and hope to be a grateful local too.

Working in the tourism industry I realize that when I book a tour to Southeast Asia, I am sending our guests into someone else’s hometown. As locals in the incredible Southeast Asia area, I asked some of our staff to share something about their hometown that only a local would know.

 

Andrea Ross/ Director of Tours / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I don’t think I have a lot of choice on this one… it has to be Angkor Wat!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

I love the Old Market. I go and visit Pisey and watch people shop and bargain. I also happen to love my own swimming pool.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Our town has been pretty well documented. The National Museum is new and I don’t think people realize how good it is, it is worth a visit, especially since it has AC!! You can also take a horse ride with Happy Ranch through the countryside, including walking through a temple or two! My aunt and I took a New Years ride on December 31st and it was a blast, a really unique way to see the countryside.

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4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

If you’re here, come and visit us J

 

Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai/ Bangkok Director / Local in Bangkok, Thailand

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I would suggest them to go – Patravadi theatre has offers good food and tasty and nice location. Also if whoever interested for the performance they can also do after the meal.

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2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favourite thing to do in town is taking my dog to get a walk at the weekend at the ministry of public health. There is a lot of dog lover coming to meet up and join the weekend. I have attached my dog’s photo(Shi tsu) So I just think that there are so many foundations here still need helps like the money to support for the dogs and cats who the owner left them behind when they don’t want them anymore or had no time to take care. I know they are unlucky dogs from irresponsibility human but you can visit the link at www.home4animals.org and www.scadbangkok.org perhaps you would like to visit and play with them.

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3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I would like them to know Ancient City: There is combined with interesting places of all 4 parts of Thailand there so this trip can take only one day to get to know about Thailand.

 

 

Nicole Long / Laos Director / Local in Luang Prabang, Laos

 

1.  If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

That is such a hard one!  I would have to say either Kuang Si waterfall or Mt. Phousi at sunset.  They are both natural and beautiful wonders.  As many times as I have seen both I remain in awe.  One extra plus Kuang Si has over Mt. Phousi is that you can take a refreshing dip in the green blue water on a hot day. You really feel like your on a movie set in a tropical jungle and then you realize that you really are (but don’t worry you rarely see any wildlife swimming around with you)!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

To be honest one of my favorite things to do in my town is hang out with local families and absorb their traditions and customs. They are always so welcoming and warm that I feel as if I am at home.  It is always a fun experience when they have reason to celebrate. The celebration is filled with tradition, smiles, food, and a lot of dancing (which I love).   A lot of times it can be a bit overwhelming because you’re the only farang (foreigner) and everyone is watching and taking care of you.  And you are always asked by the older Lao gentlemen of the village to dance.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I don’t know if there is an actual location I think tourists should go, unless they are feeling very adventurous.  Since Luang Prabang is such a small town most tourists just stay in the main part of town and rarely go beyond about a ten block radius.  I think if a tourist really wanted to try authentic food and see how the lao spend their days and evenings then I would suggest to go a little outside of town (honestly you don’t have to go far to get the “real” experience).

 

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

I would only add that I hope when people come to visit Luang Prabang they take a second to really take in the beauty of the surroundings and the people.  To keep in mind that as nice as the main part of town appears, Luang Prabang is still a third world country (one of the poorest in SE Asia).  So be kind and appreciate of all that you receive while visiting and your visit here will be that much more special.  And one helpful hint:  learn a little bit of Laos phrases for your trip. The locals LOVE it when a farang speaks a little Laos, it shows respect. 

 

 

Narla Phuon/ Cambodia Director / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I will suggest them to go to Angkor Wat temple becuse it’s a temple that most the people wish to see when they are coming Siem Reap town. Visiting Angkor Wat temple complex it’s not just only the temple that they can see and explore the Cambodia history, but can also see the cocal people selling the sovenir, farmer planting and cuttting rice, understand about our tradition and culture.

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favorite thing to do in town is having dinner with friends after the work done.  It’s nice because we all working and no time to see each other, so it’s nice to meet and enjoy food together.

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Kulen Mountain is the places that not have very many tourist go there.  There is a water fall up on the mountain. It’s not a natural site but it’s also an old place that have old temple on top was build by King Jajavaman II in 9th century. Overthere is crowded when Cambodia having the big ceremony but quiet when the cecemony done especially at rainny reason. Tourist can go there to explore about our nature and history tourism.

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

No, this is all have but If I found something that I think it’s good to see  I will suggest people who coming to visit Siem Reap town.… Read more »

Today I fell in love

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

I always loved the episodes of Sex and the City where Carrie fell in love with her city. They were always so perfect, even at times, in their imperfection. I have never felt that kind of love for a city, I mean I have felt nostalgic and warm in London at Christmas, I have felt hip and blond in LA, I have felt edgy and interesting at a book reading in San Francisco, but I have never truly loved a city…until today. Today I loved Bangkok. I loved it not because it was perfect, but because today it was perfect for me. I think, like Carrie, to find that love you have to be on your own, have to be open to loving something because you aren’t surrounded by kids, husbands or friends. With no distractions, I spent a day with Bangkok.

It started with a taxi ride to Samitivej Hospital (doesn’t sound good so far I know). I had to get a root canal and I was scared. But the taxi driver took to the back way (is there any other way in Bangkok??). We went down a street selling only photos of the Royal Family, another that only sold monk paraphanelia: orange robes flapped out the doorways and alms bowls gleamed from inside.

At the hospital my dentist spoke perfect English and went through what would happen and why I didn’t need to be as scared as I was. An hour later it was done (except for that appointment in March where they do more drilling, but no need to dwell on that!).

My excema has come back so I stopped at the skin clinic where I didn’t have an appointment, I was seen within 30 minutes and another doctor with flawless English told me to take Vitamin B, use a new ointment she had and reduce my stress (I promised I would do two of the three).

Back on the Bangkok streets I took a taxi to downtown. I love the taxis in Bangkok, with the AC blasting it’s a cool cocoon trundling through ridiculously bad traffic. With kids and husbands this traffic is painful, but today it was a moving performance, each block we stopped was a new scene in motion with me as the audience.

I was dropped at MBK where I took escalators to the 4th floor and the Big Cut Salon and Spa. No fancy music here or smells of frangipani, but once the cucumber is on your eyes and the masks are being put on and taken off the dingy walls feel a million miles away.

Inside MBK at Siam Square
Inside MBK at Siam Square

A facial and eyebrow wax later I headed to the food court on the 5th floor. There I tried the new concept restaurant by Oishi. A take on Benihana you sit at a bar as they cook the food in front of you. Perfect for a party of one on a date with the world. My steak was perfect and I had in-meal entertainment as others came and their lunch too was prepared in front of us.

My delicious lunch and the chef in Bangkok
My delicious lunch and the chef in Bangkok

After lunch it was back to the salon for a haircut and color and now to the best surprise of the day. At each hair cutting station, a computer with games, movies and, wait for it, internet! I gleefully wrote Brandon that I was getting my personal to do’s and my work to do’s done at the same time. He didn’t appreciate the perfection of that moment for me.

Getting my hair done while I worked, my idea of perfection!
Getting my hair done while I worked, my idea of perfection!

Hair back to blond and me up to date on email I headed to the new Bangkok Art and Culture Center, across the street from MBK and Siam Square. I loved the cool of the building, the hippness of it all, but still with a sense of Thai history. Nothing Bangkok does seems to loose its roots. Because it was never colonized I feel that Bangkok has always been allowed to be itself and though it has changed and developed it never lost the traditions and weight of it’s past. Even in a brand new museum with a modern design you feel the presence of the Royal Family and the history of Thailand in its very foundation.

After the gallery I headed to Siam Paragon to look for some books for JWOC, unfortunately they didn’t have them, but I browsed the aisles flipping through history, art and guidebooks. I was interrupted in the middle of my browsing by thousands of screaming fans out the window. It turned out that Oiki? Or Odidi, or some Thai celebrity was making an appearance that day in the Square and the teeny boppers had turned out in force. O-whatever didn’t look as impressed as I think most men would be to see thousands of Thai schoolgirls screaming their names, his cool factor was off the chart…ripped jeans, a shirt off one shoulder and spiky hair. There was a moment of nostalgia…whatever did happen to New Kids On the Block?!? And where is my old school uniform?

My movie started at 730pm and I was surrounded by Thais on dates and just out for the night with friends. Boys and girls packed in to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. In Thailand, before any movie, a tribute to the king is played and everyone stands. I always get chocked up over this reverence to the King. It must be nice to believe in and love something this strongly. While their political views do differ, love for the king does not and this solidarity is inspiring.

While the movie was probably worth the $3 I spent to go, it was worth even more than that to listen to the Thai’s enjoying it. It was fun to listen and see what got the laughs…goofy dancing was a big hit!

I took the skytrain home, still packed even at 1030 at night, and then walked towards my apartment, despite the late hour people sat at small tables enjoying a before-bed snack of noodle soup, papaya salad and meat on a stick. I ordered some Pad Thai and ate it quietly on a plastic stool letting the honking and yelling roll over me.

I may not be Carrie Bradshaw, I may have traded stilettos for flip flops, but this was my city and I was in love, I walked the rest of the way home, letting the heavy air of Bangkok, full of noise and heat and history, kiss me goodnight.

My Sex and the City moment in Bangkok
My Sex and the City moment in Bangkok
… Read more »

Rocket Festival, a fun and meaningful Thai tradition

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

The rocket festival is a uniquely-Thai celebration. It takes place annually over 2 days in May in a region called Yasothon in Isaan – the northeast of Thailand. This is an ancient tradition where rockets are fired into the sky as offerings to the gods in hope that there will be plenty of rain during the coming rice planting season. Nowadays, there is also a competition between neighboring villages as to who can build the rocket that stays in the air the longest and the festival is also associated with a lot of fun!

The rockets are fired into the sky from a wooden structure that acts as a launch pad. The rockets themselves are huge – it takes 5 or 6 men to carry one and secure it. The thrill and excitement you feel watching them fire into the sky is worth the journey alone! If any rocket fails to ignite then the team who built it is carried to the nearest mud pool and thrown in as ‘punishment’, but it’s all in good spirits.

There’s also a parade dancing competition and each village enters as a team. Each team performs a dance to the sound of their village musical band and around 50 dancers from 3 generations take part so everyone in the community is involved. The dancers follow a route and make 4 to 5 stops along the way to perform the dance to a different set of judges. At the final stop the band join in the dancing and everyone goes a little crazy – including the crowd! It’s great fun to watch and listen and be a part of the festival. If you’re ever in Thailand around this time then I’d recommend you make the trip.

Hope you enjoy the photos and videos!

Jeab.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ga6BCUIekk] 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8VflUdu8A]

 … Read more »

Guide Training, Bangkok 2008

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Guide Training! Bangkok 2008

This review is not perfect,  because there is no way I can describe how much I enjoyed this year’s guide training! The only way it would be better is if next year we could all travel to Cambodia or somewhere else (hint hint !!)

How lucky I amto be able to work independently here in Bangkok! I wish Andrea could come visit more often (how many people say they want there boss to visit more? – no one else – just me!)

I had a chance to talk to each of our guides and here is what they had to say when I asked them to attend guide training:

Guide Kie says : Training again? I will come for training, but can I please skip the dinner cruise? That way I don’t feel like I’m working 😉 I always try to give our guests the very best service.

Guide Ron says : Yes, confirmed – I will be there. (Guide Ron never refuses work…he always there for us.)

Guide Bee says : Yes, I’ll be there. But how about this year we have the training in Cambodia? J

Guide Well says : I am so happy to see Andrea, I miss her so much. (Guide Well’s baby is just 8 weeks old now, so she will stay with her baby most of the time, but she will come by for some of the training)

 Jeab : I had a dream that Andrea was a scary boss! Now I’m scared to go to training!

Finally, I received everyone’s response and everyone is confirmed for training. The training went really well. We learned new things and even got gifts, and some guides received special “Quality Service” awards.

After training it was time for the party J Jeab and I took the guides and the rest of the Journeys Within team who joined in on the training (Kristina, Narla, Mom and Reat) out to a fun Bangkok dance club. Meeting these other team members I felt like I met my new brother and sister.

After all was done I said “Bye.” to my little bosses Callie and Couper. Hope to see you all next year.

Waew.

… Read more »