So I returned to Chiang Mai for a couple of days did a really cool cooking class, can't wait to cook Pad Thai when I return home. After we went to see the temple on the mountain which overlooked the whole of Chiang Mai and was a stunning view.
Then my journey continued onto Pai choice of transport being the back of a motorbike. Taking in the most breathtaking views along the way. The sights of Pai were unreal and I will definitely refurn there one day!
Arriving back in Chiang Mai Thursday late afternoon I grabbed my bag and headed to the bus station to get a night bus to Bangkok my VIP bus had a tv, snacks, reclining seats not to mention the very tasteful curtains! Got to Bangkok around 6am the busy surroundings and the noise was a big step away from calm Chiang Mai and very peaceful Pai. Got to my Hostel which I had booked last minute...bad idea the hostel wasn't great!
Anyway I went to Khoa San road to meet Olivia at her hotel and we ventured out for some touristing, annoying many tuk tuk drivers along the way. Stopped for some food on Khoa San but was dreading going back to the hostel which was quite far away so I thought stuff it jumped in a tuk tuk went to my hostel grabbed my bags and checked into the hotel...absolute bliss!
The next day we went to the weekend market which has almost 1 million stalls and you can easily get lost!
And now it is 5am and I'm off to hop on a bus and boat to Ko Tao... Beach time!
Haven't got many pics on my phone so will need to upload the pics on my camera!
Friday 21 September 2012
Sunday 16 September 2012
Elephant Nature Park
On Monday I arrived in Ban Chang at the Elephant Nature park to volunteer for the week. I shared a room with a lovely Austrian lady called Petra. We had a traditional Thai welcome ceremony in the evening where there was some live music and we were all blessed.
Morning jobs started at 8am and varied from cutting corn, preparing the elephant food and clearing the poo which our group had the privilege of doing very often! We got the opportunity to wash the elephants in the river everyday after lunch which was a great way to cool off! In the afternoons we planted trees put fences up and went on the most amazing elephant walk.
We also took a day trip to the local village school on thursday as they had World vision day, the children were so lovely, happy and proud to live in Thailand. I made a bracelet with the cutest Thai girl, had delicious corn cakes and won an English test! Think I had a slight advantage.
The food here is incredible (including a very popular avocado salad...I definitely haven't been going hungry that's for sure. It was our final evening last night and we had a traditional dinner and Thai dancing by the girls from the local school.
The park not only saves endangered elephants but homes and cares for cats, dogs, water buffalo, and many more animals. The founder Lek is such an inspiration...if anyone would like to find out more you must visit the website!
www.elephantnaturepark.org/
It was the last day today and I did something very memorable to end the trip... I got a tattoo! It is of a Thai phrase 'Ahingsa' which means non violence and compassion for all living things'....Sorry mum I hope you like it.
All of the fellow volunteers were lovely and the coordinators were amazing they have a great sense of humour! Going back to Chiang Mai for 2 or 3 days...going to meet up with some people tonight and go to the night market then hopefully do a cooking class tomorrow and go to the temple to see the sunset... Living the dream...
Ready for the next adventure!
Morning jobs started at 8am and varied from cutting corn, preparing the elephant food and clearing the poo which our group had the privilege of doing very often! We got the opportunity to wash the elephants in the river everyday after lunch which was a great way to cool off! In the afternoons we planted trees put fences up and went on the most amazing elephant walk.
We also took a day trip to the local village school on thursday as they had World vision day, the children were so lovely, happy and proud to live in Thailand. I made a bracelet with the cutest Thai girl, had delicious corn cakes and won an English test! Think I had a slight advantage.
The food here is incredible (including a very popular avocado salad...I definitely haven't been going hungry that's for sure. It was our final evening last night and we had a traditional dinner and Thai dancing by the girls from the local school.
The park not only saves endangered elephants but homes and cares for cats, dogs, water buffalo, and many more animals. The founder Lek is such an inspiration...if anyone would like to find out more you must visit the website!
www.elephantnaturepark.org/
It was the last day today and I did something very memorable to end the trip... I got a tattoo! It is of a Thai phrase 'Ahingsa' which means non violence and compassion for all living things'....Sorry mum I hope you like it.
All of the fellow volunteers were lovely and the coordinators were amazing they have a great sense of humour! Going back to Chiang Mai for 2 or 3 days...going to meet up with some people tonight and go to the night market then hopefully do a cooking class tomorrow and go to the temple to see the sunset... Living the dream...
Ready for the next adventure!
Thursday 13 September 2012
Night market
Just a little picture of me and the guys I met at Mojito Garden at the Sunday night market in Chiang Mai (Charlie, Smiddy, Me, Luke, Simon & Tim) 
Sunday 9 September 2012
Chiang Mai
So after a 17 hour journey I finally arrived in Chiang Mai!! Got a taxi to my hostel and typically the taxi driver took me to Mojito House not Mojito Garden. I attempted to walk it but gave up half way and jumped in a tuk tuk. Arrived at the beautiful Mojito Garden was greeted my Aoi who got my room ready for me, had a well deserved shower...had a coffee (As the man at the bar just kept repeating black coffee, black coffee...black coffee it was!) chatted to some other travellers who hadn't been in Chiang Mai much longer than me.
After having a rest in my air conditioned room (luxury!) I went on a little walk to explore came across this beautiful temple then stopped off for some beef noodles off a street vendor to escape the rain, which is where I am now writing this. Really looking forward to starting at the elephant park tomorrow and hopefully meet lots of people.
Oh and there was a chinese man at the airport wearing these trousers just had to take a picture!!
After having a rest in my air conditioned room (luxury!) I went on a little walk to explore came across this beautiful temple then stopped off for some beef noodles off a street vendor to escape the rain, which is where I am now writing this. Really looking forward to starting at the elephant park tomorrow and hopefully meet lots of people.
Oh and there was a chinese man at the airport wearing these trousers just had to take a picture!!
Friday 7 September 2012
All packed and ready to go...
After few hours sleep I'm on my way to Gatwick to begin my Asia adventure!
Flying to Chiang Mai (with changes in Amsterdam and Bangkok) I'll spend my first night in Mojito Garden then start a weeks work at the Elephant park!!
I'll be updating the blog as I go along as much as I can so hope you enjoy!
See you all soon!
Flying to Chiang Mai (with changes in Amsterdam and Bangkok) I'll spend my first night in Mojito Garden then start a weeks work at the Elephant park!!
I'll be updating the blog as I go along as much as I can so hope you enjoy!
See you all soon!
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