Thursday 30 May 2013
Found....Nirvana in Jungles of Thailand
Yesterday proved an interesting and cultural shocking day. We departed Chiang Mai and flew to the bustling city of Bangkok where we were to find Mo Chit bus terminal and travel to our next destination of Pak Chong and Kao Yai national park. Both of us thought the bus terminal wasn't far from the airport but it turned out to be 70km!!! Lucky we didn't try to walk. We hopped in a taxi only to get majorly hassled by the driver. We wanted to drive us the whole way which would have cost 2500 baht (approx $70) for the 260km trip. The bus, which we intended to take only cost us 130 baht each which is not even $6!!! Bit of a scary trip mostly for Alicia sitting in the front as we ducked and weaved through the traffic. It's surprising there aren't more accidents in Thailand considering the way these people drive. The taxi driver starts to serenade us with classics like Karen carpenter, John Lennon and the Bee gees. As the music was the same as what was being played in Chiang Mai, I'm assuming these are a common favorite for older Thai people. Possibly because they can understand the lyrics. We finally get to the bus stop (many times I didn't think he was going to stop there) and we experience our first taste of non English speaking Thai's. Somehow we work out which bus to get on and pay and climb aboard. The trip seemed to take forever!! (Three and a half hours in total). And we received many stares. Obviously westerners aren't a common occurrence in these parts. After nearly getting off at wrong stops because signs with English stopped a good many kms ago, our bus driver grunts something about Pak Chong and we got off. By this stage it's pouring down rain. Next challenge... find a telephone and work out how to call the hotel to come pick us up. By this stage we were running 2.5 hrs late. Much confusion as these Thai's don't speak English and our Thai was fairly... minimal. So there we were sitting at the bus stop in the rain with the Thai bag lady and stereotypical alco who reeked of alcohol. At least he was polite enough to offer to share what was in his bottle. Thankfully after not too long our bus arrived and delivered us safely to our resort where we found out we were the ONLY two guests to stay for the night. Our room is fairly interesting. It is completely constructed from concrete including our beds. Concrete must be cheaper here than at home. The shower is gravity fed and I commented to Alicia that I think it rains harder here than the shower. At least we get the option of having an indoor or outdoor shower. If its warm enough tonight (good chance). I'll be having a shower outdoors. It's so quiet here compared to Chiang Mai and the bustling Bangkok. Reminds me more of home and last night's was a very restful sleep.
Elephant Sanctuary
Another big day at the Elephant Sanctuary where we fed the Elephants and even walked to the river with them and gave them a bath. The weather is hot and steamy as per usual - hoping you are all enjoying our photos!!
THE BEST DAY EVER!!!
Ok - Its official - today has been THE BEST DAY EVER!! We organised a taxi driver for a day (a good decision) and headed to the Tiger Kingdom. Fiona & I decided on the Deluxe Package - entering the domain of smallest, small, medium & large tigers plus 2 CDs full of photos!!! Words cannot describe the feeling of a 120kg tiger walking towards you and being happy enough to give you a tiger greeting which essentially is a big cat purr - JUST AWESOME!!! After 2hrs of bliss with the tigers we headed to an Orchid & Butterfly Farm. The orchids are so vivid and diverse in colour however the butterflies were few and far between. Then we headed to the best temple in Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep where everything is gold and Fiona was blessed by a Monk! A quick trip to a Jade Carving Factory and then a much needed Oil Massage - we are doing it tough :). We will keep you posted with our up coming adventures. An early night is required so as to recgarge our batteries.
Cooking up a Storm!
Another fantastic day learning how to cook authentic Thai! I am in my element and loving every minute. I will post the recipes on my blog Dinnerforcheryl.blogspot.com.au when I get back home.
We had a great cooking class with the other aspiring chefs from the Netherlands, France and Germany and our cooking teacher Arm (that is his name) was an absolute delight. I would highly recommend this cooking class to everyone travelling to Chiang Mai. Fiona unfortunately suffered from a touch of heat stroke during the day, however she recovered enough to make dessert (anyone who knows Fiona would know that she would never miss out on dessert). Before we arrived at the cooking school we had a qick stop over at the local food market with some interesting items for sale. I think the following photos speak for themselves.
Monday 27 May 2013
A girl is born to shop
After such a late night and big day from traveling almost 8000kms, a sleep in should have been on the cards... But instead we are both awake and ready to go at 4am (7am Aussie time). With no chance on going back to sleep and full of excitement (although both still very tired) we get ready and head down to breakfast (thank god breakfast starts at 5.30am). Such a variety of foods!!! The highlight of the buffet would have to be the plate of raw onion, baked peanuts (a spin on baked beans and the pigs blood floating in.... Something. Luckily Alicia got her Congee and I had my mix of cereals (substitute for fact no weatbix!) After breakfast we headed out for a very early walk around to familiarize ourselves with the location before too many people are about. First thing that hits me is the smell coming from the gaps in the pavements and the mess of black cables hanging between the power poles beside the streets. A few stray dogs lie lazily on the footpath. We wandered for a while to fill in time until Thai's start their day and open their shops at 10am on a Sunday. With the shops open, we grab some cooling powder and tick an item off our bucket list... Fish and foot therapy. The title itself conjures up all sorts of crazy thoughts and to be honest, it's one thing I NEVER saw myself trying in a million years. After having our feet washed, we place our feet in a fish tank on the floor and have little fish come suck and nibble and the skin cells on our feet and legs. Pretty crazy sensation likened to the feeling of bubbles. After our 'Fishy experience' we headed out of the city to have a look at a gem factory, lacquerware factory, cotton shop and silk shop. We made a couple 'small' purchases and headed back. After lunch we experienced our first ever Tuk Tuk ride out to 'The Plaza' where Alicia continued on her handbag frenzy (she is even out doing me and that's saying something). We then headed back to start our wander through the Sunday night markets. A few more purchases we decide on the ultimate luxury of a foot massage at the ridiculous price of 80 baht (not even $3!!!) by this stage we are both more than ready to head back to sleep and with a glance at the watch... It's 11pm.
Sunday 26 May 2013
What?!?!? No helmets?!?!?
We find what we think is a fairly cheap taxi that takes us to our hotel. And as we are driven out into the streets of Chiang Mai, our eyes are 'blasted' wide open with the unbelievable sites. Masses of motorcycles wizzing by... Hang on... No helmets... What?!?!? Do these people not value their heads? Surely the traffic isn't 'that' safe that accidents aren't a possibility?? Alicia and I are just 'blown' away. We get our first site of the Thai icon, the 'Tuk Tuk' in all it's glory and starting guessing whether there's a lawn mower under the bonnet and whether it's a 2 or 4 stroke. Looking out the windows of our taxi we see lots of people line the streets and many stalls selling fresh foods and wares. Such a busy place and the part that makes a lasting impression on us... Thai people are soooo polite. There is no road rage, no incessant honking of horns, no flipping the bird. Just politeness and respect for others using the road. We saw this same politeness at the airport when a monk was assisted by a complete (Thai) stranger by holding his luggage as adjusted his robes. This culture is such a world away from what we know and I'm loving it. Surely the world would be a better place if we stopped being so selfish and self centred and had some respect for others. The taxi pulls in to our accommodation and we breath a sigh of relief. After approx 13 hours of traveling and waiting to travel it's time to unload our bags and take off our shoes.
And onwards to Chiang Mai
It took a little while for us to navigate ourselves to the correct gate (a couple of direction changes and near misses by speeding by Thai's in airport golf carts) before repeating the whole security procedure... Empty your water (again? Geez I can't keep a drink long enough to drink it!) unpack electricals and other liquids, stand and wait as Thai eyes investigate our belongings on the X-ray screen (thank goodness no crystal phallic shaped wands in our bags... This time).
With a bit over an hours wait to board our connecting flight, I start to get a bit bored. I've checked Facebook and my emails (a few times) on the free courtesy airport computers and finally find a Thai newspaper to read.
Once boarded, it takes no time at all for us to lift off and land at our destination... The beautiful and very 'interesting' city of Chiang Mai'
Nearly there...
We start our Saturday with a fairly early wake up to make our way to the airport we get rewarded by being serenaded by our 'French' taxi driver. This funny character bestowed titles upon us. Alicia now known as 'princess' and myself now to be called...wait for it... 'miss universe'! After a quick couple of verses from 'You are so beautiful' we jump out of the taxi and check in to Sydney Airport and let the excitement of it all wash over us. A nice hot cuppa and some fairly 'average' breakfast items. (Although, I must include, 'one' of us indulged in a chocolate croissant for breaky... HEY! WE ARE ON HOLIDAYS!!
Sitting waiting for our turn to board we once again stumble upon life's lesson of 'Its a small world' when we turn around and recognize an ex essential energy employee standing behind us. Both Alicia and I used to work with Steve and his wife Rose who both left the company to go on the next part of their lives journey. And of course, they are going to be on the same plane as us!!
A couple last minute purchases... Chips, chocolate, neck pillow, more earplugs (these ones drown out to 30 decibels,so hopefully if there are any drips like last night, I should get to sleep!
And the time has cometo board the plane!!!!!
Friday 24 May 2013
And so the trip begins.....
And so after a hectic trip down to the big smoke of Sydney... We are having our last 'western' meal for two weeks accompanied with a bottle of white. Cheers!!
Thursday 23 May 2013
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