May 9, 2013 - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Hua Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang - Phonsavan

Howdy folks, Last time time we checked in we were preparing to leave for Chiang Rai! It was a short bus journey, as far as SE Asia bus journeys go.... About 4 hours. Chiang Rai was even smaller than Chiang Mai, but a nice place to ramble around. We spent 3 days there, we visited the famous white temple which was incredible. A Buddhist temple with a modern twist.... A really interesting interpretation of the modern world from a Buddhist perspective. We had a brief encounter with a rented scooter... In the interest of public safety we decided...

Apr 19, 2013 - London - Bangkok - Chiang Mai

Hi guys sorry we have been a bit slow to update but we have been trying to cram lots into our days so here's the update since we have arrived... Landed in Bangkok and its as crazy as everyone says it is! We spent three days there checking out Kao San road and surrounding areas tasted lots of pad Thai noodles, heard some great music and tried to do some site seeing. We had great intentions to visit the Grande Palace which is one of the main attractions however when we got there it was 40 degrees out and seemed like the population of china...

Feb 20, 2013 - Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

One of the most amazing things we have done…so far... is visit the Elephant Nature Park one hour north of Chiang Mai, Thailand. This 50 acre park is a unique sanctuary for Asian elephants founded in 1992 by conservationist Sangduen Lek Chailert. She began rescuing injured and mistreated elephants and now has a total of 35 elephants at the sanctuary. Each elephant at the sanctuary has a mahout (handler), who is responsible for the well being of their elephant. We were able to learn about the structure of elephant society, observe elephant...

Feb 14, 2013 - We're in Thailand....

Firstly, we apologize for taking so long to make our first journal entry...just too busy enjoying life and experiencing Bangkok. Our flight from Toronto to Hong Kong was uneventful...but long (16 hours). Of course, Glenn and the girls slept well...but not me. We were only in Hong Kong for 3 hours before we took off again to Bangkok, Thailand. Our total time to get to Bangkok was 26 hours and we flew over the North Pole. The driving is CRAZY here; crossing a road is taking your life into your own hands especially near Khao San Road. Weather...

Feb 7, 2013 - Last Day in Chiang Mai

Chaing Mai, Thailand, is a busy place. I was staying in the old city, which is ringed by a moat and walled, although the wall has crumbled in some areas. The area was perfect with a great restaurant next door and lots to see and do. I had settled into a comfortable routine at Wangburapa Grand Hotel. Most mornings I ate the hotel’s buffet breakfast which included many familiar foods, fresh tropical fruit and salad makings as well as many stir-fried dishes, rice and congee (Chinese porridge which can include meat). This cost me $5 which is...

Feb 4, 2013 - Awesome elephant riding!

Today was the big day--the day I would ride an elephant bareback through the jungle. Until I had stood next to the elephants at Angkor Wat I hadn't been afraid, but their immensity had stunned me. I hoped, prayed, the elephants at Thai Elephant Home would be smaller. There were 11 of us, all Caucasians, who traveled in an air-conditioned van to the Thai Elephant Home and changed into mahout's (elephant handler's) clothing (loose tops and wide legged pants) Joe, the manager, presented some information on elephants and explained the rules....

Jan 14, 2013 - Cooking Thai

We had an early rise of 6:30 am to roosters crowing. We ate breakfast in a lovely garden cafe. Paul, Debbie & I were driven to a Thai cooking class at Asia Scenic School by Gay Ray for a half day. Gay was a natural, funny teacher. Aa her helper took us to a local market to teach us about all the different kinds of spice, tofu, rice and noodles. Then we had a walk through the school's herb garden. We first made a Welcome Snack that taught us about the 5 different flavours used in Thai cooking. We made stir fries, curries and appetizers. We...

Jan 13, 2013 - Chiang Mai Adventures

We didn't arrive to Chiang Mai until 10:30 (2hours late). A van took us to our hotel, Mandala House. Due to time restraints, some of our group members didn't get a chance to shower. Luckily Paul and I didn't plan an activity and so were able to shower and get organized. We walked around the Old City which is surrounded by a wall and moat. There are so many beautiful temples inside this city. We saw a few. We also came across the City Pillar which is really old and is starting to crumble. At 4 pm the group met back at the hotel. A bus drove...

Jan 12, 2013 - Chiang Mai.

Saturday, 12 January. Kl 18.25 landade Bangkok Airways flight PG 0906 på Chiang Mai Airport. Jag hittade mitt bagage ganska så omgående och utanför stod, för tredje året i följd, min älskade Lek och väntade. Kärt återseende. Efter det en snabb transport in till centrala Chiang Mai. Denna gång till ett ställe som jag hittade på Internet, då mitt favoritställe, Smith Residence var fullbokat. Royal Guesthouse visade sig vara ett rätt så gammalt ställe, byggnadsstilen minner on 30 – 40-talen. Rummet var enkelt och sparsamt möblerat, men ändå...

Jan 12, 2013 - On the road to Chiang Mai

On the road to Chiang Mai January 12, 2013, Saturday Day 3 of G 6:30 a.m. It is still slightly dark out but I can see some scenery. We are in hill country with lots of vegetation and no people or houses. It looks pretty lush out there and impenetrable.  We were one of the first to get our bunks undone and made back into a sitting area with a table. I tipped the bed man 20 baht and he seemed so grateful that it made me feel bad. I had asked Andrew before I gave the man the tip if I should tip him and Andrew looked suprised and said that it...

Dec 31, 2012 - Chiang Mai

Or at least still on our way to Chang Mai. Somehow during the night we have been delayed by 3 hours so sadly we won't be arriving in time for a planned cooking class but there will be other opportunities. My 'breakfast in bed' of a banana and croissant washed down with instant coffee this morning will have to last a while longer. We are not sure quite what to expect when we get to Chaing Mai as it is New Year’s Eve and many Bangkok folk also head north. An earlier group on the same tour as us had to change their plans as there were major...

Dec 31, 2012 - New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai

New Year's Eve The last day of the year and we wake up on a moing train! Sleeping was easier for Brian, he even managed to snore! Slowly everyone is opening their "curtains" and crawling (literally) out of their cubby holes. The washroom is literally being hosed down and it is definitely needed as it is well used! Train personel are coming around to "make the beds" which means stripping them and turning them back into regular seats. Life has started on the train! After a cup of tea and a croissant that we bought yesterday we feel human...