Tag Archives: Thailand

The Next Chapter in Your Life Can Be a Life-Changing Experiential Holiday in Thailand

Thailand The Next Chapter in Your Life Can Be a Life Changing Experiential Holiday in Thailand

There is a part of you that you have yet to discover.

A journey to Thailand, Southeast Asia’s emerald, offers a rare opportunity to discover another you. It is difficult to put one’s finger on a single attribute that makes Thailand so alluring. Its sheer beauty and rich history have drawn visitors for as long as one can remember. At the heart of Thailand are its people, offering warm hospitality, age-old wisdom and centuries-old art and tradition. Thailand’s diverse landscape offers an array of learning activities for visitors with local experts eager to share their knowledge.

Through experiential travel, you can expect life-changing lessons that will reveal undiscovered aspects of yourself. Your Experiential Holiday in Thailand can shape the next chapter of your life, and by studying Muay Thai, cooking, massage, rice farming, Thai performing arts, or crafts and weaving, your life will certainly be enriched. Such an experience can also open certain doors as it shows how you are able to adapt to a different culture.

Muay Thai

One study possibility is Thailand’s national sport, Muay Thai, often called Thai Boxing or Kick Boxing. Dating back centuries, it’s a demanding sport that takes a lot of commitment, both mental and physical, to reach top condition. But the benefits of this training start right away, and that’s why more and more men and women, Thai and foreign alike, are starting to study Muay Thai to stay fit and build self-confidence.

Fast paced and exciting bouts are fought in stadiums throughout the country. Fighters strike their opponent with their hands, feet, knees and elbows at lightening speed.

Thai Cooking

Thai cooking is within the grasp of anyone as chefs welcome visitors into their kitchens to learn the secrets that make Thai cuisine so delicious and healthy. As you well know, it tops the lists of the world’s favorite foods, and visitors can learn how to prepare an array of dishes and take this skill home.

There is a range of courses, from one-day to weeklong classes. Most have only a handful of students, which means lots of personal attention. And when you return home, your family and friends are certain to appreciate you’re new and practical skills.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is another valued skill family and friends will be pleased about. Studying Thai massage is a holistic journey that undeniably leads to greater wellness and longevity. You will be taught about energy meridians and techniques to open up these sen lines, the invisible energy channels that flow through the body. After receiving a Thai massage, people have increased energy as well as decreased stress and muscle tension. And the person giving the massage also gains from the experience, including the pride that can only be felt by a healer.

Thai Rice Farming

Thailand has been feeding the world as the top rice exporting country, and you can learn what it takes to harvest the crop as well as gain a deep appreciation for tilling the soil and caring for the land that sustains us.

As the country’ staple food, rice is at the heart of Thai culture, and farmers have been passing on their farming skills for generations, since they first began planting rice more than 5,500 years ago. Thai life revolves around the rice seasons, and there are festivals to mark planting in May through July, when the rains signal the end of the dry season, followed by the harvest in October or November.

The Land of Smiles offers numerous places to learn about rice farming and even work with farmers. Such an experience can bring knowledge along with fun when you are on holiday in Thailand.

Thai Performing Arts

As one might expect, a visitor learning one or more of the various forms of the Thai performing arts is taking a journey through the country’s fabled history. Traditional music and dance, classical or folk, play like centuries-old stories passed down from generation to generation. Dance students learn not only the choreographed movements but also the spirit of Thai culture with references to agriculture, historical events, spirituality or as with modern themes, love and courtship. Students of Thailand’s performing arts are taught a unique balance of reflection while being present in the moment. With life throughout much of the world so fast paced, these studies offer a welcomed reprieve.

Crafts and Weaving

One may not first see the connection between clay, bamboo and silk caterpillars, but students of Thailand’s crafts will discover they are essential ingredients for some of the country’s most beautiful works. Students exploring one of these wonderful crafts will only be disappointed by the realization that life is too short to discover all they can about them. The knowledge imparted by master potters or weavers focuses on the essence of craftsmanship and the ability to create beauty from what may initially appear as nothing.

If you’re one of 2012′s fortunate graduates, it’s time to write the next chapter in your life. Enter the competition by Discover The Other You for a chance to win a free gift voucher for 3 nights accommodation at Bangkok’s hip Lub d Hostel and Muay Thai training classes for you and a friend.

Just share how a Thailand experiential trip can shape your next chapter of life. The most inspiring answers earn the award. For more inspiration, and a chance to win your own experiental holiday in Thailand, check out the website: http://www.discovertheotheryou.com/Article/39/122/videos/gap-year-traveler

Loy Krathong: Thailand’s Beautiful Lantern Festival

1 Reply

By KIMBERLY JUCHNOWSKI

Chiang Mai is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Thailand. There’s just something about it that makes you never want to leave. Possibly the best time to visit the city is during the magical celebration Loy Krathong, also know as the lantern festival. It takes place from November 1 to November 3 but you can see lanterns floating in the skies all over Thailand even a couple weeks before it starts. I was in Pai towards the end of October and saw at least a few dozen lanterns floating up into the night’s sky.

Even though it’s one of the most recognized holidays in Thailand it’s a little hard to understand what it’s really about or who it honors. There are a few different theories on the origin but the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it is about washing away your bad luck and misfortunes. Every year tens of thousands of candles are sent down the rivers in floats and even more lanterns are released into the sky. There is a strong belief that lives are ruled by the power of good and bad luck in Thai culture. When the Thais send these candles down the rivers and lanterns into the sky they believe it will bring them good luck in the new year. Any bad luck from the past year is washed away with the beautiful drifting lights.

The lanterns are made out of paper with a wire that circles around the base. In the center is a good size, donut shaped candle. You unfold the lantern, then hold a lighter to the candle in the middle until it lights, which can take a pretty long time. Once it is lit, you hold the top of the lantern letting it fill up with the hot air from the candle. Once the lantern is good and full you will feel it start to rise and then you release it into the air and hope it flies. I say “hope” because you never know how the wind will shift things. I’ve seen lantern get stuck in power lines, stuck to the side of buildings, and even collide with other lanterns and come down on people. Sometimes the wax drips down from the candle just after its taken off and can sting a bit when it lands on you, nothing too crazy to worry about though. It’s actually pretty funny to see how lax people are about the safety when having 5,000 people launching these very flammable objects into the air.

It does get a little hairy though when the fireworks get involved. The Thai people love their fireworks and during Loy Krathong a lot of people seem to think it’s a good idea to attach the fireworks to the lanterns and send them firing off into the sky. Fun to watch. As long as you aren’t anywhere near them. A lot of people actually get injured during the festival due to the lack of concern for safety. You’ll even see locals throwing firecrackers at the feet of the tourists. Of course it’s all in jest and they do not mean any harm, but it is still pretty startling and can make some people feel pretty unwelcome. If you happen to be in Thailand in November try to make your way to Chiang Mai during the festival. It is without a doubt the best place to experience Loy Krathong. The city comes to life with parades, partiers, and families all flooding the streets to participate in a few magical days.

Kimberly Juchnowski first fell in love with travel three years ago when she went on a seven month tour across five countries. She blogs regularly about Thailand packages and is always looking to find the best Thailand travel deals and share them through her site tikikiki.com.

Island Hopping in Thailand

Where to Go For Your Honeymoon?

3 Replies

By HOLIDAYSPLEASE.CO.UK

So you have the wedding flowers ordered, dress ready and groom organised (as much as he can be). It’s time now to think about the most important part, the part which you will look forward to after the big day, and the part where it’s just you and who you really only want to be with.

The honeymoon can be a tough choice and depends on your preferences and so I have chosen three locations which should suit most tastes.

Maldives Honeymoons are regarded as some of the most luxurious on earth, with vanilla sand and turquoise sea. The small islands are perfect if all you want to do is spend time in each other’s company with complete privacy. Some of the islands are so small you can walk around them in 20 minutes! Diving is a unique experience in the Maldives with the water temperature being perfect, and who better to share this with than your new partner.

If you enjoy more of an adventure but still enjoy luxury Thailand is probably the destination for you. It offers breathtaking beaches and scenery along with beautiful temples and vibrant cities. Bangkok known as the “city of angels” is thriving with history and culture, with temples and royal residences. It is the perfect destination for active honeymoon couples.

Mauritius Honeymoons would offer a happy medium between the two above destinations. Mauritius is a tropical paradise offering gorgeous beaches, mountains and volcanic lakes. With 100 miles of coastline surrounded by coral reef, Mauritius falls right in the middle of active and relaxing.

All these destinations have luxurious accommodation to make your honeymoon even more special.

Holidaysplease.co.uk provides expert advice and service for couples looking for the perfect honeymoon. They will advise according to your needs, always offering luxurious accommodation with once in a lifetime experiences.

Taking a Cargo Boat, Up the Mekong River, From Thailand to China

5 Replies

Sunset on the cargo boat.

By JOHNNY WARD

Now I was settled in Chiang Mai, Christmas came around and I had some time off from teaching so my two housemates (Max and Swede) decided to do a little hardcore backpacking… my first real adventure…

I wanted to go to China all my life but on 25,000 Baht per month teaching salary I couldn’t afford to fly from BKK to Beijing so another route must be found! I looked at a map and saw that the Mekong river runs from a little town in Thailand called Chaeng Saen and then the river ‘becomes’ the border between Burma (Myanmar) and Laos as it runs north until it reaches the Yunan province in Thailand. I hatched a plan.

“Right boys, I know how we can get to China and not spend shit loads of money.” – Me

“Awesome, hows that?” – Max

“We’re gonna hitch a ride on a Chinese cargo boat from some random town in Northern Thailand and get off on the first port in China.” – Me again

“Oh shit…” – Swede

travelers Taking a Cargo Boat, Up the Mekong River, From Thailand to China

Johnny Ward with friends.

And so we got our ‘plan’ underway. Quick trip to the embassy to get our Chinese visas, surprisingly easy but this was 2007 (i.e pre-olympics, so no forged documents needed for this trip to China, we saved that one for the next trip to China), a week later we were set.

Bags packed – Check

Chinese Visa – Check.

The vaguest idea of what we actually do when we get to Chiang Saen – SHIT

And we left early in the morning, got a public bus from Chiang Mai bus station to Chiang Saen near the golden triangle and eight hours later we were at the skanky port town of Chiang Saen. We found the cheapest accommodation possible (around 100 Baht) and hit the sack. Next morning, we grabbed a tuk-tuk and got him to take us to the port where the real fun was about to start…

By this point I had been in Thailand for about nine months and I had been studying Thai for about four of those so I could get by if and when I needed, and right now I needed, and needed and needed! We managed to discover that the boats were heading to China (result!) and that some of them were leaving today (another result!) and that the entire crew of every boat were Chinese, spoke zero English and pigeon Thai (not such a good result!) but we had come this far, so we gave it a crack.

Chinese cargo boat Taking a Cargo Boat, Up the Mekong River, From Thailand to China

On the cargo boat.

I sauntered onto the nearest boat that was docked, receiving the strangest looks I had ever received (who the hell is this white guy and what’s he doing on our skanky boat?!). After a bit of coming and going between the tuk-tuk driver, who came back to see what was going on, the staff, the captain and me we came to an arrangement. What I understood was the boat was leaving in an hour, it would arrive in China tomorrow afternoon and if we gave them 1000 baht ($30AUD) we could go with them, sleep in a cabin and get fed – now that is cheap travel!

All we had to do was avoid the police during the whole journey, get off at the first available port and, before we leave, sign the register stating that we are fully fledged members of their crew in the Chinese-Thai sailor register in the port office. We obliged and I never laughed so hard when I saw the register… three columns which I guess said first name, last name and passport number followed by pages upon pages of scrappy Chinese script and signatures with no English anywhere to be seen.. aside from our Johnny Ward, Thomas Edmunds, Max peters written amongst it all with our signatures beside, that must have made good reading when the immigration officer flicked through it next month!

With trepidation a plenty, we bought four bottles of whiskey at 7-11, loaded up on crisps and water and made our way down to boat, expecting to leave in the next hour or so.

We boarded, five hours later (and the realisation that we were low on the list of the crew’s priorities) we set off…

Cargo boat Taking a Cargo Boat, Up the Mekong River, From Thailand to China

Well there was no turning back now, that’s for sure. We did actually get our own ‘cabin’, and by cabin I mean four wooden shelves attached to the wall but it was better than we expected. I was communicating with the boat’s second in command in Thai although I’m not sure if he could even speak Chinese nevermind Thai or English so that proved fruitless, aside from the rest of the crew finding it hilarious.

It was dark already and we made our way up the Mekong river at quite a slow pace but we were feeling very proud of ourselves at actually managing to sort the whole thing out and it looked as if we were going to be in China tomorrow and one of my childhood dreams would be fulfilled.

One thing we didn’t ask about was the toilet, or shower – which turned out to be the same thing in the end and it was a sight to behold. Around midnight, a few glasses of whiskey in, Max cracked and through a ridiculously funny attempt at some sort of charades/rudimentary sign language Max managed to find out where the toilet was, he probably wishes he hadn’t. I mean that in the most literal sense imaginable.

I mean who would have doubted that eight multilingual, civilised, poetry reading, ballet watching, fine-dining Chinese sailors would have kept such a pristine area to piss, shit and shower in – it was certainly an experience.

We immediately decided to only use it to take a piss, anything else (showers included) could wait until we arrived in China tomorrow – wherever or whenever that would be…

Tomorrow came and all our pointing and shouting ‘China?’ was followed with ‘China, China, hahahahaha!’ by our Chinese friends which admittedly was pretty funny although the three bottles of whiskey that managed to disappear throughout the day may have added to the humour. The evening was upon us and as the sun began to set on the most beautiful backdrop I have ever seen with Burma to the left, Vietnam to the right, Thailand behind us and China (supposedly) in front of us it became obvious that the neither boat or crew ever had any intention on reaching China today… we were dismayed but holding onto hope that we’d get there tomorrow instead… to be continued.

Curious about what happens next? Read the second part of the story at Traveling Cheap – the boat from Thailand to China.

Johnny Ward left his home country Ireland at 18 and lived/studied/worked in the USA, Korea, Australia, England and Thailand. Follow his adventures at OneStep4Ward.com, where this guest post was originally published.

7 Delicious Thai Dishes

8 Replies

By MATTHEW KEPNES

Thailand is known for its great food. Thai food is tasty, spicy, delicious, and cheap. No matter where you go in the country, you’ll find food everywhere. From restaurants to street vendors selling everything imaginable, you could walk into the jungle and still find someone selling food. Next time you find yourself in Thailand, here are some delicious dishes you can’t leave the country without trying:

Fruit – Thailand has many delicious fruits. The tropical weather here makes it easy to grow great and succulent fruits. On every street corner, you’ll find someone selling the freshest fruit around – all for 30 cents.

Pad Thai – Probably Thailand’s most famous dish, this noodle dish is made with eggs, tofu, and green onions. You can find it everywhere but the place to eat it is from the street stalls in the Thai neighborhoods. It will be the best Pad Thai you ever eat.

Som Tam – This spicy salad is native to northeast Thailand but is one of the most commonly eaten dishes in all of the country. Every Thai loves it. It’s made from shredded papaya, tomatoes, lemon juice, peanuts, and a lot of chilies. It’s one of the spiciest dishes in the country and if you aren’t careful, it will burn your mouth off.

Pad Seeu – This is a thick noodle dish made with bok choy. The thick sticky noodles are quickly cooked with bok choy and oyster sauce. It’s really tasty and one of the most flavorful dishes in Thailand. Though the portions are usually small, the noodles are thick and heavy and you can get easily filled up by this dish.

Curry – You can get a wide variety of curries here in Thailand from red to green to clear to peanut based. No matter what you get it will always be good. My favorite is Masaman curry which is made from peanuts and potatoes and is a yellow curry.

Spring Rolls – Whether fried or fresh, spring rolls make for a great snack. Street stalls sell these all over and they make a great quick meal. Make sure to add some chili sauce for added flavor.

Fried Rice – This simple dish is found everywhere and while not exotic or special, the street vendors here make some excellent rice. It’s quickly fried with a few Thai spices and is really tasty.

Thailand is a great country with great food. So the next time you are there, make sure you try these dishes and make sure you eat frequently at the street vendors. They are safe to eat and have some of the best food around.

Matthew Kepnes has been blogging his way around the world for more than three years. You can read more about his adventures at his blog, Nomadic Matt as well about his recent ebook making money with your travel blog so you can have your travels pay for themselves!

Thai For Beginners

3 Replies

Pancake Stand © Kashfia Rahman

Before leaving for your first (or next) Thailand trip, learn some useful expressions. The locals will appreciate if you make an effort to speak in their language.

Various Phrases

Good morning = Sawadd ton chow

Good day/ Hello = Sawadii

Good night = Sawadd ton yin

Good bye = Lagawn

See you = Påbb gann mai

My name is = Chue

How are you? = Sabai dii mai?

Thank you = Kåb kunn

Do you speak English? = Kunn pood pasaa Angritt die mai?

It was nice to meet you. = Yin dii tii daai roo djack

Good luck! = Chååk dii!

I am fine = Sabai dii

Shopping

How much does this cost? = Tao rai

Can you lower the price? = Lod dai mai

I like this = Chawp aun nee

I like that = Chawp aun nun

Do you have any other colour? = Mee see aeun bang mai

Shop = Ran kaa

Toilet = Hong nam

Clothes = Sier par

Shoes = Rong tao

Watch = Nar ri ka

How much? = Tao Rai?

Restaurant = Ran ar harn

Directions

Where is the clothing shop? = Ran kaa Sier par u tee nai

Where is the toilet? = Hong nam u tee nai

Where is the restaurant? = Ran ar harn u tee nai

Update: A big thanks to Matt who helped me correct some of the phrases. I started learning Thai a while ago and am by no means an expert. If you find another error, do let me know.

Lounging in Lipe: Part 2

10 Replies

By MATTHEW KEPNES

Paradise Found

We spent our days on the beach and our nights at the bar. I’d lost my flip flops and, in true island spirit, was going barefoot. Life was simple.

Most of the foreigners on the island had come years ago and, captured by this place, returned every season. There was Kelvin the crazy Welshman, Fred the Frenchman, Julie the Swiss girl who seemed to speak every language, and Chris the young, lazy Canadian backpacker.

My plan was to spend four days there before going back to the mainland. I didn’t leave until three weeks later. Ko Lipe had captured me and I was its willing prisoner. I had found my beach. We explored the island everyday – crisscrossing the interior, exploring the town, eating at all the restaurants, and swimming at all the beaches. We left no corner of the island unturned.

We set out to explore the little island near my bungalow. During low tide you could walk to it – as long as you avoided the urchins! During high tide, you could leisurely swim there, letting the current push you. On the opposite side of the island, the shelf dropped off deep and the current kicked in. There was a lot of fish swimming around showing all the colors of the rainbow. Neon blues and pinks darted around us. It was beautiful. We looked continuously for reef sharks but, sadly, we never saw any.

Days passed. I got tanner. My backgammon game improved. We all bonded at the bar each night playing football, jamming to music, and laying out under the stars. We celebrated birthdays and festivals and just being there. It was like the beach and I imagined this was what Thailand was like before mass tourism hit the country.

The locals of the island were native sea gypsies and historically nomadic fishermen but with increased tourism to the island were slowly exchanging fishing poles for bars and restaurants. Being there long term allowed me to get to know them really well. There was the owner of the sandwich shops, Mai, who I visited everyday. She always had my food ready (I’m a creature of habit) and always taught me Thai. Her family and I conversed over breakfast or lunch. There was also the local soup shop owner, who didn’t speak any English but was always happy to see us come in and always had a smile on his face. The locals took time out to ask us about our day and always waved and smiled as we went by.

But paradise slowly faded as we all began to trickle off the island though. Nothing perfect last forever. First the German couple left, then my friend, followed by Chris, and then finally me. Paul and Jane stayed longer but my visa was expiring and it was time to go.

After Christmas, I reluctantly boarded the ferry back to the mainland; sadden by the fact I’d have to wear footwear again. I never have made it back there. Maybe it’s a good thing. Ko Lipe was my utopia. Any return trip might ruin the dream in my head. Somewhere out there there’s another Lipe waiting to be discovered.

Matthew Kepnes is a travel blogger at Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site. For more pictures from Thailand and the rest of the world, take a look at Matt’s Travel Photos.

Lounging in Lipe: Part 1

3 Replies

By MATTHEW KEPNES

I stared at the ferry I was going to sit on for three hours. I watched as they packed more and more people. I hope it doesn’t sink, I said to myself. I dropped my bag below deck. People were waiting about. There didn’t seem to be too many single travelers here. Maybe it would be different on the island. I went up above to get a tan.

I was heading to Ko Lipe, a small island of the southern coast of Thailand. Located hours from the mainland, it doesn’t see many tourists. I’d never even heard of the island until my friend emailed me saying she was there. It wasn’t in my guidebook and my fellow travelers were just as clueless. She described it as paradise – cheap, deserted, and beautiful.

With a description like that, I couldn’t resist. I was in Ko Phi Phi, the exact opposite. Ko Phi Phi is expensive, touristy, and crowded but this place sounded different- like paradise. I read the words over again. Cheap. Beautiful. Deserted. It was my dream. It was my own personal “beach”. (The Beach is a novel by Alex Garland about finding paradise and then destroying it.) I took the next ferry back to the mainland, bought a bus ticket, and eventually, I was offloaded at the ferry.

Play It Again Sam

I had made my way up to the front of the deck. Around me were various couples – British, German, and French. I sat down near them but without the nerve too talk. They were all in conversation. I felt awkward. Quietly, I just took in the sun. The British couple had a guitar and was playing a few songs while merrily chatting away. After awhile, I worked up the nerve to talk to them.

“Hey,” I said. “You’re pretty good. Know any Jack Johnson?”

And that was all it took. They introduced themselves as Paul and Jane. They had met in Australia a few years back, had been traveling for years, and were on their way to moving to New Zealand. It’s funny how you can connect with random strangers. We spent our time on the boat chatting. To this day we remain good friends.

“So, where are you meeting your friend?” They asked.

“I have no idea,” I said. “It’s a small island. I’m sure I’ll run into her.”

We had hopped in a longboat and headed to the shore. There’s no dock on the island so you need to be ferried from the boat. Landing on one of the beaches, I heard my name called. I looked around and there was my friend on the beach.

We hugged. We chatted. I went to find a room. It was about 3pm after I checked into my bungalow. The wooden bungalows were on a hill, shrouded by large trees, and overlooking the ocean. Below was a tiny secluded beach and, out in the distance, a small island, surrounded by coral that looked prefect to swim to and explore. Staring at my surroundings, it looked like a post card. This was clearly paradise.

Matthew Kepnes is a travel blogger at Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site.

Two Hotel Stays in Bangkok

2 Replies

One of the Bangkok’s most desirable hotels is The Sukhothai at 13/3 South Sathorn Road not far from Lumpini Park. This residence offers comfort accommodation ranging from over 100 superior rooms to the elegant Sukhothai suite. Facilities include a 25-meter swimming pool, a Health Club, and a luxurious spa with various beauty and massage treatments. The Sukhothai also features the chic Pool Terrace Café & Bar, Lobby Salons with afternoon tea, a private dining room, the stylish The Bar, and three restaurants serving Thai, Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Another sought-after hotel on South Sathorn Road is The Metropolitan Bangkok. Its funky east meets west interiour creates a peaceful atmosphere enticing business travelers and tourists alike. All the Oriental inspired rooms and suites provide modern tech such as broadband and wireless Internet access. In Como Shambhala, guests unwind with calming treatments, private yoga lessons, or a few laps in the outdoor pool. During the evening, the nutritious food at Glow and Cy´an’s Mediterranean influenced menu ensure an excellent gourmet experience.

Travel Blissful

Destination Ideas & Travel Advice for Happy Vacations

Tag Archives: Thailand

The Next Chapter in Your Life Can Be a Life-Changing Experiential Holiday in Thailand

Loy Krathong: Thailand’s Beautiful Lantern Festival

Island Hopping in Thailand

Where to Go For Your Honeymoon?

Taking a Cargo Boat, Up the Mekong River, From Thailand to China

7 Delicious Thai Dishes

Thai For Beginners

Lounging in Lipe: Part 2

Lounging in Lipe: Part 1

Two Hotel Stays in Bangkok