Thailand. Arriving in Bangkok, my first impression of this country was (in comparison to India) just like home. Pristine, glistening, modern airport; cool and comfy air-conditioned shuttle bus; signs and skyscrapers everywhere; traffic - staying confined to the painted lines; and 7-11's on every corner. This was going to be a comfortable place.
After settling in to our quiet guesthouse just off Kho San Road, we headed out to explore this new and intreaging place. The streets near Kho San were littered with food stalls, in addition to the clothing, DVDs, jewelery, wood carvings, and fish massage??? And then I saw it. The big round green and white sign that adorned many Tshirts in the nearby stalls. Starbucks. Now, over two months have passed since I've had a tall-half-sweet-non-fat-caramel-machiatto, of which most of you know I had become VERY accustomed to, very much TOO accustomed to. So it was really nice for those two months to forget that addiction while slowly developing a new addiction for chai in India. But when I saw that familiar mermaid logo, something took over me. It felt far too long over due.
With much heart-pumping caffeine flowing through our bodies, we continued wandering in the quest for the perfect Pad Thai. Now, it is nearly impossible to make a bad Pad Thai, it is basically fried noodles, tofu, egg and veg with some tasty sauces. I am really just using this "quest" thing to justify eating Pad Thai everyday, multiple times a day. And I think the quest ended later in Chiang Mai when I was able to learn how, in a cooking class, to make my own. I was then content that I would always be able to make the perfect Pad Thai.
Chiang Mai, in the far north of Thailand, only made Thailand more likeable. We stayed at an amazing guesthouse, wandered around many Wats, shopped at some local markets, and rented a scooter to explore nearby waterfalls. The landscape outside of town was luscious green, moutainous, and very peaceful.
Next was a trip to nearby Chang Thai Elephant Conservation Center. There are many places in Thailand to see and ride elephants, but this was a rehabilitation center where the elephants are treated as well as trained. After spending 2 days there with my very own elephant, Wadna, I can attest that the elephants have got it made at this place. A typical day began by hiking halfway up a mountain to retrieve Wadna (they slept in the forest everynight on a 100ft long chain) and riding her down to the watering hole where she would have her first of 3-4 baths for the day. Next was a hefty breakfast of bananas and sugarcane, followed by training her to let me up and down in several ways, pick up a stick, lay down, and walk on a log. Once that was done, it was time for bath number 2 and a live performance to show off her tricks and skills. She also painted pictures during the show...pretty cool. Probably the coolest thing we did n this whole trip. Check out the website at http://www.changthai.com/.
Before returning to Bangkok, we stopped at Sukhothai historical park, which had some amazing and beautiful ruins. We rented another scooter to explore the original capital of Thailand, which was worth it for the natural airconditioning alone. It was HOT there.
The rest of our time in Thailand was spent on the beaches of the island Koh Pha Ngan in the south, where we only had one day of rain(out of six), one coconut break through the roof of our hut in a storm, a few mosquito bites and umpteen dishes of Pad Thai. We rented yet another scooter and were able to explore the entire island and find the best beaches. White sand, palm trees, turquoise water, endless coral, absolute paradise.
I think everybody should visit Thailand at least once in their life if given the opportunity.
After settling in to our quiet guesthouse just off Kho San Road, we headed out to explore this new and intreaging place. The streets near Kho San were littered with food stalls, in addition to the clothing, DVDs, jewelery, wood carvings, and fish massage??? And then I saw it. The big round green and white sign that adorned many Tshirts in the nearby stalls. Starbucks. Now, over two months have passed since I've had a tall-half-sweet-non-fat-caramel-machiatto, of which most of you know I had become VERY accustomed to, very much TOO accustomed to. So it was really nice for those two months to forget that addiction while slowly developing a new addiction for chai in India. But when I saw that familiar mermaid logo, something took over me. It felt far too long over due.
With much heart-pumping caffeine flowing through our bodies, we continued wandering in the quest for the perfect Pad Thai. Now, it is nearly impossible to make a bad Pad Thai, it is basically fried noodles, tofu, egg and veg with some tasty sauces. I am really just using this "quest" thing to justify eating Pad Thai everyday, multiple times a day. And I think the quest ended later in Chiang Mai when I was able to learn how, in a cooking class, to make my own. I was then content that I would always be able to make the perfect Pad Thai.
Chiang Mai, in the far north of Thailand, only made Thailand more likeable. We stayed at an amazing guesthouse, wandered around many Wats, shopped at some local markets, and rented a scooter to explore nearby waterfalls. The landscape outside of town was luscious green, moutainous, and very peaceful.
Next was a trip to nearby Chang Thai Elephant Conservation Center. There are many places in Thailand to see and ride elephants, but this was a rehabilitation center where the elephants are treated as well as trained. After spending 2 days there with my very own elephant, Wadna, I can attest that the elephants have got it made at this place. A typical day began by hiking halfway up a mountain to retrieve Wadna (they slept in the forest everynight on a 100ft long chain) and riding her down to the watering hole where she would have her first of 3-4 baths for the day. Next was a hefty breakfast of bananas and sugarcane, followed by training her to let me up and down in several ways, pick up a stick, lay down, and walk on a log. Once that was done, it was time for bath number 2 and a live performance to show off her tricks and skills. She also painted pictures during the show...pretty cool. Probably the coolest thing we did n this whole trip. Check out the website at http://www.changthai.com/.
Before returning to Bangkok, we stopped at Sukhothai historical park, which had some amazing and beautiful ruins. We rented another scooter to explore the original capital of Thailand, which was worth it for the natural airconditioning alone. It was HOT there.
The rest of our time in Thailand was spent on the beaches of the island Koh Pha Ngan in the south, where we only had one day of rain(out of six), one coconut break through the roof of our hut in a storm, a few mosquito bites and umpteen dishes of Pad Thai. We rented yet another scooter and were able to explore the entire island and find the best beaches. White sand, palm trees, turquoise water, endless coral, absolute paradise.
I think everybody should visit Thailand at least once in their life if given the opportunity.
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