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Thailand Misadventure: Losing My Passport and Flying First Class

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey," - John Hope Franklin I was supposed to fly home on a Tuesday. Three days later and I was still wandering the streets of Bangkok, not by choice. I guess you should be careful what you wish for. Only days before leaving Koh Tao I was saying how desperately I wished I had more time in Thailand, how I really did not want to go home. I got what I wished for, just not under the circumstances that I was drea[...]

Thailand, Travel

Goodbye Bangkok, Goodbye Thailand

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." -Jack Kerouac I have a newfound love for Bangkok. Okay, so maybe I wouldn't call it love but I definitely feel more friendly about Bangkok than I did before. I first felt this feeling when I stepped off the plane from Hanoi. By the time I was in the taxi, speeding down the highway, it felt like all of my stress and worry had disappeared. That quickly. And I realized that this was how I felt every time that I arrived in Bangkok. Whether it's becaus[...]

Asia, Thailand

My Six Week Adventure with Chopsticks

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home." -James Michener Six weeks ago, if I was to get served a meal with chopsticks at home I would shamelessly smile, head high and say 'oh no, could I have a fork please?' and think nothing of it. Growing up I was a picky eater. I detested most of the Western food that filled our fridge, let alone any type of internatinal cuisine. Put something in front of me that smelled funny, looked strange or even had a weird name and I would turn up my nose and re[...]

Asia, Thailand, Travel

A Lady Named Tip

Chiang Mai is still, without a doubt, one of my favorite cities. After arriving in the city in the early hours of Friday morning, I instantly remembered why I had fallen in love with this place last summer. The atmosphere is relaxed, the locals are friendlier and the travelers kind.. and crazy, which only adds to the fun. Never before have I returned to a city that I travelled in, but Chiang Mai is truly one of a kind. Almost immediately after dropping our bags, I insisted that we must pay a visit to the smoothie lady. When she saw me, her eyes got wide and she ex[...]

Thailand, Travel

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand.

As my first year of university comes to an end and summer approaches, my mind is buzzing with ideas of new travel adventures for the coming months. A friend and I have been planning a one to two month trip of South East Asia, starting with some of the islands in the south of Thailand and moving on to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Northern Thailand. However, as money is an issue, this isn't an absolute certainty quite yet. Fingers crossed though, everybody! As these new plans are coming into place, I've been remembering my trip to Thailand last summer. I have writte[...]

Thailand, Travel

Blessing Trees in Chiang Mai

I've mentioned numerous times in my previous posts, I volunteered at a place called Elephant Nature Park while I was in Thailand. During that time, my volunteer coordinators took us on a few extra outings and I had the unique opportunity to take a walk down the road from the sanctuary and bless trees within the vicinity. You might be wondering how a non-religious person/a person not religiously qualified (monk, priest, shaman, etc.) could possibly bless a tree on their own, and you wouldn't be alone. Before we departed, a group of us stood in the elephant kitchen[...]

Thailand, Travel

Volunteering at Muangkud School, Thailand

My half-day excursion to Muangkud School, located in Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai, came as a wonderful surprise to me. When applying to become a volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park, there was no mention in the application or on the website about the extras that the volunteers got to do. Going on a half-day outing to a local school was one of those extras. Volunteering at an orphange, teaching English overseas and assisting in a school environment has been a huge dream of mine since I was very young and when I was told I would be spending a day at a local T[...]

Asia, Thailand

Elephant Nature Park Photo Collection.

A visual glimpse into my week spent at Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. Sometimes a photo can share an even greater story than the words behind it. But don't worry, if you're a reader - you can read all about it over here![...]

Thailand, Travel

Volunteering At The Elephant Nature Park In Thailand

The Elephant Nature Park truly is a heaven on earth not only for elephants but cats, dogs, horses, water buffalo and a single moon bear. Lek, the founder of ENP has devoted her life to rescuing Thailand's mistreated animals, teaching better care techniques, delivering medicines for the hill tribes and village animals putting an end to the abuse of animals in Thailand. Many people consider Lek to be the Jane Goodall of Thailand. "Welcome to Jurassic Park," our driver jokes as we drive down the winding road, surrounded by trees, mountains and, in the distance, el[...]