Welcome to my Thailand Travel Blog--2011 and 2013
Songkran Water Festival--April 2013
Songkran festival is also known as Thailand water festival, celebrated with fervor and zeal in Thailand’s cities.'Songkran' (from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, signifying the sun's shift from one zodiac to another) heralds the beginning of the solar year and is the most important festival for the people of Thailand. Though it is celebrated all over Thailand with great gusto and enthusiasm, it is in Chiang Mai that the Thais hold the very important ritual of bathing the Buddha and people from all over come to be witness to this event.
On Thailand New Year's Day, Thais pray to the Buddha, clean temples and houses, offer alms to the monks and sprinkle scented water on elders as a mark of respect. The pouring of water is symbolic of the cleansing of the spirit, mind and body. The water is also supposed to wash away bad luck - so consider yourself blessed if you get drenched! Happily, Songkran falls during the hottest time of the year and the water is a welcome relief.
You have to experience it to truly appreciate the magnitude of the Songkran Festival. Very few of the country's 60 million inhabitants don't get involved, the Songkran water festival is perhaps the healthiest way I've ever seen to let it all hang out and reset the blood pressure. People of all ages fully participate, it's all done in exceedingly good nature where everyone is happy, happy, happy and the pressures of daily life seem to vanish over the Songkran weekend as your mind focuses sharply on who you get shoot next, and how you can avoid the next bucket of ice-cold water. I'm afraid an event like this could never be held in the states without some unfortunate form of violence or bad will--but not in Thailand.
Songkran festival is also known as Thailand water festival, celebrated with fervor and zeal in Thailand’s cities.'Songkran' (from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, signifying the sun's shift from one zodiac to another) heralds the beginning of the solar year and is the most important festival for the people of Thailand. Though it is celebrated all over Thailand with great gusto and enthusiasm, it is in Chiang Mai that the Thais hold the very important ritual of bathing the Buddha and people from all over come to be witness to this event.
On Thailand New Year's Day, Thais pray to the Buddha, clean temples and houses, offer alms to the monks and sprinkle scented water on elders as a mark of respect. The pouring of water is symbolic of the cleansing of the spirit, mind and body. The water is also supposed to wash away bad luck - so consider yourself blessed if you get drenched! Happily, Songkran falls during the hottest time of the year and the water is a welcome relief.
You have to experience it to truly appreciate the magnitude of the Songkran Festival. Very few of the country's 60 million inhabitants don't get involved, the Songkran water festival is perhaps the healthiest way I've ever seen to let it all hang out and reset the blood pressure. People of all ages fully participate, it's all done in exceedingly good nature where everyone is happy, happy, happy and the pressures of daily life seem to vanish over the Songkran weekend as your mind focuses sharply on who you get shoot next, and how you can avoid the next bucket of ice-cold water. I'm afraid an event like this could never be held in the states without some unfortunate form of violence or bad will--but not in Thailand.
Songkran 2013
Thailand November 2011
Pattaya--The Zoo
After a 21 hour flight from DFW to Japan and then Japan to Thailand, Aubrey and I began our adventures in Pattaya. We arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday, November 2 around 10:45pm. Aubrey had arranged a driver to pick us up at the airport and drive us to Pattaya about 45 minutes away. We stayed at the Dusit Thani Resort and Spa which was very nice. Definitely a 5 star hotel with several pools, spa, nice restaurants and located on the "beach". The Pattaya beaches are nothing to go out of your way to visit. They tend to be small, rocky and a bit
dirty. The next morning, we went on a tour of the Khao Kheow
Open Zoo. Our tour guide, Cindy, picked us up and drove us to Chonburi. In 1974 the Zoo Organization Committee chose an area around the base of Khao Kheow Mountain. Animals from Dusit Zoo were moved here to live in a more natural environment of 200 acres in size. The first kind of animals moved here were different types of deer (Barking Deer, Chital Deer, Hog Deer and Wild Deer.) Khao Kheow Open Zoo was opened to the public on 1 June 1978 . The zoo is now 1200 acres. The tour included a large typical Thai meal. Aubrey and I enjoyed getting up close and personal with all kinds of exotic animals including zebra, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, deer and elephants. We purchased green beans and small bananas to feed the animals. We also went on our first elephant ride (only lasted about 15 minutes). After a long day and fighting jet lag, we got a foot massage and then toured the infamous Pattaya Walking Street. Pattaya is a city full of nightlife including many GoGo bars. The experience reminded me of Bourbon Street on steriods. We had a great pizza at the Holiday Inn's outdoor restaurant.
The best way to get around Pattaya is on the Baht Buses. The cost is very cheap and easy to get on and off.
After a 21 hour flight from DFW to Japan and then Japan to Thailand, Aubrey and I began our adventures in Pattaya. We arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday, November 2 around 10:45pm. Aubrey had arranged a driver to pick us up at the airport and drive us to Pattaya about 45 minutes away. We stayed at the Dusit Thani Resort and Spa which was very nice. Definitely a 5 star hotel with several pools, spa, nice restaurants and located on the "beach". The Pattaya beaches are nothing to go out of your way to visit. They tend to be small, rocky and a bit
dirty. The next morning, we went on a tour of the Khao Kheow
Open Zoo. Our tour guide, Cindy, picked us up and drove us to Chonburi. In 1974 the Zoo Organization Committee chose an area around the base of Khao Kheow Mountain. Animals from Dusit Zoo were moved here to live in a more natural environment of 200 acres in size. The first kind of animals moved here were different types of deer (Barking Deer, Chital Deer, Hog Deer and Wild Deer.) Khao Kheow Open Zoo was opened to the public on 1 June 1978 . The zoo is now 1200 acres. The tour included a large typical Thai meal. Aubrey and I enjoyed getting up close and personal with all kinds of exotic animals including zebra, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, deer and elephants. We purchased green beans and small bananas to feed the animals. We also went on our first elephant ride (only lasted about 15 minutes). After a long day and fighting jet lag, we got a foot massage and then toured the infamous Pattaya Walking Street. Pattaya is a city full of nightlife including many GoGo bars. The experience reminded me of Bourbon Street on steriods. We had a great pizza at the Holiday Inn's outdoor restaurant.
The best way to get around Pattaya is on the Baht Buses. The cost is very cheap and easy to get on and off.
Koh Lan--Coral Island
On Friday, we walked to the Pattaya Pier and caught a people ferry to Coral Island. The ferry ride was about 30 minutes long. It dropped everyone off at one beach that soon became a sea of bodies. We weren't real crazy about the crowds so we asked a motorcyle taxi to take us somewhere with less people. Aubrey and I hopped on the motorcycle and took off to Tayae Beach which is located on the northern part of the island. Very few people were here and the beach was not very large, but the view was beautiful and quiet. We stayed here all day and caught the people ferry back to Pattaya Pier.
Sanctuary of Truth
On Saturday morning, we decided to visit the Sanctuary of Truth park before catching a plane to Phuket. The eccentric billionaire generally known as "Khun Lek" started construction on a temple-like structure near Pattaya, which he christened "the Sanctuary of Truth." The temple is richly detailed with wood carvings depicting the four major philosophical and artistic influences that cabe seen in Thailand: Hindu, Khmer, Chinese and Thai. The building is constructed entirely of wood. Although incomplete, the building site is open to visitors who want to view the work in progress. The 500 Baht (16.70 USD) entrance fee is a bit steep, but that appears to be intended to keep the number of visitors low so that they do not interfere with the construction. You do get a personal guide to take you through the complex. Hard hats are provided to protect you when inside the building.
Phuket
Kamala Beach Resort and Spa 2011
Kamala Beach Resort and Spa
Saturday evening we flew to Phuket Island located on the Southwest coast of Thailand. This island was one of our favorite places. We spent 3 full days here (we lost a half day in travel) but would recommend spending at least 4-5 full days. We stayed at the Kamala Spa and Beach Resort located on Kamala Beach. It reminded me alot of the Mexican Riveria. Other beaches that I would recommend visiting are Karon and Surin Beach. Both are very wide beaches with soft white sand. Patong beach is also very popular with the young and fun. It is more centrally located and is walking distance to Bangla Street. Patong Beach reminded me alot of Ocean Drive in Miami.
On Sunday morning, we hung out on the beach. That afternoon we book an elephant safari with Siam Safari. The tour bus picked us up at the hotel and drove us 45 minutes up in to the mountains. Here we hopped in a jeep and drove to the elephant camp. Aubrey and I took about an hour elephant ride in the mountains of Phuket where the view was beautiful. The day was cloudy but the view and safari were enjoyable.
After the elephant safari, Aubrey and I asked the tour bus to drop us off at Patong Beach. We met a college friend, Stephan, of Aubrey's who happened to be in Thailand the same time she was vacationing. We had a nice dinner and visit with Stephan and got to get a taste of Bangla Road.
On Sunday morning, we hung out on the beach. That afternoon we book an elephant safari with Siam Safari. The tour bus picked us up at the hotel and drove us 45 minutes up in to the mountains. Here we hopped in a jeep and drove to the elephant camp. Aubrey and I took about an hour elephant ride in the mountains of Phuket where the view was beautiful. The day was cloudy but the view and safari were enjoyable.
After the elephant safari, Aubrey and I asked the tour bus to drop us off at Patong Beach. We met a college friend, Stephan, of Aubrey's who happened to be in Thailand the same time she was vacationing. We had a nice dinner and visit with Stephan and got to get a taste of Bangla Road.
Phuket 2013--The Surin Beach Resort and Spa
The Surin Phuket is an exclusive beach retreat for discerning travelers, families and couples seeking relaxation and indulgence in a serene beachfront setting. The Surin Phuket is located
on the tranquil Pansea Beach on the west coast of Phuket Island, Thailand. Steve and I stayed here for 3 days to decompress on our April 1013 trip. We loved the resort and the beach was beautiful and very quiet compared to many of the beaches in Phuket. Word of warning about the resort, all the bungalows are accessible via stairs only--no elevators. If climbing stairs
everyday is not your thing, stay in rooms beginning with 1.
on the tranquil Pansea Beach on the west coast of Phuket Island, Thailand. Steve and I stayed here for 3 days to decompress on our April 1013 trip. We loved the resort and the beach was beautiful and very quiet compared to many of the beaches in Phuket. Word of warning about the resort, all the bungalows are accessible via stairs only--no elevators. If climbing stairs
everyday is not your thing, stay in rooms beginning with 1.
Chiang Mai
On Tuesday night, we arrived in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is located in the northern area of Thailand and looks very different from Pattaya and Phuket. The We stayed at our first boutique hotel called Chiang Mai Chang Thai House. I probably would not stay there again just because it didn't have the luxuries that I prefer--very thin towels, no hair dryer, a bit run down in the bathroom, poor breakfast, no bar!!! It was a good experience though to taste more of the real Lanna style. The hotel I would recommend for my next trip in Chiang Mai would be the Imperial Maeping Hotel--good location, nice immenities.
The people in Chiang Mai are darker skinned with more of a Burmese influence. They reminded me of the American Indians. The Yeepeng Lanna International lantern festival was the big celebration being held in Chiang Mai. The lantern festival is held in November to celebrate the end of the rainy season and harvest. Aubrey purchased tickets to the official opening of the festival which really was a great exposure to the entire Thai culture and experience. On Wednesday, we went shopping for a typical lanna style Thai outfit to wear to the festival that was held that evening. We found two fabulous outfits in one of the large market malls.
We took a bus that we met at one of the hotels to the location where the festival was to be held. Upon arrival to the location, we were greeted with Thai students that presented us with a scarf, mat to sit on and some other souvenirs. We felt like real celebrities walking along the greeting line of Thai children wishing us well. The pavilion sat in from of the temple where we had a nice view of the golden Buddha. The celebration consisted of a Thai picnic meal, speeches, dancing and music performed by the local Thai tribe. We then went into the temple and learned about the Buddhist religion and the art of medication and chanting. It began to rain pretty hard so our stay in the temple with the monks was much longer than planned. Sitting Indian style on the floor was very challenging and uncomfortable after a while and Aubrey and I got a little silly with the constant meditation and chanting.
The rain finally subsided enough for us to go outside and light the lanterns. The plan was to have all 10,000 lanterns lit at the same time but that didn't happen because of the rain that caused the lanterns to get wet and chaos ensued. Burning lanterns were flying everywhere and we were forced to dodge flying ashes while attempting to light our lantern and let it up in the air. The international chaos was hysterical and we laughed all the way home. What a colossal failure the lighting ceremony was but we still had a great time and enjoyed the experience.
The people in Chiang Mai are darker skinned with more of a Burmese influence. They reminded me of the American Indians. The Yeepeng Lanna International lantern festival was the big celebration being held in Chiang Mai. The lantern festival is held in November to celebrate the end of the rainy season and harvest. Aubrey purchased tickets to the official opening of the festival which really was a great exposure to the entire Thai culture and experience. On Wednesday, we went shopping for a typical lanna style Thai outfit to wear to the festival that was held that evening. We found two fabulous outfits in one of the large market malls.
We took a bus that we met at one of the hotels to the location where the festival was to be held. Upon arrival to the location, we were greeted with Thai students that presented us with a scarf, mat to sit on and some other souvenirs. We felt like real celebrities walking along the greeting line of Thai children wishing us well. The pavilion sat in from of the temple where we had a nice view of the golden Buddha. The celebration consisted of a Thai picnic meal, speeches, dancing and music performed by the local Thai tribe. We then went into the temple and learned about the Buddhist religion and the art of medication and chanting. It began to rain pretty hard so our stay in the temple with the monks was much longer than planned. Sitting Indian style on the floor was very challenging and uncomfortable after a while and Aubrey and I got a little silly with the constant meditation and chanting.
The rain finally subsided enough for us to go outside and light the lanterns. The plan was to have all 10,000 lanterns lit at the same time but that didn't happen because of the rain that caused the lanterns to get wet and chaos ensued. Burning lanterns were flying everywhere and we were forced to dodge flying ashes while attempting to light our lantern and let it up in the air. The international chaos was hysterical and we laughed all the way home. What a colossal failure the lighting ceremony was but we still had a great time and enjoyed the experience.