Home--Reflections

Last Sunset

First Leg of Our Journey Home

Home, comforts...the odd realization that time truly does slow down in Thailand, especially in the south, on these islands, beaches, small villages... Our journey home was long, but at least the first leg of the journey was fun. We took a long tail boat ride from the east side of Railey Beach to Ao Nang Pier; wading through the water with luggage (and help) to the awaiting water taxi. Now we are home, reflecting and adding one last blog: Reflections on a Better Itinerary For Us--Hindsight.

OUR Do Over

• Arrive Bangkok and immediately take a connecting flight to Chiang Mai (do not take the train--seriously--and if you do, do not eat yellow custard filled buns.)
• In Chiang Mai, get use to Thai culture and take language lessons at one of the many schools providing such activities for farangs (foreigners)--it will be vital in connecting to the Thais and earning their respect
• Spend mornings learning Thai and afternoons practicing the language at various sights
• Visit the Street Markets, bargain and then pay full price anyway...they could use the surprise and it will be a blessing to you in the long run. Also, try not to buy too much because most of it is crap made in a factory without concern for the environment
• Hire a taxi for the day to see the sights--Wats, Winter Palace...
• Take two cooking classes in Chiang Mai--because you'll be sorry if you don't
• Spend at least one day at the Elephant Sanctuary (the nonprofit in town dedicated to rehabilitating elephants)...it will change your life--if you are able spend a few nights at the Sanctuary helping out as a volunteer: http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
  
• Go to Pai and Mae Hong Son (especially in November when the yellow flowers are in bloom all over the hills)--We got very sick in the north so this part was regretfully missed
• Fly from Chiang Mai to Phuket for 3 days max: a day to settle in, a day at Surin Beach and at least one day spent with John Gray Corporation kayaking through sea caves
• Fly to Ko Phi Phi for two days if crowded (it truly is lovely) or more if the crowds are low or your tolerance high
  
• Take a ferry to Ko Lanta and spend a few days learning to ride a motorcycle, carefully. Watch a few sunsets at least. And if time allows take a tour of the mangroves (we ran out of time)
• Take a speed boat to Ko Ngai...spend a lifetime or at least 5 days doing nothing, but breathing...(we stayed at Mayalay Resort...Thai owned, overpriced, but lovely, rugged and maybe the only resort that doesn't put out rat poisoning to kill the sweet dogs that live there--or so we were told)
  
• Take a speed boat back to Ko Lanta and then a ferry to Railey Beach...the views are worth the crowds
• Climb the view point cliff while at Railey (if I can do it, you can)...rent a Kayak for the day and check out the coves, other beaches...
• Take a flight from Krabi to Bangkok
• Now you are ready for Bangkok: check out Chinatown, the Flower Market, take a canal boat whenever possible, and when a Tuk Tuk driver lies to you (and he will) say no thanks I'll walk, but here is 50 baht for your advice. They are poor and abused...they need positive reinforcement from tourist to transition into more desired behavior...who wouldn't be like them in their situation
• Fly home...and pass your knowledge on like an anthropologist and not like a fat, horny, drunk old man

NEVER, EVER DO THIS: 1) feed or ride elephants or support the elephant tourist industry in anyway other than being a support to nonprofits that are helping these creatures (you are an asshole if you do this because even if they seem well taken care of now they were barbarically tortured in order to prepare them for this horrible existence), 2) never take a long day train, at the very least break it up and remember, flying is cheap and so much better, 3) never litter (in fact you will be amazed at the friends you'll make when you have an uncommissioned trash pick up day).

Thanks for reading our blog...I hope it was

entertaining and maybe even a little useful!