Thailand 2023

Back to Thailand to complete our trip to the North of Thailand which was interrupted when COVID 19 changed the world. The last week of our trip is relaxing in Khao Lak after having a busy few months. Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

Thailand 2023 Traveler
Goodbye to Lid and Pod
October 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 31 °C
This afternoon we said goodbye to our guides Lid and Pod. They were excellent guides. Lid did enjoy taking about food and showing me pictures on his phone of all the food he talked about. I found this interesting most of the time sometimes I did find it difficult to understand his translation. He was well informed on the places we visited. Pod was an incredible driver, we felt safe on all the busy roads including the long drive up the mountain.Read more
TravelerHow good to have such good guides for that chunk of your trip.
10/13/23Reply
TravelerMaybe he got his name Lid, for being “top” of his tour guide class. Or maybe he got the name from always taking home food in a take away container but by the time he got home the lid was removed and the food all consumed…
10/14/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Smile Lanna Hotel Chiang Mai
October 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 31 °C
Our home for the next 3 days.
TravelerLooks luxurious
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Happy Hour
October 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
This Hotel has a number of activities including Happy Hour from 2 to 4, we just made it. Tea and fresh fruit sitting in a lovely garden and bar.
TravelerNo Long Island ice teas at happy hour?
10/13/23Reply
TravelerNo just black tea
10/13/23Reply
TravelerWhat’s the point of rushing to happy hour to just get a black tea????
10/14/23Reply
1 like
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Night Markets
October 6, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Tonight, we went to what is advertised as the largest markets in Thailand. I would beg to differ. They did not seem that big. Hardly any people, which was great and not much variety. Dinner was also at the markets, and it was yummo. Our ride back to the hotel was in a Tuk Tuk.Read more
TravelerThat’s a very typical Thai adventure.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wet morning in Chiang Mai
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Woke up to a rainy day, just what you don't need for a morning of visiting temples. We also get a new guide.
TravelerIt’s raining on and off here too. The rain has been watering your plants a few times a week 😉
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Temples
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
This morning we will be visiting 4 temples, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Suan Doc. All these temples same but different. There are over 300 temples here many are privately funded by the very rich. The ones we visited are for Thai people and funded by government and the people of Thailand.

It is very difficult to find information on the temples as the Tourism sites do not supply much information.Read more
TravelerThat’s a lot of temples!
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
7 days of Buddha
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Traditionally it is believed that Buddha spent 7 days following his enlightenment thinking of the suffering of all living creatures and how unimportant his life was prior to reaching enlightenment.
Our Buddha days are:
John -Wednesday
Carol - MondayRead more
TravelerI hope this experience was enlightening 😂
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Monday - Carol
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
The posture of the Monday Buddha is one where the figure is standing with its right hand raised at shoulder height with the palm facing out. It represents Buddha pacifying the relatives after returning from heaven after three months to relatives arguing about waters flowing through their respective lands. Buddha was able to persuade them to compromise.

What it means if you were born on a Monday?

You are a serious individual with a love of travel and an exceptional memory.

Likely type of occupation: Skilled

Lucky Colour: Black

Lucky Day: Saturday

Unlucky Colour: Orange

Unlucky Day: SundayRead more
TravelerHe he… Mum’s purpose is to pacify relatives 😂
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wednesday - John
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
The Wednesday Buddha posture is one where it is standing with both hands wrapped around a bowl. The statue signifies caring for others. While many initially believed that the statue illustrated a “begging” Buddha – this is in fact not the case. Rather, they collected alms from others which afforded others to acquire merit (i.e. good karma). Unlike the other days of the week, your characteristics are determined by the time of day in which you were born:

What it means if you were born on a Wednesday Morning?

You are polite, emotional and artistic.

Likely type of occupation: Something in the creative fields

Lucky colour: Green

Lucky day: Wednesday Night

Unlucky colour: Pink

Unlucky day: Tuesday

What it means if you were born on a Wednesday evening:

You will likely be honest and hardworking.

Likely type of occupation: Professional

We do not know what time of day John was born. He can't remember.Read more
TravelerBased on that description surely dad was born in the evening!
10/13/23Reply
TravelerWe do need to double check when home
10/13/23Reply
TravelerCome on dad why don’t you remember what time you were born? Didn’t you check your watch as soon as you popped out? And yeah I’m with Mello, I think it must have been evening.
10/14/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wat Chiang Man
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
This temple had paintings all around the walls depicting the stages of the of how the Prince became Budha the enlightened.
TravelerThe paintings are in good condition. They must not be as old as some of the temples themselves.
10/13/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wat Phra Singh
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
This temple had a display of bees wax monks which are incredibly lifelike, from outside the temple I thought they were real monks.
TravelerThe Thai version of Madame Tussaud’s!
10/13/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wat Suan Dok
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Wat Suan Dok is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. Created by Phaya Kue Na during the Mengrai dynasty. This temple was originally the Royal Park of the early Thai Lanna Kings.

I wrote our names on the yellow cloth that, once is full of names, will be a covering on the Budha until the next cloth is complete.Read more
TravelerThat’s cool. Doesn’t seem to many English names in your picture.
10/13/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Around The Hotel
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Our tour today was only half day, so we have free time at the Hotel. So, we started with a short walk and then morning tea.
TravelerLovely grounds
10/13/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Poolside
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Lunch fish and chips and Quinoa Salad and then relaxing poolside reading.
TravelerSounds like my kind of afternoon. Food looks good.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Saturday Market's
October 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Tonight, we visited the Saturday Night Markets they were much better than yesterday's night market. They were busy with lots of stalls. We had dinner from street vendors and walked home.
TravelerThis must be the locals pick.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Elephant Camp
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Today we are visiting an elephant camp where they look after mistreated and injured elephants.
TravelerLooking forward to reading about this.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Feeding the Elephants
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Being so close to the elephants was so much fun.
TravelerWow! Some great shots. Very cool.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Jungle Walk
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
TravelerDad looks like a local Sherpa 😂
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Lunch Time
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Time for our lunch which included us cooking some of our own dishes. I made Pad Thai and John made the Papaya Salad.
TravelerYum! You can make them for me when you get home.
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Protein Mix
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
We then mushed up banana, pumpkin, salt , tamarind, cane sugar and rice with our hands and put the mixture back into the banana skin to feed the elephants some protein. Very messy especially with my nails.Read more
TravelerLooks like Maddie’s lunch 😂
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Health Check
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
TravelerWhat a unique experience
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
In the Mud
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
TravelerI was not expecting to see you in the mid with the elephants!
10/13/23Reply
TravelerWe were not expecting to be in mud and poo either
10/13/23Reply
TravelerYou both needed a bath huh?
10/14/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Wash and Scrub
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
TravelerThe elephant looks like they are enjoying themselves!
10/13/23Reply
2 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Goodbye
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Our day at the Elephant camp has come to an end it was so much fun.

A funny thing did happen an Elephant trod on my foot surprising it only hurts a little. No bruising yet but a slight throb.
TravelerOh dear! I bet you will never forget that! 😂😂
10/13/23Reply
TravelerOmg you must have steel feet….
10/14/23Reply
3 likes
Thailand 2023 Traveler
Drive Home
October 8, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
The drive home was just over an hour. At the Elephant camp the weather great however halfway home and it bucketed down, the traffic was slow, and the roads flooded. Once back at the Hotel the rain stopped, we have been so lucky with the weather as it has not effected our activities. Fingers crossed it remains that way.Read more
TravelerThat’s a lot of water on the roads. So good it didn’t impact your day.
10/13/23Reply
3 likes