Ride the rails from #Singapore to #Bangkok on one of the world’s best luxury trains, visiting the famous River Kwai, vibrant cities, rural villages & gleaming pagodas along the way in SE Asia. #CrazyRichAsians Nick & Rachel would love this trip!

Luxury Sleeper Car

#IslandGirlGuide knows & arranges #luxury #rail #travel#worldwide Msg me for more info.

Contact: Jacintha Perera
Certified Singapore Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 22: Elephant Trek
“It’s time to saddle up but it ain’t no Arizona dude ranch and this ain’t no pony ride”.

 It’s a bit tricky to climb onto a full size elephant. Fortunately, they have constructed a platform at just the right height so you can step across and settle into the howdah or chair fairly easily.

Then, you just have to hang on because it’s a wobbly ride. Taking photographs was challenging with the natural swaying motion from side to side and an occasional detour off the path for an elephant snack.

I’m going to let you enjoy the view as we trek through the jungle.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 16: Tak Bat

It’s 6am. It’s predawn. Why would anyone be boarding a small van to go to a fitness park at this hour? No, we’re not going to run a marathon or even a 10K, not even a 5K. We’re on a mission.

We need to arrive before the tak bat or early morning procession of Buddhist monks from their temple. This ritual is the daily opportunity for people, local residents and foreign visitors alike, to offer alms to the orange-robed monks. The monks have no worldly possessions and rely on the generosity of others for their needs. These offerings are the only food and drink they will receive for the entire day.

The monks walk single file down the sidewalk in one direction, stopping when signaled by those offering alms. The owners of Window of Thailand have once again worked overtime, preparing dozens of food bundles for us to give to the monks. They briefly described the thoughtful selection of home cooked foodstuffs contained in each. It cleared demonstrated their care and compassion for others.

Since women are prohibited from direct contact with the male monks, we were instructed to carefully place our small wrapped packages into the center of the recipient’s food bowl. We would then kneel to receive their blessing in unison.

Once they were finished chanting, they would continue on in formation to the next person or persons, eventually returning along the same route back to the temple.

I zoomed in and framed a perfect shot of a simple and elegant bowl just as the young monk turned and started to walk away. Just a moment too late. At first, I was going to discard it. It was not the still photo I had intended to take. It still intrigues me as an unintentional “action” shot.

You may call it blurry. Tell me what YOU think.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 2: Spirit House

As you approach a building, you may notice an intricately carved miniature replica of a house or temple displayed on a pedestal. Typically, these are made of teak wood or stone. In the animist traditions of Thailand, this is placed within the compound as a residence for the protective spirits that watch over the home or business. This particular spirit house sits on the grounds of the Bangkok Shangri-la Hotel.

A doorman heralds us at the front entrance with an elaborate gong. The beautiful Shangri-la Hotel enjoys a riverfront location directly on the Chao Phraya. The two connecting wings are set within a jungle of lush tropical plants and flowers. Our upper floor balcony offers fantastic river views in both directions. 

Let’s go down to the lounge and enjoy a drink while the butler unpacks our things. I’m thinking we should swing by the stylish Chi Spa. I know they specialize in ancient himalyan and chinese treatments. We should schedule appointments for a jet lag recovery massage, don’t you think?

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

Normally, I don’t take pictures of food because it difficult to capture it in all its glorious detail. But I was so impressed by the lavish Sunday Brunch served at Banyan Tree that I asked the general manager for permission to photograph elements of it without disturbing the guests. They offered a  broad selection of international cuisine, all artfully presented. I was again reminded of that attention to detail I had seen throughout my journey as well as the fact that we had enjoyed consistently wonderful meals in every region.

Take  a look for yourself.

tea selection at Banyan Tree

market station

Japanese condiments

Well, it still doesn’t do justice to it but you get the idea and we are now out of time on this tour. Island-hopping from Phuket to to Koh Samui, Krabi or Phi Phi Island will have to wait until another month as we bid adieu to beautiful Thailand and her gracious people.

spa pavillion, interior view

Ah, if there is a Spa Heaven, surely this must be it. The world-renowned Banyan Tree Spa was the last stop on our one-hour whirlwind tour its namesake, the Banyan Tree Resort in Phuket.

After resort guests have taken advantage of all the recreational activities available, they can retreat into a sanctuary for the senses. Within the intimacy of individual spa pavillions, a wide range of holistic Asian treatments are offered. I wouldn’t expect anything less.

At the very least, I recommend that you make an appointment to indulge in the classic Thai massage. A set of loose-fitting cotton pajama-like garments are provided for your comfort. The therapist will lead you into a tranquil space where a thick, cloth-covered pad resembling a queen-size mattress awaits on  slightly raised platform.

This is sometimes called “yoga massage” because you will be stretched, pulled, twisted and massaged at acupressure points while seated and prone to get the blood and the energy flowing. At times, you may feel woman-handled (or man-handled) but it is ultimately deeply relaxing. You will pay a little more at an upscale hotel spa than at budget storefronts or in open air markets. But consider the difference in experience when administered by a skilled therapist rather than an untrained person with limited English skills.

If you are enjoying a lunch break during a full spa day, the adjacent Tamarind Restaurant serves a light and healthy spa menu al fresco next to that lovely pool.  Unfortunately, it was time to leave, no time for me to personally sample either the spa or the restaurant.

Phang Nga Bay

This scene may look familiar to those of you who have seen the film The Man with the Golden Gun. Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand is where part of the movie was filmed. Local tour companies bring boatloads of tourists to James Bond Island but there is really nothing to see, except possibly some discarded litter.  Nevertheless, the true beauty of this area is the craggy limestone towers thrusting upward out of the sea and reaching for the sky.

You can explore the caves and chambers below the jagged cliffs in sea kayaks. Your paddle guide can even steer you through to hidden interior pools. John Gray pioneered kayaking in this area and remains the most respected low impact, eco-friendly operator here.  While most companies bring hoards of visitors during the morning, his offers an uncrowded afternoon excursion with dinner and then an evening float to view bio-luminescent plankton.

Returning to Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, we head for the Banyan Tree for a quick tour. This world famous celebrity hideaway is a full service resort that consists exclusively of private villas with walled courtyards for privacy. These stunning units range from one bedroom villas with outdoor jacuzzi to extra large villas with multiple bedrooms and both exterior and  interior swimming pools.

In addition, there is a full 18 hole golf course that hosts a major annual championship and a main pool that runs through the resort as  a free-form lagoon. The resort also has direct beach access and a golf cart service to shuttle you there and back from your villa.

This is a very elegant resort with plush accommodations for anyone seeking a tropical escape in true luxury. Here is a quick glimpse of the Spa Pool Villa where Elizabeth Hurley reportedly stayed. And I’ve saved the best for last. See you tomorrow.

courtyard with exterior pool

interior living room

bedroom with interior pool

bathroom vanity

“It’s time to saddle up but it ain’t no Arizona dude ranch and this ain’t no pony ride”.

 It’s a bit tricky to climb onto a full size elephant. Fortunately, they have constructed a platform at just the right height so you can step across and settle into the howdah or chair fairly easily.

Then, you just have to hang on because it’s a wobbly ride. Taking photographs was challenging with the natural swaying motion from side to side and an occasional detour off the path for an elephant snack.

I’m going to let you enjoy the view as we trek through the jungle.

Elephants are very complex and sensitive creatures. They are well respected in Thailand for their grace and intelligence and serve as symbols of the much-revered Thai monarchy. In fact, the annual week-long King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in late March raises funds for elephant charities. You will see representations of elephants and references to these majestic creatures throughout your travels in Thailand.

There are quite a few elephant camps open to visitation in the northern areas of Chiang Mai , Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. These are not all created equal. Some are working camps where you can see elephants rolling and hauling lumber, others are education centers offering supervised interactions. And yet other sanctuaries provide rescue and rehabilitation for sick, injured or abused elephants.

The Elephant Spa

Now that our new pachyderm friends were fed, we had to take care of another need. We followed the elephants and their mahouts over to what I call The Elephant Spa, their bathing area. We were each given a coconut husk loofah and bucket of sudsy water with which to  scrub down our personal elephant. Then we rinsed them off, hosing them down gently with a garden hose, before they strolled over to the pool to “play” in the water even more. This feeding and bathing ritual is just a part of the daily care that they receive here.

tent accommodations

We had now worked up an appetite ourselves and returned to the camp to clean up for our own supper. We would be staying overnight and try to squeeze in one more activity in the morning.

Elephant Hills is a solid 3-star moderate camp with good basic tent accommodations and generous basic meals. It is a good value for what it provides. However, it is NOT the luxury tented camp experience  it advertises itself to be. Anyone who has traveled to an upscale or luxury camp in Asia or Africa will instantly know the difference. See my Kenya Tour/Day 9/Joy’s Camp next month for a comparison.

We’re taking a one day detour into the jungle before we continue south to the idyllic islands and beaches sprinkled in the Gulf of Siam and the Andaman Sea on either side of the Southern Peninsula.

Arriving by motorcoach at the Elephant Hills Tented Camp in Khao Sok National Park at midday, we had to head out immediately after lunch for a lazy river cruise. Both passengers in each piloted inflatable kayak were free to sit back and enjoy the leisurely float along the jungle waterways. The scenery was stunning with high limestone cliffs, cliff top caves and exotic wildlife. Our paddle guide pointed out plants and birds as we glided along.

 It felt a little strange to not be paddling and in essence, be chauffeured. The bulky life vests were a bit uncomfortable and unnecessary in the shallow water. But we complied with the request to don them for our own “safety” rather than kick up a fuss.  I could easily have waded to shore, if needed. I imagine it was more for their legal protection. I wasn’t interested in suing anyone because I toppled out of a boat in 2 feet of water.

my friends Helen & Ellen 

We did stop for a tea break at one point. A fire had already been lit in preparation at this predetermined spot and a kettle was standing ready. We were even offered packaged tea cakes.

After our return to the camp late that afternoon, we had the opportunity to serve “tea” to the resident elephants. Their Thai mahouts or handlers had brought them into the feeding area.  We had our work cut out for us. Our host, the camp director, demonstrated how large quantities of fruits and vegetables were to  be cut and separated into individual baskets by all of us.

We had to get up close and personal for the actual hand-feeding. These gentle giants gobbled up the entire snack but were definitely more fond of certain items. The cut stalks of sugar cane were heavily favored over the less sweet squash and pumpkin. Nature’s version of candy.