When my sister-in-law mentioned she was organizing a trip to Thailand it didn't take me long to decide to be included. I have always been interested in seeing that part of the world but knew that it was not something that I would tackle by myself. I am comfortable traveling alone in Europe but not in Asia. Not because I don't think it is safe but just that I would be so far out of my depth re geography, language and culture.
Emma booked 14 of us, finding me a room mate in Amelia, also widowed, with G-Adventures (the tour group I used for the Inca Trail trip) and arranged all the transportation.
G-Adventures. Just as in the previous trip, I found them to be very efficient and organized. Our CEO (Chief Experiences Officer) was amazing. She always was one step ahead, preparing us for the next activity or the next days activities. When there were periods of time listed as "free time" she offered options, arranged tours and booked restaurants. She was unflaggingly cheerful, willing and full of knowledge.
Accommodation. Our hotels were always clean, comfortable and with amenities such as swimming pools, restaurants and often spa services.
Transportation. We used it all:
Planes - we flew in and out of 4 different airports. All were clean and efficient. We had to line up to check in a couple of times but security was always well staffed and fast. Luggage pick up always went well. We all had a couple of flights to get to Bangkok and we had 4 flights within Thailand - no lost luggage in any of that. So lucky!
Vans - most of the time we drove around Thailand in 2 vans, 7 in each. They were comfortable, often had water for us and we had room to spread out as most of them could have seated 10.
Tuk-tuks - there was only one instance in which we were scheduled to use a Tuk-tuk but many of us took the opportunity just for the experience. They were fun, though not particularly comfortable (made for small people) and you just had to close your eyes sometimes with the traffic. Bangkok and Chang Mai are both busy cities with a lot of traffic and motorcycles and scooters zipping in between the other vehicles.
Long tailed boats - we had a number of tours on the water which were great fun. They sit quite low in the water so can be a bit wet and if you are on one with an exposed engine they are quite loud.
Architecture - We saw everything from wood and corrugated iron shacks at the side of the road or waterway to massive ornate temples and palaces. Bangkok had some modern high office buildings and first class hotels but also crumbling buildings and slums (just like any city). For the most part everything was clean and un-littered.
Air Quality - for the first week we were in Bangkok and Chang Mai, 2 large cities. The air quality was awful. Flying out of both you could see the brown atmosphere that blanketed the areas. There were warnings to wear masks and not go out unless necessary. Our throats and eyes burned. There had been no rain or wind to clear the air.
The second week we were in Southern Thailand and not in cities, either out in the country or in coastal areas. The air was fine.
The people - that is what is staying with me the most, the people. They were busy, industrious people - working in the hotels and restaurants, setting up stalls at the side of the road, manning market stalls and souvenir shops, doling out street food, picking up street food on their way to work. They were also unfailingly friendly, helpful, kind and quick to smile. Just a couple of examples, there are more - when I was feeling too sick to go on one of the temple tours I stayed dozing in the bus. The bus driver and his assistant each came to check I was Ok and using google translate on their phones asked if I needed anything. A restaurant owner drove 3 of us back to our hotel rather than have us find a taxi.
Surprises - I was not expecting massages to be so cheap, so good and so different from a North American massage. I was not expecting the food to be so good and fresh and flavourful rather than hot/spicy. I was not expecting wine to be so expensive. I was not expecting the south to be so beautiful, the scenery was stunning.
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