Above: Jessica Hellak, fourth from left, at the Chiang Mai Elephant Park
Having already travelled to Thailand a few times I’m well aware that the country has much more to offer than captivating beaches, cheap drinks and shopping for a bargain at the markets.
A lot of travellers will have their Thailand experience just like this, however I’m here to let you know that the Kingdom has way more to offer than you might expect.
When the opportunity arose from EVA Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for a week of adventure experiencing Northern Thailand and Bangkok I jumped at the chance to get firsthand experience of parts of the country I had yet to immerse myself in.
EVA Airways offered us seamless flights from Brisbane with minimal connection times, making it a breeze to transfer through Taipei Airport and arrive in to Chiang Mai.
The Boeing 787 was incredibly spacious and most importantly for me, all of our flights departed and landed on time.
The EVA Garden Lounge in Taipei is a little haven to relax and unwind while you wait for your next flight, not to mention the buffet of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, which is also a lovely little perk.
EVA Airways Brisbane team escorted our trip and played a huge part in making our time as unforgettable as it was. It’s such a reassuring feeling knowing that EVA Airways shows such strong support for travel agents.
One of the life altering experiences we were fortunate enough to take part in was an afternoon at Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park. Being able to see these gentle giants up close and in a natural habitat was just surreal.
We watched them “just be elephants” and the feeling of complete tranquillity watching them was something I will never forget. The nature park offers an ethical animal experience where you will get as up close to elephants as possible without actually touching them.
As travel advisors, we need to make sure we are sending the right message to our clients that riding, bathing or enclosing elephants is not natural to these animals and to support these type of nature parks where these giant animals can feel safe.
In all honesty, when I was told we were going to a Thai Cooking school I was a bit apprehensive. It’s safe to say Thai food isn’t my first choice.
However, I’m thrilled to say that after a day at the Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School I was downloading their cookbook and eager to try some of the recipes at home.
This tour will tickle every one of your Thai senses; from the morning at the market where you will purchase all of your locally grown ingredients, to the walk around the property where you sniff and taste all of their home-grown herbs and garnishes.
During our morning at the cooking school we created four traditional Thai dishes – Tom Kah coconut milk soup, green curry, pad Thai noodles and mango sticky rice.
The aromas that filled our outdoor cooking stations had my mouth watering. A truly cultural enriching experience that bought me closer to a newfound love of Thai food.
Our time in Bangkok was just like the city itself, a blurry whirlwind of fast paced cultural highlights and an excitement of colours. This bustling city makes you feel alive and creates a need to explore and seek out all the hidden treasure that this vibrant and chaotic metropolis has to offer.
Standing on the One Siam Skywalk and watching the organised chaos unfold around you is a pure travel joy to experience. The rush of honking, sirens, calls of the city below and scooters dodging/weaving through traffic is mesmerising and something you’ll only find in Bangkok.
TAT ensured that we really had the very best of everything and showcased the unrivalled beauty of their Kingdom.
From our local drivers in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, who never failed to pick us up and safely deliver us to our next exciting adventure, to our local guides whose enthusiasm and passion for their country was just contagious. They showered us with facts and local information to really enhance our experiences.
TAT also made sure that we never went hungry and spoilt us by highlighting different styles of local Thai cuisine, including a traditional dinner at Huen Pen Restaurant, a local riverside karaoke hangout called Sai Ping in Chiang Mai, and in Bangkok, Happy Fish at the Asiatique Riverfront open air mall, Chom Arun with a wonderful view of Wat Arun temple and a café nestled down a quiet lane in the Talat Noi district called Hong Sien Kong.
We lived the week in authentic Thai style and I can say with great confidence that Thailand has a special place in all our hearts. Kob Khun Kha.
