Kuang Si Waterfall
About 36 km southwest of Luang Prabang is a well-known waterfall called Kuang Si. We had read about the falls, and virtually everyone we met asked if we had gone or were going – usually raving about how nice it … Read More
Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at our guesthouse, just across the river from downtown, we were greeted by an exceptionally hospitable and friendly staff, bearing huge glasses of freshly squeezed fruit juice. That’s as good a way as any to ensure our happiness, … Read More
Rollin’ on the River
After researching our options for traveling to Luang Prabang, Laos, we finally settled on the slow boat. Spending two days floating down the Mekong River in a large, wooden ferry has long been a staple of the backpackers’ journey through … Read More
Fast Facts: Thailand
WHAT WE DID: Traveled for 30 days (under a visa exemption for U.S. citizens) Our basic itinerary: Bangkok (3 days) Khao Yai National Park (2 days) Bangkok (2 days, needed to catch overnight bus to Koh Lanta) Koh Lanta (4 … Read More
Penny & Me
The penny makes a long fight to Asia, and continues its journey through Thailand:
Chiang Rai
Our last stop in Thailand before heading across the border to Laos was in the far northern city of Chiang Rai. About 3 hours north of Chiang Mai, we decided to spend a day touring a couple of the well-known … Read More
Elephant Nature Park: Part II
Stephan and I excitedly dedicated a week of our Thailand adventure to volunteering at Elephant Nature Park. While I anticipated a really unique and special experience, I was completely unprepared for the emotional journey I was about to be embarking … Read More
Elephant Nature Park: Part I
Tucked away in the lush, forested highlands of northern Thailand is a sanctuary that its founder lovingly refers to as ‘elephant heaven.’ Situated about 40 miles north of Chiang Mai, the 250-acre Elephant Nature Park is a true haven for … Read More
Birders’ Digest – Vol. 6
Though we probably saw fewer colorful birds than we expected throughout Thailand, this was partly due to the intense heat and drought we were experiencing, which often drove the birds into deeper foliage. The one dedicated bird trip we did … Read More
Doi Inthanon National Park
We were beginning to discover that the national parks in Thailand were surprisingly difficult to visit independently. For one thing, traveling to the parks was often a multi-hour journey on aging roads that were frequently unmarked, and what signage existed … Read More
