Ain't no Sunset like a Laos Sunset

No words, right?

This photo was taken atop of Mount Phousi, which is a viewpoint in Luang Prabang where people gather to watch the sunrise or sunset over the Mekong River. 

I'd definitely advise to go around an hour or so before the sun rises or sets, as there are 355 steps zig-zagging 150 metres up to the top, and even for the fittest person, it gets a little tough! Especially as there are loads of tourists to weedle past or through. But with plenty of resting places along the way and the Wat Tham Phousi Shrine to admire at the halfway mark, it bodes well to take your time, drink plenty of water and don't forget to wear mossie repellent! 
There is also a small entry fee of 20,000 kip (roughly £2) and drinks and snacks are sold at the peak.

The Golden Wat Chomsi Temple is at the summit of Mount Phousi, where you can enjoy a full 360 degree panoramic view of Luang Prabang.

My photos and videos don't do the view justice, it's truly an impressive and beautiful sight to be seen in person. You can actually see the sun going down quite fast and creating these gorgeous colours in the sky reflecting in the river. 

Stace x

Chasing Waterfalls

In Luang Prabang, there are two beautiful Waterfalls on the outskirts of town that I highly recommend visiting should you get the chance;
Tad Sae and Kuang Si. 

Kuang Si

TAD SAE

The smaller of the two Falls, Tad Sae is located within a Forest, giving the impression the land is flooded by small rock pools of water, cascading over the limestones to the larger turquoise lagoon below. 

Visiting Tad Sae was part of a tailor made package from a local travel agent, where we cycled the rough dirt roads for roughly two hours through town to the Nam Khan River, which we then kayaked down towards the Falls. 

This activity as a whole cost us 400,000 kip each (which is roughly around £34), but the travel agencies offer various packages best suited to your tastes, plus you can always haggle for the best price. 

Ours included a personal tour guide, stop-off to Phannom village (which is famous for it's weaving and craft production), the kayak tour down the River to the falls, the entrance fee, lunch and kayak tour back to town. 

In total, the tour was roughly around 4-5 hours with a well spent afternoon taking a dip in the refreshing falls and of course, partaking in an instagram-worthy photoshoot!

KUANG SI

Kuang Si is the larger and more popular of the falls amongst the tourists and backpackers. 

As we visited Tad Sae first, we had planned on enquiring at the same travel agents for a trip here, but were lucky enough to encounter a local tour guide with a bus-like tuk-tuk who was taxi'ing tourists to the falls and back for a price.

This may sound slightly bizarre and unsafe, but backpacking in Asia is all about the haggling for a cheaper price, and the various random ways you can bag a tour or an activity just by taking an innocent stroll down the street. 

As I was haggling with the gentleman, I (for reasons unknown to myself) offered him a deal that if I could fill up the tuk-tuk bus of 8 people, he would take us for 200,000 kip each (£18), wait for us and bring us back.

So, myself, Roisin and a girl we met at the hostel over breakfast scurried across the street to the market to find willing, like-minded participants and preferably backpackers like ourselves. 

Luckily, we found another solo traveller and a group of 4 girls. BINGO!

It was almost as if the driver couldn't believe we succeeded in our challenge but he was happy to take us and I joked that he should pay us commission! It's always advised to establish a good relationship with the tour guide/driver/fixer as they are super knowledgeable about the area and trustworthy people just trying to make a living themselves. 

True to his word, he drove us to and from the falls where we basked in the absolute glory of the turquoise blue waters for a few hours in the 30 degree heat, and hiked to the top of the Waterfall in our flip-flops (side note- PACK TRAINERS if this is something you want to do!)

Which, you definitely should do, as there's a beautiful lagoon at the top covered by a roof of forest trees with slivers of sunlight creeping in to create the most gorgeous reflections of light on the water. 

There's also a pretty cool swing in the middle of the pool where of course we enjoyed another photoshoot for the 'gram. 

Both are definitely experiences not to be missed if ever in Luang Prabang. Both Falls are an exotic jungle paradise in their own right.

Stace x

Luang Prabang: First Impressions

So after a horrific, yet hilarious experience travelling, Roisin and I finally made it to Kouansavan Guesthouse in Luang Prabang, Laos. 

After purchasing a bus ticket from a travel agent in Chiang Rai last night, who told us we'd be picked up this morning from our hostel at 6am to be driven to the border at Chiang Khong: Correct...

She then said we'd be processed through the border and get our visas sorted: Also correct...

She then said we'd be taken to their sister bus company in Laos who would take us to the bus station for the bus to Luang Prabang: Again correct.

But what she refused to disclose was that we were the only two people getting the bus, (as the more popular option was the 2 day slow boat journey), and that we would be waiting 5 HOURS for the bus at a rickety old bus station with holes in the ground for toilets, a newsagent selling only crisps and water and a small cafe with limited and rather dodgy looking food options. We obv weren't expecting luxury but overtired and hangry, it was a long time to wait in the sweltering hot sun with not much to do except try to plan ahead for our time in the Country. 

Eventually we boarded the bus where it had about 16 bunk beds and reminded me slightly of the Harry Potter Knight Bus. At first it was fine, watching the sunset over the mountain terrain was beautiful, until it got dark, the aircon was freezing, I couldn't get comfortable as my 38inch legs didn't fit on properly and I desperately needed to pee. 

A whole 14 hours later at 5am we arrived in Luang Prabang and luckily, I wasn't asleep as the driver announced our destination so quietly. 
Knackered and grumpy, we gathered our belongings and haggled with a tuktuk to take us and another couple to our separate hostels. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we witness the Monks Tak Bat Procession, which is the time in the morning where the Buddhist Monks collect food from offerings outside homes. They walk in single file (oldest first) carrying their "alms" bowl. 
People wait for them, often kneeling, and place food, flowers or incense sticks in the bowls. This is a morning tradition for Lay people, which we soon found out from people at the Hostel. In hindsight I wished I'd taken some photos or appreciated it more at the time, as we never got the chance to see it again, but I do have the blurry memory through tired eyes.

Our Hostel has small dorm rooms, a pool, one communal area inside and outside but a good price for the little town. 
We're sharing a room with 2 Irish girls who are on their last leg of Asia, so we've buddied up together and bless them- they've already made us a list of places to go, things to do or avoid. All that they've learned from their travels based on their experiences, which is good for us as we're fairly new to Asia. 
They're also AMAZING at bargaining with vendors at the markets, which is something I want them to definitely teach us before we part ways!

ACCOM: Kouansavan Guest House
ATTRACTIONS: Tak Bat Monks Morning Ritual
VENUES: Night Market

Stace x

Charging through Chiang Rai

Yesterday, we took a day trip from Chiang Mai through Chiang Rai, working our way up and over to Laos. 

Chiang Rai is the most Northerly point of Thailand, and it was not what we expected, to say the least.

Through word-of-mouth from other backpackers, we heard it was easier to book day trips through local travel agents as most come in a package-type deal and they have various options and ways of combining experiences one might want to partake in. Plus, there is always a way to haggle with the price. 
So, we visited one of these travel agents in Chiang Mai and explained we wanted to work our way up to Laos and she suggested travelling through Chiang Rai, spending the night there before heading to Chiang Khong (the border), early next morning to cross into Laos. 
Great! We thought. Makes perfect sense and we might get to see some cool sights on the way there.
Sights we did see... "Cool"...? Well, The White Temple was pretty epic to be honest, but that was pretty much it.

We essentially paid the equivalent of £19 to see the White Temple, the "Hot Springs", the "Golden Triangle" and visit the Karen Tribe (where the girls wear gold rings around their necks to stretch them out and make them appear less attractive to other tribes). 
The travel agent lady made it all seem fantastic, so we trusted her opinion. After all, she was local from Chiang Rai herself. 

The mini bus picked us up early doors and we were the last ones on, so we were pushed up the back of the bus accompanying our bags, as we were the only ones being dropped off in Chiang Rai at the end of the day. Turns out we were also the only people from the UK, which didn't help when Roisin accidentally chucked her phone straight down the bus on the floor when the driver slammed on the brakes. Language barriers are tricky when trying to explain to people that her phone is somewhere on the floor at the front of the bus having being thrust out of her hand by the jolt of the brake, while laughing hysterically at herself and her misfortune. 
(SIDENOTE: Roisin loses things. A lot.)

She eventually got it back after two Spanish boys passed to back to us, also hysterically laughing, most likely at our expense, which made it more fun trying to talk to each other in broken English the whole trip. 
I felt we spent more time on this bus than off it, and when we did get off at the stops, there was a further entry fee to each place.

The First stop? The Hot springs. Or just spring, (singular) was a rather pathetic looking puddle gated off, surrounded by market stalls and cafes. We were expecting a natural pool to swim in or something, so we exchanged looks and immediately regretted packing our two piece! 
Here for around 20 mins, we departed for the White Temple, which really was a highlight. 

It's a gorgeous, pristine white building so intricately detailed, (both inside and out), surrounded by a calm lake reflecting the beautiful exterior like a mysterious castle from an Asian Fairytale. The bridge leading up to the temple is meant to represent the cycle of rebirth in the teachings of the Buddha, and has many hand sculptures reaching out from below to symbolize desire. These and other head sculptures hanging from some of the trees reminded me of the David Bowie 'Labyrinth' film in all it's weird and wonderful glory. 
Inside the main building were paintings of modern celebrities or film characters on the walls including Batman and Elvis Presley. A very modern take on the Buddhism religion and very impressive!

Next stop was the "Golden Triangle", which was just a bit of land, to be honest. It's an isosceles triangle of land overlapping Laos, Myanmar and Thailand; where the three Countries meet. There was a boat ride offered at an extra price to go see the land but, as we could see it from the shore, Roisin and I decided to grab an iced coffee instead and make plans for Laos. 
It was also from here on we decided to speak to travel agents, do our own research and then decide whether to go ahead or not with excursions. We wanted to make sure they were worth the time and money during our trip. 

Visiting the Karen tribe was very interesting in learning about the way the people live and their beliefs. Little girls are made to wear a golden ring around their necks at 5 years old. Over the years, these rings are added to, given the appearance of lengthening and strengthening their necks. This is to make them look more attractive to their own tribal men (as women's necks are more slender than men's) and less attractive to other tribe's. It's also believed the rings give the Women a resemblance to the Dragon, which is a popular emblem in their folklore. 

After this, we were dropped off in Chiang Rai town centre, with no idea how to get to our hostel, which we found eventually. I felt the whole tour was pretty rushed and unorganised and not really worth what we paid. 
However, lessons have been learned to put our own research into visits and excursions and to haggle the hell out of the agent!! 

Our Hostel is really nice and quiet, which is just what we felt we needed after a long day on the road! We got pizza and an AMAZING massage from a little shop along the main street. I could really get used to £3 hour massages every week! 


ACCOM: Mercy Hostel, Chiang Rai
ATTRACTIONS: White Temple
                       Hot Spring(s)
                       Golden Triangle
VENUES: Hungry Wolf's Steak & Ale House

Stace x

Thai: Learning the lingo

When travelling or backpacking around a new Country, I always find it helpful to learn the lingo, however basic. 

It shows the people a willingness for tourists to learn their language and culture and helps to create and establish relationships or friendships that could lead to further understanding of that Country and the ways of life.
Word of mouth and communication is often much more powerful and fruitful than reading articles from magazines or looking things up online. 
Which is what I found learning about Thai culture and language basics from the staff at the ENP...

LANGUAGE BASICS


Sa wa Dee* - Hello               
Khob Khun - Thank you
Fob gun mai - See you later!
Lab fun de - Sweet Dreams
Ra tree sa wad - Goodnight

(*After every sentence, end with 'Kah' (if female) and 'Krab' (if male), e.g., I would say: Khob Khun Kah))

Ka - Yes
Ma Chai - No
Khan - You

Sa buy de mai? - How are you?
Sa buy de - I'm fine
Yin de - You're welcome
Mai pen rai - No Problem / Never Mind

Khun cheu arai? - What is your name?
Chan (F) / Pom (M) cheu - My name is _____
Chan (F) / Pom (M) rak khun - I love you

Tao rai? - How much?
Lod da mai? - Can I have a discount?
Hong naam yoo tree nai? - Where is the bathroom?

THAI CULTURE BASICS

Women

- Must not show shoulders, knees or above clothing-wise.
This is considered as inappropriate. Only sacred for husband. (As Eak would tell all the girls on camp, "No bikini - No sexy!")
- A family dowry still exists if a man wishes to marry them. 


People

- Must not hold hands or kiss in public.
- Considered inappropriate to touch someone on the head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body. 
- Not uncommon for people to give nicknames to each other, and surnames are rarely used on a daily basis and more so just for formal documentation.
- King Bhumibol recently passed away (13th October 2016) and the people have taken to wearing black ribbons and clothing out of respect for the King. 
- Gifts are not opened when received, and try not to give Thai people Marigolds, Carnations or wrap the gift in blue, black or green paper, as these are associated with funerals. 


Food

- Always leave a little bit of food left on the plate to show you are full. If you finish everything, it implies you are still hungry.
- The usual eating utentsils are a fork and spoon, but mainly chopsticks are used for noodle based dishes. 
- Never take the last bite from the serving bowl.
- Do not lick your fingers.
- Sticky rice (A Thai delicacy) is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand. (But make sure you have a something to wipe off the excess so as not to lick your fingers after!)


Religion

- Mainly Buddhism but Islam religion is the largest minority.
- Must NOT buy Buddha statues for home or jewellery. Sign of disrespect to the Religion.
- Small shrines can be found in Gardens, outside shops or along streets to offer things like food or drink to Buddha. Can then be taken home and used again, as now considered to be lucky. 
- Monks not allowed to be left alone with a single woman, however, are allowed to marry. Only some can have just one meal per day. Food can be offered to them by the public on the streets. 
- Shoes are removed before entering someone's home or religious buildings. 
- Try to step over the threshold and not on it (ancient custom). 
- When greeting, bowing or saying thank you, it's appropriate to clasp hands in prayer position, addressing the person differently according to your relationship with them, e.g., the thumbs of the hands must be at the;

   - Mouth = Teacher
   - Nose = Friends / Friends parents
   - Chin = Family
   - Head = Monk / Someone of higher stance than you

This is called "wai-ing". 

Stace x

My Elephant Nature Park (ENP) Experience

On November 14th, Roisin and I arrived at the Elephant Nature Park in the Mae Taeng District (just outside Chiang Mai) in Thailand to volunteer working with Elephants for a week.
We knew we wanted to volunteer on our trip somehow, and as we'd previously worked alot with children and communities between us, we thought we'd try working with animals this time round, and boy did we have our work cut out for us!
From preparing the animals food, to enclosure clean up in the sweltering heat of the Asian Sun it was hard work, but definitely worthwhile and we would 100% recommend volunteering for such an amazing animal welfare project.

DAY 1

On arrival, we met Eak- our coordinator, who is so happy, helpful and eager for everyone to have fun on the experience. Keen to answers any questions (however silly they may seem) and absolutely cracks me up!  
Our whole volunteer group for the week is MASSIVE, so we split into 4 groups of about 20 to manage various jobs that need doing around camp. Ours is Group B (or the GROUP B MAFIA, as we were soon to name ourselves. Not for reasons of violence, but because we used to play the game, "Mafia" every night for funsies). 
Eak gave us the grand tour, and the space is HUGE! Suppose, it would have to be as they host a few heards of Elephants and staff, as well as the Dog sanctuary they have on sight too, which we're also allowed to volunteer for!
The Elephants are free to roam but each animal has a dedicated "mahoot" to care for them. All of the Elephants have been rescued (and paid for) with each volunteer fees) from abusers, trekking companies, illegal forced breeding programs, logging, street performances and circuses. Some have both physical and mental issues being treated for at the camp. I had absolutely no idea how awful these beautiful and intelligent creatures are being treated all over the World until I arrived here. In Asia, Elephants often go through the phase of having their "spirit broken", going through traditional rituals by Asian owners such as being chained up or walled in, being poked and prodded with hooked sticks, piercing holes in their skin with needles just to bend their will to their masters. 

Thankfully, this sanctuary (and others like it) exists and are trying to rescue as many Elephants as possible with the help of volunteers like us. 
It's really eye-opening just being here and learning each Elephants individual story from the staff and superhero founder, Lek Chailert. 

One Elephant has a leg injury after stepping on a landmine, another was rather unpredictable around humans after being so horrifically abused by a group of men forcing her to work on the streets for tourists, she even put her mahoot into hospital after throwing rocks and kicking him upon arrival at the park. A rather upsetting beginning to a story which has a happier ending, having myself and the rest of the volunteers actual in tears when Lek told us how...
This female Elephant, Faa-Sai was so angry and scared, she was causing mayhem around the park when a longer resident male elephant came up to her, placed his head calmly on hers and spoke to her, presumably assuring her she was safe here. 
Cue tears. It's okay, you can go ahead.
And you better believe Elephants can talk to each other, because trust me, I've seen and heard it already!
I don't and will never understand why anyone would wish to hurt these magnificent animals, but sadly it's still an ongoing problem in Asia. 

DAY 2

So I've just had the most terrifying shower of my life, but was even worse for Roisin who shared hers with an actual TARANTULA!!!!!
Now, for all that know me, I am shit scared of spiders. Of all shapes and sizes and unfortunately, the shower facilities here are covered in the wee buggers. Of all shapes and sizes. 
After psyching myself up and showering as fast as I possibly could, after hearing Roisin scream in the cubicle next to me I just ran out. Bollock naked. My nerves couldn't take her screams of terror, but when she started to nervously laugh at the current situation, I scarcely tiptoed back in, rinsed the remaining suds out of my hair, whipped my towel round me and ran back to the safety of our room to dry off. 
NOPE! I thought. I'd rather bathe with the Elephants thanks. 
I didn't feel very clean, but after all, we were in the middle of the Jungle and I had just shared my morning shower with about nine 8-legged beasties! 
*Shudders at the thought*

Apart from this our digs are pretty decent. 
We have a room to ourselves with hanging mosquito nets over our single beds like princesses. (Side note- it's a treat when backpacking to have a detached single bed without someone above or below you ala bunk beds.) 
Everyone has breakfast at 7am and projects start at 8am. 
It's all vegetarian food served here with fresh coffee and juice. Meals are initiated with the shrill sound of a bell and served buffet-style on the terrace, looking out onto the fields where the Elephants parade begins and the sun rises over the mountain in the distance. Every morning is like a postcard.
It is a little chilly first thing in the morning, but by midday the sweat literally drips off your skin, more so with the heavy lifting jobs round camp. 
Such jobs include:

- Unloading and stocking fruit deliveries
- Cleaning out enclosures and shovelling Elephant shit 
- Gathering driftwood 
- Cutting corn
- Bathing Elephants
- Feeding Elephants

It's not all work though. It's such an experience spending time with and watching these animals overcome their physical and mental disabilities, meeting some great like-minded people and getting to walk and play with some cute doggies too! 

                   



DAY 3

It's ma burfdaaaay, it's ma burfdaaaayy!
And it is sooooo weird being halfway across the Globe and not waking up to a card and a cuddle from my fam, but instead waking up to the sound of Elephants and stepping outside into the Tropical Thailand Jungle and not a frozen concrete driveway in Scotland. 

Today the Group B Mafia cut and harvested corn in a field about a half hours drive away from camp. 
Riding in the back of an open top truck (which ever-so-slightly resembles a cage) with about 15 other people felt like the beginning of a Taken movie. We definitely all become fast friends after this experience! 
It was sickly hot and hard work in the sun, yet oddly satisfying, as we cut down corn plants, tied them into neat piles and flung them into the Taken truck. 
We ate lunch in the shade and shared stories about the places we've travelled or want to travel. We shared weird Thai cookies as well as tips and tricks about travel supplies and budgeting. 
En route back to camp, we all had to sit, lie and awkwardly stand atop the cut corn plants and pray we didn't fall over the side on the bumpy ride home!

After dinner, the staff usually host an evening activity, and tonight was a lesson in Thai culture, which was super interesting. We learned words, phrases and songs (which I will type up if I get the chance). 
As we learned an Elephant song in Thai, Mix (one of the other coordinators) said there was another song we could sing- one that we all knew the words to already...
It was when the lights went out and the first chords to the familiar, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" song started I knew what was happening!

Roisin had told the staff it was my birthday earlier and asked if we could do something special for me tonight, which they did. The Kitchen ladies made me a cake, presented to me during the 50-odd volunteers singing to me in different keys and languages. 
Awks.
I don't blush or get embarrassed easily, but I hate being the centre of attention! However, being so far away from home and the familiar on my birthday, it was nice and comforting. I really have the best friend a girl could ask for in Roisin!
After my serenade, the Group B Mafia destroyed the cake over beers and games on the deck. What a strange but wonderful birthday. 

Bring it on 26! Lets see what you have in store...

DAY 6

I NEED A BURGER in my life!!!
I'm going crazy. 
I thought I could live this Veggie life for a week but I miss meat. I miss Chicken. I miss bacon.
*drools at thought of bacon*
Rami (a fellow volunteer) is American. 
Rami likes burgers.
Rami is driving everyone insane the past few days talking about burgers now everyone is craving one.

In other news, Roisin woke up this morning complaining of swimmers ear. (And she is a swimmer, so if anyone would know, she would), but "we haven't been swimming", I stated. 
And you know that 'don't-start-me' look that best friends give you sometimes? Yeh - that! So I backed off. It was making her grumpy. And basically, with a grumpy Roisin there's only one cure: you have to feed her. 
After breakfast and during our morning project she was isolating herself. Thoryn (a fellow Group B Mafia member) asked if she was okay, as she was ignoring him. 
So I tackled the situation while we were changing in our room after lunch to prepare for bathing the elephants. 
"You okay, hun?"
Nothing.
"Babe... you awrite?"
Nothing...
"ROISIN- WITS UP HEN?" Physically grabbing her by the shoulders.

Turns out she legit couldn't hear me, or anyone else because of her "swimmers ear", which she was now fearing could be a silicone ear plug lodged in her ear. 
Fuck.
So, to the staff we went and asked if they had someone on sight to take a look and enquired where the nearest A&E was. Turns out yes- they could have the onsite VET to take a look (which I LOL'd at, and many "Roisin's an animal" jokes were made) and the nearest hospital was an hours drive away. 
The Vet had a look but ddn't have any, erm... "human" tools, so the staff were so kind to drive us to the International Hospital free of charge.
Bless.

We were very impressed with the Hospital and how expat patients were handled. We ofcourse had purchased travel insurance but thought it was easier in the long run to see the Doctor, pay for the bills ourselves (an emergency credit card helps out a LOT n these types of situations!) and claim the money back with receipts as evidence. 

The Doctor recovered a small piece of Ro's silicone earplug from the ear in question, then  proceeded to pull out an even bigger piece from the other ear upon insisting she take a look inside, just incase! So glad she did or that coulda been in there forever, knowing Roisin! Safe to say, the silicone ear plugs were binned and foam ones were purchased on the way back home from 7/11: the best tourist-friendly supermarket chain in all of SE Asia! 
Also purchased from the holy air-conditioned grail shop, was a chicken burger and hamburger from the deli section.  
Which we ofcourse snapchatted and sent to Rami on route home!
(SORRY DUDE!)

DAY 7


Our time at the ENP has sadly come to an end :(

It has been one of the most incredible experiences I've had and cannot recommend it enough to anyone who's thinking about taking part, donating or volunteering. 
Elephants are such amazing animals who belong in the wild and do not deserve to be used and abused for our entertainment or as slaves for farming or trekking. 

We watched a documentary on Elephant abuse and listened to a presentation from Lek, who is such an inspiring woman. She is so strong-willed, passionate and determined to put an end to the cruelty Elephants receive on a daily basis Worldwide. 
Each Elephant at the park has been rescued by Lek, who often had to fight for the release of each one with words or money and her strength and courage to do so inspires me greatly. 

So, despite the scary spiders lurking in the showers, going veggie for a week and a quick dash to Hospital, it's been an unforgettable and awesome week! 
It's also sad splitting from the Group B Mafia, as we're only just getting to properly know one another, but we've all made plans to try cross paths with one another on future travels... including tonight, at a burger joint carefully chosen by Rami!
One last supper for the Mafia, then it's onto Chaing Rai for us followed by Laos.

ACCOM: Elephant Nature Park
VENUES: Rock me burger

Stace x

Chillin' in Chiang Mai

#PreviousPostUpdate 
OMG MY PHONE WAS HANDED IN!!!!
*I'd actually dropped it outside the Hostel and it was handed into Reception by another traveller yesterday. Luckily we were waiting in reception earlier to leave for the airport when the staff member enquired whether it was my phone!
I guess praying in the Grand Palace worked! Not only did I pray just for it's safe return, but for the safe travels for myself and Roisin. 

But we have arrived in Chiang Mai for a few days and so far, so good...

We travelled by air from Bangkok, which took roughly about an hour and 10 mins, and it's really beautiful.
It has a much more laid back and chilled vibe compared to the City. After the hustle and bustle of being tourists over a busy 5 days, it's nice just to kick back and go with the flow for a bit before we start our volunteer project on Monday at the ENP (Elephant Nature Park) just outside of town. 
After a deliberation of what type of volunteer work to do while away on this trip, we booked this project through STA a few months ago with brilliant recommendations from people who'd visited or volunteered previously. 
We will get to work with and for rescued Elephants in their jungle sanctuary for a week. 
Both animal lovers, we're really excited!

As for now, we're strolling along the dreamy little side streets with cute,cosy, candlelit bars with wooden shabby chic furniture playing soft, live jazz music.
It's so pretty here. Fairylights strung up around bar and cafe signs and little hanging flower pots from the roofs. 
We had a few cocktails earlier on a rooftop bar, where we spotted the busy Market down below, selling a variety of beautiful trinkets and clothing for a cheap price (and cheaper if you learn how to haggle). 
We're not very good... yet. But there's room for improvement!

I bought stereotypical Elephant print hippy-style trousers and I am sooooo coming back for little fairylight bulbs. I have decided when I buy a house, I'm coming to Chiang Mai Markets with an empty suitcase to fill my home with one-of-a-kind items.
Roisin just wants to learn how to make Roti: Like a delicious fried flat bread stuffed with sweet things like Nutella or Vanilla.
It's honestly more amazing than I just made it sound, I promise. 



ACCOM:  So! Hostel
VENUES: Oasis, Rooftop Garden Bar
              Night Market Bazaar
              The Corner, Restaurant

Stace x

Dude, where's my phone?

So. In "Classic Stacey" fashion, I've only went and lost my phone on day 3 of our trip.

It all started one fateful night on Koh San Road, Bankok...
(Which, by the by, is absolutely positively 100% MENTAL!!!!)

Roisin and I headed out to the infamous street around 9pm last night, thinking we'll have a late dinner, maybe some drinks, when we bumped (literally BUMPED) into 3 excitable Danish guys who suggested we all head into the nearest bar for a Chang (local beer). 
Roisin and I exchanged one of those best-friend-physic-looks, which meant, we really should get dinner and explore ourselves, but it might be fun to start talking to other travellers and maybe pick up a few helpful tips or tricks...


With the gift of hindsight, I'll give you a few now:

1) Don't start drinking on an empty stomach.
2) Don't try to outdrink a 6'8 Danish guy.
3) Don't invite Danish guys back to your hostel who don't live in the hostel. They will be arrested. Literally...
4) all of the above results in losing a personal item, aka, my beloved iphone 6s. 

                    

So. Over a few pitchers of Chang (and buckets. Dear God- the BUCKETS!), some laughing gas, and (courtesy of the classic truth-or-dare) we made a few new travel pals that night. The bar shut earlier than usual, as unfortunately the Thai King had passed away the month before we arrived and out of respect a lot of establishments were closing earlier, or turned the music lower etc. 
We all decided it would be a fantastic idea to get pad thai from a street vendor then invite everyone back to our hostel to continue the party. 

We managed to fit 5 of us in a 2-person tuk-tuk, (see! No rules!), a memory which my snapchat story reminded us that one of the boys was literally hanging out the side the whole way home.

After that, it gets fuzzy. I remember the wee lady from the hostel shouting at the boys in broken English, threatening to call the police. But I'm pretty sure the P word made me dart straight into bed and pretend I had been asleep the whole time, and where I eventually did pass out completely and wake up 6 hours later, rough as. 

Roisin and I laughed about the previous night's events for about a whole minute before I went to my bumbag to reach for my phone, like the true millennial I am, when I realised it wasn't there. 
It wasn't under my pillow.
Or in my bra.
Or pockets.
Where the F**K was it?!!?!??!

I never lose anything, ever ever!! I kept repeating to myself as I scrambled around the bed and the room. In and out of my bags and locker trying to find it. I hunted in the bathroom and reception with no joy.
It was gone. 
In Thailand.
On Day 3.

Which brings us here. Roisin trying to comfort me as I reluctantly email my mother from across the Globe to block my sim card, as it's cheaper and easier to do this from the UK. 
Day 3, Stace. Day 3 of independence and I have to call on my mum for help already. I'm an embarrassment. 
Which brings us to the Danish boys. Who had to bribe themselves out of jail at 6am this morning!
Oops.

Well, at least we have stories already!

I bought myself a cheapy iphone 5 in the meantime from a stall in MBK shopping mall. Which is this MASSIVE shopping centre and a haven for cheap electricals like second hand phones, tablets and laptops. 
Also, their food court is INSANE! 

Anyways... RIP Phone. God speed in Bangkok!



ACCOM:           Lub D Hostel
ATTRACTIONS: Patpong Night Market
                       Calypso Ladyboy Show
                       MBK Shopping Mall
VENUES:          Silom Village Restaurant

Stace x