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Isaan Trip March 24, 2005 |
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Well, I just got back from my trip to Eastern
Thailand, and I must say after six days of being driven around in a bus
and doing quite a bit of activities, I'm wiped out entirely. I've been
there and back again,and had better write it all out while it's semi-fresh
in my mind. Day one: Our stops today weren't the best. The day began with a 4:00 to leave at 4:30 for a two hour drive back to Bangkok. At about 7:00 or so we set off. Our first stop was to Chokchai Farm. Chokchai Farm is the largest privately owned ranch in Thailand, and specialises in Dairy and Beef cattle. We arrived around 10:00 and for the next two hours toured the farm. We saw a horse show, a second show with assorted animals, went to a petting zoo and got into a water fight. One YE fromGermany fell into the fountain and got completely soaked! She was pretty cold when we went for lunch sincer the restaurant's ACs were on high. After Lunch we moved onto another farm, this one dealing with Silk Worms. We saw how the silk was made, saw the design process, everything. After that, we left for our hotel in the mountains. We got there about 4:30 and spent the rest of thevening swimming in the pool. Later, we all hung around at the top of the climbing wall. (Most of us were surprised the resort had one.) Troy, one of the Aussie YEs, brought his guitar up and began creating songs. The main one was the Germany Song. I can't remember the German lyrics, but the little verse he created translated to something along the lines of 'I have two pig sisters' or something like that. Everyone went to sleep pretty late. Day Two: Thjis was one of our chill out days. We hung about at the hotel, swimming a good part of the morning. Two YEs tried the climbing wall, one of them doing it in three minutes. He climbed it like a bloody monkey. Anyway, after lunch we visited the Village Farm Winery for a quick tour and Wine Tasting. Even though Rotary planned it, they tried to talk us out of it last moment. Didn't work. Afterwards, we headed to Ohaeng Ma Hill to see wild Bison. Sadly, we didn't see anything. The view was good at least. Day Three: This was the first really fun day. After checking out of our hotel, we headed to Kao Sow Dow National Park for a nature hike. The hike was 1 km or so, and we stopped at a slow moving river. Many of the YEs swam, but I sat out and got some good pictures. Our next stop was to Wat Kao Sukim, one of the largest and most respectful Wats (Buddhist Temples) in the East. It was monstrously huge, and I managed to come out of the visit with a string of Jade Prayer beads ^_^. Afterwards, we went to and checked into the hotel (The best one we stayed at) around 5:00 or so, hung around, then went swimmming for a few hours. That night it was up to the YEs to decide where we were to eat. We all chose Pizza Hut. Day Four: This day began with us visiting the largest Catholic church in Thailand. It was built in 1909 using the Gothic artitectual style. After our brief stop off at the church, we visited the Ao-Koong Kraben Research Center which studies Mangroves. Our short walk throught he Mangroves ended with me getting my hands on a few large sticks of sugar cane. Our third stop was to Kao Chamao National Park for another walking and swimming trek. THis time I did join in the swimming, but not until after I explored up and down river of where everyone else was swimming. What I saw up and down the river must be the land Buddha achieved enlightenment in. It was beautiful. After our Trek, we headed south towards our next hotel, located right on the seashore. It was a nice hotel, but the beach was a little dirty. We swam for the rest of the afternoon, and just about everyone went on the Banana boats. Day Five: Our second chill out day. The midmorning we visited an aquarium for a few hours, then went back to the hotel for a few hours of hanging on the beach. Most everyone went on the Banana Boats again. THough this was one of the most uneventful days, it was one of the best because it was so laid back. Day Six: THe final day of the trip. We left the hotel fairly early and headed to Nongnuch Garden, the most beautiful natural garden in the east. We saw a Thai Culture and Elephant show, had lunch, then headed onto the final place on the tour. It was called Mini Siam, and had miniatures of many different landmarks from Thailand and the rest of the world. Once we were done there, it was back to our meeting point in Bangkok, then to our seperate ways home. And that is all that went on over our six day trip. Some time next month, we have another trip, this time to Chiang Mai in the North. I'll report once more then! Later! |
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