Chiang Mai was my first experience in Southeast Asia, and one I will always remember for countless reasons. It’s the city where Katie surprised me with an early visit, forcing me to power through my jet lag. The city which was my home base after a week with the elephants at Elephant Nature Park. And,Continue reading “Escape of the Week: Chiang Mai, Thailand”
Category Archives: Blog
I’m not ready … and other excuses to stay put
Despite the threat of rain and the gray clouds hanging low to our heads, Katie and I have no problem dipping into the luxurious pool at Rachamankha on my first full day at the property. It’s east coast hot and humid. “What’s your plan?” Katie asks me as we cool our bodies in the water.Continue reading “I’m not ready … and other excuses to stay put”
Sexpats, expats and bathroom blowjobs
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> My foot taps to the beat of the band as I wait in the tiny outdoor area behind Interbar in Chiang Mai. It seems like I’ve been standing in front of this dingy little mirror and dirty sink for more than five minutes. I’m notContinue reading “Sexpats, expats and bathroom blowjobs”
Escape of the Week: Chiang Mai’s Wat Doi Suthep
It’s hard to look up at the slick stairs of Wat Doi Suthep, it’s raining so hard. I blink back the water and squint my eyes up, up, up, trying not to get distracted by the gorgeously tiled dragon at the base of the stairs. It’s a long way to the top. “Ready?” I ask,Continue reading “Escape of the Week: Chiang Mai’s Wat Doi Suthep”
Daily Wanderlust: Krakow, Poland
I thought I’d never make it to Krakow. Under the cover of night, I boarded a van which took me across the border into Hungary, dropping me off back in Budapest before the sun rose. Then, at 6 in the morning, I got on a bus to head to Krakow. It was 24 hours ofContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Krakow, Poland”
From hut to haute: checking in to the Rachamankha Hotel
The dirt embedded under my nails is thick. Despite having been “clean.” I guess, after a week at Elephant Nature Park as a volunteer with elephants, “clean” is relative. When the Elephant Nature Park van arrives to the Rachamankha Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel inside the old city of Chiang Mai, and I catch aContinue reading “From hut to haute: checking in to the Rachamankha Hotel”
Photo Essay: Life at Elephant Nature Park
For about one week, I was a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park. During that time, I did everything from shoveling poo to being blessed by a shaman to becoming part of the heard and spending time with elephants up-close, to singing “Que Sera, Sera” as they fell asleep. There were tears of joy and tearsContinue reading “Photo Essay: Life at Elephant Nature Park”
Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park
To say there are a lot of tears on the last day as volunteers at Elephant Nature Park is an understatement. At least as it relates to me. If there’s one thing I have noticed during my week as a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park is that I cry. A lot. More than most people.Continue reading “Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park”
Heartbreak and healing at Elephant Nature Park
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> Mae Sai Roong lays on the ground. She looks so little compared to the throngs of people around here — the Elephant Nature Park volunteers, the vets, the mahouts, Lek — all scrambling to make sure she doesn’t give up on life just yet. EveryContinue reading “Heartbreak and healing at Elephant Nature Park”
Que Sera Sera
“Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. The future is ours, you’ll see, que sera sera,” Lek sings softly to the baby elephant, Faa Mai, as she sits on the dirt between the animal’s front legs. I watch, silently, in awe. Lek singing to her is a beautiful moment between friends. To me, someoneContinue reading “Que Sera Sera”
D Travels 'Round 