Forest Learning station Sukhaphiban 2 Bangkok

Jan 4, 2018

I knew this place from the internet and the photos attractive me. I noted information, address, time and also how to get there. I chose the most convenient way which was BTS sky train. We took BTS sky train at National Stadium after visited Jim Thomson house, get off at Phayathai and took the Airport link sky train to Bantubchang station and took a taxi.

I did not recognize the area where we got off the Airport link at first but after awhile on the taxi, I remembered. When I was a sale person, I used this direction to the client companies all the time.

It was my first time traveled by Airport link, so I had no idea where we were, then we walked down to the street and found our way to the main street. It was an inside lane which not many chances to get a taxi because no taxi comes if no passenger hiring to the area. Eventually, there was a taxi turn in the street while we were walking. Yeah!, I was really sure that the taxi will come to us and YES!

I told the driver the destination we wanted to go but he did not know it. He asked me, what the place looked like but I had no idea and told him that I never been there. I also asked him to look on the internet. Finally, we got there by google maps from his cell phone.

The place did not easy to be noticed just the sign so we passed over and turn into the village where next to it. The taxi driver asked the village security for the place. It was next to the village just turn back a little.

No entrance fee, just sign in visiting book. This place is a forest learning center. We watched an introduction documentary before walked inside, walked on the bridge through the observation tower and walked in round follow the garden way to the exit.

It is good to have a small forest in town, trees and a water-fall (artificial) give fresh air and relax.

A day at Elephant Nature Park Chiangmai

Dec 26, 2017  click to see album

"This is a must do when visiting Thailand. It was a great experience."

It was my second time spending time with elephants like this in Chiangmai but I do not remember if the same place. I was there 12 years ago.

I reserved a daycare for elephant online before we came to Thailand because their calendar was fully booked. We were lucky to get the day we wanted.  The requirement was the location of hotels where the company provided picking up, if not we must go to the office in Town by ourselves. Everything must confirm online before our trip such as partial payment, hotel address and we received a confirmation number.

The van picked up us at the hotel between 7:30 and 8 in the morning. It took about 2 hours to get there. Please look at the video to see what were we doing a whole day with elephants. 

They are huge but very kind and friendly.

Here is the Sanctuary, rescued elephants which hurt from people. I saw a couple of them have broken feet and blind.  In the Sanctuary does not ride the elephants and does not use hooks with them. They stay free as natural.

I learned new info from the documentary video showing in the van along our way. That was sad such as the elephant draws picture does not because of its talent but forcing to do by hurting. The elephants on the show had struggled time on training, and etc.

The cost is not low to be with them but when think about helping them to get better lives that worth to pay. Even though, voluntary people must pay to be there, a lot of people happy to pay and be with them, help them.

Not only elephants here but also buffaloes, cows, pigs and rescued dogs from flooded. I am sure, they need a lot of money for the association.

สัตวแพทย์ต่างชาติกำลังตรวจเท้าช้างที่ได้รับบาดเจ็บ
Veterinary was checking the elephant's injured foot

Lunch at Out Back Steak

 Bread and butter serve first as welcome

Deep fry mush room with ranch dipping sauce. I really like this dish.

Salmon Bourbon Bacon with veggetables, my dish. I ate all.

Steak and Lobster tail with brocolli-cheese, mister's dish. He ate all too.

I took photos before left for lunch.

It was funny when I saw this picture. I just used the new camera timing the first time.
I did not know how to set the time yet so I picked the time too fast which I could not run on time.

Nangkhoi cave Phrae

Dec 28, 2017 click to see album

We stopped at Nangkhoi cave while waiting for my brother who was in the examination room at the University to join our trip to Sukhothai. We were in Phrae.

We did a short hiking to the cave. There was a big stone contain the history of this place in Thai. Sorry, I do not remember all so I suggest, if you interested to know then search for it. I am not a good guide, haha. 

On the day we were, not many tourists, only our group and another. It was because this place is not popular or too early, I do not know. However, I like that way as we no need to rush or race with others to get in the cave.

We met a lady who was raking the leaves along the trail. She told us that no need to walk back to the entrance when we got in the cave. There was the sign presented at the end told tourists to walk back to the entrance but I believed the lady. We walk out the cave at the end way and found a hut and a woman. I asked her if we could walk down to the parking and YES.