Wednesday, May 20, 2009

nine things I'm definitely going to do in Thailand

I'm very excited about my upcoming (August!) trip to Thailand. I'm planning to spend a week in Phuket, and 6-8 days traveling before and after that. If you've been there, please make suggestions.

scuba diving in Phuket

Monk Chat (I have a lot of questions) at Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai

thai massage

kayaking in Ao Phang Nga

staying at this mushroom farm in Pha Deng

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai
renting a motorbike in Chiang Mai and driving to the hot springs at San Kamphaeng

hiking in the north

lying on the beach

17 comments:

a said...

Hi! I saw your link in one of Curtains videos. Nice blog!

I've been to Thailand. I definitely recommend seeing a Buddhist temple or two (a few are pretty cool locations, such as caves, etc).

Also, if you rent a motorbike be very careful! It can be dangerous otherwise, believe me!

Anonymous said...

That Thai massage thing looks downright naughty.

ATH2044 said...

There's a place right outside Boston where they do that Thai massage fully naked. It's probably a little less expensive in Thailand though.

Anonymous said...

Where? Not my house. :)

Anonymous said...

When in Phuket, hire a driver for a day and take the car north to where the island is connected to the mainland. Just over the border is great rainforest and you can also see remnants of the incredible destructive force of the tsunami - in particular a massive ship left stranded a mile inland.

Anonymous said...

I remember when I used to have vacations.

*sighs wistfully*

Leon Akpalu said...

Hi, Elizabeth

You seem to be interested in spending a lot of time in the Chiang Mai area. I have some fungal friends/acquaintances who run a mycological research facility there, and they've also fixed it up as a place to stay: http://www.mushroomresort.com/resort.php.

They've got their own fish pond and many other amenities, they work a lot with the local people, and it might be a nice base of operations.

I realize that "research station" is not the first thing associates with "vacation" but it might work out for you.

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth: When, on ICC, you semi-randomly asked a (male) friend to accompany you on this trip--does that mean this is a romantic getaway? Or just two pals tramping through paradise?

Elizabeth Vicary said...

Leon-- that sounds fantastic, thank you so much!

also big thanks to Greg and anon 10:10

anon 7:50 I don't really know. I don't really know him that well. I asked him because he was making funny kibitzs on icc.


I won my game tonight!

Anonymous said...

May all your tramping, all your days, be through paradise, my child.

Anonymous said...

One more thing - eat some real Thai food and let us know how it compares to what is served in the US.

Unknown said...

Wow Elizabeth, you are going to do all of that on your holiday? I feel exhausted reading about what you are planning to do! :) Have a great time, I hope the weather is wonderful for you!

Anonymous said...

The girls in the Thai Massage picture is now pregnant. Guess why by looking at the picture.

Sister said...

Can I come? :)

Elizabeth Vicary said...

are you really my sister?

ATH2044 said...

The first thing I thought of when you mentioned vacationing in Phuket, Thailand was that they were visited by a tsunami fairly recently, so past experiences more than a few years back may not be relevant to what's left of the area. However, I'm guessing they've rebuilt the most prosperous sections, so that's probably not much of a factor. Your itinerary sounds ambitious, but that's a good way to avoid wasting the opportunity. It's great that you're planning such a wide variety of activities from scuba diving to Thai massage. That's the kind of thing that typically only people like the Kardashian sisters or The Girls Next Door get to do & then they film the whole thing for a reality TV show so their loyal sponsors & viewers get to pick up the tab. So your trip should be far more authentic even if you actually take a few pictures.
Next time I'm in the mood to get invited to Phuket (by Elizabeth Vicary no less!), I'll have to remember to start making funny kibitzes on ICC. If only I'd known it could be that simple.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on a beautiful website and I hope your business is running well and smooth.

I student of mine recently noticed your using a photograph of mine on your website of me doing Thai massage.

You are welcome to do so with permission however the photo needs to be cited properly as follows:

"Photo courtesy of David Roylance - Thai Institute of Healing Arts - Arlington, VA (www.Thai-Institute.com)"

Please reply to let me know you will be adding this to your web page.

Thank you,
David
--------
Executive Director - Thai Institute of Healing Arts
1211 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
(888) THAI-WAY (toll free)
(888) 842-4929 (toll free)
(703) 522-THAI (8424)

http://www.Thai-Institute.com

"The Only Comprehensive Thai Medical Education, Research, and Treatment Center Outside of Thailand."

Therapy Center: Improving Your Quality of Life With Therapeutic Treatments from Thailand.
Research Center: The Premiere Online Resource for Serious Students, Teachers, and Practitioners of Thai Massage & Traditional Thai Medicine.
Education Center: Learn from the Source, Learn the THAI WAY!

Shivagakomarpaj Lineage in the USA - Approved Shivagakomarpaj Lineage Institution ("Old Medicine Hospital" - Chiang Mai, Thailand)