He had more heart stickers than me :(
Valentine's Day here in Thailand is quite a nice affair. Yes it's commercial, yes they want you to spend money, but it's a lot more inclusive than the ones I remember from my school days in the UK..."What? It got lost in the post again?"
Here students plaster each other with heart shaped stickers and give roses...and not just to someone they secretly admire. Friends, classmates and even 40 something English teachers are included in the fun.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch and early morning I had waved off my own Valentine as he went to spend 3 days in remote jungle with two very lovely ladies.
Angie and Margie are sisters who are originally from the UK, but have lived in various continents. Now Angie lives back in the UK, whilst Margie has spent the last 40 years in Australia. Both grandmothers, both in their sixties and both could put most 20 and 30 years olds to shame with their adventurous and intrepid spirit.
When they first inquired about doing a tour with Khao Yai and Beyond, I offered them a range of options. Would you like to stay in a nice resort the night before you trek? No- we'd love to try out the guest hut. How about the on the trek itself- would you like to stay in a campsite? No- we'd like the jungle...the real jungle. With hammocks? Yes. Cooking on a fire?- Yes. Bathing in a river?-Yes...... Perfect.
Here students plaster each other with heart shaped stickers and give roses...and not just to someone they secretly admire. Friends, classmates and even 40 something English teachers are included in the fun.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch and early morning I had waved off my own Valentine as he went to spend 3 days in remote jungle with two very lovely ladies.
Angie and Margie are sisters who are originally from the UK, but have lived in various continents. Now Angie lives back in the UK, whilst Margie has spent the last 40 years in Australia. Both grandmothers, both in their sixties and both could put most 20 and 30 years olds to shame with their adventurous and intrepid spirit.
When they first inquired about doing a tour with Khao Yai and Beyond, I offered them a range of options. Would you like to stay in a nice resort the night before you trek? No- we'd love to try out the guest hut. How about the on the trek itself- would you like to stay in a campsite? No- we'd like the jungle...the real jungle. With hammocks? Yes. Cooking on a fire?- Yes. Bathing in a river?-Yes...... Perfect.
Off out to buy some gin and flip flops
As we sat enjoying a G&T on the night before they left,I knew they would make great trekking companions and was desperate to tag along too. But I had a date with 60 odd students and a packet of heart stickers.
Three days later, I awaited their return. What had it been like? Had they enjoyed themselves? Had we delivered to their expectations? The waiting is the worst part for me. I hate being left out of anything and as they travel into such remote areas, where there is no phone signal, I can never check what's going on. A blessing for Deaw!
Finally in early afternoon, they returned. Tired, with sore muscles but with big smiles and tales to tell. In spite of having to get to Bangkok to catch a plane to the south, they found time for another well earned G&T, a shower and a bit of a giggle, before packing their aching limbs into the minivan that would take them towards their next destination- the beach.
Margie and Angie- it was fantastic having you visit. Thank you! :)
Three days later, I awaited their return. What had it been like? Had they enjoyed themselves? Had we delivered to their expectations? The waiting is the worst part for me. I hate being left out of anything and as they travel into such remote areas, where there is no phone signal, I can never check what's going on. A blessing for Deaw!
Finally in early afternoon, they returned. Tired, with sore muscles but with big smiles and tales to tell. In spite of having to get to Bangkok to catch a plane to the south, they found time for another well earned G&T, a shower and a bit of a giggle, before packing their aching limbs into the minivan that would take them towards their next destination- the beach.
Margie and Angie- it was fantastic having you visit. Thank you! :)
Angie and Margie outside the guest house..and still standing after three days of strenuous trekking through remote jungle.