Thailand - The land of islands, shopping and majestic elephants

Having previously visited Thailand 7 years ago, I was very excited to go back and see what had changed in the past few years.

Believe me, I was not disappointed.

Our first few nights were spent in Phuket which involved some very busy days meeting with suppliers and inspecting various hotels, plenty of time to experience the night life of Patong and of course get in a few hours of serious shopping! You cannot visit this town and not spend a bit of time bargaining in the market with the locals. Of course, all of this walking gives a person very sore feet. Although this is never a problem, the streets are lined with shops offering an hour long foot massage for just 200 Thai Baht (+- R 70.00).

PATONG BEACH PHUKET

PATONG BEACH PHUKET

PATONG MERLIN HOTEL

On the 5^th day of our trip we were collected from our hotel bright and early (06:20 am to be exact) for our transfer to Elephant Hills Camp in the Khao Sok National Park. This transfer takes between 2  ½  -3 hours and is included in your package.

On arrival at Elephant Hills we were met by one of the friendly guides, Bamboo, who helped us with check-in and offered us welcome drinks. She then proceeded to give us some information on the activities we would partake in for the day. We then got to check out our luxury tents where we would be staying for the night, followed by a delicious lunch.

ELEPHANT HILLS CAMP ENTRANCE

ELEPHANT HILLS CAMP LUXURY TENT

The fun was just about to start! We loaded into our truck in which we were driven into the Khao Sok National Park for the first of our many activities…The Elephant Experience.

The Elephant Experience at Elephant Hills is a totally different experience to the regular elephant trekking that you would find all over Thailand in the tourist towns. Elephant Hills has been "Highly Commended" in this year’s Thailand Green Excellence Awards for Animal Welfare.

The Thailand Green Excellence Award winners were announced at the World Travel Market in London earlier this month by the TAT and the Wanderlust Magazine and are based on how captive animals are treated, kept, cared for and interacted with. The approach at Elephant Hills is not to ride elephants and to abstain from elephant shows in order to offer a more responsible, unique and rewarding experience for both elephants and humans. They also aim at maintaining the highest level of animal welfare; guests get to feed, wash and interact with Asia’s largest land animal. This is an excellent opportunity to get up really close and personal with these gentle giants in a responsible way and at the same time learn about their status and situation in Thailand.

ELEPHANT HILLS ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE

 

First on the agenda was for two of the younger elephants to go for a swim. You can really have a good laugh watching them roll around and dunk each other in the water. It’s amazing what great swimmers these large animals are!

It is now time for us to prepare food baskets. They have sure worked up a huge appetite. The average Asian elephant eats 250 kg of food per day. What we are about to feed them is just a tenth of their daily intake. We chopped up pineapples, bananas, sugar cane and we made “vitamin” parcels of tamarind.

The elephants had already surrounded us and were making a big show of demanding their snack’s whilst waving their trunks about. By this stage I had already decided that this was most definitely a bucket list travel experience. The one on one contact of hand feeding an elephant is something not everyone will get to experience in their lifetime. 

We then get to end off the experience by giving the elephants a bath. This is quite a task as they are rather large. This means at least 3 people must wash at a time. So while you water them down with a hose, you scrub them with coconut husks. To us, this feels very rough, but to the ellie’s this is a lovely tickle and they really enjoy this part of the day. Lastly, we get to meet Ha Ha, Elephant Hill’s 2 year old baby. She is really feisty and full of energy, just like any child. 

It’s only a short drive to our next activity. A Canoe Safari down the Sok River. We don’t have to do a thing as we sit back and relax whilst our guide does the canoeing and we just enjoy the beauty of the area.

The rest of the afternoon we have at leisure, so the first thing we do is go for a swim. Typical of Thai weather, it is hot and humid. We are lucky enough to be visiting over the Loy Krathong Festival and the camp is buzzing with preparations for guest to partake in this rather special festival. Loy Krathong is as old as Thai heritage and represents a close bond between Thai culture and water. The festival takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month when the water level is high and the climate is cooler. Participants ask water spirits to sail away their troubles in their krathongs, which are containers traditionally made from banana leaves and carrying offerings of incense, lotus flowers and small money.

LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL

 

The evening was a very busy one. Starting with a few dances from a group of girls from the local school, we then released our Krathong’s onto the river for the festival, followed by a Thai cooking demonstration and then dinner.  

KRATHONG'S

The next day we were up really early again to get ready for our trip to the Elephant Hills Rain Forest Camp. We are transferred to Cheow Larn Lake where we got onto a Long Tail boat which would take us to the camp. The Rainforest Camp is a luxury floating camp on Cheow Larn Lake and guests can include this in their Elephant Hills Experience. There are a variety of itineraries to choose from. Cheow Larn Lake is a spectacular man-made lake that is becoming famous for its towering limestone cliffs and stunning views. 

Take the time to swim in the Emerald waters or explore the lake channels on your own in a Kayak. A morning jungle trek also forms part of this extraordinary adventure. This trip is a must for anyone who is looking to experience a different side of Thailand.

CHEOW LARN LAKE

 

That afternoon our group split up and we made our way to our 3 different break away destinations. We had a choice of visiting Phi Phi Islands, Krabi or Khao Lak. Having previously visited Krabi and Phi Phi, it wasn’t difficult to make the decision to go to Khao Lak.

Khao Lak is an up and coming destination for South Africans. Situated nearly 60 km North of Phuket, what differentiates Khao Lak from its neighbouring tourist destinations is its quiet, up-scale, secluded coastal resorts; uncrowded beaches; family-friendly night time environment and provincial ordinances that prohibit structures taller than the height of a coconut palm tree, keeping Khao Lak down to earth.

From a personal point of view, Khao Lak is now my most favourite Thai destination. I would love to go back and spend more time exploring the area. Apart from the beautiful beaches, the area is a lot more suitable for families than areas such as Patong. Although there is plenty to see and many restaurants and markets, the whole town has a much more laid back feel. Perfect for those who just want to have a relaxing break. Most hotels also have direct beach access which is a lot harder to come across in Phuket.

VIEW FROM CASA DE LA FLORA

MAI HOTEL KHAO LAK

After 3 days of being completely spoilt in Khao Lak we headed to Phuket Airport for our flight to Bangkok. 

We only had one night in Bangkok and we spent it having a wonderful farewell party on the rooftop of the Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel. What a spectacular view and a very special way to end off a spectacular trip.

Our last day before we flew home was spent with a visit to the Grand Palace, followed by the most amazing hosted lunch at The Shangri-La hotel. Of course, we had to fit in some last minute shopping, and we were spoilt for choice! MBK, The Siam Centre’s and Central Festival World were all nearby our hotel. Shopper’s paradise!

Sadly, all good things must come to end and that night we flew home. All of us with a new found love for Thailand, new friends and memories to last us a lifetime. 

GRAND PALACE BANGKOK

BANGKOK RIVER VIEW

FAREWELL PARTY - CENTARA WATERGATE PAVILLION ROOFTOP

The Importance of Purchasing Travel Insurance

So, you have been looking forward to your holiday for months, your trip is booked and paid. All you need to do is pack your suitcase. But have you thought of one of the most important parts of purchasing travel arrangements?  Travel Insurance.

It is part of human nature to believe that bad things will never happen to us. Unfortunately it’s a scary world out there and you never know what mishap is just around the corner. It is always best to be prepared and top of your list when making your reservation should be travel insurance. The cost of a travel insurance policy is minimal compared to the cost’s you can incur if you are not sufficiently covered. Don’t you want to have that piece of mind?

Still not convinced? Here are some of the common objections we hear regarding travel insurance:

“I don’t need Travel Insurance..I am fit and healthy”

Did you know that at least 65% of MEDICAL CLAIMS are accident related?! We have claims such as Motor Vehicle Accidents, slips and falls, skiing accidents, bitten and scratched by animals such as : spiders, snakes, stone fish, monkeys, hippo, elephant tusk and dogs, assaults and so on.

So if you are fit and healthy any of the above can occur too, most claims are not illnesses but accidents. Regardless of age or medical condition, travel insurance is a must!

“I am covered on my credit card”

Excluding FNB, all major credit cards provide limited complimentary cover when the traveller has used the card to debit the full fare. The complimentary cover is limited medical cover between R200 000 and R2 million as well as some Accidental Death and Permanent Disability Cover (lump sum compensation in the event of death or disability due to accident). The complimentary cover is not enough to cover risks associated with overseas travel and additional cover should be considered. The traveller needs more medical cover, cancellation cover and luggage cover. (These are the 3 most important benefits on any travel insurance policy).

“I am covered by my medical aid”

Some medical aid organizations provide free international medical cover when their member travels. The cover and terms of the various companies vary widely depending on the medical aid company. Some require that the traveller submit claim on return to SA, some use the savings limit (foreign currency claims are much higher than local claims), some don’t have a 24 hour help line and so on

Please check with your medical aid, what the exact details and terms are before you solely rely on this cover.

Some Real Life Stories:

Did you know that the average GP consultation costs GBP 150.00 in the UK. That’s already nearly R 3000.00 before you have even been diagnosed.

Here are some of the stories from traveller’s who had unfortunate incidents whilst they were abroad but were covered by TIC travel insurance.

Case 1:

James suffers from a pre-existing heart condition. When he travels overseas on a holiday cruise in the Caribbean, he suffers a mild heart attack and has to be rushed off to hospital. He stays in hospital for five days, and when he is released, his medical expenses have totalled R450 000. Fortunately, James had taken out a Leisure Comprehensive policy before he went on holiday, and he is covered up to R500 000 for pre-existing medical conditions. So although he suffered a heart attack on holiday, fortunately James didn’t have to suffer financially.

Case 2:

Anoop and Nadia save for two years for their dream holiday to India. They pay their travel agent in advance for their trip to the amount of R 45 000, which includes their return flights, their hotel accommodation in Mumbai, as well as a hire car which they plan to pick up at the airport when they arrive. Unfortunately three days before their scheduled departure, Nadia falls and breaks her ankle, and she and Anoop have to cancel their holiday. Because the trip is cancelled at such a late date, the travel agent informs Anoop and Nadia that their money is non-refundable. Fortunately, however, the couple had bought a Leisure Comprehensive policy, which includes cancellation cover, and the cost of their holiday is refunded to them in full.

Case 3:

John travels to London on a business trip, but is caught up in a terrorist bomb attack on the tube he’s travelling on. He is injured in the attack and rushed to hospital, where his case is reported to TIC’s assistance company, after it has been ascertained by the medical staff that he has a Business policy from TIC. John’s leg is badly injured and he receives emergency surgery. He recuperates in hospital for five days before flying back home to South Africa. His medical expenses come to R500 000.

 

Sure Travel 24-7 offers a range of travel insurance policies through TIC.  Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC) is the market leader in travel insurance in South Africa. TIC was formed in 1988 and is the only

specialist travel insurance underwriting company in South Africa.

Ask us for more information on travel insurance when booking your trip. TIC covers a range of travel such as business, leisure, youth and groups. There is something to suit the needs of any traveller at any age.

Meet Taryn of Sure Travel 24-7

The Sure Travel Group has been running a get to know your agency segment on their Blog.



They interviewed one of our Senior Consultants, Taryn.

This is what she had to say about her travel experiences and the Sure Travel 24-7 Team.

This week’s Q&A interview with just one of the friendly faces you could meet at your local Sure Travel agency… say hello to Taryn Classens, Senior Travel Consultant at Sure Travel 24-7 in Boksburg.







Tell us a little about yourself? I love to travel (obviously!), have been in the travel industry for 9 years, am a crazy animal lover, love sport and spend every Sunday on the soccer pitch. I really enjoy trying new things, whether it is food or activities, I am up for the challenge.

What do you love most about your job? The great people I get to work with. As well as the opportunities to visit countries I otherwise would not have had a chance to see.

Less well-known attractions in your area? My favourite place to visit has to be the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. Not only do you get to interact with Lion, Cheetah and Tiger cubs but they also do great conservation work. A great day out for the whole family! For those interested in a night out on the town or a great restaurant, then Greenside is the place to visit.

What would you tell a tourist to do? Soweto day tour, a visit to the Union buildings, for the thrill seekers a day at Gold Reef City. If they are looking for even more culture then a visit to the Maboneng district or even the Cradle of Humankind is a must. A visit to Joburg also isn’t complete without a ride on the Gautrain and some shopping at Sandton City.

First time you ever travelled abroad? My first ever overseas trip was with family friends to Spain. That really opened my eyes to what a big world there is out there and made me determined to see as much of it as possible.

Favourite destination to travel to? I am most definitely an island girl. Sun, sea and sand is where I am happiest.

 

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Maldives or Bora Bora. Sunshine and peace!

Next place on your travel bucket list? New York. A must see.

Most treasured travel memory? Arriving in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. The absolutely breathtaking scenery of this town, situated in a valley in the Alps, is something I will never forget. To this day, I still tell people that I have never seen a more beautiful place.




Funniest travel experience? Every trip you are bound to have a funny experience but there are always those that still make you giggle years later. My first trip to Europe was an eye opener and you could say I was slightly naïve (an understatement). All excited, off I went to the Moulin Rouge, but somehow I missed the whole idea of the show. Well you should have seen my face when all the dancing ladies came out onto stage…topless!!

 

What advice would you give to someone travelling? Venture away from your resort or hotel and explore the local surroundings. This is the only way to discover some real gems and make some fantastic memories.

Something most people don’t know about you? I am a proper nerd at heart and have started a travel magnet collection. My fridge has a magnet from every country I have ever visited.

What is Sure Travel 24-7’s story? Sure Travel 24-7 started 9 years ago in owner, Debbie Joubert’s, tiny spare bedroom. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings and now operate from lovely spacious offices, with 3 Senior Consultants. Starting out as a small independent agency, within 2 years we had our own IATA license, joined ASATA and have been operating as a Sure Travel agency for the past 6 years.

Debbie Joubert (Owner/Manager), Taryn Classens (Travel Consultant), Rona McCracken (Travel Consultant)

Why should a client visit Sure Travel 24-7? We offer personalised, friendly service and our consultants go the extra mile to make sure your trip goes smoothly from start to finish. We have varied knowledge of most destinations so can assist with all travel arrangements for both corporate and leisure travel.

Contact Sure Travel 24-7:
9 Orkes Road, Sunward Park Ext 1, Boksburg.
Call:  011 896 5295
Email: taryn@travel24-7.co.za
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