New Immigration Laws: Unabridged Birth Certificates. The Breakdown

The 1st June 2015 saw the new immigration laws come into effect for passengers travelling in and out of South Africa with children. There has been mass confusion since, with many not sure of what the actual requirements are. Read on for a breakdown that simplifies these new requirements with the various travel scenarios.

CHILD IS TRAVELLING WITH BOTH PARENTS:

1. Biological Parents

• Valid Passports of both parents and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC

2. Adoptive Parents

• Valid Passports of both parents and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate

3. Legal Guardians

• Valid Passports of both parents and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Guardianship Order

CHILD IS TRAVELLING WITH 1 PARENT / GUARDIAN:

Parents are married:


1. Biological Parents

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed

2. Adoptive Parents

• Valid Passports of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Guardianship Order

Parents are Divorced or Legally Separated:


1. With specific parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent OR Court Order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children's Act, 2005

2. With full parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months
• Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent

Child has Legal guardian/s:


1. With joint legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the travelling guardian and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Guardianship Order
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed

2. With full legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the travelling guardian and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Guardianship Order

 

Parent is Widowed:


1. Biological Parent

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent

2. Adoptive Parent

• Valid Passports of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate

 
Single Parent (Only one parent on the birth certificate): 

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC

 
Parents are not married but both names appear on the Birth Certificate: 

• Valid Passport of the travelling parent and the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting sole parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent   

CHILD IS TRAVELLING UNACCOMPANIED:


Parents are married:


1. Biological Parents

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting sole parental rights and responsibilities

2. Adoptive Parents

• Valid Passports of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Guardianship Order

Parents are Divorced or Legally Separated:


1. With specific parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent OR Court Order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children's Act, 2005

2. With full parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months
• Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent

Child has Legal guardian/s:


1. With joint legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Guardianship Order
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed

2. With full legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Guardianship Order

Parent is Widowed:


1. Biological Parent

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor

2. Adoptive Parent

• Valid Passports of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor

 

Single Parent (Only one parent on the birth certificate):

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor

Parents are not married but both names appear on the Birth Certificate:

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s of the minor
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting sole parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent   

Child is in alternative care (Foster home, temporary safe care etc):

• Valid passport of the child
• Valid visa, if required
• Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides, authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of the Children's Act.
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor

Child is orphaned without legal guardian or adoption yet:
 

• Valid passport of the child
• Valid visa, if required
• Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides, authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of the Children's Act.
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
• Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
• Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor

CHILD IS TRAVELLING WITH AN ADULT WHO IS NOT A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN


Parents are married:


1. Biological Parents

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed

2. Adoptive Parents

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption certificate
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Guardianship Order

Parents are Divorced or Legally Separated:


1. With specific parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent OR Court Order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children's Act, 2005

2. With full parental rights and responsibilities

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months
• Court Order granting FULL parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent

 

Child has Legal guardian/s:


1. With joint legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Guardianship Order
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed

2. With full legal guardianship

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Guardianship Order
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months

Parent is Widowed:


1. Biological Parent

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months

2. Adoptive Parent

• Valid Passports of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certified, or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Death Certificate of deceased parent
• Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent/s OR the Adoption     certificate
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months

 

Single Parent (Only one parent on the birth certificate):

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months

 

 Parents are not married but both names appear on the Birth Certificate:  

• Valid Passport of the child
• Valid Visa (If required)
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) , or equivalent document, if country of residence does not issue a UBC
• Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 3 months OR Letter of special circumstances issued by the Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has yet been appointed OR Court Order granting sole parental rights and responsibilities to travelling parent   

Child is in alternative care (Foster home, temporary safe care etc):

• Valid passport of the child
• Valid visa, if required
• Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides, authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of the Children's Act.

Child is orphaned without legal guardian or adoption yet:

• Valid passport of the child
• Valid visa, if required
• Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.

 

If you require any further information or clarification, please contact Sure Travel 24-7 on 011 896 5295

 

 

 

An African Honeymoon

We recently had the pleasure of planning a fabulous Honeymoon for a couple from the UK to visit Vic Falls and Chobe.

Their Itinerary includes 2 nights at the 5 Star Royal Livingstone Hotel at Vic Falls Zambia, followed by 2 Nights on the 5 Star Pride of Zambezi  which is a luxury houseboat on the Chobe River.  Their trip ended with 3 nights at the 5 Star Chobe Game Reserve.

The clients absolutely loved their stay at all 3 properties and their feedback was “An unbelievable, once in a lifetime holiday”.

So, next time you want to plan that Holiday of a Lifetime you need only dial one number 011 896 5295 and we’ll put it all together for you.

ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL  -  5 Star

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is situated on the Zambian banks of the Zambezi River, very close to the Victoria Falls.  The hotel consists of 17 colonial-style villas set under the shade of acacia trees on the banks of the river, offering pristine views of the surrounding bush. The staff will ensure the comfort of your stay, offering highly professional and personal service. Your butler will see to your transportation and room service requirements, and you can pamper yourself to beauty treatments in the privacy of your own room.  Located in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park, there is a host of game viewing activities, including game drives and elephant back safaris. Located so close to the Falls, you can engage in a number of thrilling activities offered there. For the very brave there is bungee jumping at the Falls, as well as whitewater rafting. For a more relaxing experience of the river, you can take a tranquil boat cruise.  You could also just stay at the hotel and enjoy the views from the balcony overlooking the river.

PRIDE OF ZAMBEZI  -  5 Star

The Pride of the Zambezi is an up market houseboat berthed on the Chobe River right by the entrance to the Chobe National Park.  Top Deck - This deck comprises of a luxury en-suite cabin and sliding doors opening onto a large deck with African bush, river and sky on your doorstep. Also on the top deck we have loungers to offer you the opportunity to relax and soak up the sun when the Houseboat starts to cruise the famous Chobe and Zambezi RiversMiddle Deck - The Middle Deck is called the ""heart"" of this beautiful riverboat, with its fully equipped bar, comfortable lounge and dining area. For your enjoyment, there is a plunge pool and flat screen TV. This deck also has a unique roller shutter system where the entire deck or part thereof could be shut down for protection against the elements. Bottom Deck - Five well-appointed en-suite cabins are situated on the bottom deck. Each can be made up as a twin or a double room. All cabins have electronic safes, fans, mosquito gauze and built-in cupboards. These spacious cabins offer superb views over the river, whilst the front cabin boasts its own private deck.  Activities that can be arranged whilst on board are: Bird watching, Fishing (both fly and conventional), Game drives and Boat Cruises into Chobe National Park, Mokoro trips, Canoeing on Chobe River, Victoria Falls and Livingstone day trips and any other safaris into Botswana and Namibia - mobile and fly-in.

CHOBE GAME LODGE  -  5 Star

Our five-star lodge is the classic luxury safari option for those wanting to visit Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls and the surrounding areas. Arriving at Chobe Game Lodge feels more like joining a family rather than simply being a guest in a lodge. Our dedicated team will welcome you through the doors and be there with a smile to ensure that every moment of your stay is a special one.  Chobe Game Lodge is one of Africa’s historic lodges – we have been around a long time and, over the decades, have finessed into what you find today - a place where guests feel at ease and at-one with their incredible surroundings. Add to this our five-star amenities and a traditional Chobe Game Lodge welcome and you have the perfect safari.  Rooms overlook the river, decks overlook the Chobe National Park and candles light up the many terraces and bar areas where you can find your own space.   The accommodation at Chobe Game Lodge is comprised of 42 twin/double rooms, four luxury private suites and one family unit. Rooms are all river-facing, with spacious decks and air-conditioning, as well as a complimentary mini-bar.

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