Unseen Cities that you Must See

With everybody running around in elephant pants you might be tempted to see some real life elephants. And Thailand is the place to be if you want to meet the gentle giants. However, you have to be really careful and do your research on which places treat the animals nicely and which do not. Do not go to a place that offers elephant riding as this will hurt the animals and should not be supported. Sadly, many tourists do not think about the animals and how they are treated. If you care, please help to spread the word. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary The Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai was probably the only place that I had booked in advance. This was not necessary as my friend had booked the same trip about two days before, but it at least helped me plan my travel destinations in Thailand a bit more as I had one fixed date already. When I was doing my research at home, two names stuck out for places that people recommended and who promised that there was no elephant riding i...

After a crazy three months in Australia and New Zealand, this month was all about slowing down, taking it easy and catching up on work. And yet, having said that, the start of the month included one of my most stressful travel moments… Oh, you know, that time when I realised I’d forgotten to apply for an Australian visa 12 hours before I was due to fly to Melbourne? When I hadn’t bothered to do any research because the thought hadn’t crossed my mind that I’d possibly even need to apply for a new visa? When I suddenly went into a panic 12 hours before the flight when I checked on the Australian immigration website and realised that I’d need to apply for a new one and that the site was about to go into scheduled maintenance? Yep. An Australian visa is valid for six months so I’d assumed I’d be fine — I’d spent a month in Australia before coming to New Zealand and my New Zealand trip was for two months. There would be plenty o...

When creating your Thailand packing list, it’s important to consider a range of factors when deciding what clothes to wear, such as the weather, cultural etiquette, and where exactly you’re heading that day. Generally speaking, it’s expected that shoulders and knees are covered, for both men and women. You won’t be arrested for wearing a tank top, but it’s best to cover up with a cardigan or sarong to keep your outfit modest. Alongside following certain rules and nuances, it’s always best to back with the heat in mind and bring light and airy clothing made from breathable materials such as cotton and linen. Although, you should know that if you’re visiting the Thai islands, many people will be wearing swimsuits, shorts, etc. Please, dress up when entering restaurants, travel agencies, etc. The locals are dressing up, and so should you.   General Attire   Of course, Thailand is hot and humid, so you will want to pack light and airy clothes for daily wear. But remembe...