Category: Play

Our favorite indoor and outdoor activities

Not All That Glimmers is Gold

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This post is going to be very different from most.  We’ve traveled to some incredible places and found wonderful things to do as a family in Thailand and in the region, but that’s not to say that we haven’t had our share of busts as well.    I’ve been thumbing through a lot of mom blogs lately and it is shocking how many are sponsored.    I realize that virtually all of my posts offer gleaming reviews of the places we’ve stayed and things we’ve done, and that is because I want to share our best experiences with others.

Well, not today.  Today I’m going to outline some of our not-so-great experiences.  You might be shocked by some of these; you might disagree, and that’s completely okay.  They are just things that didn’t work out for us for one reason or another.  So, let’s get this non-party started.

1. The Greenery (Khao Yai)

We are no strangers to Khao Yai.  We love Khao Yai.  Usually we stay at the Kirimaya/Muthi Maya (which I do highly recommend), but this time we wanted to do something different – so we stayed at The Greenery.  The place does a good job of luring you in with its website – fancy pictures, beautiful scenery, things for kids, etc.  What really drew us to the resort was that they have a small water park onsite – which looks like a lot of fun, but in reality, it’s not fun at all.  Every few minutes a bell rings and a huge bucket of water comes crashing down on everyone’s head.  This scared the sh*t out of my little one and it made Logan super-cautious.  To top it off,  the room was expensive and not that great.  It was a bust, for sure.

Khao Yai Golf Carts

After The Greenery, I think we’ll probably stay loyal to the Kirimaya/Muthi Maya (pictured here)

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Go Here Now

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We just spent an excellent five days in Pran Buri, Thailand – a relaxed, picturesque, and largely undeveloped beach area just south of Hua Hin.  I have heard about the charm of Pran Buri from friends that have lived in Thailand much longer than we have, but it took us two and a half years to make it there on our own.  And now I’m glad we did it with one year in Thailand to spare.

Perhaps the best thing about Pran Buri is what it is not:  Hua Hin We’ve all been to a fancy resort in Hua Hin and enjoyed it (we sure have), but what it lacks is the ability to feel like you are far removed from Bangkok; meaning, you still get traffic, you still deal with relentless vendors (on the beach, mainly), you still get the crowds, and your view is still tall buildings (with a bit of ocean).  Pran Buri offers you something much less urban, much less fussy, and even more beautiful.  So go.  At least once.  I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.

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Views from the Dolphin Bay restaurant in Pran Buri

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These guys don’t know how good they have it!

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Royal Villa? Stunning Garden? Why Not?

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You’ve had a cup of coffee from a Doi Tung coffee shop before, right?  Ever wondered why the name Doi Tung?  Why the coffee is a little bit more expensive?  Why do they sell key chains, t-shirts, and sustainable cloth bags?   Well, if you happen to find yourself visiting Chiang Rai or the Golden Triangle, you can find out first hand.  Rent a car and driver and spend a morning on Doi Tung (“flag peak”) Mountain, visiting H.R.H the Princess Mother’s Doi Tung Royal Villa and the adjacent and stunning Mae Fah Luang Garden.  The Princess Mother (mother of Thailand’s current reigning King)  built the Doi Tung Royal Villa as her summer palace, and it is now open to the public as a museum.  She dedicated herself to the Doi Tung Development Project, which focused on reforestation and creating sustainable livelihoods for the local population (read:  once prevalent opium crops have been replaced by crops such as coffee, teak, and various fruits).

Enough with the history lesson because even I’m now falling asleep.  Go to Doi Tung because the villa is a cool Thai-style replica of a chalet you would see in the Swiss Alps.  From the outdoor balcony, there are excellent views of Burma.  And the Mae Fah Luang Garden is to-die-for beautiful.  It is a great place for kids to expel some energy by running free amidst gorgeous and colorful flowers, fountains, and statues.

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Some tips?

    • It is a windy, steep road to the top of Doi Tung, so if you get car sick . . . be prepared.
    • Doi Tung is about a 30 minute drive from the town of Chiang Rai.
    • If it’s the hot season, bring hats and sunscreen, as the gardens are in the direct sun.
    • There are lots of Doi Tung coffee shops and a few places to eat atop the mountain.
    • Dress modestly (long sleeves, long pants) to enter the Royal Villa, or you will have to don an oversized 1980s jean jacket, like the one you see me in below (even Kate knows this jacket is not fashion-forward).

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A Morning Out at Neilson Hays

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Logan and I took refuge from the heat last week by spending a morning at the Neilson Hays Library in Silom.  They have a well-stocked children’s corner adorned with the best children’s lit, comfy bean bag chairs, and sweet, sweet air conditioning.  If you’re a non-member, you can relax and read all the books your heart desires for a 50 baht donation. We hit up the cafe next door for an art walk-through and sweet treat before heading home.  Fun and calming activity on a busy and hot Bangkok morning.

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Logan at the entry to the beautiful Neilson Hays Library

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Kidzania: All Shades of Awesome

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Logan and I are *just* back from Kidzania.  ALL KINDS OF AWESOME.   I am so excited about this place that I am writing about it immediately so that you don’t waste a minute partaking in the magic that it is.  Kidzania is – literally – an entire village for little people.  It is a fantastical place where kids can try their hand at any number of trades, from being a postal courier or dentist to an airline hostess or firefighter.

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Firefighting awesomeness

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