Hang Dong tours

I had a fun and fulfilling day. I was told that I was only the second Japanese person to participate in this tour. In the morning, Somya, the cooking class instructor, picked me up from my hotel and we headed to the market. At the market, I learned about ingredients commonly used in Thai cuisine. It seemed like I could also buy breakfast there. When we arrived at Casa de Mango, I was served welcome tea. I was given a tour of the garden, and I put herbs, spices, and vegetables in a basket. In the cooking class, I could choose some of the menu items, and when I told them I wasn't used to spicy food, they adjusted the menu for me. I made 5 dishes in a hygienic environment and enjoyed them while talking with the other tour participants and Somya. Water and coffee after the meal were also provided. If I couldn't finish eating, I could take it home. After lunch, I took a nap in the hammock in the garden and it felt great. I felt that the Elephant Sanctuary was a place where elephants could be as free as possible. First, I was given a change of clothes and changed in the restroom. After listening to what kind of elephants there were, and points to keep in mind (don't stand directly behind the elephant, don't stand in front of its face when it is eating corn stalks, don't force it to touch its face, how to give snacks, older elephants are more accustomed than younger elephants, etc.), I moved to the riverside area with a bag of snacks (sugar cane), one for each person. I gave the snacks while following the instructions of the elephant mahout. They also took pictures and videos. After that, I followed the elephant mahout and gave snacks to the elephants in the forest area and watched their様子. I took a break and got some cold water. Then I helped the elephants bathe (optional, depending on the elephant's mood). Finally, Khao Soi, watermelon, and pineapple were prepared (style where you take what you want). What to bring: insect repellent spray, jacket (the van for transportation has air conditioning), sandals and towel (if you want to help with the elephant bathing)

Our day at Casa demand was a highlight of our time in Chiang Mai. The chefs were so engaging - full of stories as well as cooking tips. We loved the setting, a rural mango farm. Our delicious feast was followed by chill out time in hammocks hung from the mongo trees, then a lovely countryside bike ride. Simply a delightful day - you can’t go wrong.

This one-day tour of the old city was such a great value, and it's all thanks to our guide, Michael Jackson (who calls himself the Takeshi Kaneshiro of Thailand)! He was full of energy all day, and his professionalism was absolutely top-notch. He's Thai, but he speaks fluent Chinese and English. When he explained the dynasty history in Chinese, his logic was incredibly clear, and there were no communication barriers at all. What impressed us most was that he even prepared beautiful historical materials and before-and-after comparison images, allowing us to compare the current state of the historical sites with how they looked in the past. History instantly came to life, and it wasn't just about looking at stone buildings anymore. During the tour, he was also very patient in teaching us to speak Thai. Under the hot Bangkok sun, he always thoughtfully helped us find shady spots to take pictures and listen to his explanations, making the tour relaxing and comfortable for us. I really hope every group can meet a guide as excellent as Michael Jackson. He added so much to this trip! If you have the chance to join this tour, be sure to request this "Takeshi Kaneshiro of Thailand!"

When visiting Phuket, island hopping and water activities are definitely the most enjoyable, but the boat rides can be quite long. It's essential to get a good night's sleep the night before, otherwise, the next day's boat trip will be unbearable. I recommend purchasing your tour online in advance; they will contact you via email regarding hotel pickup times. We had a comfortable, spacious 9-seater shared van. Upon arriving at the pier, there were coffee, drinks, some small cookies, and toast available, which is great for anyone who didn't have time for breakfast. Bottled water is free on the boat, and lunch is a buffet served on Phi Phi Island. On the return trip, fruit is provided. You don't need to bring much money if you don't plan on making additional purchases. At the end, the guide individually asked for tips (though you don't have to give one), which felt a bit awkward, but I was very grateful to the captain and crew, so I did tip them.

Luxurious boat. Helpful staff to make people to snorkeling who are not so confident. Good food. Only drawback is since the boat is big it cannot go near the shore so you don't get to get down at any of the beach side.

It was a good trip to experience Thai culture and see their lifestyle. I just hope we travelled earlier because traffic was bad. Nevertheless, it was really fun! Aum and Bank were such incredible guides. Buffalo Cafe is a great side trip as well. ♥️

We had an amazing time on this boat tour with our guide, Mickey, and the boat crew. They were very organized and considerate of everybody's time and experience! I would highly recommend this one day excursion. Khob khun ka 🙏🏻

A long day (picked up at 7:30 and back at 8pm) but well worth it. We had not booked to go into long neck village but all the money goes back into the village so we decided to go & it was great. White temple is stunning & loved the black house.