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VOLUNTEER IN THAILAND
Thursday 28 April at 5.00pm on Channel [V]
A different kind of working holiday, Billy shows you how to immerse yourself in a new culture and make a difference B430. Billy heads to the mountains of Chiang Mai in Thailand where he lives and works with local communities for a unique adventure while still giving something back.
Tips from our Block Jockey: Bella Brennan
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Eat up buttercup!
Northern Thailand is renowned for its delicious delights so make sure you take a cooking class and eat your pants off! Even a novice can cook up a storm. There are heaps of schools to chose from but www.thaifarmcooking.com is one of the best. You'll pick your own ingredients, fresh from the organic vegie farm and be shown how to cook like a local. Complimentary cook books are given away a the end so you'll be able to wow the fam with your new tricks.
Another hidden gem of Thailand are the street vendors. People are hesitant to eat from them, but trust me, some of the best food can be found from them so do as Augustus Gloop would and eat to your heart's content! And you must, MUST try Kaho Soi , the region's signature dish. No trip to Nothern Thailand counts unless you give this bad boy a go, it's tres delish! - Trust Your Animal Instinct
Instead of riding elephants, HELP them! It's easy to forget that riding about on an elly isn't a very ethical thing to do, but it's become synonymous when we think of Thailand. Don't encourage the elephant tourism trade!
How can you help? By volunteering at non for profit organisation, that provide much needed TLC for mistreated elephants. A reasonable fee will cover your food, accommodation and keep the place running. You can spend as little as a day, or as long as a month there, getting up close and personal to the amazing creatures. There's heaps of fun jobs to do, from feeding them to washing them. Elephant Nature Park is one of the most reputable - http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org and it really is a once in a lifetime experience. - Help a sister / brother out! I don't know what to do!
Want to do volunteer work but not sure where to start or how to go about organising it? Friends For Asia will sort you. Volunteering is the perfect way to combine travel with doing something worth while. Their website has heaps of helpful info about all the different projects on offer, you can sign up for work online and outline your preferences. Check it out - http://www.volunteerthailand.org - I wheelie beg you to take a backpack!
The wheelie vs. backpack is an age old debate. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take a suitcase! A wheelie bag or suitcase is fine if you're staying in the one place, but if you're going to be hopping about Thailand, do yourself a favour and take a backpack!
A backpack, although intimidating at first, will eventually become your best friend. This love affair is always spurred on by the people you see having tantrums on the street with their wheelies. I am on the much lower side of 5 ft and let's just say I am no body builder, so if I can do it anyone can carry a backpack, anyone can.
Of course wheelies are appropriate in the right context like a resort holiday or a trip that doesn't involve much moving about, or in Holland where there truly are no hills. But If you want to have the real backpacking experience, don't cheat yourself - use a backpack. Not only for the obvious practicality reasons but please honor the golden rule: to be a legit backpacker you must have a backpack in the first place! - Get off the beaten track
For a truly unique experience you have to visit one of the remote hill tribes. Chiang Dao is a smaller town, an hour North of Chiang Mai, where the Lisu, Hmong, Akha and Padaung hill tribes reside. Some tribes offer overnight, guesthouse stays but just as an FYI precious princesses needn't bother - don't expect any fresh mints on your pillows or flushing loos - this is the real deal and it's an awesome way to rough it up and meet some amazing locals.