Travel Notes

I studied Thai Massage at TMC school in Chiang Mai in November 2011.  The course was good, clear and takes you through the steps of giving a 1-2hr Thai massage.  The lecturers were professional and stayed exactly on track for all sessions.  The notes were excellent with every one of the 151 positions explained clearly for both the giver and receiver.  So what was missing?  I think it was what I had been warned about in 2005 – when I first studied Thai massage under a teacher in Alice Springs – she said to me that you can always tell if a person had learnt western style or asian style.  These were very wise words and I have held them in my mind ever since – the mystery of what she meant is opening up to me now as I seek more understanding of...

For rational and realistic reports from on the ground in Bangkok, visit Richard Barrow’s blog, or follow him on twitter @RichardBarrow Also, follow #ThaiFloodEng on twitter   latest info including tide information: http://www.thaitravelblogs.com/2011/10/what-time-will-it-flood-in-bangkok-check-the-high-tide-charts-thaiflood/ Google launches new crisis page with latest information on floods in Thai &...

Chiang Mai is a province in the Northern part of Thailand.  From Bangkok, you can come to Chiang Mai by Bus, by Train or by Plane. It takes around 12 hours to get to Chiang Mai by Bus. It takes around 12 hours to get to Chiang Mai by Train. It takes around 1 hour to get to Chiang Mai by Airplane. Domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are; - Nok Air / www.nokair.com (departed from Donmuang Airport) - One-Two-Go / http://www.flyorientthai.com/th/home/ (departed from Donmuang Airport) - Air Asia / www.airasia.com (departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport) - Thai Airways / http://www.thaiairways.com/ (departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport) - Bangkok Airways / www.bangkokair.com (departed from Suvarnabhumi...

According to all accounts the Chiang Mai floodwaters have receded and streets are dry although there is mud, silt and mess in some areas.  Some schools have called for volunteers to help clean up – anyone with a broom and a few spare hours would be appreciated – if you are in Chiang Mai and would like to help, head to your nearest school or try the facebook page of ABS Bilingual – https://www.facebook.com/abs.bilingual Best update about the flooding so far has been on Travelfish – www.travelfish.org/blogs/chiangmai/2011/10/01/chiang-mai-flooding-update-1st-october/ More rain on the way According to http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/48327.html another storm is heading for Chiang Mai – the end of tropical storm Nalgae.  The...

In 4 days I leave sunny Alice Springs for Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Over the past week, Chiang Mai has been subject to flooding.  There have been video’s on Twitter of the market street knee high in muddy water.  I started to wonder whether I should delay my trip and was a bit concerned about safety and post flood tropical diseases.  It’s still the rainy season which means the flood waters could rise even higher.  Train services between Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been cut. I consulted news web sites and the Australian government Smart Traveller site (www.smarttraveller.gov.au).  How much useful info did I get???? nuthin!!  not a word!!  Thai news sites carried the story. So I posted a query on facebook (www.facebook.com/janeinalice) and...