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[trunktravel]

All About Tuol Sleng & The Killing Fields

Cambodia has a history unlike any other country in South East Asia, one that is filled with atrocities, pain, and genocide. However, this is often forgotten about or overlooked, and whilst being so fascinating, so many people have not heard about what took place only 40 years ago. So why is that?

In 1975 the Khmer Rouge swept across the country, declaring their opposition towards Cambodia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, destroying much of what was in their wake. The Khmer Rouge, led by the now infamous Pol Pot, was essentially a communist regime, one that spread nothing but terror and chaos throughout Cambodia for four years, from their rise to power in April 1975 until they were overthrown in January 1979. It is estimated that during this time one third of the Cambodian population was wiped out by their own people, whether it was from exhaustion and malnourishment as they worked in the fields, killed in interrogations, or simply murdered for baring any kind of intelligence beyond what was deemed acceptable, such as wearing glasses, being a teacher or doctor, or speaking a foreign language.

Declaring that the nation would start again at "Year Zero", Pol Pot isolated his people from the rest of the world and set about emptying the cities, abolishing money, private property and religion, and setting up rural collectives.

In Phnom Penh stands two main monuments that proudly showcase the memory of what happened in Cambodia and those who’s lives were lost. Cambodia has not only been able to recover but has grown and developed since those years, but that development came at the price of the peaceful way of life that used to reign in Cambodia. Whilst this may be the case, and the rate of Cambodia’s growth has been exponential since the Khmer Rouge was overthrown by invading Vietnamese troupes, the memory of the atrocities that took place here are still fresh in the minds of many of the people that still live here.

Hundreds of thousands of the educated middle-classes were tortured and executed in special centers. The most notorious of these centers was Tuol Sleng in the capital city of Phnom Penh, often nicknamed S21 Prison, was once a school, but during the Khmer Rouge Regime this school was turned into a prison where ‘enemies’ of the Khmer Rouge were kept, tortured, interrogated and killed. It is estimated that over the four years of the Khmer Rouge Regime as many as 17,000 men, women, and children were kept imprisoned here.

To this day Tuol Sleng still stands, now no longer a prison, but a monument and dedication to those who lost their lives there, including a small amount of foreigners who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is rumored that during their stay at Tuol Sleng many prisoners were forced into confessing to crimes that they had not committed, including being international spies or selling information to governments outside of Cambodia, pushed to this point through torture and threats. The faces of those that were imprisoned at S21, some only children themselves, still hang on the walls, framed for guests and visitors to see, haunting the halls of the building that once kept them captive. 

Due to a policy of guilt-by-association, at times whole families were detained at the center. Very few inmates were released out of the prison between the years of 1975 and 1979. Only 12 former inmates survived the opening of S-21 when Phnom Penh was liberated. Four of them were children. These are often referred to as ‘the lucky ones’.

Probably the most heartbreaking monument to the Khmer Rouge Regime stands in the form of the Killing Fields, located just outside of Phnom Penh Capital. Whilst only one of hundreds of Killing Fields across the country, Choeung Ek, which sits on the outskirts of the city, was by far the largest and most terrifying of them all. Today it serves as a memory to those that lost their lives there - and those that survived - and is used as an educational tool to ensure that history never repeats itself again. 

Those sent to Choeung Ek made the 17km journey crammed into the back of trucks. Once there, many were blindfolded and, not wanting to waste bullets, soldiers smashed spades into their heads before pushing them into pits containing the dead bodies of thousands. It is thought that about 17,000 men, women, and children were executed at the site.

In 1980, the remains of almost 9,000 people were exhumed from the mass graves that litter the former orchard. Many of these skulls now sit in a memorial stupa that was created in 1988 and forms the centerpiece of the site, serving as a reminder of the bitter past and helping to ensure the lives lost are never forgotten.

Today, it’s hard to imagine the former orchard is a place that harbors such horror. Birdsong rises from the trees, the gentle breeze wafts through manicured fields, flowers bloom, shimmering paddies surround the site and life goes on. Threaded bracelets litter the site, from being hung on plants and posts that surround the locations that once marked mass-graves, to being strung through the trees where children were once killed - a small offering of remembrance and solidarity from visitors and guests who pass through to pay their respects.

It seems almost immoral that such suffering has been almost completely forgotten by the rest of the world. But in Cambodia life goes on, improving day by day, with the unspoken promise that such horrors and atrocities will never happen again in the Kingdom of Wonder.

[trunk-travel-blog]

Group Travel v’s Solo Travel

Whether you’re travelling to Thailand on your own, with friends and/or family, or meeting others once you’ve arrived, Thailand is a great place to meet new people just like you. Of course, travelling with friends and family means that you already have others around you to converse with, to join activities with and to travel from A to B with. Unfortunately, this can sometimes make it more difficult to meet others as, from the outside, you’re already seen to be in a group environment that others may deem difficult to join.

If you really want to meet other travellers during your time in Thailand, the 2 easiest way to do so are by travelling solo, or to join up to a group trip where you meet your travelling companions once you’ve landed in Thailand.

For many, the thought of travelling solo is hugely daunting, especially those who aren’t particularly comfortable in social settings or who struggle with the necessary ‘small talk’ that’s very often required to initially break the ice, especially if you’re the one who wants to initiate a converstaion. To those, the thought of chatting to strangers is terrifying and often leads to a quick about-turn and another day with no new connections.

The easiest way to overcome this is to throw yourself in to the deep end and sign up to join a group trip. These are generally trips that consist of very like-minded individuals who are yearning for a Thai adventure but want the support of a guide, to have the accommodation, activities and transport organised and are looking to make friendships with others just like them.

Group trips are excellent, if you join one operated by a professional company who insist on employing well-trained and professional guides who understand the local culture and customs and are heavily experienced. You should also check that the guides are local and can speak the language. There are many reasons why you should do this, but in Thailand, it’s actualy illegal for a tour company to operate a tour with a foreign ‘guide’ and these trips usually end up in disaster when the ‘guide’ is arrested and deported for illegally working in Thailand. This could leave you guidless, accommodationless, transportless, and in a world of mess! Always check that your groups guide is legally working and has the necessary qualifications.

If you do sign to join a group, you’ll instantly make new friends. You’re almost forced to be in a situation where you will get to know others, and in almost every single case, those in your group have very similar likes and often have a lot in common with each other. This clearly makes the trip fun and easy. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the show. Don’t be daunted by the thought of travellers with strangers as in almost all instances, from the end of the first night, you’ll have a new collection of friends who will stay with you forever.

[osiristheleo]

First travel in the trunk... #Osi #osiristheleo #puppy #trunktravels #leonberger #leonbergerpuppy #kurdo

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When you can’t find a taxi you bum a ride in the trunk. . . . . . . . #trunktravels #havecamerawilltravel #wanderlusters #travelwithfriends #hujifilm #everydayiceland #backseatrider #angotango (at Reykjavík, Iceland)

[trunk-travel-blog]

Thai Food at Home

Thai food is loved the world over, and for very good reason. It’s, in our non-biased opinion (honestly!) the tasty food you can find anywhere, and cooked with fresh ingredients, it’s healthy too. I’m a huge lover of Thai food. I’m even a regular visitor to Thai restaurants when i’m travelling out of Thailand. There are a few “classics” that you must try either in Thailand, or where you live, such as Pad Thai (the tourists favourite!), the original Som Tam salad, incredible seafood options, and contrary to what many people believe, it’s not all “spice & rice”!

So today, I want to encourage you to create your own classic, the Thai Green Curry. It’s a favourite of locals and travelers in Thailand that can be purchased very cheaply and almost everywhere in the country. Seriously, you can get hold of this tummy-pleaser for around £1 ($1.25) with rice, and it’ll keep you going for hours! With or without meat, this is a real taste explosion and a genuine Thai treat. So don’t hesitate, it’s easy to make at home and you can get almost all, if not absolutely all, of the required ingredients in your local supermarkets. Add spice to please and remember to taste, taste, taste!

I’ve made this one myself, so it’s absolutely idiot-proof! Anybody can make this tasty. Give it a go and you’ll be yearning even harder to be eating this in a beach restaurant washing it down with a cool glass of wine or an ice cold beer.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 2 to 3

ALL INGREDIENTS:

GREEN CURRY PASTE:

4 small green Thai chilies (add more if you like your curries spicy

1/4 cup shallot OR purple onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 thumb-size piece grated ginger

1 stalk fresh minced lemongrass

1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

3/4 to 1 tsp shrimp paste

1 (loose) cup fresh coriander/cilantro leaves and stems, chopped

1/2 tsp. ground white pepper (can be purchased at some supermarkets, OR at Asian food stores)

3 Tbsp fish sauce

1 tsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. lime juice

CURRY INGREDIENTS:

1 to 1.5 lbs. (about 0.7 kg) boneless chicken thigh or breast, cut into chunks

1 can coconut milk

4 kaffir lime leaves (can be purchased frozen at most Asian food stores), OR substitute 1 tsp. grated lime zest

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks

1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise several times, then cut into chunks

Generous handful fresh basil

2 Tbsp coconut oil or other vegetable oil

Preparation:

Place all the “green curry paste” ingredients together in a food processor, and process to a paste. If necessary, add a few Tbsp. of the coconut milk to help blend ingredients. Set aside.

Prepare the lime leaves by tearing the leaf away from either side of the stem. Discard the central stem. Then, using scissors, cut leaves into thin strips. Set aside.

Warm a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl around, then add the green curry paste.

Stir-fry briefly to release the fragrance (30 seconds to 1 minute), then add 3/4 of the coconut milk, reserving 2-3 Tbsp. per serving portion for later.

Add the chicken, stirring to incorporate. When the curry sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low, until you get a nice simmer.

Cover and allow to simmer 3-5 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.

Add the red bell pepper and zucchini, plus the strips of lime leaf (or lime zest), stirring well to incorporate. Simmer another 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened but still firm and colorful.

Do a taste-test for salt, adding 1-2 Tbsp. fish sauce if not salty enough. If you’d prefer a sweeter curry, add a little more sugar. If too salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk. Note that this curry should be a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and sour, plus bitter (the bitter is found in the fresh basil garnish).

Serve with steaming hot boiled rice and chow down!

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[trunk-travel-blog]

60 Thai Superstitions – ‘Borrowed’ from the Thai media site - Coconuts

If you’re thinking of travelling to Thailand, or you want to stay a while and work with Thai elephants, or you’re joining up with the best group tour through The Land of Smiles, then you need to know how to survive this awesome country! As probably the best country in Asia, if not the world, then chances are you’ll be coming here soon, either for the first time, or again!

So here’s a list of 60 things to consider that will help you to settle in to life in Thailand and make sure that you’re a survivor. Oh, and don’t forget, never get your haircut on a Wednesday!

1. If a room lizard (this is a lizard that also lives in your room!) makes a noise behind your back as you leave the house, bad things may happen while you’re out. But if the sweet creature is at your front or side, you may proceed confidently.

2. A barn owl is a symbol of evil curses. If one lands on your roof, horrible things will happen.

3. Geckos usually make a loud noise at night, but if the sound is heard during the day, it is considered a warning of bad events.

4. If a bird poops on your head, you'll be doomed for the rest of the day.

5. Don't wear black to visit sick patients because black is a strict mourning color in Thai culture. Also, you should not wear black to a joyful ceremony, like your best friend's wedding. (When in doubt: Avoid black.)

6. If a monitor lizard enters your house, talk to it nicely, and it will bring you fortune.

7. If you hear strange human voices calling you at night, don't answer because it could be a ghost. Answering means you allow them to enter your house.

8. A mole on the lower lip makes one a big mouth.

9. A ‘player’ commonly has wavy hair, a short neck and face.

10. A person with big ears has an easy, lucky life while those with thick ears might be lonely, doomed folk.

11. A person who uses different tones in a single conversation is insincere.

12. Baldies are sneaky and flirty. The belief comes from the characteristics of a fictional character "Khun Chang.”

13. Babies with birthmarks had past lives.

14. Don't take a tree from the temple to plant at home. Trees at the temples are sacred and meant to stay there. Moving it elsewhere will bring bad events to that place.

15. Don't cut your hair on Wednesday, or you will have bad luck.

16. A left eye twitch is a sign of bad luck. A right eye twitch means good luck.

17. If a wild animal enters your home, pray with candles, joss sticks and flowers. Then kindly ask it to leave your house and take any traces of bad luck with it.

18. A cremation should never be done on Friday because it is a day for cheerful events. (Probably avoid wearing black in either case.)

19. If a comb breaks while brushing hair, toss it right away, or bad things will follow.

20. If you randomly smell joss sticks in the middle of the night, the spirits of your close relatives are present.

21. If a bee makes a beehive in your house, don't destroy it. Bees are diligent animals that bring good luck.

22. Predict your success in business by planting any type of Aloe. If it grows to be brown and dried-out, your business will soon fail.

23. Step out of your house with the left foot, and you will have a good day.

24. If you hit another person's hand as you both reach out for food at the table, expect a guest soon.

25. Don't “clank” your dish. It is an invitation for hungry spirits out there to join your meal.

26. Don't sweep the floor at night, or you will sweep out the money you have earned during the day.

27. Don’t decorate your home with a statue or image of a giant. It will provoke arguments among the residents.

28. Don't push your bed against the wall of the bathroom because wealth will slip away. And don’t sleep facing the bedroom door because you will have bad dreams.

29. Feeding stray animals or giving them shelter on rainy days earns great merit.

30. Don't let your kitchen get dirty, or you will lose money.

31. Don't give a handkerchief as a gift to your friends and lover, or you will soon separate.

32. Don't let a mirror go dusty. It will dust the future of the owner with bad luck.

33. Don't have sex on your birthday and Buddhist holidays. These are days for purity.

34. If you ever find a coin on the ground, pick it up and call it a lucky baht, or you will offend your money and drive it out of your pocket.

35. Putting a ring on the middle or ring finger of your right hand will compliment your wealth. Meanwhile, wearing a ring on the ring finger or pinky of your left hand will help you appear more charming.

36. A single girl should never sing in the kitchen, or she will end up with an old boyfriend or none at all.

37. Donating money for a coffin for a dead person without relatives can help you get through tough times.

38. Always clean the Buddhist shrine at your home, or you might lose respect from your colleagues.

39. Always stock eggs and oranges in your kitchen. They will bring happiness to your household.

40. A pregnant woman cannot attend a funeral, or the spirit of the dead will disturb the baby. This could be deadly.

41. Don't sleep with your head pointing to the west, or you will have bad dreams.

42. If your necklace falls off, bad things will happen.

43. Don't call a baby “cute,” or a jealous spirit will kidnap it. Always call the newborn “ugly.”

44. Don't cut your nails at night, the spirits of your ancestors will worry that you will cut yourself. (The afterlife must be really boring.)

45. When using stairs, take only one step at a time, or you will not succeed in your career.

46. A pregnant woman should not watch someone go through childbirth. She will be terrified and have even more difficult labor.

47. Don't place a mirror near your bed. If you can see yourself while in bed, you tend to obsess over sex.

48. To prevent rain from ruining an outdoor event, make a virgin girl stick lemongrass into the ground.

49. Don't touch someone’s head, not even a child. The head is a sacred part of one's body.

50. Dreaming that a snake wraps itself around your body means you will soon meet your soul mate.

51. Seeing a dead body in your dream means you will win something from a lucky draw.

52. Dreaming that a tooth falls out means your relative will die. An upper jaw tooth refers to a relative of your father's side, while a lower jaw tooth is your mother's.

53. Kissing someone in a dream means bad luck.

54. Don't pre-celebrate your birthday. You will only die sooner.

55. Three doors should not align with each other, or it will create a portal for spirits from the other world to enter.

56. If a toad enters your home, it will bring good luck.

57. If your left arm muscle twitches, you will lose money. Right arm twitching brings money.

58. If a pet bird makes a noise at night, you will get into an argument.

59. A woman on her period should not step into the temple.

60. Morning dreams are believable as it's the time angels visit mortals.

[trunk-travel-blog]

Bangkok

Is an incredible city and should be explored by anybody travelling to Thailand. Yes, it’s home to Trunk Travel, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. The “city that never sleeps” was clearly a title invented for this city as it’s always open and you can always find something to do, somewhere to be, food to eat, whatever time of day, or night, it is.

The hottest city on the planet, Bangkok has an average daily temperature of 35• witht he hottest months being April and May where day time highs can get up to over 40•!

Bangkok isn’t actually the name of the city, this is a nickname that was given to the city as the following is way too difficult for any non-Thai to pronouce. The actual full name of the city is the longest place name in the world, consisting of 168 letters. This is the full name of the city

Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit[f] กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบูรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์

Shortened now to Krung Thep Mahanakon, or just Krung Thep, we all know it, and love it, simply as, Bangkok.

Home to an approximate 15 million people, Bangkok is one of the biggest cities in the world. This number, in normal times, swells by around 30 million more visitors each year. And for good reason.

Bangkok is full to the brim with incredible history, beautiful temples, mouth-watering street food, happy, friendly, smiley people and so much more. 

The Chao Prayah river, or the River of Kings, dissects the city and is a very busy waterway that is fed by over 25kms of canals that are also used as highways through the city.

The architecture in Bangkok is also very impressive with some incredible buildings now appearing on the already impressive skyline, such as the Mahanakhon buiding with it’s incredible rooftop - definitely worthy of a visit.

But if architeture’s not your thing, hit the markets, there’s heaps! From the world-famous Chatuchak (also known as Jatujak, or simply, JJ) market, to the electric avenue, there’s a market here for anybody and everybody and you can find some incredible deals on anything from designer goods (proceed with caution!) to brand names (procee stih caution) and evreything inbetween (procced with caution)! But, if you find a shiny new Apple iphone for $100, chances are it’s not an Apple iphone so, proceed with caution....

Whatever it is that you want for a city break then we guarantee that Bangkok has it, and A LOT of it. From Michelin-starred street food, to your next designer-label handbag (proceed with caution!), Bangkok simply rocks. 

[trunktravel]

Thailand’s Forests: Why Their Destruction is so Devastating for Thailand

Whilst Thailand may seem like a tropical paradise, with miles of luscious and thick jungles and forests, it may come as a surprise to know that Thailand’s jungles used to be even more vast and magnificent.

Between the years of 1960 and 1980 a huge amount of Thailand’s natural forests and jungles were stripped. What was once a largely natural country soon developed and grew, with cities building up across the country, and forest landscapes slowly disappearing. The amount of land in Thailand that was once covered by forest was reduced from 70% in 1950 to only 25% today. Whilst Thailand still has a vast amount of natural forests and jungles, it’s not what it once was.

So what is the reason for this? In 2018 alone, forest products, or products made from the materials found in the forest, account for a whopping 118 billion Thai Baht (3.9 billion USD) in exports from the country. The forests were cut down to meet growing foreign demand for tropical hardwoods and wood furniture, as well as illegal logging and agriculture being two primary culprits in the decline of Thailand’s forests. It has been suggested that only around 16-17% of Thailand’s current forests are healthy, and that if deforestation continues at the rate that it currently is, Thailand will have no more natural forests left within 50 years.

Thailand’s jungles provide a crucial key to Thailand’s ecosystem. Not only does a huge percentage of Thailand’s population use the forests as a means of providing for their families, using the natural materials found their to survive, but most of Thailand’s wildlife population have made home within these jungles.

Rapid deforestation, couple with a rise in demand for exotic animals to be used as pets, has been detrimental to Thailand’s wildlife population. Rhinos and tapirs, which were once commonly found across the country, have all but disappeared, alongside herds of wild elephants, gibbons, and some species of monkeys and birds. Thailand’s once abundant population of freshwater and marine fish have been rapidly depleted by the disruption and destruction of their natural habitats, as well as shrimp, prawns, and sea crabs.

But that’s not to say that efforts are not being made to change this. In 1989 the Thailand government completed a ban on all commercial logging. It is now illegal to sell timber felled in Thailand and all imported timber must be registered with the government before going for sale.

The government has also formulated a series of policies to reforest the open tracts of land. One of the most uncommon techniques is to use aerial reforestation. The idea sounds like from a fantasy movie, but they actually managed to plant 900,000 trees in a day by launching seeds from a military aircraft.

With the reforestation efforts taking place currently, it’s suspected that Thailand’s forest population will grown exponentially over the next decade, hopefully bringing with it an increase in wildlife populations. However, with reforestation already putting many people out of their homes in the countryside, will reforestation usher in a new era of a thriving ecosystem for Thailand, or will it simply bring with it more problems?

[trunktravel]

Siem Reap Beyond Angkor

Now that tourism is reawakening in Cambodia, the streets of Siem Reap are beginning to look busier, with the familiar footsteps of backpackers hoping to catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat echoing through the once ghostly streets of Cambodia’s tourism capital. With the promise of a more prosperous year for a city that relies so heavily on travellers and tourists, we thought that we would take this moment to highlight some of our favourite spots in Siem Reap that lie beyond the famous Angkor Wat.

1. ICF Wake Park

ICF Wake Park is one of the best family attractions which offers one of the most exciting experiences in Siem Reap! It is not only for water skiing but it also includes water fun for everyone at Adventure Island, a blow-up agility course situated in the waters just off ICF’s man-made beach. Profits from ICF Wake Park are contributed to charity for Children Centers.

2. Footprints Cafe

Footprints Cafe, nearby the river, is a quiet and peaceful spot, perfect for working or relaxing. With delicious coffee, yummy western and Khmer food, a book swap, and a co-working space upstairs, Footprints has everything that you’d want or need from a cafe! We highly recommend the French Toast!

3. Silk Garden

Silk Garden, a locally owned bar hidden in a small alleyway just off Pub Street, is a place that will always have a good atmosphere! With cheap drinks, friendly staff and a whole host of events such as live music and DJs, Silk Garden is definitely a spot that can’t be missed during a trip to Siem Reap!

4. Babel Eco-Shop

Connected to the Babel Guesthouse, the Babel Eco-Shop is filled to the brim with all things sustainable and reusable! From a refill center, to reusable face-masks, plastic free soap, and reusable straws and bottles! There is even an eco-friendly daycare here called Busy Bees which only use plastic free toys!

5. The Harbour

The Harbour is completely unique in itself, and is 100% worth the visit! It’s been said that The Harbour is the home of live music in Siem Reap, and we would have to agree with that statement, with a weekly open mic night that draws in large crowds of musicians, and live bands every week! If you’re looking to dance to some live music, The Harbour is the place for you!

[trunktravel]

Our Top Hidden Gems In Thailand

We all know the popular spots that Thailand has to offer, from Wat Arun to The Royal Grand Palace. These sights draw in huge crowds of tourists and locals alike every year, and it’s not hard to see why, with their intricate and elegant designs and architecture and fascinating history. However, Thailand’s beauty doesn’t only lie along the tourist trail, with hundreds of hidden locations showcasing the stunning natural and cultural backdrop to the beating heart of Thailand’s tourist trade. These are just a few of our favourites.

1. Erawan Waterfalls

Only around a one-hour drive from Kanchanaburi, Erawan Waterfalls is simply stunning. Named after the highest waterfall in its series, which is often said to resemble a three-headed elephant, the water cascades down from there to another six different waterfalls, each as beautiful and unique as the last. Winding through the forest and jungles, under bridges, and around rock faces, it’s the perfect spot for a day-trip adventure.

2. Wat Pha Sorn Kaew

Hidden away high-up in the hills of Northern Central Thailand, Wat Pha Sorn Kaew is a Dharma retreat for monks and Buddhist followers. The mountaintop sanctuary, with a preaching hall, pagoda, and surrounding gardens, has a stunning design, and set against the serenity of the mountains is the site’s most striking feature, the ice-white temple, which represents five-Buddhas who have visited Earth.

3. Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn beach is a superb green bay with powdery and smooth white sand tucked between green hills and a couple of tiny islands in the very south of Phuket. More laid back than west coast tourist spots, Nai Harn has enough restaurants, hotels and shops for a great day and has remained relatively untouched. It truly is a stunning spot, and perfect for a relaxed afternoon under the Thai sun.

4. Koh Panyee Floating Fishing Village

Koh Panyee is a special Muslim village floating on the sea in Phang Nga Bay. It is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The floating island lies in the shadow of a high limestone rock formation in a sheltered bay at sea. Koh Panyee is about half an hour by boat from the Phang Nga Pier in Phang Nga Bay.  The floating Muslim village was created about two hundred years ago by 3 seafaring fishing families from Java in Indonesia. Fun fact: All of the local residents that live here are descendants from the original settler that founded the village!

5. Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya, an ancient city brimming with character, history, and stunning views, is one spot in Thailand that you simply cannot miss. The ancient ruins scattered throughout the city show glimpses into this city’s fascinating past, where Ayutthaya was once one of the world’s wealthiest cities, laden with beautiful temples and heavenly palaces. You can explore these enigmatic ruins to this day; an exhilarating insight into the rich past of this magical city. It really is something to behold.

[trunk-travel-blog]

The Situation Is Worsening....

A couple of days ago out Chief Operating Officer, Lucy, met with one of Thailand’s most respected elephant experts and founder of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, Mr John Roberts.

The point of the meeting was to discuss how trunk and his foundation can work together on various ideas and projects to ultimately raise the much-needed funding to support as many of the hundreds of elephants in captivity in the northern provinces of Thailand.

There are approximately 1,500 elephants in peril in this area of Thailand. Most of which will be returned to their owners, to squalid conditions, to a limited diet and almost non-existent healthcare.

When we met with John he explained the current plight in more detail. A video that you can watch here. We urge you to watch it to understand more about this unprecedented situation we’re facing -

https://youtu.be/PBjM5gY624o

There was one piece of good news that was reported today. One of Thailand’s oldest elephant camps that despite constant pressure continued to offer rides to unknowing tourists has finally closed its doors due to the drop in tourist numbers. They’ve expressed that now the saddles have been removed they will never be put back on the elephants. We’ll see if that happens and keep you updated.

https://bit.ly/TrunkElephantNews2632020

[trunk-travel-blog]

#Selfisolation

It’s not an uncommon hashtag right now, that’s for sure! It’s vital in the process of slowing down and ultimately stopping this terrible virus. So at trunk we’ve taken steps to do what we can.

In light of the increase of cases reported in Thailand, with the majority of these new cases being in Bangkok, in our office on Friday we discussed what we can do to play our part. Happily, and overwhelmingly, our team decided to work from home for at least the next 14 days.

This has its own problems. For us to be able to operate to the best of our abilities, it’s imperative that we are a unified team. We need to seek out and discuss issues and find ways to resolve them as a unit, mainly so that we are all on the same page. and when working in a bi-lingual environment, communication is so important to ensure that everybody understands what is happening and the plan to move forward. With our team now being spread across this sprawling metropolis communicating will be difficult, but not impossible. I am now working on an action plan to ensure that everyone properly comprehends and understands what we’re doing, how and why.

We have lots of new plans in place in order to raise awareness and funds for our supported camps. Our biggest venture will be rolled out in the next few days and it’s a doozy! We can’t wait to be able to bring this to you once we’re completely happy with it and we know it’s functioning properly. Keep an eye out for this.

So for the next couple of weeks at least, operations will be affected but it’s still early days and any speedbumps will be flattened as we learn more about how to work effectively.

Don’t stop getting in touch. We are still here. We are still working very hard to achieve our goals and to support our elephants. We need your help more now than ever so if there’s anything that you think you can do to help, please do get in touch.

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Welcome to trunk.

Hello and thanks for clicking on our little blog, our little space on the web to offer news and updates on what’s going on each day at trunk,  what we’re up too, what our guests are up too, what the elephants are up too, and more. 

You’ll get a genuine insight in to the day to day running of an award-winning, ethical and responsible travel company dedicated to the ongoing support of rescued and captive elephants across South East Asia. 

From company meetings, to our plans for the future, to video interviews with our guests, plus more general and insightful information on travelling and experiencing life in this incredible sub-continent.

Our plan is to showcase a wide array of what we’re going through as we work our way up to being the go-to company for any individual or travel brand looking to incorporate anything elephant-related in their tours.

Trunk has over 40 years experience in helping to shape how travel works with elephants and whilst we all want to see elephants returned to the wild, that’s simply not option given where countries are with over-development, de-forestation, lack of poaching and hunting controls, pesticides in farming and many more reasons.

We work with local experts in each country to ensure that what we’re doing and how we do is the best way forward. We guarantee that everything we do has been checked by the relevant professionals. We take advice, develop and learn. We’re certainly not fly-by-nighter’s looking to make a fast-buck off the exploitation of the elephants, our heart is well and truly in ensuring that the elephants and the local communities benefit positively from the work that we do.

Please feel free to ask questions. Let us know if there’s anything that you would like to see more of, or learn more about, better still come and meet us and see everything for yourself!

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Meet The Team  # 5 🥳

Sadly, because all of our efforts have recently been focused solely on our fundraising and our #datewithanelephant initiative and we've neglected our 'Meet The Team' Thankfully, today, it's back 🤩

So, ladies & gentleman, without further delay, meet Lerdtida, otherwise known as Pai (pronounced like 'pie'), or Mrs Willliams

Pai is trunk's company secretary and has many responsibilities in our organisation. She's the one who deals with the authorities here in Thailand to ensure that we're working within their guidelines, meeting deadlines, that all of our paperwork is filed correctly and on time and so, because of the sheer amount of red tape we have to work our way through each and every day, her job is one of the most stressful.

Pai is absolutely the right person for these responsibilities as she has a long and checkered background working in international business and absolutely takes no prisoners

➡️ Some interesting facts about Pai.....

1️⃣ She worked as a vet consultant 👩‍⚕️ in both the pet practice 🐹 and pig farming 🐷 industries.

2️⃣ Pai lived in Brisbane on Australia's 🇦🇺 Gold Coast for 5 years before returning to Thailand 🇹🇭

3️⃣ Pai is mummy to two young boys 👩‍👦‍👦and almost died of Sepsis back in 2017 after complications from delivering her youngest ❤️

4️⃣ Despite living in one of the best countries on the planet 🌏for taking a dip in crystal clear seas, Pai can't swim 🏊‍♀️

5️⃣ She is the slowest eater on the planet - Fact 🤬

One more interesting fact about Pai is that she has been married to our founder, Steve, for 9 years, and she firmly keeps him in check 💑

Well, that's Pai. When you join us on an experience, it's unlikely that you'll meet her as she's usually either in the office, dealing with brain-crushing government departments or looking after the children but she does sometimes manage to get out and about and will happily accept a pink gin and tonic 🍸

[trunk-travel-blog]

WIN A TRUNK EXPERIENCE

🏝 WIN A FREE TRUNK EXPERIENCE 🐘

We're all in the same boat; confined to our homes 🏠 struggling to stay busy 😔 but ultimately we want the best for this world 🌏 so it's a bittersweet time. So to help you see off a few hours, we are inviting you to enter our very special Covid-Competition 🥳

ENTERING THE COMPETITION IS SIMPLE ✅

1️⃣ Click on the links below and download the pictures

2️⃣ Print them out and get colouring

3️⃣ Scan, or photograph your finished piece and then email it along with your home address to us at steve@trunk-travel.com before April 30th 2020

4️⃣ Those who make it all look that little bit extra special will receive extra special attention

5️⃣ Your prize can be taken any time before December 1st 2021

🌟 There are two prizes to be won, one in each of the following categories

👶 Little Kids - all entrants must under 13 years old

👩 Big kids - all entrants must be 13 years and over

⏩ Download your colouring patterns by clicking on the link below

👶 LITTLE KIDS - https://bit.ly/trunkkidscomp

👩 BIG KIDS - https://bit.ly/trunkadultscomp

💲 PRIZE 💲

One free place for the little kid's winner and One free place for the big kid's winner on any of our experiences - see the list here www.trunk-travel.com/experiences

📌 RULES 

1️⃣ one winner per household 

2️⃣ entries received after April 30th can not be included 

3️⃣ entrants sent to the above email address will be included in the draw 

4️⃣ the prize draw will take place around May 7th 2020 and the winner notified by email 

5️⃣ By entering the competition you are agreeing to let us show your entrant on our social media platforms

✅ It's really that simple! Click, download, get colouring, WIN 💝

[trunk-travel-blog]

Keeping Busy....

If you’re stuck for something to do because there’s no sport, you’re unable to get out and about, the fear has taken over, then why not create a little slice of Thailand in your own house with a very simple recipe?

You may, or may not, already know that food is revered here in Thailand. It’s a staple part of the day and not just in terms of fuelling your body. The social side of eating is a huge part of Thailand’s culture and sharing food with others is considered the norm, Whereas you and I were most likely raised eating a pre-plated meal, with our meat, vegetables and whatever else mum could prepare, in Thailand it’s common for you to be served a simple plate of rice, then several different dishes laid out in front of those at mealtime to share.

One of the age-old, readily available, Thai dishes is the ever-present classic Thai Green Curry, and despite what you might believe because the name of the dish includes the words ‘Thai’ and ‘curry’, this doesn’t have to be spicy!

If you’re like me and have the ability to burn anything and everything in the kitchen, then the through of attempting to create anything in a kitchen fills you with dread, fear and a whole new level of anxiety. However, even I managed to reduce a very edible dish from this very easy to follow the recipe. Moreover, if again, like me, you don't have time to spend in the kitchen, this recipe brings excellent results in just 10 minutes! Click the following link for the recipe and create your own slice of Thailand in the comfort (and safety!) of your own kitchen....

https://www.spar.co.uk/recipes/thai-green-curry-recipe

For the true taste of Thailand, we do recommend using Jasmine rice to accompany this beauty of a dish, perhaps with a Singha beer?

Take in the aroma’s and it’ll have you thinking of the beautiful islands of Thailand in no time.