Over the last year we’ve sent 5 brilliant bloggers to some of our finest destinations. They visited the likes of Mexico, Mauritius and Thailand, and blogged about what they got up to. Here’s our round up of Sara Thomas’ blogs…
In October last year we ran a competition to find a handful of expert bloggers who could road-test our holidays and bring you the lowdown on the destinations, excursions and activities. Sara Thomas was hand-picked to be part of our Out Of Office blogging team, impressing us with her entry about her day trip to Salisbury. We sent her to Thailand to blog about her experiences. Here’s a selection of her holiday highlights…
Elephant trekking through Khao Sok National Park
“Khao Sok Discovery specialise in running daytrips for tourists to experience some of what the area has to offer, and one of the highlights of our day was a visit to the Rommanee Elephant Camp. It’s a small, family-oriented sanctuary – the ‘trainers’ and the elephants have grown up together, and now their own children are growing up here. As an animal-lover who has seen first-hand cruelty in other parts of the world, I found Rommanee was worlds apart in terms of the level of love and kindness shown to the animals. If it’s possible to have an icy heart in the 40-degree Thai heat, then I’m pretty sure one of these elephants can melt it.”
Canoeing along the Sok River
“Next on the list was canoeing along the Sok River. If you’re lucky, you can spot tree frogs, snakes and even large lizards basking in the sunshine in the low-lying canopy. The trips last for around 45 minutes, gently following the river, well away from busy roads and other distractions. You can also take the reins and do the canoeing yourself, if you’re feeling up to the challenge!”
Shopping in Bang Niang market
“Open-air markets can be a tourist’s paradise, and Bang Niang Market is no exception – it opens its gates every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The spice stores are one of the market’s highlights, so if you fancy trying your hand at recreating some of your favourite Thai dishes when you get home, don’t forget to pay a visit. The traders pretend to drive a hard bargain when it comes to bartering, but it’s easy to pick up spices for a fraction of their original asking price. The market can get very busy, so head to the Blah Blah Bar within the market itself for a break. It prides itself on the fact it has no Wi-Fi, and is designed to be a rest-stop for tourists to sit down, enjoy a banana smoothie and get chatting.”
Testing the Quan Spa at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort
“I had decided to try an After-Sun Wrap, after spending a little bit too much time outside with not enough sunblock on. The treatment started with a coconut oil and sea salt foot scrub. Next, I moved over to the table for the wrap. The therapist applied fresh, chilled aloe vera gel to the full length of my body – including my back, which had taken the brunt of the sunburn – and swaddled me up in several layers of blankets, to allow the jelly to absorb. Once I was unwrapped, and surprised at how warm I’d gotten in those 30 minutes, the therapist continued the massage focusing on my back and scalp. A combination of the music, the massage and the heat from the wrap almost sent me to sleep. It was a truly relaxing experience that did wonders for my sunburn.”
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