Magic of Thailand
Cheron Gelber
November 10 - November 23, 2010
Bangkok • Ayutthaya • Chiang Rai • Chiang Mai
Trip Note: We have decided to postpone the 2010 trip due to the unrest in Thailand as safety of our travelers is our number one concern. Please continue to check back to learn when it will be rescheduled.
Join Cheron Gelber, formerly of Somerset Silver, for a two-week visit to enchanting Thailand. The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar, and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions: the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.
Our Thailand trip for 2010 has been specially timed to coincide with the Loy Kratong festival in Thailand. Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all Thai celebrations. It began in the 12th century and has been celebrated nonstop since then. Elaborate floats are paraded through the cities while smaller floats made of banana leaves and flowers are floated down the river while making a wish for the future and paying thanks for the water the river provides. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky hoping that misfortune goes with them. We will participate in all the festivities.
Our first stop in Thailand, “Land of Smiles,” will be its capital and largest city, Bangkok, or “Krung Thep (the city of angels)” as it is called by Thai people. Its official name, however, holds the Guinness book of records for longest name of a place: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
Bangkok is a bustling and captivating city, situated on the banks of the busy Chao Phraya River. We’ll see many of the grand sites of Bangkok, take a few day trips out of town, have some time to explore the city on your own, and of course shop for beads. You will dine daily on that wonderful Thai cuisine that so many of us have grown to love.
We will visit the spectacular complex that houses the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Po. These are the first of many incredible temples we will visit in Thailand where Buddhism is practiced by over 90% of the population.
Wat Po, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. The enormous reclining Buddha is 140 feet long and 50 feet high. Wat Po is also home to the leading school for Thai massage in the country. We’ll stop there for an optional foot massage.
We’ll make an excursion outside Bangkok to the Damneon Saduak floating market, where merchants and villagers buy and sell fruits, vegetables and many other items from small boats. We’ll also take a day trip to Ayutthaya which was one of the ancient capitals of Siam where magnificent ruins still remain.
After four days in Bangkok and the surrounding area we will take a short flight to Chiang Rai where the pace is a lot slower than in Bangkok. We’ll visit Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary and beautiful unconventional Buddhist temple. We’ll also visit the Golden Triangle, the infamous border where Laos, Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) meet to form the Mekong valley. We’ll stop at the opium museum where we’ll see the history of the opium trade that made this area so famous. We’ll also visit the Doi Tung Royal Villa, the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles.
Next we’ll move on to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city which is often called "Rose of the North" for the abundance of flowers that thrive in its cooler mountain climate. Although Chiang Mai is a fairly large city, after Bangkok the pace will seem a lot slower. We’ll use it as our base for the next few days as we explore both the city and the surrounding area. We will of course visit a few more temples, in particular Wat Doi Suthep, high on a hill overlooking the city. It is one of the most revered temples in all of Thailand and boasts of a beautiful view of Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.
One of the highlights of our visit to Chiang Mai will be the Night Market, located in the center of the city and very close to our hotel. After an introduction to the market you will most likely want to return several evenings to shop for just one more thing – everything from silk to silver, clothing, pottery, paper goods to chopsticks—you’ll find it all at the night market.
There will be plenty of free time for exploring Chiang Mai on your own, taking a cooking class, and indulging yourself in one (or several) of those wonderful Thai massages.
Itinerary
Day 0. Travel to Bangkok
Day 1. Wednesday, November 10 - Arrive in Bangkok
Leave home and fly to Bangkok. Depending on connections and where you are coming from it could take you 2 days to get there since many of you will be crossing the international date line. Once you arrive, take a cab to our hotel in Bangkok (directions will be provided separately). Our hotel will be near the heart of the gem trade district on Silom Rd. in one of Bangkok’s many interesting neighborhoods.
Depending on what time your flight arrives you might enjoy a walk around the neighborhood to orient yourself, a wonderful Thai massage to help recover from the flight, or just relax in our beautiful hotel and recover from jet lag. Those of us that have arrived in time for dinner will meet and go out for our official welcoming dinner, the first of many wonderful Thai meals.
Day 2. Thursday, November 11 – Bangkok’s Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Po
After a delicious buffet breakfast at our hotel we’ll go out to see some of the top sites of Bangkok. We’ll 
start at the number one attraction – The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo – probably the most dazzling sight in all of Thailand. The temple and palace grounds are filled with an amazing number of incredible structures – shimmering golden spires and extravagantly ornate pavilions. We’ll see the Ramakien murals that cover the walls of the interior cloister – a length of 2080 yards. We’ll also see the famous Emerald Buddha, a most holy and powerful statue that is only 26 inches tall.
After strolling the grounds and taking in all the grandeur, our next stop will be Wat Po, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok. There is a wonderful collection of religious structures and a magnificent reclining Buddha that is 150 feet long. The soles of the Buddha’s feet are particularly interesting as they are inlaid with mother-of-pearl illustrations of the 108 auspicious signs that identify an enlightened one. Please note that shorts and sleeveless tops are NOT permitted on temple grounds in Thailand.
After a group lunch, the afternoon will be free to explore Bangkok.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 3. Friday, November 12 - The Floating Market and Rose Garden
We’ll get an early start today for the 2-hour drive to the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak to try to beat the crowds. Here we’ll see traders paddling their boats wearing lampshade-shaped woven hats and selling fruits, vegetables, and snacks. We’ll take a boat ride on the bustling narrow canals, enjoy wonderful picture taking opportunities, and indulge in a few snacks. There will be lots of vendors “hawking” their wares and beckoning you to stop at their stands – don’t be tempted to buy too many things from them as their prices might be a bit high – but if you do decide to buy, be sure to “bargain” with them. (We’ll give you a lesson on this on the ride to the market.)
We’ll have lunch on the way to our next stop - the Rose Garden – a lovely complex with gardens set around a large lake and a model village where crafts workers demonstrate weaving, carving, and basketry. We’ll watch their cultural show – one of the best in Thailand. We’ll see a wedding, the ordination of a Buddhist monk, sword fighting, and more. And, of course there will be more shopping opportunities.
Group dinner tonight.
Day 4. Saturday, November 13 - Ayutthaya
We’ll get an early start again today for the trip to Ayutthaya. This city is one of Thailand’s historical highlights having been the capital from 1350 to 1767 before being destroyed by the Burmese. The temple compounds are awe inspiring even in their disrepair. We’ll visit a couple of the many temples, see crumbling ruins and headless Buddhas, and imagine what Ayutthaya was like in its days of glory.
After a relaxing lunch in Ayutthaya we’ll drive back to Bangkok and you will have the opportunity to explore some more of the City of Angels.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 5. Sunday, November 14 - Flight to Chiang Rai
Today we’ll get an extra hour or so of sleep before heading to the Bangkok airport for our short flight to the northernmost province of Thailand, Chiang Rai. The terrain is mountainous and covered in large part with tropical rain forests. The scenery is among the most beautiful in Thailand. We’ll visit Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary and beautiful unconventional Buddhist temple. A famous Thai artist volunteered his service to build the temple as an offering to Lord Buddha.
Group dinner tonight.
Day 6. Monday, November 15 - Golden Triangle
Today we’ll drive to the Golden Triangle, the infamous border where Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma) meet to form the Mekong valley. We’ll stop at the opium museum where we’ll see the history of the opium trade that made this area so famous. After lunch we’ll continue on to Doi Tung Royal Villa, the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. Adjacent to the villa is a beautiful flower-filled garden.
Dinner on your own tonight and maybe a visit to the Chiang Rai night market.
Day 7. Tuesday, November 16 - Drive to Chiang Mai
Today after breakfast we’ll drive to Chiang Mai (New City). It is the second largest city in Thailand and will be our base for the next few days. We’ll stay in a beautiful hotel in the heart of the city just a few short blocks from the famous Night Bazaar.
Chiang Mai is the center of the ancient Lanna Kingdom of Thailand which flourished from 1250 to 1860. Situated on the bank of the Ping River in a lush valley, Chiang Mai’s drier, cooler climate will be a welcome respite from the heat of Bangkok.
In addition to the friendly people and the incredible sites, Chiang Mai is a shopper’s paradise. This is where you will fill the extra space in your suitcase very easily. We’ll start on that project today by strolling to some of the wonderful shops near our hotel and meeting some of the local people.
Group dinner tonight.
Day 8. Wednesday, November 17 - Chiang Mai City Tour & Doi Suthep Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the true jewels of Chiang Mai. It glistens on the slopes of Doi Suthep mountain at an elevation of approximately 3200 feet. The climate is cool and refreshing, the views are expansive, and the setting is idyllic. The temple was originally built in the 14th century and in 1557 a steep 290-step staircase was added – one of the most dramatic approaches to a temple in all of Thailand. But, don’t worry we can pay a little extra to take the gondola to the top and then walk down!
Chiang Mai has more than 700 temples, the largest concentration outside Bangkok. The old “walled” city is surrounded by a moat which will become a familiar site. We’ll drive through the old city and visit at least two of Chiang Mai’s famous “wats” or temples – Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang. Don’t forget – shorts and sleeveless tops are NOT allowed in temples.
Although the hill tribes attract a huge amount of interest from tourists, they make up only about 2% of the population of Thailand. Most hill tribe people came from Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and China over the last 
century. The Thai government officially recognizes six major groups of hill tribes although there are more like 20 groups in all. The Karen tribe is the largest, numbering approximately 265,000. The second largest is the Hmong (also called Meo) and numbers approximately 80,000. Other tribes include the Akha, Lahu, Lisu, and Mien (or Yao).
At the hill tribe museum we will see objects collected over the last 30 years by researchers at the Tribal Research Institute. This includes lots of colorful costumes, baskets, ceremonial stringed and wind instruments, drums, silver jewelry, etc. The exhibits cover all the main tribes and are very well presented. The Museum shop has a wonderful assortment of items for sale—traditional tribal crafts as well as books, tapes, videos, and photos.
Dinner on your own tonight
Day 9. Thursday, November 18 - Elephant Camp, Orchid Farm, Hilltribe Village
We’ll visit the Maesa Elephant Camp where we will see an elephant show and get a chance to ride the elephants. No visit to Thailand is complete without riding and feeding the elephants. One of Thailand’s greatest treasures, the domesticated Asian elephant has worked alongside man since the early history of Siam.
Our next stop will be an orchid and butterfly farm where we will feast our eyes on more colors and varieties of orchids than you can imagine. We’ll also feast on a wonderful buffet luncheon. You will find a lot of beautiful things in the gift shop – in particular pendants and pins made from real orchids.
Our last stop of the day will be a new hilltribe village that showcases five different hill tribes.
Group dinner tonight.
Day 10. Friday, November 19 - Handicrafts and Shopping
Today we’ll devote the entire day to handicraft production and shopping. We’ll drive the famous Sankampaeng Road stopping along the way at many shops, showrooms, and factories that include:
- A large silk factory where we’ll see the silk production process from silk worms to silk fabric. There will be a large selection of fabric, ready-to-wear clothing, and household items. If you would like to have a piece of clothing made, bring a picture or sample.
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A paper factory where we’ll see paper being made, and how parasols are constructed from it. There will be lots of paper items for sale in the shop.
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A celadon pottery factory for a large selection of cups, platters, teapots, and much more.
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A gemstone jewelry showroom for some incredibly beautiful jewelry
Time permitting, we’ll add a few more options and of course we’ll take time for another fabulous Thai meal at lunch time.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 11. Saturday, November 20, 2010 - Free Day!
Lots of options--we'll help you with arrangements:
- Thai cooking class that will include a market tour
- Pamper yourself and spend the day at a spa
- Visit the Chiang Mai Zoo or Night Safari Park
- Wander the old city and visit the temples and shops
- Visit the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center
- Visit the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden or Royal Flora exhibit
- Re-visit one of your favorite sites and spend more time there
- Take a one day trek or mountain bike trip
- Take a one day silversmithing class
- Visit a remove Karen village and see several families that make those wonderful "hill tribe" silver jewelry components
- Visit the Tiget Kingdom and see nd pet the tigerts!
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 12. Sunday, November 21 - Doi Inthanon National Park
Thailand’s tallest mountain, Doi Inthanon, is about 35 miles south of Chiang Mai. The park is filled with impressive waterfalls, wild flowers, and even hill tribe villages.
About 4 p.m. the famous “Sunday market” starts coming to life on the “walking street.” Vehicles are banned for the evening and the street fills up with all kinds of vendors selling their homemade (mostly) wares and food.
Later tonight we’ll take a trip to the river to launch a “krathong” to bring good fortune for the coming year. Today is the full moon and the Loy Krathong festival that is celebrated all over Thailand. It’s a really special time that we will be able to participate in.
Day 13. Monday, November 22 - Fly to Bangkok
We’ll have a leisurely morning for any last minute activities and to get packed and ready for the short flight to Bangkok. Once in Bangkok you will have time for a little last minute exploration and then we’ll enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner.
Day 14. Tuesday, November 23 - Fly home
Those returning to the US will cross the international date line and gain a day so you should return home just hours after you leave Bangkok – at least according to the clock!
PLEASE NOTE that walking in Thailand can often be on uneven surfaces so it is important to have good walking shoes and be agile enough to maueuver such surfaces.
Also, the itinerary is subject to change depending on last minute closures and local festivities.
About Your Tour Leader: Cheron Gelber . . .
Cheron leads our Beadventures to Thailand. After a fun and rewarding "left-brained" career in high tech, Cheron (pronounced like Sharon), turned to the"right" side of the brain and fell in love with beads. She has been teaching beadwork classes at Fusion Beads in Seattle for a number of years. But she was not content to teach when she could travel, so she began with Paris and the Czech Republic and a vintage bead business was born. Next was Thailand, a country and a people that captured her heart. She created Somerset Silver to import the beautiful silver beads handmade by the Hilltribes in Thailand.
Cheron's latest venture is an English language teaching program for Thai grade schools--consider adding it on to your trip to Thailand! See www.travelteach.wordpress.com for details.
Trip Cost
$2,450 (US Dollars).
Includes: All lodging, 70% of meals, two plane rides within Thailand, ground transportation, guide fees, entrance fees
Not Included: Airfare to/from Thailand, alcoholic beverages
Payment Terms: $300 deposit to hold spot; balance due 90 days prior to start of Beadventure (see Terms and Conditions for more information)
PLEASE NOTE: Walking in Thailand can often be on uneven surfaces so it is important to have good walking shoes and be agile enough to maueuver these surfaces.