eulapanda: 2016

The Five-Tier Aguinid Falls in Cebu, Philippines

by eulapanda - 5:28 AM

Have you ever thought of scaling waterfalls?

Sounds like an adventure, right?

Still fresh from swimming with the whale sharks in the salty waters of Oslob, we headed towards Samboan, another southern town in Cebu, to experience firsthand the beauty of Aguinid Falls.

How to get There

If you're coming from Cebu City, just take a Bato-via-Barili bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal to Samboan and it will drop you off at the corner to the falls. If you're bringing along a car, a parking area is available in the covered court close to the main highway.

Since we came from Oslob, we just charted a private pickup to bring the entire gang to Samboan. An alternative would be taking the bus towards Santander (southernmost town of Cebu) and then taking a trike or a bus towards Samboan.

The inviting waters of Aguinid Falls.

What to Expect

After a short walk from the main highway to the entrance of the falls, two ladies asked us to pay a 20 php entrance fee. After which, they then called two people to serve as our guides for the day. The entrance fee didn't cover the guide fee yet though so it pays to be extra generous to the guides.

There are dozens of stalls selling souvenir items like shirts, shorts, key chains, and ref magnets by the entrance. They are also selling food and other goodies you can munch on if you're hungry. Got no waterproof case for your phone? No problem, they got them.

A little walk from the pop-up stores were cottages where people chill to sleep and dine. Eating in and near the falls are prohibited thus this allotted area. The place may get crowded during weekends and holidays so it's always best to have someone who could guard over your stuff while you're having fun in the water.

The whole gang trying to find our way through one of the fall's levels.

Wear lightweight, fast drying clothes and if you have aqua shoes or slippers with straps, the better. Since this activity calls for climbing waterfalls per se, it's also better to have your own dry bag to waterproof your stuff and to bring along important things (such as money) and gadgets with you.

We definitely enjoyed the water! Guess where we passed through to get to the top of this level?

Be prepared to get wet. I initially thought we'd just have to go from one level to another by following a set trail at the side of the falls. It started off with just having to pass by a bridge made of bamboo, then tiptoeing our way through rocks, to treading across shallow waters, to literally crawling our way up a steep rock - which is the actual falls, by the way! I know, it was a surprise but definitely one that we enjoyed so much.

This photo was taken by our guide from the top of the waterfalls. How did she get there?

Guides are there for a reason so it's a must that you listen to them when they tell you where to step or where not to jump. Don't be that reckless adventurer who goes home with a cast around his leg! Not only do you listen to them but be generous too. It pays to help the local community while having fun.

Yup! Climbing the side of the falls like a ninja!

Enjoy! :)

Cost Breakdown

Bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Samboan = Php 175/pax
Entrance Fee = Php 20
Guide Fee (depends on how much you're willing to give)

Super fun!

Aguinid Falls
Samboan, Cebu
Philippines

No comments

Going Extreme in Alegria-Badian Cebu Canyoneering

by eulapanda - 3:00 PM

Wanna do something crazy?

Wanna jump from a waterfall not only once but a couple of times more?

Test your endurance and stamina by heading out to the boulders and waters of Alegria-Badian, two adjacent towns located in Cebu, and experience a thrill that keeps you on coming back for more!

The first jump.
We probably spent more than 30 minutes here trying not to be lil chickens! LOL

For those who may not know what canyoneering or canyoning is, it is actually a sport of exploring canyons -- ravines or cliffs formed over the years by the erosive power of a river -- that also involves activities like rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping.

Not for the faint-hearted, huh? Read on to know more of Kawasan Canyoneering.

10 Things You Need to Know About

Alegria-Badian Canyoneering

1 - Starts in Alegria, Ends in Badian
Alegria and Badian are two southwest towns in Cebu located next to each other. Badian is known for Kawasan Falls and the canyoneering activity actually traces the waters flowing to the infamous Kawasan from Alegria's Kanlaob and Badian's Matutinao rivers.

The inviting waters of the river. Another jump coming right up!

2 - Commute from Cebu City to Alegria or Badian

Head over to the South Bus Terminal and catch the Bato-via-Barili bus which passes by Badian first and then Alegria. Bus trips start as early as 4 am, with a 30 minute interval, until 6 pm. Fare may range anywhere between 120 - 130 php depending on where your meetup place is with your tour operator. From the highway, habal-habal (motorcycles) are available to bring you to where the action begins.

The motorcycle ride towards the jump off point of the canyoneering activity - an adventure in itself!

3 - Guides are a Must

You can't do the canyoneering activity on your own no matter how strong of a swimmer and a daredevil you are so it's best to go with an outfitter that's reliable and trusted. There are lots of tour agencies online, just make sure to read reviews and forums to choose the best one. The guide we got was a friend of a friend and he partnered with a local in the area since we were a pretty big group. Canyoneering costs may range anywhere between Php 1,000 to Php 1,500 -- some offer it with meals, some don't -- so choose wisely.

Aside from the guides leading the way and making sure everyone is safe; they also serve as first aid responders, photographers, and encouragers when you're too scared too jump. They also show you shortcuts when you're really too scared or too tired already (hint, hint!)

List of Accredited Tour Operators for Alegria-Badian (Kawasan) Canyoneering:

Archer Sports
Cyan Adventures - info@cyan-adventures.com (0927 426 6886)
D' Juanderer's Travel Hub - info@djuandererstravel.com (0977 834 3002)
Freedom Adventure - 09351725596 / 09169676753
La Nina Adventures - 0936 562 3999
Ocean Gems Mermaid Academy - 0917 521 2240
PAC Cebu - paccebu@yahoo.com (09228222163 / 09328731188)
Vinjo Canyoneering Adventure
WAH Tour

Lots of beautiful photo ops along the way!

4 - Wear Appropriate Clothing and Footwear

Being in the outdoors subjects you to different elements in just a blink of an eye. Nature is unpredictable - it's a given; so better prepare yourself by wearing the right clothes and the right footwear not only for the sake of fashion but also for safety and comfort. It's better to wear something that's light and fast-drying so you don't have to worry about lugging around your dripping clothes. Wearing aqua shoes or slippers with straps is the way to go especially since you'll be jumping from a waterfall several times. Believe me, you don't want to be that guy left walking barefoot at the end of the trip.

Rental of safety gears is already part of the package being offered by most tour operators. Our guide is affiliated with PacGear that's why we got to use them during the trip. For the dry bag though, we brought it ourselves so we didn't have to shell out additional dough for dry bag rental.

5 - Bring Waterproof Gadgets or a Dry Bag

It's nice to document your adventure through videos and photographs but better make sure your gadgets are waterproof and are made for the outdoors. You can also bring a dry bag with you to safeguard your gadgets, IDs, and money while you're out in the water.

Not only do you jump, swim, and trek, you also need to squeeze in between rocks. No sweat for EulaPanda! haha

6 - Check the Weather

Before heading out, make sure to check the local weather especially during the rainy season. Better be safe by putting it off to another day if the weather's pretty bad and the river current is too strong. The local government normally suspends canyoneering too in stormy weather.

The water that traverse the two rivers is generally clear with a dreamy shade of blue. According to our guide, the water may turn murky following a rain and fallen leaves and branches clutter the area.

7 - Bring a Bottle of Water, Energy Bars, or Candies

Yes! You need food, dude. Badian canyoneering may sound easy peazy and I initially thought I wouldn't get hungry (it's a 3 hour activity, at the very least) but lo and behold! My lil tummy is already growling for food (not a surprise there though, haha). Good thing my friend brought some candies to munch on.

The orange gremlins having fun. That's just half of our group, by the way.

Lately though they say, barbeque and food stalls magically appear out of nowhere midway of the adventure towards Kawasan falls. Not a good thing, if you ask me, as this is a sign that the canyoneering activity is getting too commercialized and people may just throw their trash anywhere.

And another crazy jump by my friends!

8 - Be a Responsible Adventurer, Respect Mother Nature

Hey, just because you can eat and buy food during the course of the trip, you can just throw your trash anywhere. Nope! Respect begets respect, guys. Dispose off your trash properly and Mother Nature will take care of us too. Hint: The life jackets we got have zippered bags stitched to it which we used as our temporary waste receptacle.

On and on we go! Getting lazy walking? Just wade through the water - definitely more fun.

9 - Respect Other People and the Local Canyoneering Regulations Too

When we went Canyoneering in early 2015, there were just us and another group composed of 2 foreigners tailing us (who eventually overtook our group) so we basically were able to enjoy the beauty of nature all by ourselves.

Isn't it beautiful? We stop from time to time not only to rest but also to marvel at nature's beauty.

However, this may not be take case as the months went by as there were just too many tour operators and too many tourists wading the waters at the same time. A friend, who went on this trip early 2016, mentioned that there were just too many people that time and she felt the guide was rushing them to finish the course.

This area is a potential bottle neck during peak season. Adventurers have to go on a single file to pass through.

The Kawasan Canyoneering operation was recently reinstated in September 2016 following a two month suspension by the local government to give time for training local guides and operators as well as putting up new guidelines for the said activity.

Getting ready for the last jump of our crazy adventure! Well, not really. I chickened out guys. Got scared jumping in between narrow boulders. Hehe

The new guidelines are as follows:

Php 1,500 rate for a group of 5 guests (inclusive of two tour guides)
Guests are required to book with Alegria Tourism Office one week before their preferred schedule
50% downpayment is required. Non refundable but may be rescheduled.
Only 75 guests are allowed from Tuesday to Friday
Only 150 guests during the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and holidays
More guests may be allowed based on the barangay captain's discretion
Kanlaob River is closed on Mondays
Only accredited tour operators and trained tour guides are allowed

Alergia Tourism Office

Alegria Heritage Park, Poblacion, Alegria, Cebu

www.alegriacebu.gov.ph

alegriatourism@gmail.com

(032) 478-7093

My friends getting ready for another jump!

Here's another photo of the final jump. That's probably more than 15 feet, eh?

10 - Enjoy!

Last but not the least, enjoy! Stay safe yet have loads of fun, you guys! :)

Aaahhh.. finally! The majestic Kawasan Falls!

The activity ends up in Kawasan where you can enjoy a good meal after an exhausting yet fun canyoneering activity. Kawasan Falls is a destination in itself so if you feel like you're not fit for the crazy adventure that is canyoneering, you can just stay here and chill while your friends are out there.

Another alternative to make the most out of your Southern Cebu escapade is to head over to Badian or Moalboal and spend a night there or two.

Stay tuned for more adventures!
:)

2 comments

Top 5 Reasons Why I'm Loving UBER

by eulapanda - 11:00 PM

Running late but got no ride during peak hours? Hate getting stuck in traffic with all the sweat and car exhaust that riding a public utility vehicle entails? Or perhaps you're longing for a comfortable and relaxing ride on your way home after a busy day at work?

Worry no more, fellow Cebuano commuters!

Uber is here to meet our transportation woes at the time we need it the most. With Cebu's traffic getting worse with each passing day (and rain), Uber came at the right time to help augment the need for safer, more reliable, and more comfortable transportation option in the metro.

Here are my top 5 reasons why I am loving Uber and why I recommend it to you too:

1. Hassle free and convenient

By downloading the app, I am just a few taps away from booking a car to help me get to my destination. What's more, the map is fairly accurate and it loads faster than with the other transportation apps in the market. I also have the ability to see the name and contact number of the driver as well as the car's plate number making it easy for me to call them if I need to.

Got no cash for a cab? Take a ride on a cashless basis with Uber by linking your credit card!

When Uber was launched locally, it only had the credit card as its payment option which was probably one of the reasons why most people shied away from using the app. Currently in Cebu, we now have both the credit card and the cash options which is great because you can just switch anytime between the two depending on your preference and need. In other countries, they can even link their PayPal to their Uber account.

2. Getting denied all the time? Not in Uber

This is the best selling point of Uber for me. In other transportation apps, drivers often decline your request if your destination is too far or too traffic for their fancy. Some cabs even ask for a fixed rate or ask a bit more than what's on the meter. In Uber, drivers wouldn't know where your drop off place is until they are right there at your pick up place. Nice!

3. Uber drivers are generally nice and polite

With the Uber rides I had in Cebu, most of them own the car they are driving which makes them extra careful while on the road. Aside from that, I also got the chance to converse with them and learn new things too. That really goes a long way especially when you're stuck in traffic and if you're hungry. haha!

4. Really safe

I've taken so many Uber rides here in the Philippines and in India and I could vouch that it's relatively safer than the other means of public transportation. There was one incident in India though when the driver was looking at us maliciously on his rear view mirror (maybe because he was amused to see three foreign girls talking gibberish) but other than that, I don't think that one rotten apple ruined the entire barrel. The other rides I had were safe and stress free!

What's wonderful with Uber is that it also has a feature that allows you to send your trip details to your family or friends so that they would know the driver's details and the status of your trip real time.

5. You can get a free ride on your first try
Yes, you can! Just use this voucher to enjoy one free Uber ride (only applicable to first time users).

The only down side to Uber for me is how they jack the price up on peak hours and when it's raining. They do this to balance supply and demand. The price surge may range anywhere between 1.2 to 5 times the usual rate.

The good thing is Uber gives you the option to accept the ride and let the surge pass or better yet split the fare with someone else. I personally don't mind the surge especially when I'm in a hurry to go somewhere or when it's raining hard and cabs are hard to come by. Better have a ride than to have nothing at all.

What about you? Is Uber in Cebu yay or nay?

To get one free Uber ride on your first try, just use this promo code: ubereulapanda

No comments

Bad Boys Wingz: Where the Badass Wings Are

by eulapanda - 3:00 PM

There seems to be a sudden surge in the restaurant scene in Cebu for chicken wings. My boyfriend is a huge chicken fan so we are always on the look out for good chicken wings without burning a hole in our pocket.

We've tried most of the restaurants in the spectrum of good 'ole chicken wings -- the restaurant that sells upscale stuff (expensive wings but really good) and the restaurant that sells unli wings (cheap but not that tasty). I prefer those restaurants in the middle of the scale; those that sell relatively yummy chicken wings at a very good price. One of those hole-in-the-wall is Bad Boys Wingz.

Bad Boys Wingz is a tiny restaurant in Banilad, Cebu City. Located right across Bright Academy and a few meters away from big universities like UV and USC, this 20-seater restaurant can get pretty full anytime during the week, more so when classes are in full swing. Well, there's no reason why they do not get full to the brim! This tiny yet tastefully decorated restaurant has a lot of delicious chicken wing flavors under their belt.

My personal favorite is their Sriracha Honey Chicken which balances the spice and sweetness really well while my friends love their Suicide Chicken which is really really hot. If you don't like spicy food at all, there are other chicken flavors that may suit your taste like the Honey BBQ chicken wings which we adore too. I kinda wish though that they have more pieces for each serving.

You can even get a special prize if you do the Suicide Challenge: eat all the Suicide chicken wings within three minutes. The glitch is you need to consume it without drinking water and anything else within the three minute challenge and three minutes afterwards (a total of 6 minutes). This may sound easy but they only have three successful challengers so far displayed on their wall of fame.

Aside from the chicken wings, they also serve appetizers, ribs, and desserts.

BAD BOYS WINGZ
Gov M Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City (Across Bright Academy)

Store Hours: 09255027874
Phone Number: 10:30 am - 2 pm, 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Facebook (page)
They also deliver via FoodPanda

No comments

Chiang Mai Series: A Day With the Elephants and Why It Broke My Heart

by eulapanda - 3:00 PM

When I think of Thailand, I imagine: shimmering and impressive temples, sumptuous Thai street food, orange-clad monks, the fine white sand and turquoise beach, and of course, the ELEPHANTS. People say your Thailand trip wouldn't be complete without the elephants in your itinerary and that it's a must do for first-time visitors in the Land of Smiles.

I had purposely budgeted a bigger amount for the elephant experience because I wanted to do it right but for some reason, we settled for the THB 800 instead without even checking the name of the elephant camp and how things were going on there.

Let me tell you a story of how I fell in love with the elephants and how I got my heart broken.

First Stop:
The Butterfly and Orchid Farm

The tour operator picked us up a little past 8 am on a white van full of other tourists from other countries. There were four Chinese, four Dutch, and of course, us, four Filipinos. All of us were set to go on the same tour route though some of us differed with the activities we planned to do for the day.

It was hot and we felt like we were in a sauna at the back of the van. We were the second group picked up and we wanted to sit together so we opted to stay at the back (yes, we were clingy like that, haha!). You could imagine how relieved we were for the fresh air after almost an hour of travel to the outskirts of the city. Ahhh, finally!

Chiang Mai, Butterfly, Orchid, Elephant Farm

First stop was the Butterfly and Orchid Farm. Coming from a tropical country, I was already used to seeing orchids and butterflies. There wasn't much to do here except to look at the flowers and to walk around a small enclosure with only a handful of butterflies. I was quite surprised though that orchids can be preserved and be made into a brooch or a pendant which was pretty cool but I think the prices were just too high for such small pieces.

We stayed at the farm for probably just about 15-30 minutes before we hopped on the van again to our next destination a few minutes away.

Second Stop:
Elephant Poopoopaper Park
Next stop was the Elephant Poopoopaper Park and yes, folks, they made papers out of elephant dung. Now, I'm pretty sure you've seen these "special papers" or some may even have used them in school before because I did. I particularly enjoyed this part of the trip because we really had a hands on experience of making paper out of elephant poo.

poo paper, elephant poo, dung, elephant, chiang mai, Thailand

Step 1 - Poo Collection

First step was of course collecting poo from the animals. Most papers in the market were made from the trees' wood fiber pulps but these fibers can also be found in animals with high fiber diet but with inefficient digestive systems such as elephants, cows, horses, and buffaloes. Chiang Mai has an abundant supply of these and farm owners were more than happy to dispose off the dung at the Poopoopaper Park.

Step 2 - Cleaning and Boiling

Next stop was the cleaning and boiling part to get rid of all the other dirt (except the fiber) and unwanted bacteria from the paper. The boiling process lasts for hours at a very high temperature. They then scooped the slurry mixture of fiber up and then used the excess water to nourish the plants in the area.

Step 3 - Mixing and Blending

The wet, slurry mixture from step 2 was then mixed with other non-wood fiber pulp available for the season such as hay, pineapple husks, corn stalks , and banana trunks. This step made the poo paper stronger and more durable.

Step 4 - Coloring and Screening

Now, the fun part! Non-toxic food coloring was then added to the off-white mixture and then the pulp was removed and formed into tiny balls of similar weight. These colorful balls were then brought to the screening area where the colorful mixture was placed on a framed screen which was partially submerged in water. Once the pulpy mixture was evenly distributed by hand, the frame was then lifted to drain it. We enjoyed this part because we got our hands wet and dirty.

Step 5 - Drying

We then brought the screen with the mixture under the sun to dry it up. The drying process varied depending on the weather and the thickness of the paper. In the farm, there were rows and rows of colorful screens drying under the sun. They could probably make tons of elephant papers in a week.

Step 6 - Create your own masterpiece (Bonus Step)

This step was for those who had extra dough to shell out for any poopooper product they wanted to make and bring home with them. You can make journals, frames, and the cheapest one was the bookmark to bring home with you as a souvenir. Obviously, us four Filipinos, didn't do this step. Hah! Kuripot (stingy), I know. Lol.

I did actually enjoy this part of the day not only because it was a hands-on experience but also for its very powerful message of recycling and sustainability. Another factor to the fun experience was our guide who was very energetic and who surprised us with the Filipino words she knew. Apparently, she used to have Filipina workmates who became her good friends. It made me mighty proud being a Filipino and made me realized we can be world-class no matter what job, no matter how lowly to some, it may be.

Third Stop:
The Elephant Camp
After all the fun in making paper out of animal poo, we headed towards our most awaited experience of the day --- seeing the elephants. It took us about 20-30 minutes going up Chiang Mai's picturesque mountains towards the Elephant Farm.

We probably got there at around 11 am and the place was already full of tourists. From the parking lot alone I could tell that there were probably more than 100 tourists that same day we visited and about 80% of the tourists were Chinese.

1 - ELEPHANT RIDING

elephant, elephant ride, elephant camp, Chiang Mai

The first thing that came to my mind was: "Am I in an elephant factory?"

Our guide, a small lady in stature but with a boombox voice, ushered our "herd" across the hanging steel bridge, suspended high above a river, towards where the elephants were.

From across the hanging steel bridge we saw scores of elephants with makeshift metal seats strapped around their body, their mahouts (elephant trainer) steering the elephant towards the hut where tourists were lining up to ride the poor animals.

The next thing I knew, we were already the ones being hurried to ride the elephants by pair and it felt like we were being shoved to hurry up or else another batch of tourists will overtake us if we slow down for a second.

It took me a few minutes to take it all in. As I looked around, I saw the other mahouts holding a stick with a sharp end on it, hitting the elephant when they don't move or go to the intended direction. Some even shouted at the animal and kicked them on the neck. About halfway through the course, we stopped by a hut to buy overpriced elephant treats (a few sticks of sugarcane and banana) to feed the poor elephants and they gobble them all up as if that was the only meal they had that day.

The entire ride took 30 minutes and I was unhappy, to say the least. Our only consolation was that our mahout was nice to us and to our elephant. He didn't hit him with a sharp stick nor kicked him on the neck. Of course, we didn't let him go unrewarded for his kindness. My other two friends weren't as lucky. They saw their mahout hitting the poor elephant and there were even scars and open wounds from all the pricks it had endured.

2 - THAI FOOD BUFFET LUNCH
Lunch was so-so. We had a full spread of Thai food, mostly vegetables, and some fruits too. I was too preoccupied talking on the phone with an agent from my local bank that when I went back to the buffet table, all the good ones were gone (the fried chicken and the pad thai). All's good though because my friends were kind enough to give me some from their plate. The only downside were the huge flies swarming the lunch area.

3 - OX CART RIDING
Still a bit full from our lunch, our guide ushered us to our next activity --- ox-cart riding. I have never seen an ox yet so I was pretty much surprised that they looked like my country's very own carabao (water buffalo).

The ride was short but bittersweet. We drove around a covered court where we saw what looked like a home for the aged and sick elephants. There were quite a handful of them with very short chains tied to their feet and some of them even looked sad as they ate grass and drank water. Maybe this was what their life's gonna be if they were no longer able to meet the demands of the trade or if they "act up" in front of tourists.

4 - THE ELEPHANT SHOW
The minute we got off our ox-cart, our guide was already there waiting for us to bring us to the next activity we were set to do for the day: the Elephant Show. I was kinda hoping this was better than the elephant ride we had that morning because I couldn't stand seeing the elephants suffer again. Little did we know that it was another round of torture disguised as a circus show and it bothered me seeing the elephants being treated that way.

They were forced to make tricks like stand up on their hind legs, kneel down, lie down, bike around, kick and shoot the ball, and even paint! Though these tricks look amazing, we couldn't discount the fact that they went through numerous pricks of the bull hooks and yells from their mahouts. What was even more heartbreaking was how the mahouts use the animals to beg for money aka tip from people. At the end of the show, they rode the elephants and followed the other tourists around, forcing them to hand over some bills just so they leave them alone.

5 - KAREN LONG NECK TRIBE
I've seen a few snapshots and documentaries before of women having coils of brass rings around their necks and shins and it was definitely surreal to have seen them in real life. These women were part of the Karen/Kayan tribe and were originally from Burma (Myanmar). Due to political unrest, the Karen people were displaced and some of them relocated and formed little villages across the border separating Thailand and Myanmar.

long neck, Karen tribe, Myanmar, Chiang Mai, Thailand

A little past from where we had the elephant riding were a cluster of huts housing the Karen tribe. There were rows and rows of stalls selling handcrafted items such as scarves, clothes, and wooden ornaments. The moment they saw us coming, each one of them went to their assigned huts and set out to do their chores of weaving and smiling for the camera.

According to our guide, little girls as young as five years old were made to wear these brass coils and more are added as they grow older. The brass rings on their necks could get as heavy as 6 kilograms and would press down on their clavicle, giving an illusion of them having longer necks. The tribe believes that the rings will protect them from harm and would make them unattractive to the other tribes.

What was weird though was that the village was within the Elephant Camp itself and I can't help but think that these people may have been relocated from somewhere else to make the camp a one-stop shop for tourists.

Our guide told us that the men from the tribe were working as mahouts, elephant caretakers, ox-cart and bamboo rafting drivers while the women earned their living through tips given by tourists and by selling their handcrafted items. Despite the hundreds of tourists every single day, each tribe member gets a meager amount for all the hard toil they give.

6 - BAMBOO RAFTING

To cap the day off, we cruised the river by riding a bamboo raft. There were six tourists and two boat men on the trip and it felt really relaxing and soothing after an entire day of being out in the sun. Among all the activities we had that day, this was probably the least rushed and we felt that we were able to enjoy the moment of tranquility and oneness with nature.

The Lesson:
Research before you go.
What I initially thought as a would-have-been fun day turned out to be heartbreaking. I intentionally allotted more funds for a day at an elephant farm where we get to bathe the elephants and take care of them but we were lured instead by cheap bucks and enticing promises. As a consequence, we were witnesses to abuses not only of the animals but also of a people already displaced and suffering.

The 800 THB was cheap, yes, but by all means it didn't justify the things they had to go through and the things they do for money gained from irresponsible mass tourism. The elephant camp we visited felt like it was constructed to be a tourist trap, a one-stop-shop, designed to amass money with every twist and turn. It felt so rushed that we didn't have the time to take it all in and interact with the people around us.

If you are seeking to spend time with the elephants, I strongly advise that you verify with your travel agent the name of the elephant farm you are visiting and to do your research first before committing to anything. I feel horrible for paying for something I am already aware of but had failed to implement while on the road. Here's a website you can use as reference to help you filter through the numerous elephant camps in Chiang Mai and to help you choose the best ones not only to the pocket but also to the conscience.

---------------------------------------

They say: "Travel and let the world change you." For 17 days, four international flights, two overnight trains, and countless hours of bus rides, I let the universe do just that. And it changed me in more ways than one.

This post is part of my Malaysia-Laos-Thailand travel series.

Now up on the blog:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (In One Day): A First-Timer's Guide

Vientiane, Laos: 10 Surprising Things About Laos
Crossing Borders: Vientiane (Laos) to Udon Thani (Thailand)
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Sunday Walking Street Market
Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Old City's Charm and the Buddhist Way of Life

Other Thailand stories are still in the works so stay tuned!

No comments

Pages

The Five-Tier Aguinid Falls in Cebu, Philippines

Going Extreme in Alegria-Badian Cebu Canyoneering

Top 5 Reasons Why I'm Loving UBER

Bad Boys Wingz: Where the Badass Wings Are

Chiang Mai Series: A Day With the Elephants and Why It Broke My Heart

About the Author

Search This Blog

Follow us on Instagram

Like us on Facebook

Categories

Popular Posts

Blog Archive