Some of you have asked when my next adventure is, so I'm sending you the first blog post. In 60 days, the Lord willing, Juniper (my daughter) and I will travel to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand. The original trip was a Tuk Tuk Tour (pronounced like the word took) of northern Thailand. You may ask what a Tuk Tuk Tour is, so I will explain. We will arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand and begin a 10 day tour of northern Thailand traveling in Tuk Tuks. A Tuk Tuk is a three wheeled vehicle which drives like a motorcycle. Here is a photo of the actual ones we will be taking.
I've heard that Thailand is a wonderful country full of amazing things to see and do. As a result, it's been on my bucket list of travel destinations for a while. However, if you know me at all, you know I'm not a big city girl. I think if you've seen one big city, you've pretty much seen them all. The tour gives us a chance to see a side of Thailand that few travelers ever see. Think winding mountain roads, towering forests, elephants, pristine waterfalls, jungle cookery, Hill Tribe stays, proper Thai food, and more than a hint of luxury!
The Northern mountains of Thailand lie at the very base of the Himalayan Mountain Range, creeping further north through Myanmar, India and into Nepal. Thailand’s highest point lies within this mountain range – and will be visited on our Tuk Tuk Adventure. Doi Inthanon, the roof of Thailand, is nearly twice the height of Ben Nevis (remember Ben Nevis from my Scotland blogs) and nearly 10% taller than Australia’s highest point – so climbing it in a three-wheeler is no easy feat (nor is it particularly easy for a ‘normal’ car).
What that does mean though, is the view and experience will be amazing. Very few others make the trip to Northern Thailand, internationally or domestically, so much of the trail is untouched and raw with the very best parts still to be discovered. It's right up my alley!
Now about driving the Tuk Tuks. It requires an international driving permit to drive the Tuk Tuks, so Juniper and I headed off to AAA, the only place in the US to get one.
Here we are proudly showing off our permits. Notice our shirts, "Caution Tourist Tuk Tuk Driver".
Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, we were informed that Thailand changed its transportation laws and to drive a Tuk Tuk, you now have to have an 'A' stamp on your international permit. The US seems to be the only country that requires you to have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license to get the 'A' stamp. Since neither of us have a motorcycle endorsement, nor do we want to spend the time and money to get one, we will have a chauffeur for our Tuk Tuk. Think first class rather than economy, cool boxes (we call them ice chests) for drinks, walkie talkies to chat with fellow travelers, and even bluetooth speakers so we can soundtrack our adventure. Now that's the way to travel...
Whether driving our own Tuk Tuk, or relaxing in the back seat with someone else driving, we will have a feeling of independence and breathing space out on the country roads that we'd never get crammed into a minivan taking the fastest route to the next selfie opportunity. We will get time to think and relax, to stop and stare, travel by roads less traveled, and meet people who share our love of travel 'off the beaten track'.
BUT, before we get to Thailand, we will stop in Hong Kong (I know, I know, BIG city) for four days, then travel to Hanoi, Vietnam for four days.
So, there you have it! A hint of my next adventure and I'm thrilled to be sharing it with my daughter!
