Ox Cart

Part of the Mae Tang Elephant park program consists in a half hour ride on an elephant to a touristic village (with lots of souvenirs and annoying people in ethnic costumes running after you) and then coming back to the main center riding an ox cart.

Ox carts are these 2-wheeled wooden carts pulled by oxen (that's the plural for ox, not oxes). Oxen are castrated male cattle preferred to horses because they can pull heavier loads in a steadier fashion. Ox carts were common in many parts of the world and are still used in some remote areas in South East Asia, like Thailand or Malaysia.

It was in fact a much more comfortable ride than an elephant!

Colors of Asia

One of the things I enjoy about Asia is the explosion of bright colors everywhere.
From the products in the markets, bags, clothes, tuk-tuks to the traditional costumes of Hill-tribes, everything seems to be very colorful making it a pleasure for the eye. Even the taxi cars are bright yellow, green or pink!

Why do we tend to become more and more dull in the "western civilized" world? Are we afraid from everything that is not beige, gray, black or white?

Street Food

I have to admit, one of my biggest pleasures while traveling is: Tasting new food!
Especially street food.

Street food is obtained from a streetside vendor, a portable stall or small stand (like a hot dog stand in the US, or "kitchen carts" in Asia). It is often "fast food" to take away, although some vendors also put up stools and small tables on the sidewalk for clients to sit and eat.
It is mostly regional or local food. Prepared on the go, in 2 minutes, it's the best way to taste local flavors and mix in with the crowd.

Unfortunately, in "civilized" countries, it's becoming less frequent to find street food vendors, mostly because of safety and health concern. Many people still doubt the cleanliness of these stalls.

In my case, I'd rather focus on the benefits of street food:

• It gives you a taste of local flavors, makes you discover new dishes. Why would you want to travel across the world to a foreign country and eat the same food you ate at home?
• It's quick and cheap. 
• It gets people out! Adds life to the streets and boosts local economy.
• Concerning Health safety, It actually makes you healthier than all the germ-less bland food served in restaurants. No I am not crazy: We fall sick in foreign countries because of germ exposure. We are not used to the same germs and bacterias in different countries. Our body just needs to adapt and a fast way to do so is to eat street food! What's the worse that can happen? An extended stay in your bathroom?

Anyway, I'm just going to get myself a pad thai with some spring rolls.. Cheers!

Tuk-Tuk?

In Thailand, no visit is complete without a tuk-tuk ride.

Tuk-tuks are motorized rickshaws, three-wheelers mainly found in South-East Asia. While walking in the streets of Bangkok (or anywhere else), you will ALWAYS bump into someone offering you a tuk-tuk ride or a tour of the city for a ridiculous price. Most of the time in touristic places, it is best to avoid these tours as the driver will just take you to commercial streets where you will be tempted to buy products you don't need (they get commission...).

But tuk-tuks are also a fast and easy way to get around town, if you are not afraid for your Life that is!

So.... tuk-tuk? tuk-tuk? 10 baht!