As if that is not enough to enlighten your body and soul, you will also get the
chance to stay in a traditional Thai house homestay on the bank of one of
Bangkok's vibrant canals. Here you will get an unforgettable insight into
the simple way of Thai living and learn about the secrets of cooking Thai
cuisine at the same time. A treat for your tastebuds too!
Day 1 Arrive Bangkok
You are met on arrival at Bangkok airport and transferred to the D'MA
Pavilion Hotel (please advise flight details at time of booking). The hotel
is located about 5 minutes walk from the Pratunam wholesale
shopping markets - great for clothing bargains. The walk to the shopping
area is along an interesting local street - lots of useful shops where you
can buy nibblies and drinks to stock up your minibar! There are also
laundries, hairdressers and small cheap restaurants. In the evening the
street comes alive with local foodstalls.The rooms are air conditioned
with private facilities, minibar, IDD phone, TV and radio. There is a
selection of restaurants in the hotel, an outdoor swimming pool area,
sauna, health centre, shopping arcade and even a business centre. Time
permitting, the day is free to familiarise yourself with Thailand's capital,
Bangkok, the very epitome of a modern, steamy Asian metropolis. There
are a wealth of attractions to explore! Please reconfirm your pick-up time
for tomorrow morning with our local operator - if there is not a message
for you the phone number is listed on your voucher.
Overnight: D'MA Pavilion Hotel or similar, Bangkok.
Meals: None included.
Day 2 Massage and Meditation
After breakfast at your hotel at around 9 am you take a ferry across the
river with your local guide to Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, for
sightseeing. Wat Po is the oldest temple in Bangkok and probably most
famous as the home of the tremendous 46m long Reclining Buddha.
The Wat was the earliest centre for public education in Thailand and is
still an important centre for traditional medicine, most notably Thai
Massage. Your local guide takes you to Wat Po for you to see it all
for yourself. Your visit includes one hour of Thai Massage, which is
used against all kinds of illnesses, from backaches to viruses.
The objective of the massage, which has been described by some as a
'brutally pleasant experience', is to distribute energies evenly
throughout the nervous system so as to create a harmony of physical
flows. In the afternoon, you are transferred to Wat Mahathat for your
first meditation session where the afternoon timetable will be along the
following lines:
2:00-2:30 pm Introduction
2:30-4:00 pm Meditation
4:00-4:30 pm Group discussion
After a few hours of gaining insight into the enlightening world of
Buddhism and meditation, you are transferred back to the Eastin Hotel.
Tonight is at your leisure. There are plenty of local restaurants and
foodstalls close to your hotel.
Overnight: D'MA Pavilion Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included.
Day 3 Thai Massage and Meditation
This morning you will transfer to Wat Mahathat for a second meditation
session (approximately 9:00-11:00 am). After the session you walk
with your local guide to the pier and board the local express boat to
Taksin pier where you experience another form of local transport
on the BTS Skytrain. Your destination is a traditional wooden Thai House
almost 100 years old, where the host provides the services of Thai
Massage, aromatherapy blended with Thai herbs and yoga teaching. You
enjoy a wonderful 2 hours of traditional Thai massage in a totally relaxing
atmosphere.
Overnight: D'MA Pavilion Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included.
Day 4 Meditation and Homestay
This morning you visit Wat Pathum for a short meditation session from
8:00 to 9:00 am and continue to visit Jim Thompson's magnificent
historic Thai style house, which contains and extensive collection of art
objects, textiles and antiques. In the afternoon you are met at the Eastin
Hotel and transferred to your Thai homestay. You cruise by long-tailed
motorboat and get a chance to witness life as it unfolds along Bangkok's
busy waterways. On arrival at the Ruen Khun Yai, which means 'the
home of Grandma', you can enjoy a Thai herbal drink as a welcome
gesture. Located on the bank of a canal in Bangkok's rural western
suburb, the Ruen Khun Yai is the house of a Thai family. An old wooden
house with a cozy balcony overlooking the Chak Phra Canal, it's a great
place to experience the simple way of Thai living and at the same time
get an introduction into the secrets of cooking Thai cuisine. This afternoon
you can learn about Thai cooking utensils and have a cooking lesson.
The menu can be varied, depending on yours and other guests' requests.
Early in the evening you may like go for a paddle on the canals with the
family and explore the surrounding areas and after dinner you have the
chance to join the family playing Thai musical instruments or for
their routine meditation practice. A great opportunity for you to practice
your newly acquired meditation skills! As a guest of the Ruen Khun Yai
you sleep in the common room of the house. A mat, blanket, pillow and
mosquito net are provided. There are western bathroom facilities.
Most travellers find this homestay the highlight of their trip owing
to the warm hospitality of your wonderful hosts Apple and Jim who
welcome you into their home.
Overnight: Homestay.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included.
Day 5 Homestay - Bangkok
Early this morning you can join the family in giving alms to Buddhist
monks, a common practice in Thailand and other Buddhist countries.
You learn how to cook and enjoy a simple Thai breakfast before saying
goodbye to your hosts and leaving Ruen Khun Yai for a cruise in a
long-tailed motorboat. You stop along the way to talk to some of the
students attending the temple school or take a walk through vegetable
and herb gardens, and make a short visit to an orchid farm. Upon return
to the pier you will be transferred back to your hotel.
You may feel like doing a some shopping at one of the night markets
close to your hotel or sample delicious Thai food in one of the many
restaurants. There is always lots to see and do in bustling Bangkok!
Overnight: D'MA Pavilion Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included.
Day 6 Depart Bangkok
Today is at leisure until your transfer to Bangkok airport for your
departure/onward flight (please advise flight details at time of booking).
Extra nights can be added at the Eastin Hotel if you wish to extend
your stay in Bangkok. Please note hotel check-out is normally 12 noon.
Meals: Breakfast included.
Travel Style
Local English speaking guides will escort you on sightseeing
tours. Meditation and cooking courses will be conducted in
English.
Please contact our local operator if you have any queries
concerning your itinerary once you have commenced
travel.
Group Size
Min. 2 passengers - join in group sightseeing
Accomodation
4 nights superior tourist class hotel, 1 night simple multishare homestay.
back to top
|
