Any nice places to recommend?
I thought we could use this space to share tales of places that we have visited that we found to be child friendly and a nice place to hang out. Then perhaps if anyone finds themselves in these places it may be of use. If you have any other places to add please let me know and I’ll be supremely happy to share details here.
So far we have been in Thailand in this trip, so I thought to share some tales of places here that have felt inviting to us.
Chiang Mai -
Pai -
Bangkok -
Ko Tao -
So far we have been in Thailand in this trip, so I thought to share some tales of places here that have felt inviting to us.
Chiang Mai -
Pai -
Bangkok -
Ko Tao -
Permaculture travels and volunteering
I am in the middle of a two year diploma course with the British Permaculture association, which involves me completing around ten projects using permaculture design methodology. (You can see more on this and a definition of permaculture here within my online portfolio).
This means that one of my aims with our travels is to visit Permaculture learning centers, places where I can learn and experiment with permaculture and sustainable living methods as we go. Leaving for our trip I didn’t know how this would work out, as the places I had in mind involve volunteering in exchange for our stay and food, I was unsure just how much work I would be able to manage with Ohli by my side, and if some activities would be unsuitable for us to join with. Would this mean that we would be unwelcome? As always, the best way to find out is to try it, and so far we have stayed at 3 different permaculture projects within Thailand.
Our experience has been a mix, sometimes challenging but always rewarding and satisfying. I find staying in a community on the whole a wonderful experience for both parent and child, living amongst others so closely gives a lot of other friends and playmates for both of us, and mostly everybody we have met have welcomed us into the community and been very accepting of our needs, and given us space to work as much as we are able to without any pressure to do otherwise. The challenges I face being on the move, staying in random guesthouses, meeting new people all the time far outweigh the challenges I find living amongst others in a like minded community, even with the community constantly changing with new travellers coming and going. I think this is a wonderful way to travel, and so I’ve given a low down on the experiences we’ve had in each community below.
Punpun
In my opinion the most organized and well run of the communities we have stayed with, as there is a real long term family presence. The community are about half Thai and half western, but with a real Thai feel to the place. There are three children living there, aged between 4 and 9, and the parents arrange communal home education. The place is comfortable, a small café selling shakes and cookies and herbal and organic useful balms and things, a really nice place to spend your free time. They were so, so welcoming to Ohli and I, and the level of work needed was totally manageable, working together in the gardens in the mornings and an optional watering of the gardens in the afternoons. A wonderful place for inspiration and chilling with a shake and a beautiful expansive view over the mountains.
http://www.punpunthailand.org/
Tacomepai
The first community we visited just after arriving into Thailand. The youngest of the three, and, whilst I was there at least, more dominated by the younger short term traveler. Just outside of Pai, a nice little traveler town with some amazing countryside around. Very much outdoors living, nearly everything is made of bamboo-the cups, plates, bridges, houses, communal spaces - pretty much most of the place. The houses are very spread out over the land, all within a short walk from the communal spaces but we still got a little lost some nights trying to find our houses along the dark trails at night. We struggled a little with being the only family whilst staying here, late night dinners in the dark outdoor kitchen, but for a short stay totally worth it. And very laid back, no structured working hours and very relaxed, you can help out as much or as little as you want to. http://www.tacomepai.com/2012/index.php
The Panya project
And then we come to the place we’ve decided to call home for the next wee while. This is a place constantly changing with new faces and new energy, but whilst also keeping a semi-long term community and aspects of community structure. We have felt very welcome here arriving as a family. There is one 6 year old Thai child living amongst us , although she goes to a full time local school so isn't very present within the day to day running of the place. Panya is a mix of short and long term people with a real emphasis on learning about permaculture and improving the place for the future. We have another family staying here as short term guests just now, and so we have been doing a rotation of childcare between the three parents for the morning working sessions which is working very well. And so long as Ohli and I are here we love the idea of other families visiting to join us in this! http://www.panyaproject.org