April 2014 ~ The Traveling Ginger

29.4.14 Are We There Yet: My Trip to Laos

29.4.14 Posted by Nikki Carlson AYA Service, Bus trip, Chiang Rai, Kuangsi Waterfall, Laos, Luang Prabang, Mekong River, Utopia, Wat Chom Si, White Temple No comments

With my visa about to expire again (each entry into Thailand allows US citizens 30 days to explore), I had to leave Thailand for at least a few hours. With the unexplored neighboring country of Laos being so near to me, I decided to make a trip out of it - why not?! Similar...

The Trek from Heck

26.4.14 Posted by Nikki Carlson Cave, Jungle, Laos, Trek, Village No comments

Riverboat after our Trek My recent Lao adventure began like most of mine have been starting this year. Arrive in New Country: Stranger Yesterday, But Now New Travel Friend: "Hey, I have an idea!" Me: "Let's hear it." Semi-Stranger: "Let's do [insert dangerous or mentally overwhelming...

Happy Songkran!

14.4.14 Posted by Nikki Carlson 7 Eleven, Chiang Mai, Epic Water Fight, Songkran, Water Guns No comments

This past weekend marked the traditional Thai lunar new year celebration with the annual Songkran Festival. Over the past week leading up to the festival, the preparations for the celebration have completely taken over Chiang Mai. Everywhere you looked there was scaffolding being...

Naa Song Saan!

10.4.14 Posted by Nikki Carlson Aom, Chiang Mai University market, farangs, Line Dance, Teaching, Thai class No comments

This past week while thoroughly enjoying my arrival back in Chiang Mai with my friends, I was also busy attempting (*key word*) to learn very basic Thai at Chiang Mai University. The CMU TEFL course offered its attendees a week-long Thai language course on campus, which my peers and I were...