Wandering off the beaten path in Thailand
My first time in Thailand started off in the bustling city of Chiang Mai, but the real treat came when I ventured out to Mae Wang, a small village about an hour drive from the city. After doing some research, I came upon the beautiful eco-lodge Chai Lai Orchid; a haven for rescued elephants; some of the most intelligent and kindest creatures on the planet.
This intricately designed lodge was founded by a woman who created an organization called Daughters Rising, which is helping to fight human trafficking in young girls, and established a program for endangered young girls and women to learn a trade, earn their own money, learn English, and receive an education, which is too often an unachievable goal within poor, struggling families in South East Asia.
With this charitable mission in mind, you contribute to the organization, and help women and girls in need by staying at the lodge, and that’s what I did for the duration of 3 full days. The good cause aside, this is an amazing place to visit, due to its breathtaking surrounding nature, the possibility of peacefully interacting with their precious elephants, and being able to wake up to their daily morning roar . All of these factors combined make it an unforgettable, one of a kind experience.
Bamboo rafting
A few things to keep in mind when traveling consciously:
Avoid elephant farms or so-called sanctuaries where elephants have chairs on top of them or there are clear signs of neglect or abuse. Do it for the animals and don’t support places where the well-being of the animals is not prioritized.
Pick a place with a mission, such as Chai Lai Orchid. During all of my travels, I made it a point to support local businesses, especially if they’re run by women, who are still not given as many opportunities as men in Southeast Asia, and that’s a fact!
Be respectful, kind, and willing to learn about the culture. Immerse yourself and interact with locals, which is my favorite part about traveling. You’ll miss out if you don’t. Instead of a hotel or Airbnb, maybe try a lodge or homestay?
My favorite pasttime was to get to know the lovely staff, interact with them, and learn about their lives. I spent a big part of my days with them and some of their children at the lodge, chatting away, sharing meals together, and walking around the beautiful premise that is Chai Lai Orchid. On departure day, I said my goodbyes and left, hoping to come back another time. Not only for the elephants, but also for the wonderful people who are working and living there.
On a practical note, all rooms are beautifully arranged, with some bathrooms shared in the outdoors. I opted for that, but you can certainly book a room with a private bathroom, if wished. Activities range from waterfall and market visits, private yoga lessons on the premise, bamboo rafting, to Thai massages in your room.
All meals can be had at the lodge, and it’s a wonderful way to experience traditional Thai cuisine. The menu is limited, but consists of everything your heart could possibly desire, from Thai Iced Tea, various curries to choose from, classic Pad Thai, to sticky rice with mango. The lodge’s outdoor restaurant is appealing with its communal feel and views of the river. You can sit in solitude, but the space will always invite you to share it with newly found friends and strangers alike.
Due to privacy reasons, I didn’t publish any photos of the staff, but they were the heart of this stay by being the great, independent and smart women that they are, and I will never forget the kindness they showed to a strange, foreign woman who came to their lodge; wanting to know everything about them and their lively spirits. They taught me a lesson we could all learn from: No matter what knocks you down, there’s always a way to get back up. And be kind along the way!
Bareback elephant riding and bathing with the animals at the Chai Lai Orchid
If you’re looking for a good kisser, elephants are high on the list!