Friendship in the Land Of Smiles:

A Travel Circle to

January 25- February 4th, 2021

Day 1 January 25th Welcome/ Sawasdee ka! (D) Today we recommend you arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) from your hometown by 2pm. 5:00pm Orientation and Friendship Circle with Shasta Nelson. 7:00pm Welcome Dinner of delicious Thai food! Overnight

Day 2 January 26th Royal History and Culture (B,L) 9:00am Invited guests will share with us the history, faith, and culture of Thailand. 11:30am Visit to the Royal Palace and the Wat Phra Kaeo, the Royal Temple within the palace. 1:00pm Lunch 2:30pm Explore , the large temple right next to the Royal Palace. 4:30pm End our day with a leisurely boat tour through canals of Bangkok Dinner and evening free (don’t forget to enjoy an evening massage). Overnight in Bangkok

Day 3 January 27th Farms and Monkeys (B, L) 8:00am We are off for a day excursion to . We start our day with a visit to a cooperative of villagers from Central Thailand: Kok Chareon Village ( 250km north of Bangkok). The area is best known for farming and producing vast amounts of rice, sugarcane and many fruits and vegetables—hence a great variety of natural materials. Here we will exchange with the women, and learn about traditional silk and cotton weaving. After lunch we will wander the temples in “monkey mad” Lopburi. You can walk around and enjoy seeing all of the wild monkeys here while learning about Thailand’s history. Learn about the Khmer history at Prang Sam Yot, the Khmer temple in Lopburi, known for its many, many monkeys. Overnight in Bangkok

Day 4 January 28th Heroes and Advocates (B, L) 9:00am In the morning our girls will visit Wat Muang in Ang Thong, which is home to the tallest Buddha statue in Thailand, followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya Historical Park.

12:3:00pm We enjoy lunch at the Cabbages & Condoms (C&C) Restaurant, which promotes acceptance of family planning and generates income to support various development activities of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA).

2:00pm Next up is a visit to visit to the ECPAT office. Then we will have an exchange with the staff of ECPAT in Thailand to learn about their work and the founding of the CODE. ECPAT International is a global network of organizations working together to eliminate of child prostitution, child pornography, and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. They seek to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights, free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

4:00pm The last afternoon activity will be a visit to Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, where participants can throw coins for blessings and see the Reclining Buddha statue.

5:30 pm Dinner and evening are free for your personal exploration. Overnight in Bangkok

Day 5 January 29th (B, D)

AM. Check out and fly to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, enjoy a City Tour highlighting Chiang Mai’s temples. You will see the architectural diversity between the Lanna, Thai, Sri Lankan, Burmese and Mon styles. If you are a temple buff or would like to get more acquainted with some of Chiang Mai's temples then this is a great way to spend half a day. The tour will also drop by a market where an abundance of Thai and local foods are offered, where you can have lunch on your own.

3:00pm Check in to our hotel 4:00pm We will meet the WEAVE. This NGO works with the marginalized, refugees, and disadvantaged ethnic women and children from Myanmar on the Thai- Myanmar border. WEAVE facilitates access and opportunities to generate safe and fair income through handicrafts development, and supports the preservation of time-honored artisanry and culture. We will be able to shop their Fair Trade handicrafts that are inspired by time-honored ethnic designs and nature. Crafted with love, the WEAVE products are beautifully and skillfully handmade by the Karen, Karenni, and hill-tribe women residing in the refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border, and in remote rural villages in Northern Thailand.

Dinner tonight is included! Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day 6 January 30th Elephant Sanctuary (B, L) 10:00am Today’s highlight is a morning visit to an elephant sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to learn about these amazing animals and interact with them. We will not ride them though.

3:00pm Afternoon free for self-care and massages!

5:00pm Dinner and Evening are free to explore.

Day 7 January 31st Ethnic Hill Tribes (B, L)

Day Excursion with the Mirror Foundation. The Foundation is run by Thai hill tribe staff, and works for the social development of the community in general, and for the benefit of ethnic minorities in particular. Mirror works directly with the hill tribe communities of the area, as well as runs projects in Ranong province. The organization has an office in Bangkok, and works with the government to create, improve, or change laws which are required to enhance the lives of those in most need. We will learn about advocacy efforts, and visit their handicrafts projects initiative. We will also enjoy lunch, and participate in cultural dances and exchanges.

5:00pm Dinner and Evening are free to explore on your own.

Day 8 February 1st To the Beaches and Kitchens of Phuket! (B, D) AM Check out of our hotel. Today is leisurely and will be scheduled around our flight from Chaing Mai to Phuket. Upon arrival, we with check in and have time to relax on the beach. Dinner tonight we make for ourselves, so here we can enjoy our Cooking Class! Overnight in Phuket

Day 9 February 2nd Stretch and Float (B, L) 9:00am Yoga Class with local yogis. 11:00am Enjoy a brief city tour of the historic district. One highlight is a visit to the Thai Hua Museum, which has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history. 1:00pm Lunch 2:30pm Explore Phang Nga Bay by boat. We will experience the iconic sheer limestone karsts that adorn the emerald green waters of this bay (Pick James Bond Island or Koh Panyee). 5:00pm Free time. PM Tonight we will visit a night market together. Overnight in Phuket

Day 10 February 3 Your Day, Our Ritual and Wrap-Up Circle (B, D) Today is free to enjoy the beach or enjoy a spa treatments at our hotel. Or break off with a girlfriend to hike, explore, or shop. ’Tis your day. 5:30pm Wrap-up Circle! 7:30pm Farewell dinner and lamplighting ceremony.

Overnight in Phuket

Day 11 February 4th ลาก่อน/Farewell! (B) AM Check out and transfer to airport. We will have one group transfer to work with the schedules of the majority of our travelers. . . OR, stay a few days to relax and restore.

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