Booked on the Fabulous Thailand trip on 6 August. We are getting conflicting information regarding anti-malarials. Could anyone who has been on the trip recently advise whether they took anti-malarials. As far as I can make out the only 'marignally at-risk night' would be the night at the homestay in the Hilltribes.
Also ImTrav (I believe) sponsor an orphanage in Chaing Mai - could someone tell me if the orphanage require any items from the UK (nappies, clothes etc.) and would they like any visitors.
Many thanks - the Greens
Re: Anti-malarials Thailand and Orphanage
We did this trip in March/April of this year and didn't take ant-malarias -- the trip was mixed --one family did -- one other family didn't -- I don't remember what the last family did. We did take bug repellant -- but it really wasn't a problem -- the night we were at the homestay we used Mossies -- but it was actually too cold that night for buggies. Our doctor thought it wasn't necessary and I decided that I didn't want the anti-malarias -- but that is something you will have to decide.
The trip was fantastic -- you will love it. I would suggest again (I posted on this before) about taking books and balls (soccer would be great) to the village children. They really went crazy over the books we brought (we just gave what we had brought for the plane ride -- I hadn't thought about it before then). One of my greatest memories is watching my son read a book to a group of about 8 village children.
[quote]Originally posted by The Greens:
[b] Booked on the Fabulous Thailand trip on 6 August. We are getting conflicting information regarding anti-malarials. Could anyone who has been on the trip recently advise whether they took anti-malarials. As far as I can make out the only 'marignally at-risk night' would be the night at the homestay in the Hilltribes.
Also ImTrav (I believe) sponsor an orphanage in Chaing Mai - could someone tell me if the orphanage require any items from the UK (nappies, clothes etc.) and would they like any visitors.
Many thanks - the Greens [/b][/quote]
Re: Anti-malarials Thailand and Orphanage
Hello Travelling Duo,
Thank you for your most informative response.
Re: Anti-malarials Thailand and Orphanage
Thank you for your reply - very informative.
I had already read your previous post and as a result have bought some things for the kids. It's great to see the kids interact with the locals. We are getting very excited about going. Any further tips or advice would be welcome - if you can think of anything.
Thanks again.
Re: Anti-malarials Thailand and Orphanage
Hi,
If it helps were are going to take Malarone which needs a prescription but has to be purchased from the chemists.
Re: Anti-malarials Thailand and Orphanage
I am excited for you -- you will have a terrific time. I wish I would have packed less -- laundry -- especially in Chiang Mai -- it is right across from the hotel-- is great. It was hot -- but not unbearable -- but I realize you are going at a different season. Oh, the food is terrific -- we loved it -- oddly enough though the two meals we had at McDonalds and Burger King were the best fast food (chiang mai) I have ever had -- hot and fresh -- I was shocked. I can barely stomach eating it at home but my son was just so sick of rice that I said okay -- it was terrific. Chiang Mai was very easy to get around in -- enjoyed that very much.
Oh, you might want to take along a few pictures from home -- family members, town, school, etc... you will be surprized how close you may become with your fellow travellers -- and it is nice when they have faces to put with the names when you are exchanges details of your lives -- and it would have been nice to show the children part of our lives -- for instance the school that my son goes to -- they would have enjoyed that. Also, this might not be an issue for you at all but my son is a different race from me and the Thais couldn't figure our relationship out -- we would be stopped on the street and asked -- and with my two words of Thai and their very limited English is was very hard to explain. I wish I had a picture of the three of us or even just one of my son and his dad -- it would have made things easier. Everyone was very nice -- just curious and I wish I could have explained it better.
In addition (sorry, I always chatter on) one thing that I wish I would have brought is a polaroid instant camera. We took lots of pictures -- but it would have been nice if I could have give people their picture -- especially the children. I showed them the pictures in my ditigal camera but I wish I would have had the foresight to bring a instant camera to share the pictures with them.
Oh -- definately bring some anti-itch cream -- like benedryal or something like that. You will get bug bites and it will just make your visit more pleasant.
oh -- if you take a taxi to the airport for your return flight -- make sure you tell them you want the meter turned on. Our taxi driver tried to talk me into just taking us for 500 BHAT but I knew it shouldn't be that much and insisted on the meter -- it turned out to be about 250 Bhat.
Oh -- surprized how many 7-11 stores there were -- tons. Quite clean and cheap -- we bought water and drinks constantly.
[quote]Originally posted by The Greens:
[b] Thank you for your reply - very informative.
I had already read your previous post and as a result have bought some things for the kids. It's great to see the kids interact with the locals. We are getting very excited about going. Any further tips or advice would be welcome - if you can think of anything.
Thanks again. [/b][/quote]