Zoo San, Zoo San

In January, Hato Sensei and I did a lesson on elephants in Thailand. She asked the students to translate a Japanese lullaby into English. It was the first time I had heard the song.

At Joto Elementary School, my last lesson with every grade is a presentation about elephants and my trip to Thailand. I could hear children singing the lullaby as I walked down the hallway to my next class with the first graders. The teacher had told them what the lesson would be about and the children sang in anticipation while they waited for me to set up the computer.

After the lesson, I asked them to sing the song again so I could take a video of it.

Flights: Bangkok <--> Chiang Mai

Last time, I did a stopover in Bangkok for a couple of days, and then I flew to Chiang Mai. I wanted to do the same this time but the extra flight was so much more expensive. I decided to take the overnight train from Bangkok right after I landed at Bangkok International. It takes 14 hours but it's only around $20 and you get a bunk to sleep in. I've never been on an overnight train before. It would be an experience.

However, the political situation in Thailand has been heating up recently. I'm not so worried about safety. I'm only using Bangkok as a transfer point. But, I AM worried that I won't make it to the train station on time if protests or something is going on. The traffic will already be crazy busy when I land in the afternoon.

I looked up flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok on budget airlines like Nokair and One-Two-Go. They were much cheaper than the ones I had with Thai Airways, but their flights only depart from Don Mueang Airport. I would have to take a bus or taxi to get there. The trip is not that pricey, but it's a hassle. Plus, I couldn't find flight times on the same day as the ones I had coming from and going back to Japan.

THEN, I looked up the flights on Air Asia. It was (surprisingly) cheaper AND I found some day flights. I won't have to spend two nights on the overnight train, which means I have two extra nights to explore Chiang Mai! It was perfect. I booked ittt.

Depart (Friday, 23 Apr 2010)
Bangkok (BKK) to Chiang Mai (CNX)
Depart Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at 18:15
Arrive in Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) at 19:25

Return (Saturday, 08 May 2010)
Chiang Mai (CNX) to Bangkok (BKK)
Depart Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) at 08:25
Arrive in Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at 09:35

30% deposit, paid

from volunteer@elephantnaturefoundation.org
date Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 3:27 PM
subject [#798409] Reservation for Heidi 

Dear Heidi ,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Elephant Nature Park. Please find your booking confirmation below.

Name: Heidi
Start Date: 26-Apr-2010
Duration: 2 weeks

Thai Airways

Thank you for choosing ROYAL e-booking to make your travel reservation.You can review your reservation information below. Your flight selection:

Osaka to Bangkok - Friday, April 23, 2010
Departure 11:45 (Osaka, Japan - Kansai International)
Arrival 15:35 (Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International)

Bangkok to Osaka - May 8, 2010
Departure 11:00 (Bangkok, Thailand - Suvarnabhumi International)
Arrival 18:30 (Osaka, Japan - Kansai International)